Trailer Hitch Extender for Bike Rack on Rear of Fifth Wheel Trailer

Published 11/11/2014

Products Featured in This Question

Swagman XTC2 Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Frame Mount

(1662)

$216.14

Stromberg Carlson 2 Bike Carrier for RVs - Ladder Mount - Aluminum

(120)

$92.58

Question:

We have a Montana 5th wheel with a rear 1 1/4 receiver hitch. The distance from the end of the receiver hitch to the back of the 5th wheel clearing the rear ladder is 14inch not including the depth of the to the mounting bolt hole inside the hitch. Can a hitch extender it would have to be a raised extender for better ground clearance be used with the Rola NV2 hitch or do you have a better recommendation? Thank you..

asked by: Dean C

Expert Reply:

I would not under any circumstance recommend using a hitch extender at the rear of a fifth wheel. Using an extender will lower the tongue weight capacity of your hitch (the maximum amount of weight that can safely be hung from the hitch) by 50 percent. This could place the capacity of the hitch as low as 100 lbs, depending on if your hitch is a Class I or II. This would mean that the weight of the bike rack plus the bikes stowed on it couldn't exceed 100 lbs.

Because adding the extender will also make the bounce the rack experiences much more severe, and will likely damage the hitch or the bike rack over time. None of the extenders we offer that are compatible with a 1-1/4 inch receiver will add increased ground clearance.

I'd recommend you go with a ladder mounted bike rack like part # LA-102. This will allow you plenty of ground clearance with no worries of the hitch getting damaged. This would be the safest alternative, without a doubt. As you can see on the product description page, this ladder mount bike rack is very highly rated by our customers.

expert reply by: Mike L