Bicycles on rear 5er hitch

[Springhook]

I'd like to hang two bicycles on my rear hitch using a bike rack. The combined weight of the rack and the two bicycles is 125 lbs. The 5er rear hitch has a maximum capacity of 300 lbs. My concern is the extra downward force produced by any bumps. I will be travelling about 7000 miles from Texas to New Jersey, Banff, Seattle then southeast back to Texas. Any insight will be appreciated.

[Bookemdanno]

I don’t know what kind of bike rack you’re using, but I have the Swagman 4 bike rack for RV use. I’ve traveled from TX to FL and back with 4 bikes on the rack in the factory receiver hitch from Jayco without issue. I think you’ll be good...just check everything on each stop along the way. I also have the rear camera to help keep an eye on things.

[scidlik]

I did this on a TT and it worked great. I used a U-bolt receiver with the bike rack. Something to be aware of is I lost two sets of 4" square bumper end caps before I realized the bikes cause flexing of the bumper and they would work their way out going down the road.

[PlayersZ28]

I've hauled 2 bikes on a Swagman carrier using a bumper wrap receiver unit. I put a couple of ratchet straps on to stabilize them a bit.

My bumper caps are drilled with a screw into them that I can remove with my fingers as I keep my sewer hoses in there.

[SouthCo]

Originally Posted by scidlik

I did this on a TT and it worked great. I used a U-bolt receiver with the bike rack. Something to be aware of is I lost two sets of 4" square bumper end caps before I realized the bikes cause flexing of the bumper and they would work their way out going down the road.

OP has a factory frame mounted receiver so no need to mount a rack to the bumper. The factory frame mount receiver is a better setup than mounting to the bumper.

[SouthCo]

I use a swagman bike rack. Have used it for two seasons and haul 3 bikes with no issues...


I use this one but they make a few...
https://www.swagman.net/product/trailhead4-rv/

[nynethead]

Just make sure the rack does not tilt. I had a Tulle rack that tilted so you could get into rear compartment on my last fifth wheel. Going down the parkway the 4 bicycles swayed side to side and bent the hitch and the pin fell out tilting the rack down and dragged the bicycles until a car pulled up along side me to say i had an issue. Mine and my wife's bicycle wheels were worn down to the center axle and the kids were slightly damaged.

I lucked out that my bicycle dealer told me to file a claim with tulle. They sent me a new non-tilting rack. paid for the new folding bicycles I bought from camping world and the repairs on the kids bikes. no insurance claim.

[rsday75]

You will be fine with one of the Swagman racks that are rated for RV use.
It is what we use.
Do not get a rack not rated for RV use. They are made with the extra stresses the RV mount so far behind the wheels introduces.

[Magnolia Tom]

Springhook

Get a swagman RV bike rack and get one of these

https://www.amazon.com/Stainless-Ste.../dp/B01DOJGD2M

It will help eliminate most, if not all, of the bounce.
I use it and I also ratchet strap the bikes and rack to the bumper and nothing moves as I’m going done the road. Like Dan, I keep an eye on it with the rear view camera

[Lowmiler]

Swagman here, too. The threaded cross pin locks the rack down and prevents it from bouncing in the receiver.

However, that pin can work loose, which happened on my road trip to Florida and back, check it every few thousand miles. I got lucky and saw it moving in my camera.

[Cannon]

I've used this for 15 yrs to haul 3 bikes. I like the solid platform for them to set on. I do need to get a hitch extender for the 377. It sets to close to the rear of camper and I can only haul two on it. It can also be used to haul other items like gen. or wood.

[Springhook]

This is a Thule bicycle rack that I intend to use..

[SouthCo]

Ok so you already had a bike rack when you started the thread earlier today and weren’t looking for recommendations on a good rack to purchase..

So your concerned with downward force and advice on the rack you have? The extra pivot points on your rack would concern me. But maybe it’ll be fine....

[PlayersZ28]

Originally Posted by Springhook

This is a Thule bicycle rack that I intend to use..

I'd be concerned with the strength of the supports that the bikes sit on. I find a big difference in stress on my rack between rear of the truck and rear of the trailer due to the larger rotation moment.

[FeatherFam]

For our two bikes and a Kuat rack weighing a total of 95lbs(+/-), here's what the tech from Mount-N-Lock told me:

"The calculation is pretty easy: just multiply the weight by how many feet out from the bumper is the center of the weight. Your bike rack probably sticks out about 2 feet, making the center 1 foot out, so 95 pound-feet for the rack. Spare tire and rack are probably 50 pounds, so multiply by 2/3 of a foot (8 inches) and you have roughly 34 pound-feet for a total of 129 pound-feet, well within our tested limits."

We do not have a nice rear receiver like you do. We opted to go back to the tongue mounted Jack-It rack that we've been using. Our future unit will have a solid frame welded receiver and a rearview camera. I am not spending money on a rear set up it for our current unit. Next unit - It's on the lengthy list.