Options For Carrying A Bike Rack While Also Towing A Camper With A 2018 Silverado 1500  

Question:

Expert Reply:

Hi Mark!

There are several ways to do this, but my preferred option is something like the Shank for Gen-Y Adjustable Ball Mount - 2" Hitch - 5" Drop/Rise - 10K # 325-GH-404. This basically becomes 2 hitch receivers and you can mount the ball mount you are using to tow your Clipper in the bottom receiver and the bike rack in the top receiver. We have people do this kind of thing all the time as this part will not mess with the tongue weight of the hitch on your truck (pretty much all the other options like this will).

However, this may not have the correct rise/drop for your set up, so it would be good to know that. Measure from the ground to the inside top of the hitch receiver on your truck, and then from the ground to the bottom of the coupler on your trailer. The difference is the rise/drop you need and if you can get me that number, I can definitely find the Gen-Y part that will be best for your set up. ^___^

Another option is to add the Curt front hitch # C31069 to your Silverado. We have people do this pretty often as well (see included image), but some bike racks are not compatible in front hitches, so if you can let me know what you have, I can verify that for you. I should also mention that this is a fairly involved install, but it can be done at home.

The last option would be to add a hitch to the back of your Clipper, like the Curt # 13703 (which fits frames 22" wide to 72" wide). This is also a pretty popular option, but as with the front hitch, not all bike racks are compatible with hitches on the back of trailers like you have. This is due to there being a lot of movement back there and I typically don't like to load bikes back there due to that movement. It is an option though.

What kind of bikes are you going to be carrying? And how many?

expert reply by: Lazer S

0

Curt Front Hitch C31069 Carrying Bikes
(click to enlarge)

Mark S.

10/27/2026

Thank you for your quick response. We do not currently have a bike rack, so I would need one from you that fits the best configuration you suggest. It will be for two adult hybrid bikes. Right now, my straight through hitch to the 2" receiver on my truck is perfect and level for the camper when it's hooked up. We're camping right now, so I don't have a tape measure. I'll take a photo in the morning, so you can see what I have.

Mark S.

10/28/2026

Lazer S, It's 18" at the bottom base of the camper coupler and 17" to the inside top of the receiver on my truck.

Lazer S.

10/28/2026

@MarkS Ok perfect. The # 325-GH-503 would be the better option for you as you can come straight out for the camper's ball mount. You would then have this in the rise position and you can mount a bike rack in the top slot. It will make the bike rack a little high up, but it will work perfectly. For a bike rack, I like the Hollywood Racks Destination # HLY94FR. It weighs 20 pounds (so it's on the lighter side), can carry two bikes that weigh up to 35 pounds, and since it attaches to the frame of the bikes, it can be used with just about any style frame. The price is also pretty hard to beat.

Mark S.

10/28/2026

@LazerS Thank you very much for this info. It looks like the perfect solution. We weren't expecting to put that much out. We were hoping to be half that cost, but we do understand. I think we'll hold off until spring to save up a bit before making this purchase. Thank you again sir! R/Mark and Rosemary Stapleton

Lazer S.

10/28/2026

@MarkS You're very welcome! If you come up with any other questions or anything in the mean time, just let me know. Always here to help! ^___^