Hello,I was wondering if anyone had any ideas on the best way to carry 2 bikes and the spare.I have a bumper mounted spareI also have a Hollywood Rack for two electric bikes on its own 300lbs hitch in the back. The problem is I can't move the spare to the side far enough to get the bikes and spare to ride together in the back (bikes handlebars hit spare)I have looked several options but I am not sure which is best or what issues could arise. I am not for overloading bumper either therefore I bought a trailer with a 300lb hitch. 1. 4-6 inch Extender for hitch to clear bike. Concerned with torque that extension will put on hitch welded to frame. 2. Under the frame mount towards front of trailer. Concerned with ground clearance and tongue weight. 3. A tire carrier for the bumper that will raise the spare clear of bikes handlebars. Concerned with too much weight on bumper. 4. Throw spare in back of truck. Pita to take in and out after trips and consumes space in bed. Any other suggestions or gotchas with the ideas listed above would be appreciated. I prefer a solution that does not put more weight on the tongue of the trailer but I am open to that if it won't impact truck. Mike

I have mine mounted on the spare tire at the back of the RV (assuming this is what you are asking).The bike rack comes in cheap from Walmart and mostly straps and steel tubes.

“bikes handlebars hit spare“Most bicycle handle bars can be loosened and then turned without the front wheel moving.

What type of camper? TT? I would try to mount it to the toung, your bikes on the back will compensate for the toung weight. Depends on what you got up there and what your willing to move. Some put them on the side of the frame. Some under, other mount the batteries lower and go over them. Maybe a picture would help?

Mount tire carrier and use bike rack that fits on tire. It hooks over tire and straps to it and bikes fit on it. Very simple and light weight.

Could always mount them to the front of the TV also.

Ideas to carry spare and bikes | Good Sam Community

speediq99
Explorer II
Mar 23, 2021
I am researching this but I agree with you. I am leaning towards tossing them in the back of the truck and skipping the hitch except for perhaps lighter bikes in the future. There are only two of us and we don't carry any weight on the truck at all.

I am looking forward to driving the trailer w/o the bikes. It is a new trailer and I don't think that I have ever driven it w/o them. It certainly could be the culprit of the uncomfortable floaty feeling I still get from time to time. I will post the response from Hollywood Racks when I get it.

Thank you
BarneyS
Explorer III
Mar 23, 2021
There is no way I would put 300lbs on the rear of a travel trailer no matter what hitch was on there! :E (or 120lbs of expensive electric bikes. I have one also.)

As far as learning more about about sway with a bike rack (think weight) mounted on the back, just search the forum with the word "sway".
Barney
speediq99
Explorer II
Mar 23, 2021
Thank you.

Let me look at their website regarding the rack and send them an email. I hope they are referring to bumper mounted receivers given the weight of the racks and not a 300/3000 hitch welded to the frame.

I would love to hear more thoughts on the issue of sway with a bike rack mounted in the back.

This trailer came equipped with a 300/3000 lbs hitch receiver from the factory. I would think they have given the sway issue some thought.

It is definitely worth checking into as I have been struggling a bit to get a comfortable ride towing and otherwise manageable trailer and Equilizer helped me set the wdh up. hmm!!!

Good points that I never considered.
Btw, it is a Traver trailer. I just send Hollywood racks a message.
Thanks again.
Flapper
Explorer
Mar 23, 2021
The original poster didn't say, except to refer to his RV as a "trailer".
Hollywoods web site says (emphasis mine):

"This bike rack is not compatible with bumper pull, travel trailers or bumper mounted hitch receivers."

Hope he has a fifth wheel......

Besides the tongue weight concern noted above, there is the increased moment arm inherent in a trailer, made worse by using an extender. Might get by, but it would be a shame to be dragging expensive bikes down the road....
Blazing_Zippers
Explorer II
Mar 23, 2021
IF I am reading this right---this rack is for the rear of a travel trailer? If so, would it cause a sway issue due to weight transfer from the hitch to the back.
Not saying this was the cause, but the folks that crashed on the bridge in Idaho had some weight on the rear fold down bumper that might have contributed somewhat.
time2roll
Nomad
Mar 22, 2021
speediq99 wrote:
Time2roll,

Do you have a picture you can share? Sound like the solution I was looking for.

Mike
I don't. Although I do expect to visit the trailer this coming weekend.
mbopp
Explorer
Mar 22, 2021
I used a BAL Hide a Spare, it's just behind the rear axle. No issues to date.
speediq99
Explorer II
Mar 20, 2021
Time2roll,

Do you have a picture you can share? Sound like the solution I was looking for.

Mike
time2roll
Nomad
Mar 20, 2021
I made my own tire carrier that brings the tire forward toward the trailer to rest above the bumper instead of protruding to the rear as most seem to do. Used 2 pieces of C-channel steel from Home Depot bolted to the forward side of the bumper. Added some threaded rod to hold the tire. Works great for me.
speediq99
Explorer II
Mar 20, 2021
Please note that there is a 300lb tongue weight hitch welded to the frame. Bikes are 120lbs combined. Not carried on the bumper. That number barely holds the spare.

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