Jack It Double Bike Carrier System – Secure Your Gear While Hauling
The jack it double bike carrier system is a specialized mounting solution that attaches directly to the A-frame jack of your trailer. It allows you to carry two bicycles safely above the propane tanks, freeing up your truck bed for heavy landscaping equipment or gardening supplies.
This system is ideal for DIY gardeners and professional landscapers who need to maximize cargo space while traveling to job sites or nurseries without compromising the safety of their bicycles.
Managing space is a constant challenge when you are hauling heavy loads of organic mulch or several flats of new perennials. You often find yourself choosing between bringing your recreational gear or leaving enough room for essential tools like your string trimmer and leaf blower.
I promise that once you understand how to utilize your trailer’s tongue space effectively, you will never struggle with a crowded truck bed again. This solution provides a stable, vibration-dampening platform that keeps your bikes visible and secure during transport.
In this guide, we will explore how the jack it double bike carrier system integrates into your outdoor lifestyle. We will cover the installation process, safety considerations for heavy hauling, and how this tool helps you maintain a more organized mobile workspace.
Maximizing Trailer Space With the Jack It Double Bike Carrier System
Every seasoned landscaper knows that the truck bed is prime real estate. When you are transporting bags of NPK-balanced fertilizer or a heavy-duty aeration tool, every square inch matters. Traditional hitch racks often get in the way of the tailgate or require complex extensions.
The jack it double bike carrier system solves this by utilizing the “dead space” over the trailer tongue. By mounting the carrier to the existing jack holes, you lift the bikes up and out of the way. This allows you to stack your cultivars and soil amendments right up to the front of the truck bed.
This system uses a patented “Power Wing” design that fits over the power jack or manual jack of most A-frame trailers. It creates a stable tower that can hold up to 80 pounds of weight. This is perfect for those weekend trips where you plan to tackle some lawn renovation at a secondary property.
The Benefit of Tongue-Mounted Carriers
Most bike racks are mounted on the rear bumper of a trailer, which is often the weakest point of the frame. Rear-mounted racks experience significant bounce and “whip,” which can damage your bike frames or even the trailer itself over time.
Mounting your bikes at the front provides a much smoother ride. The suspension of your tow vehicle helps absorb the road shocks. This protects your investment, whether it is a high-end mountain bike or a specialized landscaping utility bike used for scouting large properties.
Furthermore, having the bikes in front of you means you can see them through your rearview mirror. This provides peace of mind while navigating through tight garden center parking lots or bumpy rural roads. You can quickly spot if a strap has loosened before any damage occurs.
Key Features for the Active Landscaper
If you are a DIY gardener who spends weekends hauling river rock or timber for retaining walls, you need equipment that is as tough as your shovel. The construction of this carrier system reflects that need for durability and ease of use.
The system features SwayControl technology, which uses specialized cradles to keep the bikes from moving during transit. This is critical when you are hauling a trailer that might be loaded with shifting materials like loose gravel or topsoil.
The finish is usually a high-quality powder coating. This prevents rust, which is essential if you frequently work with liquid fertilizers or live in a humid climate where metal tools tend to corrode quickly. It stands up to the elements just like a professional-grade mower deck.
Compatibility and Fitment
Before purchasing, you must ensure your trailer tongue has enough clearance. Most standard A-frame jacks are compatible. However, if you have oversized propane tank covers or a very short distance between the jack and the truck bumper, you should measure carefully.
The system is designed to work with most power jacks. This is a huge advantage for those who prefer the convenience of an electric lift when uncoupling the trailer to go pick up a fresh load of sod or pavers. The carrier does not interfere with the jack’s operation.
Check the weight rating of your trailer’s tongue as well. Adding 80 pounds of bikes plus the weight of the carrier adds to your total tongue weight. Ensure this remains within the 10% to 15% range of your total trailer weight for safe towing and better handling.
Step-by-Step Installation Guide
Installing the jack it double bike carrier system is a straightforward task that most DIY enthusiasts can handle in under an hour. You will need a basic socket set and perhaps a torque wrench to ensure everything is tightened to the manufacturer’s specifications.
First, you must support the trailer tongue using jack stands. Do not rely on the jack itself during this process, as you will be removing the bolts that hold it in place. Safety is the priority here, just as it is when you are sharpening mower blades.
Once the tongue is secure, remove the three bolts holding your jack to the frame. Place the base of the carrier over the jack’s mounting flange. Reinstall the bolts through the carrier base, the jack, and finally into the trailer frame.
Assembling the Power Wing
After the base is secured, you will attach the vertical tower. This tower provides the height necessary to clear your propane tanks. Ensure the tower is plumb and level before tightening the mounting hardware completely.
Next, slide the “Power Wing” onto the tower. This is the horizontal bar that actually holds the bike cradles. You can adjust the height of the wing depending on the size of your bikes and the height of your tow vehicle’s tailgate.
Finally, attach the bike cradles and the security straps. I recommend testing the fit with your bikes while the trailer is parked on a level surface. Make sure there is enough clearance for the bikes to swing slightly without hitting the trailer body or the truck.
Safety Checks and Maintenance
Just like you would perform a seasonal check on your irrigation system, you must regularly inspect your bike carrier. Check the bolts for tightness after the first 50 miles of travel. Road vibrations can sometimes cause hardware to settle.
Inspect the rubber straps for any signs of dry rot or cracking. If you leave your trailer parked in the sun for long periods, the UV rays can degrade the rubber. Replacing these straps early is much cheaper than replacing a bike that falls off on the highway.
Apply a small amount of silicone lubricant to the moving parts of the cradles once a year. This keeps the adjustment knobs turning smoothly. It also prevents the metal-on-metal contact points from seizing up due to road salt or moisture.
Why This System Beats Traditional Hitch Racks
For someone involved in landscaping and lawn care, the truck hitch is often already occupied. You might be using a multi-ball mount to pull different trailers, or you might have a salt spreader attached during the winter months.
A standard hitch-mounted bike rack prevents you from towing a trailer simultaneously. The jack it double bike carrier system allows you to have the best of both worlds. You can pull your utility trailer full of compost and still bring your bikes along for the ride.
Another advantage is accessibility. When bikes are mounted on the trailer tongue, you can still open your truck’s tailgate fully. This is vital when you need to reach into the bed for a hand trowel, a watering can, or a heavy bag of grass seed.
Protecting Your Gardening Gear
When bikes are in the truck bed, they often lean against other items. The pedals can tear through plastic bags of potting soil or scratch the paint on your expensive zero-turn mower. By moving the bikes to the trailer tongue, you eliminate this risk.
The elevated position of the bikes also keeps them away from the dust and debris kicked up by the truck tires. If you are driving down a dry dirt road to reach a remote garden installation site, your bikes will stay much cleaner than they would on a low-mounted hitch rack.
Furthermore, the bikes act as a visual guide for the front of your trailer. This can actually help some drivers when they are backing into tight spots, as the bike tires provide a clear reference point for where the trailer tongue is positioned.
Practical Tips for Heavy-Duty Use
When you are fully loaded with hardscaping materials like pavers or heavy timber, the dynamics of your trailer change. Adding weight to the tongue can actually improve stability, provided you do not exceed your vehicle’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).
If you find that your truck’s rear end is sagging too much after installing the carrier and loading your bikes, consider using a weight distribution hitch. This will help level the load and ensure your front tires maintain good contact with the road for steering.
Always load the heaviest bike on the cradle closest to the trailer. This keeps the center of gravity closer to the mounting point. It is the same principle we use when loading a trailer with balled-and-burlapped trees—keep the heaviest items over the axles or slightly forward.
Security and Theft Prevention
Your bicycles are valuable tools for recreation and sometimes for work. While the jack it double bike carrier system is secure, it is always a good idea to add an extra layer of protection. Use a long cable lock to secure the bike frames directly to the trailer’s A-frame.
This prevents “opportunity theft” when you are stopped at a gas station or a landscaping supply yard. Most thieves look for easy targets. A visible, heavy-duty lock acts as a significant deterrent, allowing you to focus on choosing the right mulch for your project.
You can also remove the “Power Wing” when it is not in use. This leaves only the vertical tower and base on the trailer. Removing the wing makes the trailer less conspicuous and protects the cradles from the sun and rain when you are not traveling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Use the Jack It Double Bike Carrier System on a Fifth-Wheel Trailer?
No, this system is specifically designed for A-frame trailers. Fifth-wheel trailers do not have the same tongue configuration. For those trailers, you would typically look for a ladder-mounted rack or a specialized hitch receiver on the rear bumper.
Will This Carrier Interfere With My Propane Tanks?
In most cases, the tower is tall enough to clear standard 20-pound propane tanks. If you have 30-pound tanks or a custom cover, you should measure the height from the frame to the top of the tanks. The system is designed with clearance in mind for common trailer setups.
How Does the System Handle Electric Tongue Jacks?
The base of the carrier is designed to fit around the housing of most electric jacks. As long as your jack has the standard three-bolt mounting pattern, the carrier should fit perfectly. It does not affect the wiring or the motor function of the jack.
What Is the Maximum Weight Capacity for the Bikes?
The system is rated for a total of 80 pounds, which usually means two bikes weighing up to 40 pounds each. This is sufficient for most road bikes, mountain bikes, and standard hybrid bikes. It is not recommended for heavy electric bikes (e-bikes) without checking the weight first.
Is It Easy to Remove the Bikes When I Reach My Destination?
Yes, the Quick-Connect straps are very user-friendly. You can usually have both bikes off the rack and ready to ride in less than two minutes. This is a great feature when you want to take a quick break from weeding the garden to enjoy a short ride.
Conclusion
The jack it double bike carrier system is more than just a bike rack; it is a space-management tool for the serious outdoor enthusiast. By moving your bicycles to the trailer tongue, you free up the truck bed for the heavy lifting required in landscaping and gardening.
Whether you are hauling compost, perennial flowers, or heavy power tools, having an organized vehicle makes the job easier and more enjoyable. This system provides a stable, safe, and visible way to transport your bikes without sacrificing the utility of your tow vehicle.
Invest in a quality carrier today and see how much more productive your gardening trips can be. With your bikes securely mounted and your truck bed open for supplies, you are ready for any outdoor project that comes your way. Happy gardening and safe travels!
Taylor pairs an engineer's eye with years of hands-on work in soil, lawns and outdoor machinery. He tests ideas in his own garden, keeps tractors and mowers running himself, and speaks to local horticulture groups. Every Garden Aider guide is written to be practical, accurate and safe to follow.
“To bring life alive, you just need to mix some love with the compost, bedding, and gardening machines.”