Bike rack on spare tire?

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   We are brand new to Podding and are wondering about carrying bikes. We have a Yakima 2-bike rack that attaches to the mounted spare tire. I asked the dealer where we got our 180 how much weight the spare, and associated mounting, could hold. He had never heard this question and told us 200 lbs. Does this seem right? Our bikes, and the rack, weigh approximately 80 lbs in addition to the spare. I have attached the rack securely to the tire and my main concern is the amount of flex in the bar under the rear of the trailer that holds the hitch-mounted spare. 
I'm guessing that Forest River wouldn't sell a bike rack for the 180 rear hitch if it wasn't capable. Any feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Chris 

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BigSkyPod Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 09 Apr 2017 Online Status: Offline Posts: 8	Topic: Bike rack on spare tire? Posted: 20 Apr 2017 at 6:37pm
	We are brand new to Podding and are wondering about carrying bikes. We have a Yakima 2-bike rack that attaches to the mounted spare tire. I asked the dealer where we got our 180 how much weight the spare, and associated mounting, could hold. He had never heard this question and told us 200 lbs. Does this seem right? Our bikes, and the rack, weigh approximately 80 lbs in addition to the spare. I have attached the rack securely to the tire and my main concern is the amount of flex in the bar under the rear of the trailer that holds the hitch-mounted spare. I'm guessing that Forest River wouldn't sell a bike rack for the 180 rear hitch if it wasn't capable. Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks in advance, Chris
	2017 RPOD 180 Hood River Edition

CharlieM Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Nov 2012 Location: N. Colorado Online Status: Offline Posts: 1797	Posted: 20 Apr 2017 at 9:27pm
	Adding bikes to the spare is not a good idea. It's not only the total weight, but the leverage created by the distance out from the small receiver. FR sells a very light two bike carrier that can be plugged directly into the 1-1/4" receiver but the same item can bought from Amazon. I carried two bikes for a while with now problems. The spare must go somewhere else such as on the tongue or in the TV.
	Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD

Podster Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 16 Sep 2014 Location: San Antonio Online Status: Offline Posts: 1108	Posted: 20 Apr 2017 at 9:40pm
	"He had never heard this question and told us 200 lbs. Does this seem right?" I think the official rating is 150lbs, but I'm not 100% on that. "Our bikes, and the rack, weigh approximately 80 lbs in addition to the spare. I have attached the rack securely to the tire and my main concern is the amount of flex in the bar under the rear of the trailer that holds the hitch-mounted spare." Do I understand this correctly? You are planning to use the rear receiver hitch on the POD to carry both the spare tire AND two bikes? If so then I would say...not a good idea. "I'm guessing that Forest River wouldn't sell a bike rack for the 180 rear hitch if it wasn't capable. Any feedback would be appreciated." My understanding is that THE bike rack sold by FR is the ONLY one approved by FR for use on the POD. There have been several failures with the exact bar you mention for the exact same concern that you have...flexing and bobbing while underway. It's not as much about the amount of weight as it is the effect of extending that weight away from the POD. I use the the POD receiver to hold the spare tire and purchased folding bikes. Good luck, Have Fun!
	Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity)