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Topic: Hitch-mounted bike rack, pulling a toad (Read 1447 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Hitch-mounted bike rack, pulling a toad

Reply #25
Had a 1 1/4" inch receiver welded to our old Honda toad to allow either way of use.

Looking for coach hitch mount, not toad hitch mount.  Toad has roof pod on top for golf equipment, need to keep tailgate clear for near daily access to pod (standing in open tailgate).
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Hitch-mounted bike rack, pulling a toad

Reply #26
We had our bikes on a rack behind the coach as part of the towing set up and then switched to the bike rack on the back of the Jeep we tow. Other than some minor obstruction of the Jeep's brake, turn and tail lights this seems to work well for us. We often go somewhere else where we want to ride bikes so this is easier. I didn't like having the bikes in the way of opening up the engine hatch.  Even when I folded the bikes down, the rack was still in the way.

However it works we always take our bikes.  They are a great way to get around.

Roger
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Hitch-mounted bike rack, pulling a toad

Reply #27
Looking for coach hitch mount, not toad hitch mount.  Toad has roof pod on top for golf equipment, need to keep tailgate clear for near daily access to pod (standing in open tailgate).

The thule carrier fits both 1 1/4" and 2 inch recievers.  The double insert allows both the bike rack and tow car and the dual sizing allows transferring the hitch to the toad.
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Hitch-mounted bike rack, pulling a toad

Reply #28
I use a 4 bike rack made by a local company called kinetic wizard , it has a nylon wedge system in the hitch to eliminate sway .
He custom made an extension for me so that I could open engine door.
Worth a look
Jimmy
2003 U295 3620

Re: Hitch-mounted bike rack, pulling a toad

Reply #29
Michelle,
We carry two bikes on a platform style rack made by 1Up USA.  We use an extension duplex receiver that moves the rack back far enough that I can open the engine access cover without having to unhook toad or removing bikes and carrier.  We had the extension made at a local shop.  Everything rides snug and no problems towing.  We cover the bikes with a cover made by Formosa Bike Covers.  Works very well for us and Scott has the same setup.  Good luck!
Bill and Joyce, The House2 and Dashboard Pig III
2000 U320 4210 CAI (The House2)
Build # 5733
2019 F150 King Ranch FX4

Re: Hitch-mounted bike rack, pulling a toad

Reply #30
Our Swagman bike rack has held well so far at 9,000 miles and counting. This includes using the crossbar of the bike rack to support the Roadmaster all terrain tow bar (and not the lightweight aluminum one either) with straps and or bungie cords when driving around without the toad. Seems sturdy enough, and the bikes don't waggle round much at all. Surely not the only solution, but it has worked well for us. Being able to open the engine hatch with the rack in place is a big one for me... that took some planning to get the right hitch extension.
Don
Bumping this thread to see how Dave and Nancy's Yakima is working and how Don and Tys' Swagman performed over the long haul.  I think we need to do something so we can take our "normal size" bikes with us this year.
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Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: Hitch-mounted bike rack, pulling a toad

Reply #31
We carry two bikes on a platform style rack made by 1Up USA.

I've see Bill's setup and the 1Up rack is the one I would buy if we always traveled with our bikes.
 
However we don't.  I just replaced our old one which was a 1 1/4 - 2 in combo from Swagman.  Have the need to sometimes carry 4 bikes so I chose the new Swagman 2+2.  It is a substantial rack that supports the bikes by the tires and has many nice features.  We will use it on the Jeep (4 bike mode) and on the coach with a dual receiver hitch (2 bike mode).  Have not traveled with it yet but will report back after we get down to Florida in a few weeks.  A month back autoanything.com had the best price.
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Mark & Mary Benko
Former coach: 2005 U295 3823
Jeep Cherokee, Honda Fit

Re: Hitch-mounted bike rack, pulling a toad

Reply #32
We have traveled for two years  (two full sized bikes) with our Tule tire mounted rack.
Thule Spare Me? 963PRO - Thule

Of course, you may have to buy a Jeep as well. ;)
Elliott & Mary Bray
ex. 1996 36' U295 - Build 4879
ex. 2018 Coachmen Leprechaun 319MB
 

Re: Hitch-mounted bike rack, pulling a toad

Reply #33
I had a hitch mounted bike rack that would fold down so you could open the rear tailgate. Worked well and allowed us to take the bikes wherever we wanted.  It was easy to fold down too.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

 

Re: Hitch-mounted bike rack, pulling a toad

Reply #34
Reporting back on the Swagman 2+2.  No problems with the rack hauling our 2 bikes for 1300+ miles in the dual receiver behind the coach.  There is enough clearance to stow the towbar on the coach with the bike rack in place (2 bike mode only).  As can be seen from pic #3 the rack extends quite a bit from the rear of the coach but there is still clearance when sharply turning with the toad attached.
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Mark & Mary Benko
Former coach: 2005 U295 3823
Jeep Cherokee, Honda Fit