Hitch Adapter
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11543
Printed Date: 02 May 2024 at 10:55am
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Topic: Hitch Adapter
Posted By: Randrestj
Subject: Hitch Adapter
Date Posted: 09 May 2018 at 5:53pm
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Has anyone used a hitch adapter that converts the 1 1/4" to a 2" hitch. I'm looking for a more robust bike carrier than the one supplied by FR, the Bike Wing and more choices with a 2" hitch. ------------- RogerSJ |
Replies:
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 09 May 2018 at 6:39pm
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I think a 1 1/4 hitch is good for something like 200 pounds, which is way beyond what Forest River allows for the receiver. The limiting factor is really the trailer frame. If you really feel the need for somthing more robust you may want to consider options other than the rear of the Pod. TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: Randrestj
Date Posted: 09 May 2018 at 6:45pm
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Thanks, the 1 1/4" limits my choice of bike carriers and I'd like to have one that the wheels rest on a tray of sorts and also made for RV's, I've found a number that would fit that bill. ------------- RogerSJ |
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 09 May 2018 at 7:32pm
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I haven't seen it in writing -- at least in a long time -- but I think Forest River used to say the bike rack the sell is the only one they warrant for the Pod. Look into it. You may void the warranty against any frame damage. Personally, unless you're talking about more than two bikes, I think FR may be overly cautious in this regard. Nevertheless, an adapter will push the bike rack out further from the bumper, thereby creating more leverage against the frame, especially as you're bouncing down the road. I'm just delivering the party line -- people do what you're talking about and and more and get away with it. A lot of people use roof racks on their tow vehicle or come up with bike carriers for the trailer tongue too though. There's also the insecurity involved in not being able to see your bikes behind the trailer. TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 09 May 2018 at 9:55pm
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The weak bumper mount on the rear of the Pods is bad enough but a 1-1/4 to 2" adapter is much worse. As Tars says it adds a long lever arm, extending the bike load further behind the bumper. Leave the spare on the rear and find another solution for the bikes. One option is to mount the bikes on the rear of the TV, between TV and TT. Swagman makes a nice sleeve rack that carries the bikes in a basket as you want. I've used it and it works well. It also puts the bikes on the TV so you can uncouple and drive to a bike trailhead without moving the bikes.
------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: cosmo751
Date Posted: 10 May 2018 at 7:23am
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Consider a mount for the front of the tow vehicle. Better solution IMHO. There are pics on Google images.
------------- "He not busy being born is busy dying." |
Posted By: MDPaddlersPod
Date Posted: 10 May 2018 at 7:26am
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My opinion is counter to what most people think and do. I have a 1 1/4 adapter to 2 inch. I use a cargo rack to haul gear but, keep the total weight to 80 pounds. I have been doing this for two years with no problems.
------------- MDPaddlersPod 2017 RPod 179 2002 Silverado1500 |
Posted By: Randrestj
Date Posted: 10 May 2018 at 11:05am
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Just checked on that Swagman Traveler that installs on your TV tow bar and unfortunately the tow bar I have with sway control there is just no room to install this type of carrier on the tow bar. Looks like a great option and great price if your tow bar can accommodate this type of carrier. ------------- RogerSJ |
Posted By: Randrestj
Date Posted: 10 May 2018 at 11:10am
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I think I'll skip trying to add the carrier on the back of the trailer and resort to a model that clamps down on either side of the A- frame on the front of the trailer and bikes sit above the propane tanks. ------------- RogerSJ |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 10 May 2018 at 6:15pm
I don't know what tow bar you have but longer shanks are available. I bought a longer shank for my E2 hitch and it worked very well. BTW I think carriers that require lifting the bikes high above the propane tanks would be a real pain. I'm too old for calisthenics with my bikes.  ------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: Randrestj
Date Posted: 10 May 2018 at 8:37pm
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The tow bar I have is weight distribution hitch and there is no room once I have the hitch attached to the vehicle to add the Traveller thus no option to purchase a longer shank. ------------- RogerSJ |
Posted By: Randrestj
Date Posted: 11 May 2018 at 7:43am
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Has anyone used the Jack-it by Lippert, price is very reasonable compared to the alternatives, just wondering about the quality and its toughness? ------------- RogerSJ |
Posted By: ParPod
Date Posted: 13 May 2018 at 7:47am
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We saw the Jack-it at this years trailer show and it is a pretty solid unit. The bikes they had on it were the same kind that we have and they were on there pretty tight - no wiggle. The lifting the bikes onto it didn't seem that it would be that bad and one nice feature with the unit is that you can take a large part of it off if you're travelling without your bikes. We bought it and the maiden trip will be this weekend. ------------- Bob&Margaret 2017 179 2016 Toyota 4Runner 2 sets of Golf Clubs |
Posted By: athayersmith
Date Posted: 21 May 2018 at 8:33pm
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I called rpod - they said the frame can take up to 150 lbs, although the other posts I saw said 62 lbs. They assured me 150 was ok - we got a yakima ridgeback 2 bike carrier (32 lbs. + 2 bikes @ 35lbs each=107lbs) - it is adaptable to either a 2" or 1 1/4" hitch - the rpod has a 1 1/4" and it was easy to put on. We had a sway/wgt distribution hitch put on (might not have been necessary, but we wanted to be safe, not knowing much about this stuff!!) -hitch weighs a LOT - problem - the bikes really bounce around while we're driving (we each took turns following each other to see how bikes handled). The hitch installer suggested we use straps from the rt and left sides of bottom of frame to tighten up the bikes a bit. Any suggestions welcomed. Other than the fact that we would probably have to replace the bike carrier more often than expected-sounds like the frame should be able to take the wgt? Thx, in advance. |
Posted By: Ben Herman
Date Posted: 21 May 2018 at 9:12pm
you might consider this one: https://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Bike-Racks/Swagman/S64650.html - https://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Bike-Racks/Swagman/S64650.html My wife is a lightweight 5'1" and she can easily handle this carrier by herself. With our old Yakima rack, I used to have to install it for her on her weekly rides, not any more.No problem handling 2 bikes.
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Posted By: Pod People
Date Posted: 22 May 2018 at 8:28am
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We use a rear bike carrier with 2 bikes. We did some extensive welding of a new 2x2 cross beam from frame to frame, additional triangle gussets and a 2" receiver welded to both the original and the new cross beams. We also eliminated a lot of motion in the bike rack by using 2 cam straps-1 on each side of the rack that are attached to eye bolts drilled into the ends of the frame. another important thing to eliminate motion is a hitch tightner that will keep the shank tight in the receiver. We have followed the pod and watched our bikes-there is virtually no movement with the additions we made. there are some pictures in our mods. they are from our original 173, but we have done the same mods on our newer 179. Vann ------------- Vann & Laura 2015 RPod 179 https://postimg.cc/0zwKrfB9"> 
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Posted By: Randrestj
Date Posted: 22 May 2018 at 11:02am
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Did purchase a longer shank for my WDH and the Swagman carrier that fits over the hitch, very pleased with the result. Bikes sit on the TV and in plain view when driving. The only downside was that I had to extend the safety chains on the trailer, not a biggie. ------------- RogerSJ |
Posted By: athayersmith
Date Posted: 22 May 2018 at 9:01pm
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Thanks for the input = I hate to get another bike rack, but it might come to that. Appreciate your time. Ann
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Posted By: athayersmith
Date Posted: 22 May 2018 at 9:05pm
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Thanks- do you think cam straps would help if that was all we did? Otherwise, we're thinking of just carrying 1 bike on the back and putting the other one in the pod.......we're feeling like we've learned a lot, (and are going continually to HD and Camping World). Hopefully the bike rack is it. Thx,Ann
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