Bringing the bikes along

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Steph - 18 Mar 2005 17:19 GMT

Does anyone have any experience or knowledgeable comments about
incorporating this dual hitch extension into their setup?
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?
storeId=6970&productId=492929&R=492929

sorry line wrap... http://tinyurl.com/6kysf

It weighs 20 lbs, and is rated for 4000 lbs.
If I add a 30 lb bike rack to the top portion and carry 100 lbs of bikes
and my trailer tongue is 150 lbs I am wondering if that would exceed the
350 lb tongue rating.

It is probably moot for my TV as reaching the tongue weight limit would
probably also exceed my rear axle capacity; it might be okay for the
short flat drives to the beach campgrounds, but definately not for the
long hauls over the mountains.
If I had a different vehicle with a 500 lb tongue rating would this
combination work, or does the extension reduce the capacity?

Any more specifics appreciated.

Signature

Stephen, Wife, Daughter, Son, and in-laws
San Diego, CA
2002 Grand Caravan ES 3.8L with tow package
2001 Saturn LW200 in Silver-Blue
2001 Jayco Eagle 10 UD
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/__________\_

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Paul - 18 Mar 2005 18:04 GMT

Speaking from the experience of trying all kinds of bike racks and
configurations of bike racks. I have found the two best ways to go.
First, a roof rack for your popup. place it over the axle and it should
have little affect on your tongue weight. The second method is to buy a
hitch for the front of your tow vehicle. There is a third, a roof rack
for your TV. But I have a S10 blazer and that was to high to easily get
the bikes on or off. I now use the roof rack on top of the pop up. It
weighs around 10 pounds and three bikes weigh around 100lbs I notice no
affect on towing or wind resistance. the bikes do no go over the roof
of my TV.

Paul

> Does anyone have any experience or knowledgeable comments about
> incorporating this dual hitch extension into their setup?
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> O

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Gerry Pierce - 19 Mar 2005 15:19 GMT

have to echo Paul... get one for the roof of the camper. The weight on the
tail of the caravan is not going to help you at all. If weights are exact,
it gives you 50 pounds to play with, and you still have to put bikes on it.
2 bikes = 60lbs??

I have the yakima rack on top of my mesa, I don't even know it is there,
even with 4 bikes.

Gerry and Robyn
99 Mesa
01 SportTrac

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meldx - 21 Mar 2005 14:09 GMT

Friend of mine uses a back-rack that attaches to the rear door of the
VAN. does add the weight directly to the rear axle (WDH needed) and
makes it imposible to open the back door once installed (ie: don,t
forget anything back there, specially the trailer connector cable).
Also need to remove the bikes before backing up if you need to
jack-knife into a special spot.

My technique is easier... I drop the 5 bikes in the truck box, this
option is not available in mini-vans... ;-)

Mel

Paul a écrit:

> Speaking from the experience of trying all kinds of bike racks and
> configurations of bike racks. I have found the two best ways to go.
[quoted text clipped - 52 lines]
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