If you’re an RV enthusiast who also enjoys exploring the world by bike, odds are that you need a bike rack. (That is, unless you have a folding e-bike.) Having a bike rack on your RV not only frees up the limited space inside your rig, it also helps keep the dirt out. So, you get both more free storage space and more free time. It’s a win-win. The bigger question is which one to get. What are the top RV bike racks?
There are so many options out there, it can be hard to know which one is right for you. So, in this guide, we’ll look at everything you need to know about bike racks for RVs — and point out some of our favorite RV bike racks by type along the way.
Now let’s get this thing spinning!
Bike Racks vs. E-Bike Racks: Think Weight and Height
These days, RVers are as likely to get around on an e-bike as a conventional bike. When it comes to RV bike racks, this is an important point. E-bikes generally weigh between 60 and 100 pounds — each. Consequently, e-bike racks are usually built to support two bikes of that weight. Therefore, they are much more heavy-duty than conventional bike racks, which often support two bikes up to 60 pounds.
Another consideration that often separates e-bike racks from conventional bike racks is height from the ground. While you might lift a fixed bike up onto a tongue-mount frame without an issue, it’s probably a different story loading an e-bike onto a rack at the same height. But there’s more to consider when it comes to getting any type of RV bike rack.
Weighty Considerations for Your RV
Overloading your RV, RV trailer tongue, hitch receiver, or tow vehicle can have catastrophic repercussions. Therefore, before you load bikes onto any RV, here are a few things you’ll want to consider. The first thing you should do is check:
- RV or tow vehicle hitch capacity;
- Tongue weight capacity of your tow vehicle;
- Combined occupant and cargo carrying capacity (OCCC);
- Maximum weight of the bikes you intend carry; and
- RV bike rack weight and carrying capacity.
You can find that information in a variety of places.
- On the DOT sticker that is located every RV
- In the specifications section of user manuals
- On the manufacturer’s website
- Reddit groups
- Forums like IRV2
In addition, any bike rack being used on an RV needs to be engineered specifically to withstand certain extreme conditions. These include being bounced around and subjected to a lot of wind pressure while carrying significant weight. It’s crucial to ensure any rack you’re considering was designed and approved for use on an RV.
E-Bike Racks for RVs
Most e-bikes are usually in excess of 60 pounds. This means any bike rack you carry them on will need to be able to withstand their weight, plus the additional stressors that come with being used on an RV. As mentioned, e-bikes naturally require a heavier, beefier rack than conventional bikes do. Always look for an e-bike rack that’s rated for RVs.
Also, be sure to check the size and weight capacity of your RV hitch receiver. If the size of the hitch receiver doesn’t match the size of the hitch tube on the rack, you may be able to use an adaptor to increase the diameter.
Other E-Bike Rack Considerations
- Those who may have trouble lifting an e-bike onto a rack may want to consider getting a rack that includes a ramp for loading e-bikes.
- Prevent theft of your e-bike and/or e-bike rack components by locking them with tool resistant locks.
Top 3 E-Bike Racks
Swagman E-Spec RV Rated Bike Rack
- Motorhomes and other RVs: Carries up to two bikes with a maximum weight capacity of 80 pounds per bike
- RV Trailers: Carries up to two bikes with a maximum weight of 70 pounds per bike
- Rack weight: 63 pounds
- Fits Class 3, 2-inch hitch receivers
- Fits tires up to 5 inches wide
- Fits wheels 20 inches to 29 inches in diameter
- Locking threaded hitch pin and locking ratchet hooks
- Can be used with a ramp and bridge set to make loading easier
- MSRP: $499.00
Hollywood RV Rider E-Bike Rack
- Designed for motorhomes
- Not to be used on trailers of any type
- Capacity: 2 x 80-pound e-bikes
- Rack weight: 63.5 pounds
- Can be used on front hitches
- Fits Class 3, 2-inch hitch receivers
- Maximum wheelbase: 60 inches
- Minimum wheelbase: 36 inches
- Maximum tire width: 5 inches
- Heavy-duty wheel holders
- No adapters needed for stepthrough bikes
- Includes small wheel adapter for 20-inch fat tire bikes
- Limited lifetime warranty
- MSRP: $849.99
Swagman Escapee
- Designed for RVs of all types
- Capacity: 2 x 60-pound e-bikes
- Not designed for use with front bike wheel fenders
- Safe for carbon fibre frames
- Fits Class 3, 2-inch hitch receivers
- Fits tires up to 5 inches wide
- Fits 20-inch to 29-inch wheels
- Locking arms secure bike to rack
- Threaded locking hitch pin included
- Can be used with a ramp and bridge set to make loading easier
- MSRP $575.00
RV Bike Racks for Conventional Bikes
Aside from offering a more intense workout, a key advantage of conventional bikes are that they are often significantly lighter than e-bikes. That means you have more options to choose from with regard to bike racks and mounting locations on the RV. You’ll usually find that the RV bike racks for conventional bikes are priced much lower than e-bike racks too.
So, let’s have a look at the four types of RV bike racks: ladder-mounted, bumper-mounted, hitch-mounted, and tongue-mounted.
Ladder-Mounted RV Bike Racks
Ladder-mounted bike racks are hooked onto the RV ladder and secured in place with straps or bolts. They provide an easy-to-install, lightweight alternative to hitch mounted or A-frame mounted bike racks. Ladder-mounted RV bike racks can work well for one or two light conventional bikes, but are not suitable for heavy bikes, and may not work for some mountain bikes depending on frame geometry. (A drawback of this type of bike rack is that if you need access to the roof, the bikes, and sometimes the bike rack, will need to be removed from the ladder.)
Camco RV Ladder Mount Bike Rack
The Camco RV ladder mount bike rack offers a lightweight means of carrying your bikes on the RV. However, it’s 60-pound load capacity means that bikes mounted on it need to weigh in on the light side, even for conventional bikes.
Specs
- Weight: 9.75 pounds
- Maximum load capacity: 2 bikes totaling 60 pounds
- May not work for smaller framed bikes
- Folds for storage
- MSRP: $89.99
Stromberg Carlson LA102 Bike Rack for Universal Ladder
The ultralight Stromberg Carlson LA102 ladder-mounted bike rack can store up to two bikes securely. (And it weighs only five pounds!) However, its total weight capacity of just 50 pounds means that bikes transported on the LA 102 need to be very lightweight, even for conventional bikes. That said, this bike rack could work well for transportation of a single bike.
Specs
- Weight: 5 pounds
- Maximum load capacity: 50 pounds
- Bolts onto ladder
- Folds out of the way for ladder access
- MSRP: $93.80
Bumper-Mounted RV Bike Racks
Bumper-mounted RV bike racks bolt onto the RV bumper using a pair of U-bolts. While they can work well for lightweight bikes, most RV bumpers are simply not built to handle much weight. Advantages of this style of bike rack are ease of installation as well as low height, making it easy to get bikes onto the rack.
Swagman RV Bumper Rack 2 Bike Bumper Rack
The Swagman RV Bumper Rack can store up to two 30-pound bikes for transport on the back of any RV bumper that can support up to 110 pounds. It’s simple to install, and its low height makes it easy to load and unload bikes. In addition, it can be adjusted to fit a variety of bike wheel sizes and frame styles.
Specs
- Weight: 50 pounds
- Load capacity: 60 pounds, 1 or 2 bicycles (maximum 30 pounds per bike)
- Fits 4-inch to 4.5-inch square RV bumpers
- Installation uses 6.5-inch and 8-inch long bolts around the RV bumper
- Heavy-duty steel
- Upright bar in the center of the rack offers added support for bikes
- MSRP: $152.09
Hitch-Mounted RV Bike Racks
Hitch-mounted RV bike racks mount on the hitch receiver of your motorhome or trailer. It’s very important to check your RV hitch receiver’s weight capacity before you mount a hitch mounted bike rack on it. That way you can be confident it’s not going to fail or cause damage to other RV components while you’re driving.
Swagman Original RV Bike Rack for 3 Bikes
The Swagman Original RV bike rack is a tried and true bike rack that carries up to three bikes with minimalistic aplomb. It’s not just about the elegance here. The Original RV Bike rack is built to withstand all the shaking, rattling, and rolling that comes with being fixed onto the rear hitch of any RV, truck, SUV, or car.
Plus, Swagman expects you to take it on adventures, on and off road. This sets it apart from many other racks. But its sturdy build doesn’t depend on heavy components. It’s all about clever engineering here. There are no moving parts, but also the mast attaches to the shank with steel-reinforced brackets. That being said, this sturdy bike rack weighs just 25 pounds but can handle up to 100 pounds of weight.
Specs
- Weight: 25 pounds
- Load capacity: 3 bikes totaling 100 pounds
- Rubber cushioned cradles
- Fit: Universal with 2-inch hitch receiver
- Distance between cradles (center to center): 6 inches
- Ground clearance on fifth wheels: 15 inches
- Limited lifetime warranty
- MSRP: $210.35
Tongue-Mounted Bike Racks
Tongue-mounted bike racks allow you to carry bikes on the tongue of a travel trailer. Carrying bikes on the tongue of a travel trailer has several advantages. For one thing, it’s an easy rack option for RVs that don’t have a hitch at the back. (or else have a hitch that can’t handle the weight and punishment of carrying bikes.) Getting the bike weight onto the tongue can be a more stable option for many towables too. Last (but not least) many RVers like to have a clear visual on their beloved steeds while they are being transported. This allows them to get on top of potential issues (like straps loosening) before they turn into bigger problems.
That said, tongue-mounted racks have some definite downsides. One of these is that the bike cradles are quite high. Lifting bikes high enough to load them onto a tongue-mounted rack can be a challenge for many RVers.
Another disadvantage to mounting bikes on the tongue of the RV (that no one ever talks about) is this: Bikes carried on the front of the camper can quickly become thickly coated in bug splatter. (Ew.) Many bike enthusiasts who travel in an RV deal with this by adding a bike cover. However, bike covers on bikes carried on the RV tongue increase vehicle wind resistance and may impact vehicle fuel economy.
In any case, before adding a tongue-mounted bike rack, ensure both the RV tongue and the tow vehicle can handle the extra weight of both the rack and the weight of the bikes.
Lippert Jack-It Tongue Mounted Bike Carrier
The Jack-it tongue mount carrier carries up to two bikes over the propane tanks on the trailer’s A-frame. Bikes mount on the rack’s cradles. They can then be strapped into place using a rubber strap system that holds the wheels securely in place.
Specs
- Rack Weight: 25 pounds
- Load capacity: 2 bikes totaling 80 pounds
- Fits travel trailers
- One-year warranty
- MSRP: $347.95
Choosing the Right RV Bike Rack
Ultimately, getting an RV bike rack that fits your RV style and your needs is about more than merely adding a practical upgrade to your RV. Whether you choose a heavy-duty workhorse for hauling e-bikes or a lightweight rack for conventional bikes, adding a bike rack to your RV allows you to combine two of your favorite lifestyles. It offers the opportunity to travel while discovering new cycling destinations wherever you go.
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