Is It Better To Carry Bikes Behind Flat Towed Vehicle or Above Tow Bars?

Question

Question:

We have a MH and a toad. We are getting eBikes. Good idea or bad idea to use a Dual Hitch Extender to put the eBike rack between the MH and the toad? Or better to put the eBike rack on the toad? TIA

asked by: Jon S

0

Expert Reply:

To me it makes the most sense to put a Bike Rack # HLY64FR on the flat towed vehicle rather than above the tow bars. Especially on heavy e-bikes as they are difficult to lift that high onto the rack, but also as it only makes sense to have the rack on your car as you want to leave your motorhome at the campground and take your bikes to different trails in the area. This is much easier with your car when you get where you are going.

expert reply by: Bud M

0

Jon S.

3/8/2024

Thanks - I agree with you on putting the rack on the Toad. I have a 2018 Winnebago View and a 2024 Chevy Trax. My two eBikes weigh 52 lbs each. I need to be able to use the rack on either vehicle (when we don't bring the toad). I am interested in a rack that has ramps. So would the Yakima # Y36FR work - would you recommend it - and are there any other racks with ramps I should consider? TIA

Reply

Bud M.

3/11/2024

@JonS You are going to want to look at the Yakima StageTwo # Y47VR with the Loading Ramp # Y39VR due to the Yakima OnRamp Y36FR only being rated for 40lbs per bike behind an RV like your 2018 Winnebago View. The StageTwo is rated up to 60lbs which is enough for your 52lb e-bikes.

Reply

Answer 1

The Tow Defender #RM-4700 you found is really our best option to protect the front of your 2024 Chevrolet Trax. This screen helps to deflect any road debris back down to the ground to keep it traveling under your Trax. This particular cover is…

view full answer...

Answer 2

In order to use a hitch-mounted bike rack like the Swagman Original #S64152-2 that you were looking at while towing a vehicle, you will just need to add the Roadmaster Dual Hitch Receiver Adapter #RM-077-4. This adapter will slide into the 2 inch…

view full answer...

Answer 3

Hey Glenn, yes the Roadmaster Falcon tow bar part #RM-522 will work great with a Roadmaster base plate kit. This is the tow bar I recommend the most with Roadmaster base plate kits actually.

view full answer...

Answer 4

As long as the flat tow wiring is wired in before the 4-Way #C93ZV and you connect the power for the converter directly to the battery it will work. I have seen several use Magnetic Lights #TL21RK which they will wire in on the main harness to have…

view full answer...

Answer 5

I do have another option for you, but you are correct that the Roadmaster Dual Hitch Receiver Adapter #RM-077-4 would not work with your Jeep sitting +2" already because you would be sitting with the Jeep at +4" with the #RM-077-4 adapter.…

view full answer...

Answer 6

We do have similar adapters that might work for your application but the Roadmaster Dual Hitch Receiver #RM-077-4 that you referenced cannot be used to tow a trailer. This particular unit can only be used for flat towing another vehicle. For a dual…

view full answer...

Answer 7

Hey James, the Hollywood Racks RV Rider bike rack does not have a ramp option made for it. Do you have this bike rack already? If not, I'd go a different route for the e-bike rack like the Thule Easy Fold XT part #TH903202.

view full answer...

Answer 8

Hey Jeff, yes the Hollywood Racks RV Rider Bike Rack for 2 Electric Bikes #HLY64FR that you referenced would be a great option for you. It can be used in the hitch of your flat towed vehicle and it will be much easier than putting the bikes in your…

view full answer...

Answer 9

Hey David, thanks for reaching out. Hollywood actually makes a light kit specifically for the RV Rider Bike Rack, the Hollywood Racks Safety LED Light Bar for Bike Racks #HLY54RR. This uses straps that attach it directly to the crossmember of the…

view full answer...

Answer 10

I contacted the manufacturer with what has been going on when using your Demco SBS Stay-IN-Play DUO Supplemental Braking System #SM99251. They were able to provide some insight. First, you need to be using a 20 amp fuse. They said that the…

view full answer...

Answer 11

I have a few different e-bike racks for you to check out and the differences really just boil down to the weight of the rack and the features it comes with. The first recommendation I have is the Hollywood Racks Destination E Bike Rack #HLY66ZR which…

view full answer...

Answer 12

Hey Kim, thanks for reaching out! The Kuat Piston SR Bike Rack #KU88ZR just sits straight out so while it doesn't sit lower, it definitely doesn't rise up so I can see why you have the concern about ground clearance on a 2024 Honda Odyssey.…

view full answer...

Is It Better To Carry Bikes Behind Flat Towed Vehicle or Above Tow Bars?

Product Page this Question was Asked From

Featured Help Information

Instructions

Continue Researching