Bike Racks

sherman12 · 02-28-2023, 03:53 PM

After 15 years of hanging our road bicycles from the ladder on our motorhome, I finally bought a dual hitch receiver to mount the bikes horizontally along the rear of our rig.

Does anyone have any suggestions on the rack they use? I am looking at one on Amazonhttps://www.amazon.com/gp/slredirect/picassoRedirect. Some are over $500 and some are as low as $101. Any suggestions would be helpful and appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

GolfingDave · 02-28-2023, 05:29 PM

You need to put a link to the bike rack. Earth icon with the chain link.
How about a picture of your hitch?
I have a Thule that the wheels sit in. Had a cheap one years ago. Bought the Thule when the cheap one tossed a bicycle.

How many bikes?

sherman12 · 03-01-2023, 12:28 PM

https://www.amazon.com/Trailer-Recei...class+3+receiv

https://www.amazon.com/Retrospec-Len...NsaWNrPXRydWU=

Hopefully, these links come through like I tried the first time. So standard class 3 hitch on the back of my motorhome using the above dual receiver, top one will be for the bike rack, 2 road style bikes about 20#s each, and the bottom receiver for my ball mount to tow our dolly and toad behind the rig.

sherman12 · 03-01-2023, 12:51 PM

I should've added to my last post is I want the type of bike carrier that the tires sit in with hold-down bars lowered to the bike's crossbar. For these types of carriers, there are a lot of different bike covers on the market. That's why I'm ditching the ladder mount I've used for so many years, you can't adequately cover the bikes. Road grime gets into every crevice on the bike including gear shift cables and brake cables.

Edge2112 · 03-01-2023, 12:52 PM

I got a used one in my town. It’s not perfect, but hundreds of people have these lying around unused, either from grown-up kids or good intentions gone bad.
It wasn’t the fact it was free, it was more about reusing something that still had a useful life.
I’ll keep an eye out and might even replace it if I see a better one on offer nearby.

itat · 03-01-2023, 01:30 PM

Can I ask why you got the dual receiver? If you pull a toad couldn't you just put the bike rack on the back of the toad?

As for the rack, I have a Kuat Transfer bike rack that I use with the front-mounted receiver on my F-250. We will be getting new e-bikes this year so I bought a new bike rack that can handle the heavier bikes:
https://hollywoodracks.com/products/rv-rider

I ordered the rack from Rad Power Bikes' website since that was the least expensive site I could find. (We're getting the e-bikes through a local bike shop though.)

GolfingDave · 03-01-2023, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sherman12

https://www.amazon.com/Trailer-Recei...class+3+receiv

Hopefully, these links come through like I tried the first time. So standard class 3 hitch on the back of my motorhome using the above dual receiver, top one will be for the bike rack, 2 road style bikes about 20#s each, and the bottom receiver for my ball mount to tow our dolly and toad behind the rig.

That is similar to what I had. I only used it for trips of maybe 25 miles max on the back of a van. Figured it would be good enough. I was wrong.
Here is a link to what I did for a bike rack on my camper. Been meaning to post it.

You will have to insure you will not be hitting your tow vehicle hood. That might be hard to do with two bikes. I don't think I would even go with something like what I did with two bikes and the cargo. The second bike would have to be aft.

https://www.forestriverforums.com/fo...ml#post2827613

sherman12 · 03-02-2023, 10:43 AM

Itat, we do have a really nice carrier for the Toad, by Saris, and at times we carry it with us so we can transport the bikes to trails and such away from a campsite. Again the problem with these types of racks is the covers. Just like the ladder rack you have two arms coming out making covering the bikes difficult. The rack you got looks really well-made and heavy-duty. But with the weight of my two road bikes weighing probably less than 40# I don't think I need something that substantial. Thanks for the post!

Dave, I should have plenty of room between the rack and the toad hood. When I do order whatever I decide on, more than likely from Amazon, I'll try it out immediately so if I'm wrong I can return it, the benefit of using Amazon. The rack you first used, did it fall apart or did the bikes wobble and bang the back of your RV? That is also another thing I'll be checking is that the bikes are far enough away from the back of my RV too. I probably will add a ratchet strap to the bikes to secure them down a little tighter. Nice looking set-up for your bike and carrier, looks sturdy.

GolfingDave · 03-02-2023, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sherman12

Dave, I should have plenty of room between the rack and the toad hood. When I do order whatever I decide on, more than likely from Amazon, I'll try it out immediately so if I'm wrong I can return it, the benefit of using Amazon. The rack you first used, did it fall apart or did the bikes wobble and bang the back of your RV? That is also another thing I'll be checking is that the bikes are far enough away from the back of my RV too. I probably will add a ratchet strap to the bikes to secure them down a little tighter. Nice looking set-up for your bike and carrier, looks sturdy.

This was probably 15 years or more. Think I bought it on Amazon. If I recall correctly the bottom rungs bent down and bike just fell out. Normal highway driving on the back of an E250 cargo van I had at the time. All of my trips were somewhat close to nearby paved trails.

Swisher · 03-02-2023, 02:14 PM

We bought the Swagman RV bike carrier for our 5th wheel from etrailer Very solid connection ( pin is threaded into rack ) so bikes don’t bounce. Has tire trays with straps on each wheel, and hold down bar for frame. Works well with the Swagman cover. Not sure how it would work with the toad though, about 32” from receiver to rear bike tire carrier

sherman12 · 03-04-2023, 06:57 PM

Swisher, which Swagman did you get? Amazon has them from like $103 to over $400. And, how well has it held up for you? I just check Amazon and the XTC2 for $159 seems pretty good.

Thanks!

Swisher · 03-04-2023, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sherman12

Swisher, which Swagman did you get? Amazon has them from like $103 to over $400. And, how well has it held up for you? I just check Amazon and the XTC2 for $159 seems pretty good.

Thanks!

S-44FR
66684 Swagman Dispatch Platform-Style 2 Bike Carrier for 2 Inch Hitches - RV Approved

At etrailer they are $415 now, think was $298 when we bought it
Have used for 1 1/2 yrs and about 7000 miles on back of 5th wheel and no issues yet

JimM2109S · 03-04-2023, 10:22 PM

I also have a Dispatch carrier. The carrier is very heavy duty and is rated for use behind a pulled trailer, something that most bike carriers are not rated for. Tires sit in cradles, strapped in, with a securing bar that fits over the bike's crossbar. It isn't inexpensive, but I feel it won't fall apart and leave bike parts strewn along the highway.

As for a bike cover, they are mostly for keeping the bike dry. Dirt / dust will find a way to get inside a cover.

GolfingDave · 03-05-2023, 07:55 AM

XTC2 vs 66684
29 lbs vs 53 lbs
35 lb bikes vs 45 lb bikes
1 1/4"(adaptable) vs 2" hitch support
Not RV approved vs RV Approved

$ vs $$$ Might be because of above mentions and more?

Price of a lost/damaged bike??

I am more partial to where the tires actually sit in pockets on top of the crossmember pieces and not along side them. But then it makes the rack longer since you now need two crossmember pieces.

With any carrier I think I would get a hitch clamp, even if it has the screw type pin. Less bounce the better.

sherman12 · 03-07-2023, 09:48 AM

Thanks, guys, I'll check out the Dispatch.

Randy_Aglen · 03-07-2023, 11:02 AM

I have aloy frame cannondale that I bring and my wife has a e-bike which is really heavy. We use this 1up rack. Designed to handle handle the cantilever effects of a Motorhome and engineered for heavier bikes.
https://www.1up-usa.com/product/2in-...ble-bike-rack/

GolfingDave · 03-07-2023, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randy_Aglen

I have aloy frame cannondale that I bring and my wife has a e-bike which is really heavy. We use this 1up rack. Designed to handle handle the cantilever effects of a Motorhome and engineered for heavier bikes.
https://www.1up-usa.com/product/2in-...ble-bike-rack/

A blue Cannondale Day Tripper was the bike I lost. That was a good bike. Flip flops and a sun glasses were required equipment when riding it. They were discontinued at that time.

Randy_Aglen · 03-07-2023, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GolfingDave

A blue Cannondale Day Tripper was the bike I lost. That was a good bike. Flip flops and a sun glasses were required equipment when riding it. They were discontinued at that time.

Yeah biking chamois optional bikes are awesome to bring along! REI has some similar comfy ride frames. I have Caadx w/ 32 slicks, fenders and a beer rack. 😁

wolfie53 · 03-09-2023, 07:49 PM

I’ve used an RV approved Swagman for quite a few years and it works great! Very strong and well made.

bikerski · 03-10-2023, 09:58 AM

Most hitch mounted bike racks are not rated for use on the back of a travel trailer it usually states it in the warranty info. I purchased a 1Up Super Duty Double it’s a fantastic rack and very easy to use. It also has load capability for heavier electric bikes.

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