How to Safely Carry Two E-Bikes on a 5th Wheel Without Blocking Lights or Hitting Your RV
Updated 05/14/2026 | Published 05/11/2026
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Question:
I have 2 CSC E-bikes that i want to carry behind my Alliance Paradigm 5th wheel trailer that has a 2inch hitch rated for the typical 300 lbs hitch weight. I have attached a pic of the bike specs including all measurements, the weight of the bike is showing to be 88 lbs but are 70 lbs each with the batteries removed. I also want to make sure the handlebars are not a problem with hitting the rv or ladder, the hitch extends 2inch past the back of the trailer. I also want to make sure it does not cover the stop lights and license plate. Currently, I have the two bikes attached to make a tandem side by side which I can separate and put back together as needed but would prefer to carry them attached if there was a way to do that.
asked by: Jeff G
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Expert Reply:
Hi Jeff, you can carry your 2 CSC e-bikes behind your Alliance Paradigm fifth wheel trailer, but you’ll want to separate them rather than keep them in that tandem setup since we don’t have a rack designed to safely carry them side by side like that. The good news is your wheelbase and overall dimensions fit really well with the Hollywood RV Rider rack part # HLY64FR, which is built specifically for RV use and heavier e-bikes like yours. Also thank you for all the wonderful photos and dimensions. That was very helpful.
On clearance, you’re going to be in good shape. With your hitch extending about 2 inches and the Hollywood rack sitting about 4 inches from the hitch pin hole to the closest part of the rack, you’ll have enough room to clear the back of the RV, and if you rotate the handlebars slightly that will take care of any potential contact with the ladder or rear wall. That’s a very common adjustment people make with wider bars and it works well.
As far as weight, you’re in a good spot with the batteries removed, but you are still getting close to that 300 pound hitch rating once you factor in the rack and the extra movement at the rear of a fifth wheel, so sticking with an RV rated rack like this is the right move. One thing I do want to point out is based on the width of your trailer and the length of your bikes, there is a strong chance the wheels will partially block your tail lights or license plate. An easy fix for that is adding a light bar like part # HLY54RR so you stay visible and legal without worrying about it. You will need a 4-way flat on your fifth wheel to use this.
To power that light bar, you can add a simple 4-way flat connector at the rear of your fifth wheel by tapping into the existing tail light wiring. Most people will use a powered 4-way harness like part # C59236, which connects to the trailer’s tail light circuits and gives you a standard 4-way flat output for accessories like the light bar. You’ll tie into the running lights, brake lights, and turn signals at the back of the trailer, and mount the 4-way near the hitch for easy access.
I know you want something you can trust back there without worrying about hitting the trailer or getting stopped for visibility, and this setup will give you that confidence. Do you mostly ride trails with those CSC bikes or are you using them to get around town from camp?
Bob
5/14/2026
Jeff, most important IMHO is a Class III or better hitch receiver, next a RV rated bike rack always using an anti-sway device. There are helpful YouTube videos on how to load your e-bikes. Always remove your bike batteries and transport separately before loading bikes. For the Hollywood Rack RV Rider, lower completely the rack center post. Easiest to only load one bike wheel at a time. Inner bike faces the driver, outer bike faces the passenger side. Using the bike brakes and pulling backwards on the handle bar, one can easily raise only the front bike wheel and set it in the outer bike wheel holder, then raise the rear wheel into the outer wheel holder. When ready, first move the bike rear wheel to the inner wheel holder, then move the front bike wheel. Raise and secure the rack center post, then secure the inner bike. In the same manner load and secure the outer bike. LOCK everything (add additional tie downs and security if desired). Done. Unloading follows the opposite order of steps. We only cover bike seats and instrument controllers unless there is weather in which case we have bike covers and netting. This advice comes from retirees with 13 years traveling in our 5th wheel RV with dogs and bikes to Alaska (2x), across the USA 4x, Canada to Mexico 6x.
Doug K.
5/14/2026
I purchased the Hollywood RV bike rack to replace rack that was supposed to be RV rated that totally failed. After traveling 1500 miles with 2 full size Aventon E-bikes averaging 60 lbs each the Hollywood rack has held up well. I have the rack on the back of a 38ft 5th wheel Grand Design camper and found it necessary to add a 8 inch hitch extender(which is allowed in the literature included with the rack) to allow enough clearance from the back of the camper.I added a stop and turn lamp to the back of the rack for increased visibility of the tail lights. I found it necessary to add a cross bar adapter to my step through bike to have adequate mounting of the rack clamps to the bike. The only problem I have had with the rack is even though I throughly tightened and installed the lock washer on the hand nut holding the vertical support arm it shook its way off. I now use a self locking nut in its place.yhe back of a 5th wheel trailer is a rough ride and it have worked great.
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Hollywood Racks RV Rider Bike Rack for 2 Electric Bikes - 2" Hitches - Frame Mount
- RV and Camper Bike Racks
- Platform Rack
- RV Hitch Rack
- Frame Mount
- Bike and Hitch Lock
- 2 Bikes
- 5th Wheel
- Flat-Towed Vehicle
- Motorhome
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- Electric Bikes
- Fat Tire Bikes
- Heavy Bikes
- Hollywood Racks
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on Hitch Bike Racks
Jeff G.
5/13/2026
Thanks for the detail response. I was reading the install instructions and it appears that the hitch needs to be rated for 350 lbs and mine is only 300 lbs, is this going to be a concern for my application? Also, can I use a short hitch extender to get enough clearance for the handlebars not to hit the RV? I will also need a compatible license plate bracket since the wheel will cover about 1/2 of the license plate, please provide recommendation. Can you also recommend a bike cover for the bikes while on the back of the RV.