Double receiver hitch for tow dolly and bike rack?

Vt Rv wrote:
Thank you all for the input. I am concerned about the weight of the bikes on the hitch as well as the ability to couple and uncouple the tow dolly with the bike rack in place. I've started to look at the option of a rack on the car, in my case a Cavalier but as someone pointed out when towing the angle of the car might be a problem as it's a very low profile rear end.

Roof rack? Some of the newer ones even have suction cup mounts. A roof rack is also versatile and can be used for things other than bikes.

Thank you all for the input. I am concerned about the weight of the bikes on the hitch as well as the ability to couple and uncouple the tow dolly with the bike rack in place. I've started to look at the option of a rack on the car, in my case a Cavalier but as someone pointed out when towing the angle of the car might be a problem as it's a very low profile rear end.

I have the double receiver from HF but I modified it to make more height between to two. Look near the end of the following thread for the extended version.

Double Rcvr & Bike rack

I now have it set up with the cargo carrier up top and a ball hitch for my toad at the bottom.

See it hooked up here:

Rocky Project

Does your toad have a hitch? Perhaps putting a bike rack on the toad would be a better solution.

rekoj71 and Playtime are correct. The double hitch configuration I used worked well but with the rack in place and a ball under I don't think you would have room to slip the dolly in place and lock it down. I think the clamp version on as wa8yxm and BTPO1 suggested will work well but Corkey05's idea of the bike rack on the towed vehicle is probably best.

i have the harbor freight version with the ball on the bottom and the receiver (for bike rack) on top. works fine except i have to remove the bike rack to be able to uncouple the dolly from the ball.

One thing to think about in the above pictures and the double receiver you are thinking about, is in the above pictures they are using a different hitch than most tow dollies use (receiver attachment, common on 4 down hitches, verses a tow ball on a receiver). I was thinking the same as you. physically I think it would work but the upper mount, if the bike rack extends out pretty far, might make it impossible to squeeze the coupler of the dolly over the tow ball, unless you hitch up first then put the bike rack in, or use a drop receiver into the dual receiver.

Might not work for your set up but on my motorhome the receiver bracing is fairly exposed and I bolted onto it a lightweight receiver like the ones they sell for trailers that have the 4" square bumper, but mine was built to be bolted under a truck bumper, but with some different bolts I bolted it to the square tube cross brace, so I now have the original receiver, and now a second receiver about three inches higher and about a foot to the left of center, far enough that the hitch could never hit it unless I was backing and jackknifed it(impossible with a dolly). I use that second lightweight receiver for my bike rack. It being off center only helps it be out of the way of the ladder anyway.

Hope you find something that works for you.

That is one option and not unlike what I use (I have a custom made dual adapter with 4 drop.. the straight part is a ball mount where the bicycle carrier mounts)

Another option is a bicycle carrier that slips on over the 2 inch square bar and clamps down.. That works well .. very well in fact.

Whatever you use Blue-ox sells a device called a Hitch Immobilizer Use at least one (On the motor home to adapter junction) this greatly reduces motion of the bicycle (s) on the carrier. GREATLY.

http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Ox-BX88224-Immobilizer-Receiver/dp/B00403LNQI This is an upgrade from what I have

I use a Swagman rack designed for towing. It slips over the the receiver and tightens down with bolts. Have used it cross country several times with no problems. I also use a dolly to tow a Corolla. I am not able to put the carrier on the back the Corolla when on the dolly since it will hit the road due to the angle of the car. JMO

Or you could spread the load and put the bike rack on the towed vehicle ... that way if you want to later drive to a trailhead you'll already have your bikes with you. :)