How to Use Bike Rack While Flat Towing Vehicle Behind RV

Question

Question:

We have a Blue Ox tow hitch on our motorhome. We would like to add a bicycle rack to it. We tow our Jeep. I do not see any photos of the bike rack with a tow behind. Is there an additional part extension, etc. that would be needed to still tow the Jeep?

asked by: Trish K

0

Expert Reply:

In order to use a hitch-mounted bike rack like the Swagman Original # S64152-2 that you were looking at while towing a vehicle, you will just need to add the Roadmaster Dual Hitch Receiver Adapter # RM-077-4. This adapter will slide into the 2 inch hitch receiver on your RV to provide two, 2 inch receivers on the other end. The bottom receiver can be used for your Blue Ox tow bar, while the top receiver can be used for a hitch-mounted accessory like the Swagman Original bike rack.

I have attached a short video demonstration on this product that you can also take a look at.

expert reply by: Chris R

0

Jeff

7/26/2020

Is there a problem with the turn radius, when doing this

Reply

Chris R.

7/30/2020

Potentially. If you go this route you'll just need to be mindful of how much clearance you have when making sharper turns. It's probably a good idea to take the whole setup up to an empty parking lot before the first trip to test everything out.

Reply

Bill

5/20/2021

when using this setup will you still be able to fold and stow the tow bar? I am considering a roadmaster Nighthawk tow bar and it folds up then rotates over to stow and I am thinking that the bike rack would prevent that. Is there a solution other than removing the bike rack?

Reply

Jon G.

5/20/2021

You could possibly remove the tow bar instead prior to folding the arms in. Aside from that you'll need to remove your bikes and bike rack. There are some of the Demco tow bars that store by moving the arms out and away from each other, but that would be more costly than taking the tow bar out.

Reply

Greg S.

11/13/2021

My question comes with a slightly different problem. We have a heavy duty bike cover to cover our two bikes and I think it hinders visibility of the turn signals and brake lights when the rack and bike cover is mounted on the motorhome. I would prefer to put the bike rack above the tow bar use a towing multiplier and NOT mounted on the Jeep. Therefore when towning the Jeep people behind me have a clear view of the Jeep’s turn signals and brake lights. All the connections seem to work. Is this doable?

Reply

Les D.

11/18/2021

@GregS I think you want the same setup as in the post you commented on. You can use the Roadmaster # RM-077-4 Dual Hitch receiver on the back of your RV, using the bottom receiver to tow your Jeep, and the top receiver to mount your bikes with covers. As others have mentioned, you should consider your turning clearance with bikes mounted behind the RV.

Reply

Mike Z.

8/7/2024

Chris , do you still have the video showing RV mounted bike rack and hauling a flat tow?

Reply

Chris R.

8/7/2024

@MikeZ Hey Mike, I attached the video below.

Helpful Links

tv-review-roadmaster-dual-hitch-receiver-adapter-rm-077-4.aspx

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Answer 1

Hey Jeff, yes the Hollywood Racks RV Rider Bike Rack for 2 Electric Bikes #HLY64FR that you referenced would be a great option for you. It can be used in the hitch of your flat towed vehicle and it will be much easier than putting the bikes in your…

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Answer 2

I have had the opportunity to use the Blue Ox and Roadmaster tow bars and while they are both incredibly well-built tow bars I found the Blue Ox triple lug setups to be easier to connect/disconnect. It's a simpler idea than the Roadmaster quick…

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Answer 3

Hey Robin, so I checked with the owners manual of your 2018 GMC Acadia and the FWD and AWD models can be flat towed as long as the engine size is 3.6 liter. The 2.5 liter engine models cannot be flat towed.

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Answer 4

I may have a solution for you, and it generally sounds like you're in need of a high/low adapter like the Roadmaster #RM-048-4, which has 4" rise and a 10000-lbs capacity that would work well for this application. However, you mentioned…

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Answer 5

Because the suspensions used on 5th wheels and travel trailers provide for a much rougher ride than what's typically found on a passenger vehicle, a bike rack used on a towed trailer would be subjected to a much harsher ride that would typically…

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Answer 6

The 2019 GMC Acadia Denali can be flat towed if it is the 3.6L V6. You do not need to be concerned about adding miles while towing. The wheel will remain unlocked with the key off when you follow the instructions for towing outlined in the owners…

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Answer 7

The distance from the hitch pin hole of the Swagman E-Spec bike rack part #S94FR to the furthest point out on the rack when it is folded down measures 29 inches.

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Answer 8

To me it makes the most sense to put a Bike Rack #HLY64FR on the flat towed vehicle rather than above the tow bars. Especially on heavy e-bikes as they are difficult to lift that high onto the rack, but also as it only makes sense to have the rack on…

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Answer 9

For your 2014 Ford Fiesta, you can use the etrailer Classic Base Plate Kit #e98968 which fits all models of the 2014 Fiesta. This base plate kit will work with a variety of tow bars, there is an adapter depending on which tow bar you use. In order to…

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Answer 10

The best route is to mount your 2 adult bikes to a trunk bike rack and mount the 3 children's bikes onto the roof of your 2019 Ford Fiesta hatchback. For the trunk rack, I recommend going with the Saris Bones 2 #SA805BL. The Bones 2 comes with a…

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Answer 11

We do have similar adapters that might work for your application but the Roadmaster Dual Hitch Receiver #RM-077-4 that you referenced cannot be used to tow a trailer. This particular unit can only be used for flat towing another vehicle. For a dual…

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Answer 12

I do have another option for you, but you are correct that the Roadmaster Dual Hitch Receiver Adapter #RM-077-4 would not work with your Jeep sitting +2" already because you would be sitting with the Jeep at +4" with the #RM-077-4 adapter.…

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How to Use Bike Rack While Flat Towing Vehicle Behind RV

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