2024 Imagine 2500RL 2" Hitch not enough clearance

**e-diculous** · 12-07-2023, 08:20 PM

Just got a new 2024 2500RL. Was excited because they finally included a hitch on the rear instead of the cheap bumper. Unfortunately, it is mounted flush with the rear of the trailer. With my Kuat Transfer V2 (RV rated) bike rack the bikes sit so close to the trailer that you have to remove the handlebars. Other racks sit even closer. Has anyone used a hitch extender with these? I know those reduce the weight by 50% but even with my e-bikes and the rack it will be under 150lbs which would be 50% of the weight the hitch is rated for per Grand Design.

Any other ideas to solve this?

I am extremely frustrated with Grand Design for this blatant disregard for how they mounted the hitch. They added it because all the customers wanted it for bikes, but you still can't put bikes back there. Why is it so hard to bring bikes camping with you? Did not have this problem on my Rockwood campers. Those held the bikes with ease using the factory hitch.

**xrated** · 12-07-2023, 08:56 PM

Originally Posted by e-diculous

Just got a new 2024 2500RL. Was excited because they finally included a hitch on the rear instead of the cheap bumper. Unfortunately, it is mounted flush with the rear of the trailer. With my Kuat Transfer V2 (RV rated) bike rack the bikes sit so close to the trailer that you have to remove the handlebars. Other racks sit even closer. Has anyone used a hitch extender with these? I know those reduce the weight by 50% but even with my e-bikes and the rack it will be under 150lbs which would be 50% of the weight the hitch is rated for per Grand Design.

Any other ideas to solve this?

I am extremely frustrated with Grand Design for this blatant disregard for how they mounted the hitch. They added it because all the customers wanted it for bikes, but you still can't put bikes back there. Why is it so hard to bring bikes camping with you? Did not have this problem on my Rockwood campers. Those held the bikes with ease using the factory hitch.

I'm not familiar with the hitch that you have. I've got a Momentum Toy Hauler that I installed a 2" receiver hitch on and it too is basically flush with the back of the trailer. I use a HyperAx brand RV rated hitch and we have no issues with clearance. We have two ebikes, one of which is almost 50 lbs and the other is closer to 60 lbs, and no issues with clearance or load capacity. I went with a full frame mount receiver though, and it's a Class III and 500 lbs for the tongue weight.

**Second Chance** · 12-08-2023, 07:30 AM

You seem to be making several rash generalizations. Blatant disregard? Everyone wants the hitch for a bike rack? Our hitch receiver is mounted flush and I use an extension with a rise to get the bike rack further back from the trailer wall and higher off the ground. It's a minor thing in the big scheme of things.

Rob

**e-diculous** · 12-15-2023, 03:08 PM

The issue with the extension is that all the racks I have looked at said you can't use them with an extension on a travel trailer. What rack and extension are you using and what has been your experience with it? Also, what is the weight of the bikes you are carrying?

My thought is that there is some wiggle room in what the manufacturers say they will warranty and what you can actually carry. For example, Kuat only has two racks that are certified for travel trailers, but I have seen people with other Kuat racks on trailers for many years with no issues.

Appreciate you sharing your experience.

**e-diculous** · 12-15-2023, 03:37 PM

Originally Posted by xrated

I'm not familiar with the hitch that you have. I've got a Momentum Toy Hauler that I installed a 2" receiver hitch on and it too is basically flush with the back of the trailer. I use a HyperAx brand RV rated hitch and we have no issues with clearance. We have two ebikes, one of which is almost 50 lbs and the other is closer to 60 lbs, and no issues with clearance or load capacity. I went with a full frame mount receiver though, and it's a Class III and 500 lbs for the tongue weight.

Which rack did you get and how close do your handlebars come to the back of the trailer? Experience with the rack?
I saw some pictures on Amazon of their racks and people were tying rags to the handlebars because they touched the side of the trailer.

**Second Chance** · 12-16-2023, 09:42 AM

Originally Posted by e-diculous

The issue with the extension is that all the racks I have looked at said you can't use them with an extension on a travel trailer. What rack and extension are you using and what has been your experience with it? Also, what is the weight of the bikes you are carrying?

My thought is that there is some wiggle room in what the manufacturers say they will warranty and what you can actually carry. For example, Kuat only has two racks that are certified for travel trailers, but I have seen people with other Kuat racks on trailers for many years with no issues.

Appreciate you sharing your experience.

Don't know who you're asking, but here's what we're using (eight years, tens of thousands of miles):

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...e?ie=UTF8&th=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Rob

**traveldawg** · 12-17-2023, 12:18 PM

Originally Posted by e-diculous

Just got a new 2024 2500RL. Was excited because they finally included a hitch on the rear instead of the cheap bumper. Unfortunately, it is mounted flush with the rear of the trailer. With my Kuat Transfer V2 (RV rated) bike rack the bikes sit so close to the trailer that you have to remove the handlebars. Other racks sit even closer. Has anyone used a hitch extender with these? I know those reduce the weight by 50% but even with my e-bikes and the rack it will be under 150lbs which would be 50% of the weight the hitch is rated for per Grand Design.

Any other ideas to solve this?

I am extremely frustrated with Grand Design for this blatant disregard for how they mounted the hitch. They added it because all the customers wanted it for bikes, but you still can't put bikes back there. Why is it so hard to bring bikes camping with you? Did not have this problem on my Rockwood campers. Those held the bikes with ease using the factory hitch.

I suppose I can understand the "beef" here with the location of the receiver; but "...blatant disregard..."?. I thought just about everybody mounts it close to the rear (but maybe not Rockwood?); even cars have their receiver mounted flush and under the bumper, but cars have the advantage of a slanted back window for more handle bar clearance I suppose.

I have this rack and it includes an extension but I still have to rotate the handle bars on the bike closest to the camper. Life goes on.

Maybe you can have a welding shop extend the hitch to your liking.

**RV Sailor** · 12-20-2023, 08:26 PM

Originally Posted by e-diculous

Just got a new 2024 2500RL. Was excited because they finally included a hitch on the rear instead of the cheap bumper. Unfortunately, it is mounted flush with the rear of the trailer. With my Kuat Transfer V2 (RV rated) bike rack the bikes sit so close to the trailer that you have to remove the handlebars. Other racks sit even closer. Has anyone used a hitch extender with these? I know those reduce the weight by 50% but even with my e-bikes and the rack it will be under 150lbs which would be 50% of the weight the hitch is rated for per Grand Design.

Any other ideas to solve this?

I am extremely frustrated with Grand Design for this blatant disregard for how they mounted the hitch. They added it because all the customers wanted it for bikes, but you still can't put bikes back there. Why is it so hard to bring bikes camping with you? Did not have this problem on my Rockwood campers. Those held the bikes with ease using the factory hitch.

Lots of hysterionics. Blantent disregard ….really?
This issue is easily overcome with an extension.
Personally we have folding e bike which go in our truck bed easily or inside the camper. I don’t like having extra weight whipping at the end of the trailer.

How heavy is each e bike? Mine is 60 lbs each. That plus a hitch would add at least 150 to the rear. In the totality of things if this “frustrates” you what will happen when a real issue occurs.

**Rsprainer** · 12-21-2023, 03:51 AM

Originally Posted by RV Sailor

Lots of hysterionics. Blantent disregard ….really?
This issue is easily overcome with an extension.
Personally we have folding e bike which go in our truck bed easily or inside the camper. I don’t like having extra weight whipping at the end of the trailer.

How heavy is each e bike? Mine is 60 lbs each. That plus a hitch would add at least 150 to the rear. In the totality of things if this “frustrates” you what will happen when a real issue occurs.

I get the frustration with the hitch. Travel trailers are not perfect. Love our 2023 2970RL. Our last trip rained all day and we sat in the recliners with the fireplace going, the TV with 38 over the air channels taking turns napping and bonding with each other. Best trip yet as we made the best of the weather. Just enjoyed each other’s company away from the rat race.

That’s what we do with our glamper. Enjoy unplugging from our busy lives.

Enjoy