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Many people who love going on RV vacations often like taking their bikes out to enjoy riding around the place they are visiting. If you enjoy going around town on your bike, getting the best RV bike rack for your trips would only make sense.
Bringing a bike along while you go RVing may be a great idea, but traveling without an RV bike rack may not be the easiest thing to do, as it will only increase the inconvenience while you travel. So, it is better to opt for a bike rack. However, normal bike racks are not designed for the weight and movement of an RV and can end up damaging both your bike rack and your vehicle. That is why investing in a bike rack designed to be used with an RV.
But before you buy a bike rack for your RV, you should consider a variety of factors. This article gathers all these factors to make your buying decision a breeze. Read on to learn more.
Is It Possible To Put A Bike Rack On Your Rv?
As mentioned above, putting just any normal bike rack on your RV is not a practical solution, as only a few bike racks are made specifically for RVs. Normal bike racks are not made to be able to withstand all the weight and movement and can end up causing damage to your bike and your RV’s structure.
Can A Bike Rack Stand The Weight Of Your Bike?
Not all bike racks are made to withstand the weight of all bikes. Every bike and bike rack has different dimensions. Therefore, you must choose a bike rack that can support the weight and size of your bike. Most RV bike racks can support bikes weighing up to 40 pounds; however, if you have an e-bike, which can weigh over 60 pounds, you can also choose to buy an RV bike rack specifically designed for e-bikes.
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How Many Bikes Can An RV Bike Rack Hold?
When choosing a bike rack, it is important to remember how many bikes you will be bringing along with you for your trip. RV bike racks can commonly carry 2-4 bikes at a time, but that also depends on the size of your bike, which is another thing you must consider when purchasing an RV bike rack. Moreover, another important factor you should consider is whether the bike rack you buy can hold other bikes, such as an e-bike. If you are planning to travel with multiple bikes, purchasing an RV rack that can hold various types of bikes is best.
Is A Bike Rack RV Approved?
When buying a bike rack for your RV, you should ensure that the bike rack is RV approved, so you can confirm that it is safe to take along on the road. If a bike rack is not RV-approved, then there are chances of you putting the safety of yourself and other people on the road in danger. If a bike rack is RV rated, it will withstand all the jolts and pressures caused while being on the road without causing any damage to your bikes or losing them on the road entirely.
Mounting RV Bike Racks
Another very common thing people think about when buying or after acquiring an RV bike rack is what position they should mount it in. There are various positions where you can mount your RV bike rack, such as;
Bumper Mount Bike Rack
Buying a bumper mount RV bike rack is one of the most common options, as most people tend to do so because of their considerable benefits and flexibility. Most bumper-mount bike racks can carry more weight than an average bike rack and can carry up to 120-140 pounds, so you can add heavier bikes such as e-bikes. Bumper mount RV bike racks are also quite spacious as they allow you to carry more than two bikes with you during your travels.
However, it is important to consider whether your RV or motorhome has a metal bumper. In most cases, if you have a 4×4 metal bumper, you can easily mount this bike rack onto your RV without causing any trouble during your trip or affecting your safety.
Hitch-Mounted Bike Racks
A hitch-mounted RV bike rack is also a solid option if you are traveling and plan to take several bikes. Most trailers come with a trailer hitch already attached, which makes attaching a hitch-mounted bike rack much easier. Moreover, it comes in different sizes, allowing you to add up to four bikes. However, it is very important to consider the size of your bike and whether the bike rack can fit it in.
Ladder-Mounted Bike Racks
Another option is a ladder-mounted RV bike rack. This bike rack is usually used when your RV does not have a hitch receiver or a bumper. These bike racks are designed to hang on the RV’s rear and can easily be rotated or moved to access the ladder. Unlike the other two bike racks mentioned above, this one cannot generally hold too many heavy bikes. These racks can usually accommodate two fairly lightweight bikes. Therefore, checking your bike’s weight and dimensions before putting it on a ladder-mounted bike rack is important.
Best RV Bike Racks
There are many different bike racks available that you can buy, which can often lead to confusion. That is why we have decided to put together a few of the best RV bike racks you can buy;
HYPERAX Volt Hitch-Mounted RV Bike Rack
If you are looking for a reliable and high quality RV bike rack for your e-bikes, then the HYPERAX volt hitch-mounted bike rack is probably the best option you can get.
Built with the concept of durability, this bike rack can take up to 70 pounds per bike. This means it can even carry some of the heavier e-bikes without causing them any damage. Moreover, this product has a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon, making it a well-loved product among consumers.
Camco Ladder Mount
As mentioned above, ladder-mounted bike racks are not usually the most reliable, as they cannot carry a lot of bikes or support a lot of weight. This is one of the main reasons why they usually get a lower rating online. However, the Camco ladder mount has a rating of 4.1 out of 5 and can carry two bikes with a combined weight of 60 lbs.
One of its advantages is that it can fold up to save you storage space when it is not in use. Moreover, when purchasing an RV bike rack, one of the main concerns is the quality of the materials it is made from. The Camco ladder mount is made from durable material that can last a long time. It’s also the perfect pick if you are looking for a budget-friendly ladder mount.
Swagman RV-Approved 4-Bike Bumper Rack
This is a great option if you want a bumper bike rack for the whole family. This bike rack allows you to carry 4 bikes weighing up to 30 pounds. This means everyone gets to bring their bike along on the trip if you are a family of four. It is fairly easy to install and has a good Amazon rating with various positive reviews. However, you should remember that this bike rack cannot withstand the weight of heavier bikes such as e-bikes.
Swagman TRAVELLER XC2
This bike rack is designed to hold up to two bikes weighing up to 35 pounds each and is made of high quality material, which makes this bike rack highly sturdy and long-lasting. Moreover, this bike rack’s tire tray can be upgraded to accommodate bikes with fat tires weighing up to 35 pounds each. It is important to note that this bike rack may be more expensive than other mounting options, but when it comes to hitch-mounted bike racks, this is a great cost-effective option, as it provides you with a good quality product at a good price.
Futura GP For Travel Trailer Tongue
Many bike racks are compatible with most bikes. However, The Futura GP for Travel Trailer Tongue is compatible with 95% of most bikes. This bike rack is highly secure; you can rely on it to keep your bikes secure throughout your trip. Moreover, this product is made from high quality materials, which makes it highly secure and long-lasting.
Endnote
When buying a bike rack for your RV, there are many factors you need to consider, such as the bike’s weight and the bike rack’s size. As mentioned above, depending on your preference, you can easily find a bike rack based on what size you want and where you want to mount it. Moreover, when it comes to pricing, bike racks can cost you as low as $50-60 and even $600-800. Therefore, it is best for you to make a choice depending on your budget and need.
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