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Dual hitch for bicycle carrier?

I have been carrying our e-bikes on a Rocky Mounts bike rack on the back of the Jeep, and the Jeep is towed behind our Mid Bath.  It all works nicely for traveling.

However, once we arrive at our destination and want to use the Jeep, we don't want bikes behind us.  This means removal of the bikes and the hitch and locking them all up with the Lazy Daze, and then putting everything back onto the Jeep when we get ready to move on.  This is a lot of extra work.

I'm thinking about using a dual hitch on the Lazy Daze like this one:

Amazon.com: HITOWMFG Dual Receiver Extender Trailer Towing Hitch Extension(GT...

Have others used a hitch like this with a heavy load (bikes are 120lb. and the rack is about 50lb.)?  Any chance that the bikes on the rack will hit the Jeep on sharp turns, like in tight gas station situations,

Thanks,
Harold

As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
2014 27 MB
Towd: Either the Jeep Wrangler or trailer containing the BMW R1200GS and 2 E-bicycles
Happy wife=Happy life
Re: Dual hitch for bicycle carrier?
Reply #1 –
I use a second receiver for the bike rack but I have seen many use a dual receiver for a bike rack. I believe Deb uses one and carries an e-bike.
The dual receiver will raise the rack high off the ground, so loading the bikes may be more difficult, a consideration when lifting a 60-LB bike.
My e-bike is fairly long, I had to be carefull how it is placed on the rack to prevent it from hitting the front end of the Jeep in hard turns. To provide the needed clearance, my bike is parked closest to the LD, with my wife’s shorter bike on the rear of the rack.

If the LD is backed up far enough to jack knife the Wrangler, the Jeep’s heavy steel bumper will hit the LD’s bumper and the end cap.
I suggest not doing this unless staightening of bent bumpers and repairing ends caps is a recreational activity.
In this situation, the Jeep won, the LD lost.
Our Jeep Cherokees could be backed up, jack knifed and pushed sideway, if on dirt, without damage, when caught in a spot where the rig was trapped in a dead end where it could not make a 180 degree turn.
Can’t do it with the Wrangler.

Larry
 
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Dual hitch for bicycle carrier?
Reply #2 –
Larry,
Thanks for the reply.  In addition to the possibility of contact with the Wrangler, the dual hitch and bicycles will add weight to the already wimpy Lazy Daze hitch, with its 400lb. vertical load limit.  Extended safety cables may be needed for the Jeep tow (Blue Ox) and possibly longer electrical cables.

I'll keep thinking about this.

I've seen Deb's arrangement.  I think she tows a single bike on her rack.

In one of our previous threads you asked about the Rocky Mounts swing away hitch with the heavy e-bikes on it and using it on the back of the Wrangler.  We have carried the bikes in this fashion, mounted on the Jeep in tow, for over 2000 miles now with no problem.  I do use anti-rattle clips on the hitches (the Rocky Mounts hitch and the extension to clear the rear tire)  to reduce motion of the bikes and rack as we go down the road.  The swing away feature of this rack is really useful for loading the inside bike and accessing the rear of the Jeep. The height of the rack on the back of the Jeep is not a problem for lifting the 60lb e-bike onto the rack, but I do need Cyndy to align the front wheel of the bicycle while I am holding the bike. When we leave the bikes off, the rack folds up vertical against the Jeep and still swings out of the way when access to the rear of the Jeep is needed.

Harold
2014 27 MB
Towd: Either the Jeep Wrangler or trailer containing the BMW R1200GS and 2 E-bicycles
Happy wife=Happy life
Re: Dual hitch for bicycle carrier?
Reply #3 –

Yep. I use the double hitch. My rack can carry two bikes but I have it set up for one (the rack also tilts).

I've changed to a new double hitch with a higher rise (7.5 inches instead of 6 inches plus it doesn't stick out as far). The higher rise makes it easier to move and attach my tow bar. I bought it from Amazon but it seems to be out of stock at the moment.

KAIRAY Double Hitch Receiver 2 inch Trailer Hitch Extension Riser Hitch Adapter Fits for 2-inch Receiver Extender to 10 inch Max Length 7.5 Inch Riser

The attached pic is of the old hitch.

As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
My wheels:
2003 MB
2012 Jeep Liberty
Re: Dual hitch for bicycle carrier?
Reply #4 –
What about mounting an e-bike on a front hitch, like Andy did with his spare tire?
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Dual hitch for bicycle carrier?
Reply #5 –
Good idea Greg,
However, we have two ebikes and they would stick way out in front of the hood.

Harold
2014 27 MB
Towd: Either the Jeep Wrangler or trailer containing the BMW R1200GS and 2 E-bicycles
Happy wife=Happy life
Re: Dual hitch for bicycle carrier?
Reply #6 –
Thank you Deb for your informative reply.
I hope we cross paths again this year.

Harold
2014 27 MB
Towd: Either the Jeep Wrangler or trailer containing the BMW R1200GS and 2 E-bicycles
Happy wife=Happy life
Re: Dual hitch for bicycle carrier?
Reply #7 –
I'll be at the Balloon Festival. Hope you will be there as well!
My wheels:
2003 MB
2012 Jeep Liberty
Re: Dual hitch for bicycle carrier?
Reply #8 –
Quote from: debinvenice  - 
Yep. I use the double hitch. My rack can carry two bikes but I have it set up for one (the rack also tilts).

I've changed to a new double hitch with a higher rise (7.5 inches instead of 6 inches plus it doesn't stick out as far). The higher rise makes it easier to move and attach my tow bar. I bought it from Amazon but it seems to be out of stock at the moment.

KAIRAY Double Hitch Receiver 2 inch Trailer Hitch Extension Riser Hitch Adapter Fits for 2-inch Receiver Extender to 10 inch Max Length 7.5 Inch Riser


I need to update my review of the linked receiver as a DO NOT BUY! See the attached pics. I've gone back to my previous receiver.
As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
My wheels:
2003 MB
2012 Jeep Liberty
Re: Dual hitch for bicycle carrier?
Reply #9 –
I also use one, although I do not own eBikes, just the old-fashioned human-powered kind.  That might be an issue, as others point out.  The dual hitch does elevate the bike rack higher.  You will also need to extend your tow bar cables about 14 -- 18 inches.  I like the set-up.  Much handier.
2017 RB
Re: Dual hitch for bicycle carrier?
Reply #10 –
Quote from: debinvenice  - 
I need to update my review of the linked receiver as a DO NOT BUY! See the attached pics. I've gone back to my previous receiver.

Scary to think that such a poorly assemble receiver would be sold, happy you are here to tell the story.
Were you towing when the receiver's weld broke?
When a weld that large breaks someone seriously did not prep it correctly or did not know how to MIG weld. To have the entire weld pop-out shows the weld had little penetration and did not fuse to the piece welded.
Another possibility is the steel is substandard.  I doubt I could build this receiver for $42 in material cost alone.

Reading the Amazon ad, it states "This dual hitch extender is rated to tow up to 4000/400 lbs GTW/TW"
Your Liberty weights close to or over 4000-lbs, right at the listed limit, plug it carries the weight of your e-bike and rack.

Staying away from inexpensive steel weldments from Amazon's overseas suppliers may be a good idea. Quality control doesn't seem to be their strong point.

Larry


Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Dual hitch for bicycle carrier?
Reply #11 –
Yes, Larry, I was towing the Jeep which was not fully loaded. I also did not have the bike on the hitch.

I had just driven about 25 miles from the Ford dealership where I had some work done on the LD. The receiver broke just as I arrived at my destination. The Jeep was saved by my safety and breakaway cables.

I'm not the only person who had the hitch break at the same point.

I've gone back to my original Haul Master which has several thousand miles on it with no problems.
My wheels:
2003 MB
2012 Jeep Liberty
Re: Dual hitch for bicycle carrier?
Reply #12 –
We added a front Hitch in 2016 on our 98~MB when we wanted to cary our bikes on front because we had a small motorcycle on the back.  The downside is that the bikes reduce the headlights and get bugs on them in bug season.  We use to put our bikes on the front of our old itaska without issue but I forgot about the bugs.  They are on back now and the Motorcycle stays home.

        Karen~Liam
          98 ~ MB
            NinA
1998 ~ MB  WanderDaze
previously a 1984 Winnebago itaska- The Road Warrior, before that several VW Buses and before that a 1965 Chrysler Convertible Newport or our 1969 Chrysler La Barron with an ice box and a couple sleeping bags
Re: Dual hitch for bicycle carrier?
Reply #13 –
Deb, that is pretty damned frightening!  I'm glad the Jeep behaved on the safety cables and that neither the Jeep, the Lazy Daze, or your bike were damaged.
I saw a you tube of a broken dual hitch after I started this thread and decided to skip the dual hitch and mount the carrier and the bikes on the back of the Jeep.  We just finished a 3100 mile trip and towed the Jeep almost all of it with the bikes on the back of the Jeep with no problems. The e-bikes are heavy and the bikes and bike rack, multiplied by two for the extension puts the load right at or a smidge above the Jeep hitch vertical load limit. So far so good for us.
I could reduce the weight of the bikes on the hitch if Cyndy would just ride her bike along behind the Lazy Daze and the Jeep, but I haven't been brave enough to suggest this yet.
Harold
2014 27 MB
Towd: Either the Jeep Wrangler or trailer containing the BMW R1200GS and 2 E-bicycles
Happy wife=Happy life
Re: Dual hitch for bicycle carrier?
Reply #14 –
"I could reduce the weight of the bikes on the hitch if Cyndy would just ride her bike along behind the Lazy Daze and the Jeep, but I haven't been brave enough to suggest this yet."
---
Harold, before offering this suggestion, you might want to check to make sure that Tug is willing to share his dog pillow! Sleeping with one eye open might provide an extra measure of security!  ;)
2003 TK has a new home
 
Re: Dual hitch for bicycle carrier?
Reply #15 –
Quote from: Blueox25  - 
I could reduce the weight of the bikes on the hitch if Cyndy would just ride her bike along behind the Lazy Daze and the Jeep, but I haven't been brave enough to suggest this yet.
Harold

LOL!  :-)

I haven't been using the bike rack on the Jeep just because I don't always want to have the bike with me when I'm doing errands or playing tourist. I'd rather have it stay with the LD. Having a cargo rack on the back of the Jeep has been more useful/helpful to me.

I do plan to get a different eBike hopefully next year. I purchased a folding eBike so that I could store it inside the Jeep but it is just too darn heavy for me to lift into a lifted Jeep. I hope to find a lighter step-through version, even if I have to pay more.
My wheels:
2003 MB
2012 Jeep Liberty