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02-02-2023, 09:22 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2023
Location: USA
Posts: 24
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Flat towing using a dual hitch & bike rack
Anyone flat towing using a dual hitch and a bike rack? I'm in the planning stages for full-timing towing a 2-3" lifted Cherokee Trailhawk and I have a Kuat bike rack. I'm interested in 1) how to get the hitch level with the Jeep with the offset and 2) what bike racks seem to work very well. The Kuat is nice but heavy, but it does have integrated locks. We'll be carrying (2) $5000 bikes and any ooops are unacceptable. Thinking a NSA tow bar and brake setup and Blue Ox baseplate. Thanks!
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02-02-2023, 10:44 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 1,026
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you need a tandum axle trailer,alumalite is a a+ .
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02-02-2023, 10:47 PM
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#3
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2023
Location: USA
Posts: 24
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Thomas ho
you need a tandum axle trailer,alumalite is a a+ .
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No, I don't.
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02-02-2023, 10:48 PM
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#4
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Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Goodyear, Arizona
Posts: 30,652
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Thomas ho
you need a tandum axle trailer,alumalite is a a+ .
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The OP has a motorhome towing a Jeep toad and posted this in the Motorhome section.
How does an Alumalite tandem axle trailer relate?
__________________
Dan-Retired California Firefighter/EMT
Shawn-Musician/Entrepreneur/Wine Expert
and Zoe the Wonder Dog(R.I.P.) 
2016 PrimeTime TracerAIR 255, pushing a 2014 Ford F150 SCREW XTR 4x4 3.5 Ecoboost w/Max Tow Package
4pt Equal-i-zer WDH and 1828lbs of payload capacity
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02-02-2023, 11:02 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,586
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Why not put the bikes on the back of the Cherokee. I’ve had 4 bikes on a swagman platform bike rack on the back of my Explorer. 1 bike being a fat tire and 1 a heavy cruiser and 2 regular bikes.
__________________
2012 Georgetown XL 350TS, Hellwig front/rear sway bars, Sumo Springs, Blue OX True Center steering damper
2013 Ford Explorer LTD toad, Roadmaster Stowmaster 5000, VIP><Tow Brake
Better to have a bad day of camping than a good day at work!
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02-03-2023, 08:59 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 3,138
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I modified a bike rack and a dual receiver and with it I haul 2 bicycles while flat towing a subcompact car behind an E450 motorhome. At times when I tow a cargo trailer hauling motorcycle(s), I then carry 2 bicycles on a bike rack on a front mounted receiver on the motorhome.
With some imagination you can hack together whatever combination you need, but in your case the simplest solution, if the Cherokee can handle it, is probably to mount the bicycles on the back of the toad.
__________________
2020 Sunseeker 2440DS on 2019 Ford E-450, Trekker cap, Topaz paint
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02-03-2023, 09:26 AM
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#7
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Pickin', Campin', Mason
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: South Western PA
Posts: 17,122
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I made one for my Uncle similar to this but with slightly more offset.
It worked well for him but he always complained the bikes got really dirty behind the motorhome and in front of the toad. Something to consider with $5k bikes. I think he had a Thule rack.
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2022 Cedar Creek 345IK 5th Wheel•Solar & Inverter•2017 Ford F-Series SCREW 4x4•Factory Puck•B&W Companion•TST Tire Monitor w/Repeater•Sinemate 3500w Gen.
F&AM Lodge 358 Somerset, PA - JAFFA Shrine - Altoona, PA
Days Camped: '18=48 ☼ '19=58 ☼ '20=110 ☼ '21=116 ☼ '22=112 ☼ '23=72
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02-03-2023, 02:14 PM
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#8
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Always Learning
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Four Corners, FL
Posts: 21,800
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I went through these exact thoughts when I was motorhome shopping. I ended up with the Gen Y Mega Hitch as I felt it was a strong/better attachment than a lot of the "double hitch" setups.
https://genyhitch.com/product-catego...-drop-hitches/
As for a specific bike rack, be careful as you shop- many bike racks aren't rated for use on the back of a motorhome. eTrailer.com does a great job giving a graphic of where each one can be used.
Ironically, I bought this thing and did the research and ultimately got a pickup truck to tow. I just put the bikes in the bed over the tailgate!
__________________
Officially a SOB with a 2022 Jayco Precept 36C
Checkout my site for RVing tips, tricks, and info | Was a Fulltime Family for 5 years, now we're part-timing on long trips
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02-03-2023, 04:45 PM
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#9
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Retired Old Guy
Join Date: Jul 2022
Posts: 224
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Flat towing using a dual hitch & bike rack
Quote:
Originally Posted by bikendan
The OP has a motorhome towing a Jeep toad and posted this in the Motorhome section.
How does an Alumalite tandem axle trailer relate?
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I’m assuming he was suggesting putting the Jeep and bikes in the trailer to keep them out of sight and safe and not flat towing.
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02-04-2023, 07:30 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 586
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Quote:
Originally Posted by IamProStreet
I’m assuming he was suggesting putting the Jeep and bikes in the trailer to keep them out of sight and safe and not flat towing.
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I agree with this. As a full timer I wouldn’t be without my enclosed trailer that tow with my Bronco, Ebikes and motorcycle inside. It takes some extra planning but having all those items inside along with room for other items required for living out of a RV is the only way I would do it.
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02-04-2023, 07:34 PM
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#11
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Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Goodyear, Arizona
Posts: 30,652
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Webefine
I agree with this. As a full timer I wouldn’t be without my enclosed trailer that tow with my Bronco, Ebikes and motorcycle inside. It takes some extra planning but having all those items inside along with room for other items required for living out of a RV is the only way I would do it. Attachment 283638
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The OP has a gas van chassis Class C, not a huge and powerful Dynamax.
Not sure if their towing capacity is high enough.
__________________
Dan-Retired California Firefighter/EMT
Shawn-Musician/Entrepreneur/Wine Expert
and Zoe the Wonder Dog(R.I.P.) 
2016 PrimeTime TracerAIR 255, pushing a 2014 Ford F150 SCREW XTR 4x4 3.5 Ecoboost w/Max Tow Package
4pt Equal-i-zer WDH and 1828lbs of payload capacity
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02-04-2023, 07:37 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 445
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I have a motor home that I flat tow a Chevy malibu. I use that splitter hitch and have a blue ox tow boar to the malibu on the bottom and bike rack on top with 4 bikes no problem. However. If I had thr Jeep I would put the bike rack on the Toad.
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02-06-2023, 11:06 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 227
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Homer Vista
We'll be carrying (2) $5000 bikes
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If these are lightweight road-bikes, then lifting them up to a higher rack may not be an issue. But if they are 90 lb e-bikes, you may want to consider saving your back by putting the rack on the toad. There are also a number of hard-shell bike carriers on the market that provide more protection to your bikes from grime, water, salt, and theft.
__________________
Cliff Smith
Jackson, CA
2021 FR3 34DS (V8)
2011 Honda CRV toad
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02-06-2023, 02:09 PM
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#14
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Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Goodyear, Arizona
Posts: 30,652
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Homer Vista
No, I don't.
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Are your $5000 bikes mountain Ebikes?
__________________
Dan-Retired California Firefighter/EMT
Shawn-Musician/Entrepreneur/Wine Expert
and Zoe the Wonder Dog(R.I.P.) 
2016 PrimeTime TracerAIR 255, pushing a 2014 Ford F150 SCREW XTR 4x4 3.5 Ecoboost w/Max Tow Package
4pt Equal-i-zer WDH and 1828lbs of payload capacity
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02-13-2023, 07:18 PM
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#15
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2022
Posts: 29
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Done that for years
We have flat towed a jeep for many years, with a double receiver. Blue Ox on the bottom and bike rack on the top. Works great!
Those that suggest to put the bikes on the toad, I disagree. For two reasons, one is that Jeep back doors swing open and you would need to remove the bikes any time you want in the back of the jeep. Second and more concerning is we keep the bikes covered in a bag and with them mounted on the jeep the tailights are covered and not visible to those behind.
The double receiver works great the bikes mount easy and are out of the way.
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02-13-2023, 07:30 PM
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#16
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 10
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Dual hitch
Quote:
Originally Posted by Homer Vista
Anyone flat towing using a dual hitch and a bike rack? I'm in the planning stages for full-timing towing a 2-3" lifted Cherokee Trailhawk and I have a Kuat bike rack. I'm interested in 1) how to get the hitch level with the Jeep with the offset and 2) what bike racks seem to work very well. The Kuat is nice but heavy, but it does have integrated locks. We'll be carrying (2) $5000 bikes and any ooops are unacceptable. Thinking a NSA tow bar and brake setup and Blue Ox baseplate. Thanks!
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I have been using a dual hitch on my 2012 C Class for 7 years. I tow a Mini Cooper on a tow dolly and mount a bike rack with two bikes with the rack inserted in to the top section of the hitch. No issues what so ever.
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02-13-2023, 07:40 PM
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#17
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Homer Vista
Anyone flat towing using a dual hitch and a bike rack? I'm in the planning stages for full-timing towing a 2-3" lifted Cherokee Trailhawk and I have a Kuat bike rack. I'm interested in 1) how to get the hitch level with the Jeep with the offset and 2) what bike racks seem to work very well. The Kuat is nice but heavy, but it does have integrated locks. We'll be carrying (2) $5000 bikes and any ooops are unacceptable. Thinking a NSA tow bar and brake setup and Blue Ox baseplate. Thanks!
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I tow a VW Tiguan on a dolly on the bottom hitch and two Himiway e-bikes on a bike rack in the top hitch. Currently, I have close to 25k miles crisscrossing the US using this configuration with no issues whatsoever. I use this double receiver hitch I got on Amazon. Roadmaster (077-2) Dual Hitch... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003VASH0Q...p_mob_ap_share
I use a bike rack I got from Himiway bikes made for fat tire bikes and holds up to 140 pounds. The rack can be folded up out of the way when not in use. I use the rack on both the motor home when going down the road and on the car when heading to the trails. I use a 3” drop hitch to get the dolly leveled as needed. When I had my Trek bikes I used a dual bike Thule bike rack. It work great too.
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02-13-2023, 08:50 PM
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#18
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2020
Posts: 2
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Double hitch
I wanted a dual hitch to tow a Mini Cooper behind my Sunseeker with a bike rack. However, I needed a 6” drop and I’ve not found one. One person told me to use the dual hitch up side down but I have been advised not to do that - anyone know where I could get one? I put the bike rack on the Mini Cooper now
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02-13-2023, 09:40 PM
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#19
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Larnold0000
I wanted a dual hitch to tow a Mini Cooper behind my Sunseeker with a bike rack. However, I needed a 6” drop and I’ve not found one. One person told me to use the dual hitch up side down but I have been advised not to do that - anyone know where I could get one? I put the bike rack on the Mini Cooper now
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Check Harbor Freight. I recently bought a 5” drop hitch from them for another project. They just might have what you need. Another place that has a large selection of various drop hitches is Northern Tools.
Are you towing the mini four down or are you using a dolly? If you are using the dolly have you had any issues with dragging the bike rack when entering driveways etc?
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02-13-2023, 10:14 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 3,138
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While stopped for gas today I snapped a couple pictures of our bike rack/toad arrangement. It was a little cleaner looking with our previous class C but with the present Sunseeker’s bumper to hitch arrangement, I had to hack up the bike rack a little differently to make it all fit. Those are our original Schwinn bikes, almost 50 years old.
__________________
2020 Sunseeker 2440DS on 2019 Ford E-450, Trekker cap, Topaz paint
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