Solution To Carry Heavy E-Bikes With A Motorhome That Is Flat Towing A Small Vehicle

Updated 08/29/2022 | Published 08/27/2022

Products Featured in This Question

Adjustable Width Trailer Hitch Receiver for RVs, 22" to 72" Wide

(582)

$484.15

Hollywood Racks RV Rider Bike Rack for 2 Electric Bikes - 2" Hitches - Frame Mount

(648)

$649.99

Question:

Hi We would like to carry 2 E Bikes on the back of a motorhome using a 10,000 lb rated hitch and a 10,00 lb rated double receiver.. Can we use a extension in the double receiver to give more clearance between the E Bikes on the back of the motorhome and the hood of a small tow car. The tow car tow bar has no tongue weight like a trailer would have. Our small tow car doesn’t have a strong enough frame to support upgrading a class 1 1.25” receiver to accommodate a class 2 or 3 -2” receiver. To allow a Holliday H R Se 1700 rack on a tow car. Thanks for any advise in what will work the safest. I have seen a Hr 1500 on the back of a motorhome using a double receiver with a 18” extension towing a car and no clearance issues. I didn’t know what the 18” extension effect on your motorhome receiver would have.

asked by: Jerry N

Expert Reply:

I checked around a bit, and you actually can not use a hitch extender and a dual hitch adapter together. Reason being is that using two adapters with each other will created too much of a weak connection point and a probable source of failure.

Instead, the best option I can recommend is to install a hitch in the front of your RV like the Adjustable Width Trailer Hitch Receiver for RVs, 22" to 72" Wide # 13703, and then carry your e-bikes from there.

This way you likely aren't going to run into a clearance problem, and will eliminate the need for a bunch of adapters.

I recommend you check with your owners manual to see if there is any objection with putting a hitch in the front.

This hitch has a maximum towing capacity of 3,500-lbs, and a maximum tongue weight of 350-lbs.

Finally, for a bike rack, I recommend checking out the Hollywood Racks RV Rider Bike Rack for 2 Electric Bikes # HLY64FR. This is a motorhome rated, heavy e-bike rack that will easily accommodate up to 80-lbs per bike, for a total of 160-lbs, and a maximum tire width of 5".