What Effect Does Using a Hitch Extender Have Using the Hollywood Racks RV Rider Bike Rack

Updated 12/27/2022 | Published 12/26/2022

Products Featured in This Question

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

(637)

$649.99

Hitch Extender For 2" Trailer Hitch Receiver 7"

(358)

$80.44

Question:

Hello, I just purchased this HLY64FR RV Rider rack from you guys for two Ebikes we are planning on hauling behind our 2021 Newmar Bay Star Sport Class A Motorhome. After purchasing I noticed that several owners of Newmar had to use a hitch extender in order to have enough clearance for the handlebars behind the RV. None of the owners had the same bike rack so I was wondering if you would possibly know of any clearance issues with this rack behind a Motorhome? It seems in the video you guys have where the guy is explaining use they look like they have clearance but it appears pretty close to back of RV? I would think if this was designed for RV’s that there would be adequate clearance for most but I know there are lots of variables to account for. Anyway, hoping you can help and if it doesn’t allow clearance can a hitch extender be used and if so how does that affect weight rating of rack and toungue weight capacity of hitch receiver? Thanks in advance for any help with this matter

asked by: Jake G

Expert Reply:

The Hollywood Racks RV Rider Bike Rack # HLY64FR is rated for RV use and will work with most RV's. The easiest way to determine your clearance would be to measure the distance from the hitch pin hole on your RV's hitch. The closest point on the Hollywood Racks RV Rider Bike Rack # HLY64FR is 12" from the center of the hitch pin hole.

We have not had the chance to test the Hollywood Racks RV Rider Bike Rack # HLY64FR on a Newmar specifically. But you are correct that there are a lot of variables to account for, from the RV itself to the bikes. So unfortunately, I am not aware of clearance issues specific to Newmar.

Using a hitch extender like the # HE06 will reduce the tongue weight of your hitch by 50%. Since you are carrying 2 e-bikes, this may cause you to be over the weight that your hitch can handle. You would need to factor the weight of your 2 bikes plus the 58 lbs. the bike rack weighs and see if that is over the 50% capacity of your hitch using the extender.

expert reply by: Scott S