Bike rack weight limits

[Jitters]

Good morning.

 

Does anyone know the weight limits for this setup?  Trying to figure if it is safe for a 1-UP bike rack with around 80lbs of bikes.

 

Thanks

 

Greg

 

 

[John E Davies]

I believe Oliver recommends 100 pounds max load on the recommended Lets Go Aero BikeWing 1.25" rack (which you can find that weight online).... if I am interpreting their data right. ...  https://olivertraveltrailers.com/topic/new-bike-hitch-capacity/

 

A call to Howenwald would clarify. I personally find the idea of hanging floppy cargo off that very small receiver MORE than a little disconcerting. The back end of your Ollie is a pretty violent location when you hit a big bridge dip at 65 mph. I double strap everything in my rear rack so I don't lose cans and chocks en route.

 

John Davies

 

Spokane WA

[Jitters]

Thanks.  This is for a 2" hitch, not 1 1/4.  Should make a little difference.  But now their cross piece looks to be twice as wide and the receiver part is clamped vice welded.

[DavidS]

I have the Oliver Rear Bumper Bike Rack holder with the 2-inch receiver. They put a sticker on there stating a 100 lb weight limit.

[Jitters]

Thanks David!  Guess I will see how much a custom one will cost.

 

 

 

 

[John E Davies]

Thanks David! Guess I will see how much a custom one will cost.

 

Here is some food for thought.  .., https://olivertraveltrailers.com/topic/how-to-move-the-factory-cargo-tray-to-a-rear-rack/

 

John Davies

 

Spokane WA

 

 

 

[Pat Maundrell]

I've heard both 100 Lbs and 150 Lbs, (never in print) this is the first time I've actually seen a Sticker indicating 100lbs!

It critical to consider any additional weight placed on the Rear End of a trailer and how it affects the overall handling of the TV & Trailer combination. To much weight can upset the stability of the Tow Combination and can induce TRAILER SWAY! On the other hand staying within the recommended limits can have a positive effect on the Tongue Weight. 

[Jairon]

I heard it was previously 100 pounds but recently updated to 150 Lbs. If 150 Lbs is true, I don't know if it only applies to the new rack design. Please let us know if you contact Oliver.

[dewdev]

I just purchase the (current) receiver from Oliver and installed it myself. It is the same receiver that you can see on Oliver's web site pictures. They sent me a sticker with the 150 lbs limit. The receiver is a 1-1/4" unit.

[Trailblazers]

I'm curious on how you got the 2" receiver.  Did you have it custom made?

 

[Ray and Susan Huff]

When I was researching the rear receiver, I was told by my sales agent that they had raised the weight limit to 150#  Regardless, we did not opt for the rear receiver since our bike rack (1UP) is 2".  We found a hitch to work between the pickup and the trailer

 

[fredmin]

On 3/15/2021 at 8:12 PM, Ray and Susan Huff said:

When I was researching the rear receiver, I was told by my sales agent that they had raised the weight limit to 150#  Regardless, we did not opt for the rear receiver since our bike rack (1UP) is 2".  We found a hitch to work between the pickup and the trailer

 

Since I am also getting a Ford Super Duty and would like to avoid the bike rack additional cost, could you post a link to that hitch? I am assuming it is a 2 1/2” lower, what drop?

thanks

[Ray and Susan Huff]

3 hours ago, fredmin said:

Since I am also getting a Ford Super Duty and would like to avoid the bike rack additional cost, could you post a link to that hitch? I am assuming it is a 2 1/2” lower, what drop?

thanks

https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch-Ball-Mount/Curt/D210.html

Be sure you get the one rated for 7,500#.  It is a 2" receiver; the drop to the ball is 2 1/4" which works perfectly with our 2013 F350 SD (4wd).

It is a bit tricky latching the hitch as there is just barely enough clearance between the bottom of the 1up rack and the latch mechanism on the bulldog coupler.  This might differ with a different rack, so you will need to measure carefully.

Attached is a diagram of the hitch adapter.

I got lucky when we ordered and it was 1/2 price!

Edited March 19 by Ray and Susan Huff

[fredmin]

Thanks!

[dewdev]

Ray and Susan Huff - I am guessing that you do not use a WDH with this hitch arrangement. Is that correct?

[Middlefork49]

On 3/18/2021 at 6:48 PM, Ray and Susan Huff said:

https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch-Ball-Mount/Curt/D210.html

Be sure you get the one rated for 7,500#.  It is a 2" receiver; the drop to the ball is 2 1/4" which works perfectly with our 2013 F350 SD (4wd).

It is a bit tricky latching the hitch as there is just barely enough clearance between the bottom of the 1up rack and the latch mechanism on the bulldog coupler.  This might differ with a different rack, so you will need to measure carefully.

Attached is a diagram of the hitch adapter.

I got lucky when we ordered and it was 1/2 price!

We also have a 1up rack and are really interested in this option for carrying our bikes. We're not really excited about carrying the bikes behind the trailer. But...we do have a few questions we hope you can answer.

1. Do you find it difficult to load your bikes with the limited space available? We have two 50 lb. e-bikes and wonder if that will be a deal breaker.

2. Have you had any problem with the bikes affecting the turning radius of the trailer?

3. Do you use an Anderson or other sway control setup?

4. You mentioned that the 2 1/4" drop works well with your TV. But, do you ever find that an adjustable hitch would be helpful to level the trailer, or doesn't the weight of the trailer or TV change enough between trips to find that necessary?

Thanks for your help!!

 

[Ray and Susan Huff]

On 3/20/2021 at 10:35 AM, Middlefork49 said:

I will check with the Boss for answers regarding our 1UP rack setup.

 

On 7/29/2019 at 9:10 AM, DavidS said:

I have the Oliver Rear Bumper Bike Rack holder with the 2-inch receiver. They put a sticker on there stating a 100 lb weight limit.

How old is this sticker?  I was told the limit has been increased to 150#.  Call Oliver to check on this, though.

Edited March 24 by Ray and Susan Huff

[Ray and Susan Huff]

On 3/14/2021 at 11:31 AM, Pat Maundrell said:

I've heard both 100 Lbs and 150 Lbs, (never in print) this is the first time I've actually seen a Sticker indicating 100lbs!

It critical to consider any additional weight placed on the Rear End of a trailer and how it affects the overall handling of the TV & Trailer combination. To much weight can upset the stability of the Tow Combination and can induce TRAILER SWAY! On the other hand staying within the recommended limits can have a positive effect on the Tongue Weight. 

I agree regarding the effects of additional weight on the rear of the trailer.  You also need to consider the effects of it all on the bikes loaded in the rack.

[Ray and Susan Huff]

On 3/20/2021 at 10:35 AM, Middlefork49 said:

We also have a 1up rack and are really interested in this option for carrying our bikes. We're not really excited about carrying the bikes behind the trailer. But...we do have a few questions we hope you can answer.

1. Do you find it difficult to load your bikes with the limited space available? We have two 50 lb. e-bikes and wonder if that will be a deal breaker.

2. Have you had any problem with the bikes affecting the turning radius of the trailer?

3. Do you use an Anderson or other sway control setup?

4. You mentioned that the 2 1/4" drop works well with your TV. But, do you ever find that an adjustable hitch would be helpful to level the trailer, or doesn't the weight of the trailer or TV change enough between trips to find that necessary?

Thanks for your help!!

 

1. Loading isn't as easy as when the trailer isn't attached, but possible, as you have to straddle the trailer frame.  50# e-bikes will be more difficult than our lighter bikes, for sure, but that would be the case with any rack where you have to raise the bike up that high.  I'm not sure how you load them.

2. Turning radius is not impaired enough to be noticeable or a problem; maybe if you were to totally jack knife the trailer.

3. We don't use an Anderson or other anti-sway accessory

4. Your question regarding the 2 1/4" drop totally depends on the TV.  Our F350 SD 4wd is not even affected by the weight of the trailer, rack and bikes.  The dual hitch we use is just fine.  If the drop doesn't work for you, there is no reasonable way to adjust the drop, that I can think of.

When we decided to give this a try, I did some measuring and a bit of figuring, all before we even had our Oliver.  Since we were lucky and found the hitch at 1/2 price, we basically took a chance, hoping it would work (which it did).  We would have been disappointed if we were unable to use our 1up rack.

One thing you do need to be aware of is this: there is only a small amount of clearance between the lowest point on the bike rack and the hitch latch on the Oliver.  We usually lower the front of the trailer a bit, back the hitch nearly into position and then raise the front of the trailer and carefully drive under it (if that makes sense).  After one or two times, this isn't hard to do. 

[Middlefork49]

Thanks so much for answering our questions. We don't have our tow vehicle, yet, but hoping the dual hitch will work. Guess we'll see...