trunk-mounted bike rack + U-haul trailer?

[darkskab]

Has anybody ever tried carrying bikes on a trunk-mounted bike rack on the same car towing a trailer? Is there enough room for the trailer to make turns? I've always put the bikes in the trailer, but there are more of us this year so I want to conserve trailer space. I can't seem to picture how much distance there is between the hitch attachment thingy and the trailer itself. Would the bikes hang too low anyway?

[Ugly Dougly]

Maybe you can attach the bike rack to the trailer?

[wedeliver]

Has anybody ever tried carrying bikes on a trunk-mounted bike rack on the same car towing a trailer? Is there enough room for the trailer to make turns? I've always put the bikes in the trailer, but there are more of us this year so I want to conserve trailer space. I can't seem to picture how much distance there is between the hitch attachment thingy and the trailer itself. Would the bikes hang too low anyway?

Perhaps a better way to manage a solution to your perceived issue is for you to put your bike rack on your car and the bikes and see how far that assembly projects into the turn space for your trailer. There are extensions for trailer hitches, I even have an extended hitch that has a place to put a bike rack. That hitch is a couple feet long to the ball.

Otherwise, lash the bikes to the roof of the trailer might be an option.



The size of your tow vehicle and the weight of the trailer loaded should be your first concern, of course.

Have fun, be safe, always check your load.. every gas refill walk around your vehicle and check everything.

[ygmir]

not nearly enough info:

how long is the tongue on the trailer?
how high is the bike rack?

how sharp do you plan on turning?
mosty, it gets bad backing up.......

[Token]

Don't even think about the hitch extenssion for a car application. You will turn that Uhal death trailer into a suicide machine.

You will likely overeload the trailer, the thing will have lowsy worn out surge breaks that don't work well, and a hitch extenssion will double the tongue weight effectively lifting your front tires off the road on even small bumps. Jack-knife city.

Not to mention driving with a bottomed out rear end.

Just an overall bad idea.

Why not get a bike roof rack? Proven solution that is safe.

[AntiM]

We did it. Not convenient or safe. Whatever you choose, strap the bikes down tightly and take off anything which can fall off (bells, lights, furry animals).

[wedeliver]

Don't even think about the hitch extenssion for a car application. You will turn that Uhal death trailer into a suicide machine.

You will likely overeload the trailer, the thing will have lowsy worn out surge breaks that don't work well, and a hitch extenssion will double the tongue weight effectively lifting your front tires off the road on even small bumps. Jack-knife city.

Not to mention driving with a bottomed out rear end.

Just an overall bad idea.

Why not get a bike roof rack? Proven solution that is safe.

If the two vehicles are large enough, say a big SUV, and the trailer isn't huge, your advice might be incorrect. I have used an extended hitch for years. Not a problem.

Also you say that the extended hitch would double the tongue weight is incorrect since the extension only weighs a few pounds, and how you load the trailer will determine what the weigt on the front of the trailer (tongue weight) will be.

Finally, this is only an option for the OP, I am sure the OP will have their tow setup analized and tested prior to hitting the road.

[Ugly Dougly]

I hear tell there's a company called "Hollywood" that makes a bike rack that lets you use your hitch for a trailer as well.

[Token]

An extender can double the weight effectively.

The key word is effectively, as it applies moment to the rear axle.

The extenders are good for strong tow vehicles and folks who use weight distributing hitches. Even then it is better to lengthen the trailer tongue.

[wedeliver]

An extender can double the weight effectively.

The key word is effectively, as it applies moment to the rear axle.

The extenders are good for strong tow vehicles and folks who use weight distributing hitches. Even then it is better to lengthen the trailer tongue.

You know I was thinking about a sway control, weight distributing hitch and those are so frickin heavy with the size of those things with tie bars. I agree with you that what becomes the most important thing is the weight in that trailer.

Decent tow vehicle it can be done



look how far that ball is from the back of the truck..

[darkskab]

Ha! You guys don't fuck around!

I was just wondering if I could avoid asking another member of my party to risk scuffing their car's paint job under a bike rack, since the paint job on my car is already thoroughly scuffed. It sounds like AntiM wasn't thrilled with the results. I guess I'll give it a try when I get the trailer, and if it looks dangerous then someone else can carry it.

Thanks for all your input!

[trenton]

Go to e-trailer.con and look up part # v91150 This will work without a extension

[oleg8888]

We've done bike rack + trailer and it was a close call.
There are 2 ways to handle it:
- Drive to local uhaul place and take measurements
- Mount bike rack on the front of the car

We've done that too. Just don't uy anymore parts that you will never use again