Rear Hitch Bike Rack for Travel Trailer

Have you ever followed behind a TT or 5ver going down the highway with a loaded bike rack?
I have quite a few times. It's rather scary how much it flings forward and back. And you cannot see it from the drivers seat.
I have one for the back of the TT. I'd like to use it but wouldn't consider it without a provision for lateral support to prevent it from flexing to and fro.
Mine is a 2" reciever.

Agree with above. Have been behind many TTs and 5ers with rear bike racks. Some ride smoothly. Some bounce violently. And there have been a number of posts on here and other sites about the hitch and/or bike rack failing and either dragging the bike(s) or losing them altogether. I suspect most people with rear bike racks have no idea what is going on back there unless they have taken a highway test drive and had some one watch from behind to see.

I see plenty of them here.

You can easily add a 2" bolt on receiver, it doesn't need to be in the exact center. I added one and carry my bike rack on it, but the bikes stay in the truck till I get settled in, then the rack goes on the truck if needed. Like above post, you have no clue what goes on back there and it may be bike, trailer damage or worse.

You could use This XC2 Bike Rack It is RV approved. They also offer the XC It will fit the 1/14 receiver.

The XC2 is the one I use and it is very sturdy, to adapt it to the 1 1/4 you could use one of These

The XC2 fits pretty close to the rear of the RV but with the adapter it will give you extra room.

If you are worried about excess movement I would suggest a anti rattle device,the best and easiest to us is the Hitch Rider.I have used them all and this one by far is the best,it will keep all movement from happening.

First, as an avid cyclist, I would NEVER put my bikes on the back of a trailer. Nearly all trailers have no shocks, like Motorhomes do. So bike racks get pulled back and down from the weight of the bouncing bikes. The physics of this either weaken the rack or the bumper welds, causing failures.
Second, if I were to put them on the back, I would never use a 1 1/4" bike rack or receiver. Unless you pay for expensive bikes, most people have bikes that weigh 45-55lbs.
Third, I don't like my bikes being where I can't see them.

IMHO, if you can't carry them in the tow vehicle:
Vehicle roof rack
Inside of trailer
A-frame mounted bike rack

I have a Swagman ball mount folding bike rack that mounts to my truck's rear step bumper. Since I have a WDH for the TT, my bikes clear the propane tanks when turning.

BobsYourUncle wrote:
Have you ever followed behind a TT or 5ver going down the highway with a loaded bike rack?
I have quite a few times. It's rather scary how much it flings forward and back. And you cannot see it from the drivers seat.
I have one for the back of the TT. I'd like to use it but wouldn't consider it without a provision for lateral support to prevent it from flexing to and fro.
Mine is a 2" reciever.

I agree! Although I had a rear camera on my trailer and could see the bikes. I had them ratchet strapped to the back wall of the trailer with some 3/8" stainless eye bolts. This kept the rack from moving. I also had a set bolt to remove the slop from the receiver. With that I could watch my bikes (4 of them) and they would barely move. Towed like that for 12 years. I did use pool noodles where the bikes may rub each other, never any damage.
Like Bob said I've seen plenty on the road that I just get on around them. Don't need to sit behind them watching them get closer to the road.

You will also want to offset the weight of the bikes by adding more weight to the front to keep tongue weight in check.

I hang a 4 bike swagman off the rear of my fifth wheel.. I use one of these - hitch tightner

On the connection and it is rock solid. I have a camera on the back and turn it on here and there to see what is going on and see nothing moving.. My bro in law has followed me and said there is virtually no movement.

on edit.... i have a 2" receiver on the back of the RV that has a 300# capacity tongue weight, and 3,000# tow capacity

I have destroyed two bike carriers and tore one bumper (welded on) nearly off.
The one bike carrier that is actually for RV use is the Swagman and it has held up great.
You'll want to make sure your bumper is up to the task and probably reinforce it.

Easy fix for bike racks...simply add an eye screw to each side of trailer into the corner, thru the rubber trim that covers the screws. about height of bike seat. Add ratchet strap from one eyescrew around bike and to other eyescrew . Stops all bouncing of bikes this not ripping off bumper.

This goes on the tongue.