Bike Carrier Blues

Vince-Charlette wrote:
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 already read personal testimonies of three families who lost all their bikes due to using carriers on the back of their RV.


Was the above loss of bikes, due to carrier fault or RV bumper faults or improper loading & use of carrier?

Many failures come from bumpers & receivers NOT BEING REINFORCED, to handle a bike rack & weight.

Honestly, Yakima, Thule, and Swagman, all make some pretty heavy duty and quality units (Hitch mount types) (now a quality setup will costs $400-$800), depending on the type of units, rack mounts, locks, etc…purchased.

The amount of bikes, and weight would not be suitable to hanging styles, fifth wheel or automobile.

With the bikes being foldable, can 2-3 be stored, transported inside unit or truck, with the other couple towed on a descent rack?

Markiemark