I have a 2024 22MLE with the factory 300 lb hitch and am looking for a good ebilke rack for two 70lb bikes. I see racks that are “rv approved” but that is for 5th wheels and motor homes. I don’t see any that say they are approved for bumper/hitch pulled trailers. Came across this disclaimer on the web site for Hollywood racks which is a well known bike rack manufacturer and it has me concerned. I rather find something I can use with confidence on the back of the trailer than put a hitch on the front of the truck.
Why Can't This Bike Rack Be Used on Travel Trailers?
Travel trailers have a slight side to side motion that's very low frequency (1 to 1-1/2 times per second) that fatigues the steel from which the racks are manufactured. The fatigue first happens at a molecular level, but eventually (several thousands of cycles later) a visible crack will appear. Once the crack has formed, it will enlarge, finally to the point where the rack drops off the vehicle and the rack (and bikes) impact the roadway. This is also a dangerous situation for whoever may be following the trailer on the highway. We have seen 100+ incidents where the consumers/end user has not taken this advice and suffered disastrous results. We've even had phone calls from consumers who said they read that advice (do not use on a trailer) and ignored it, only to discover a tragic end result. So, please don't do it.
Why Can't This Bike Rack Be Used on Travel Trailers?
Travel trailers have a slight side to side motion that's very low frequency (1 to 1-1/2 times per second) that fatigues the steel from which the racks are manufactured. The fatigue first happens at a molecular level, but eventually (several thousands of cycles later) a visible crack will appear. Once the crack has formed, it will enlarge, finally to the point where the rack drops off the vehicle and the rack (and bikes) impact the roadway. This is also a dangerous situation for whoever may be following the trailer on the highway. We have seen 100+ incidents where the consumers/end user has not taken this advice and suffered disastrous results. We've even had phone calls from consumers who said they read that advice (do not use on a trailer) and ignored it, only to discover a tragic end result. So, please don't do it.