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Topic ClosedWhere to have a bike rack - Event Date: 31 Jan 2016
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Capt Kidd View Drop Down
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Joined: 18 Aug 2015
Location: Chico, CA
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Posts: 215 		Direct Link To This Post Calendar Event: Where to have a bike rack
    Posted: 15 May 2016 at 12:03pm
I put a front receiver on my truck and carried my bike on it.  Draw back was the bike blocked part of my vision so I put the spare from the pod on the front of my truck and the bike carrier in place of the spare on the rear of the pod.

Downside to this is the spare then blocked the winch and I didn't feel like removing the spare if I wanted to use the winch.

My solution is to carry the spare in bed of the truck. 
The Pirate's Pod
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Location: Portage, MI
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Posts: 305 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Jul 2016 at 12:08pm
CharlieM, I'm also towing with a Pilot 4wd and a RP171 with an E2 WDH and am looking at the Swagman. What exactly did you use for a hitch extension (make/model) when using your Pilot/RP set up?
Portage, MI — 2017 RPod 179 - sold / 2017 Toyota Tundra — My RPod YouTube Videos
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CharlieM View Drop Down
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Posts: 1797 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Jul 2016 at 4:33pm
Originally posted by PilotPodder

CharlieM, I'm also towing with a Pilot 4wd and a RP171 with an E2 WDH and am looking at the Swagman. What exactly did you use for a hitch extension (make/model) when using your Pilot/RP set up?

IIRC it was http://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/Reese/RP3214.html. It's probably available elsewhere too. The 14" length was a bit longer than necessary, but shorter ones were too short. I only needed about 3/4" more than the standard E2 shank, but this one gave me enough clearance to just open the back window with the bikes on. You'll really like the Swagman.  
Charlie
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OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD
PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD
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Posts: 305 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Jul 2016 at 4:45pm
Great! Many thanks!
Portage, MI — 2017 RPod 179 - sold / 2017 Toyota Tundra — My RPod YouTube Videos
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Posts: 31 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Jul 2016 at 9:35pm
  Thank you for this post!  We have been reading the posts here for a while, and we are even more convinced the R-Pod 179 is perfect for us.  We just put a deposit on a 2017 179 just delivered the Keystone RV's in Greencastle, PA Friday night.  
   I'm nervous about having those expensive toys hanging on the back of the trailer.  Your solution sounded great!  However, while exploring the recommended extender, I found the following extender version that provides a second receptace, and I think I can use the Thule carrier I already have by the attached extender.  Any thoughts about that?
  I'll report back when I get it figured out - with photos if it works!

  http://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Accessories/MaxxTow/MT70070.html
Tim and Pam
2017 R-Pod 179 - "Little Bear"
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CharlieM View Drop Down
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Posts: 1797 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Jul 2016 at 11:17pm
Originally posted by timpamt

......................However, while exploring the recommended extender, I found the following extender version that provides a second receptace, and I think I can use the Thule carrier I already have by the attached extender.  Any thoughts about that?
 
  http://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Accessories/MaxxTow/MT70070.html


Not to rain too much on your picnic, but I'd be skeptical of that extender. It will extend the ball too far back from the tow vehicle (TV) and greatly reduce its towing capability. For example, the pin to shank hole distance for the standard E2 shank is 8.25" For the referenced Reese long shank the corresponding distance is 11.5", an addition of 3". The extender adds 12.25" to the standard shank, making the extender+standard shank pin to hole distance 8.25+12.25=20.5", almost double the Reese dimension. That puts a tremendous torque load on the TV receiver. I'd also be suspicious of the strength of the extender. It weighs ~18# compared to the Reese at ~25#. The Reese is a solid steel beast and rightly so. Those extenders are intended for fairly light duty. Be careful.

That said, I know you'll love the 179. A very popular model. And excellent choice of trucks. Mine is a 2013. Welcome to our friendly group.
Charlie
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OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD
PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD
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Posts: 31 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Jul 2016 at 12:10pm
Charlie M:

  I love this forum! Your advice is spot-on!

  I have abandoned the hitch-extender option altogether.  Instead, I am leaning toward an trailer tongue bike rack.  Pam and I saw a number of them on Pinterest yesterday evening - lots of great ideas on Pinterest!!

  Since I already have a super Thule rack for my receiver, I'm considering the following A-Frame mounted bracket that puts a "receiver" above the batteries and propane tanks.  Hopefully it will be sturdy enough 0 anyone have one of these?

https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Cargo-Control/Stromberg-Carlson/CC-275.html
Tim and Pam
2017 R-Pod 179 - "Little Bear"
2014 Toyota Tacoma Crew Cab
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CharlieM View Drop Down
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Posts: 1797 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Jul 2016 at 2:12pm
Tim,

Lots of them out there. The only problem I see with them is having to lift the bikes so high. When you get old (like me) and weak (not yet but counting) you will appreciate that.

Camp on.
Charlie
Northern Colorado
OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD
PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD
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Posts: 305 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Jul 2016 at 4:11pm
CharlieM, so my next issue to tackle with the Swagman bike rack option is the rise/drop given your Reese recommendation. Due to the Pilot's high receiver height, I had to go to the E2 shank (12 in long) with the 6 inch rise and 10 inch drop (mid drop of the three E2 shank options) just to get close to level towing for the RP171 (no axle risers). Your Reese doesn't appear to have the drop I need. How did you do this on the Pilot set up, or did your RP172 have axle risers, so that the Resse sat the TT level?
Portage, MI — 2017 RPod 179 - sold / 2017 Toyota Tundra — My RPod YouTube Videos
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CharlieM View Drop Down
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Posts: 1797 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Jul 2016 at 4:43pm
I had risers on my 172. Seems like FR is now claiming they don't need risers because they use  a greater angle on the Dexter axles. I don't have the specs/numbers anymore. I don't recall any problems and don't recall if I was on the lowest set of holes. Maybe. Keep in mind the Pilot will sag some with load. 
Charlie
Northern Colorado
OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD
PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD
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