Carrying bikes with a 5er

A lot of us carry our bikes inside the fifth wheel, along with a portabote and 2 kayaks.

RnTBnB I have never had any problems that you mentioned while carrying the bikes. I did have to use this adapter since the hitch on the FW is 1 1/4" and the bike rack is 2". The hooked parts that clamps down on the bikes are padded with rubber but I wrap a piece of leather around the bike tubing where the rack tightens down on the bike as extra protection. The bikes are 21 speeds and the cables for the gears and rear brakes are exposed in that area and the leather goes under the cables. This keeps the cables form scratching the paint on the tubing. The bike rack is easily removed if you don't want to take the bikes and there are areas for you to lock each bike individually on the rack. Also if you would be concerned with the bikes getting dirty while traveling you can use This cover to protect the bikes.

I have a front hitch on the truck and they go there

2-MTnesters, have you had any issues with the bikes rubbing or bouncing into the back of the 5er? Do you secure the bikes and/or the rack with anything?

BB_TX, I would assume you load the bikes before hitching, correct? What sort of bike rack do you have? How does your "receiver" attach to the pin box? I have a Reese 5th Airborne pin box, and I'm not sure I would be able to mount anything on it.

Thank you both for your replies.

I used to remove the front wheels and lay two flat in front of the hitch. Got tired of doing that and made a simple pin box mount to carry them.




Holds at least 3 26" bikes. Plenty of cab clearance. Have not tried for 4 yet.

Did not like the bouncing I had seen with the ones on the rear.

We have the Swagman Hitch mounted 2 bike carrier on the back of the FW. Have had it for several years and very pleased with it.