My family and I soon are heading out on a 6-7 week trip in our 5th wheel. We have purchased five really great folding bikes (37.7 pounds each)and want to take them along. After hours and hours of looking at some really great bike carriers, I finally made contact with a technical rep at Allen Sports. He flatly stated that no one makes a bike carrier designed for RVs. The reason he sated is that trailers and 5th wheels don't have automobile-like suspensions. This makes them ride hard with a lot of vibration and vertical motion at the rear bumper. I already read personal testimonies of three families who lost all their bikes due to using carriers on the back of their RV. Manufacturers wouldn't return their costs due to their wrong use or overloading. (Most only hold a max of 120 lbs.)So, does anyone with a 5th wheel or trailer know of an acceptable/legitimate way to carry bikes on their RV?

I would try to find room for them in a storage compartment or the back of the truck.We've covered a lot of miles with two regular bikes on a Swagman rack in the trailer hitch on the back of our fiver with no issues, but I would not try five of them out there!How about a rack on the roof of the truck?

You did say folding bike.We have zipper cover for each of ours and just put em the rv or just set a few in the pu bed with a cable lock.

He's wrong!Swagman brand carriers are designed specifically for RV's and I've been using one on the back of our TT for 8 or 9 years. They're very solid, in fact mine ripped my bumper nearly off but the rack remains solid. The bad part is you must reinforce your existing bumper so it doesn't rotate downward under the force of the rack.Have a welder add angle iron that starts under the frame and extends out under the bumper. This not only supports it but keeps the bumper from twisting downward. A piece that's 10~12" long works fine.

I don't get it you invested in folding bikes. Won't the folding bikes fit inside or in the basement?You can research pin box bike racks if you want to carry bikes on the exterior

Yeah if they are folding put em inside?I personally favor inside stoeing that way you know they are safe.II used to carry them on rear for a couple trips but was uncomfortable not being able to see them.Not because I was worried of damaging my camper but because I was worried I would kill someone behind me and not know it.f they werent folding I would tell you how we carry our four bikes securely inside our trailer.Pin box carriers are the only outside option I would do but decided against it because the bike get plastered with bugs.Seen it first hand.

Bike Carrier Blues | Good Sam Community

Dennis_M_M
Explorer
Jul 11, 2014
I would try to find room for them in a storage compartment or the back of the truck.

We've covered a lot of miles with two regular bikes on a Swagman rack in the trailer hitch on the back of our fiver with no issues, but I would not try five of them out there!

How about a rack on the roof of the truck?
sayoung
Explorer
Jul 11, 2014
You did say folding bike.
We have zipper cover for each of ours and just put em the rv or just set a few in the pu bed with a cable lock.
ScottG
Nomad
Jul 11, 2014
He's wrong!
Swagman brand carriers are designed specifically for RV's and I've been using one on the back of our TT for 8 or 9 years. They're very solid, in fact mine ripped my bumper nearly off but the rack remains solid.
The bad part is you must reinforce your existing bumper so it doesn't rotate downward under the force of the rack.
Have a welder add angle iron that starts under the frame and extends out under the bumper. This not only supports it but keeps the bumper from twisting downward. A piece that's 10~12" long works fine.
Lantley
Nomad
Jul 11, 2014
I don't get it you invested in folding bikes. Won't the folding bikes fit inside or in the basement?
You can research pin box bike racks if you want to carry bikes on the exterior
rtazz17
Explorer
Jul 11, 2014
Yeah if they are folding put em inside?I personally favor inside stoeing that way you know they are safe.II used to carry them on rear for a couple trips but was uncomfortable not being able to see them.Not because I was worried of damaging my camper but because I was worried I would kill someone behind me and not know it.f they werent folding I would tell you how we carry our four bikes securely inside our trailer.Pin box carriers are the only outside option I would do but decided against it because the bike get plastered with bugs.Seen it first hand.
Campinfan
Explorer III
Jul 11, 2014
What a bout a front hitch for your TV?
kampinguru
Explorer
Jul 11, 2014
Campinfan wrote:
What a bout a front hitch for your TV?

X2. I have a front receiver that I carry my bikes with. no bounce.
ford_truck_guy
Nomad
Jul 11, 2014
I have a Yakima Roof mount bike rack.... It holds 4 bikes and is easily removed and placed on... I no longer use it (kids grew up :B ) If interested , send me a PM... It is from my crew cab Ford . . and it looks something like this - - Yakima

I have 4 slots for the bikes . . easy to use
garysol
Explorer
Jul 11, 2014
I carry my road bike inside our 5th wheel. I put a sheet over the master bed and lay my bike on the bed. I have no doubt you can find room inside your camper for your 5 folders. Maybe a couple on the master bed, one or two in the bathroom.....etc.....
RollandB
Explorer
Jul 11, 2014
Hmmm.....interesting statement about the suspensions of trailers. I guess the tires, wheels, springs and shocks on my 5er aren't similar to a vehicle....;).

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