It's time to buy our girls new bikes, which means they won't fit in the back of the Suburban anymore. With our bikes on the roof and costly tongue based racks out of the budget, we're really left with two options. Either we put the bikes inside the trailer or we put the two kids bikes (20" youth bikes) on the back ladder. It's hard for me to imagine two 20lb bikes are going to be a problem on my 300lb capacity ladder, but I've read a lot of comments about potential damage, so I'm looking for some first-hand experiences. For those we have actually had experience with ladder-based racks, what has your experience been?

Did you try searching this Forum for this information which has been discussed at length.

The only way two 20lb bikes on a 300lb capacity ladder aren't going to do anything unless your hitting hard bumps constantly. I used a ladder bike rack when my parent had a C class. Didn't do any damage except for marks on the ladder from where the rack clamps where.

Some dear friends of ours carry 3 adult bikes on the ladder of their class c and have for two years now. We camp together practically every other weekend from May to November. We were just on his Motorhome checking things out and looked over the ladder mounts just because of the posts here about potential problems. We found nothing, no loose screws, no cracked mounts, no pelling caulk. He does use the rack AND then also a ratchet strap to keep things from bouncing around. I say go for it.

Dick_B wrote:Did you try searching this Forum for this information which has been discussed at length.I always love these responses - yes I have searched. I've read many of the threads, and have even asked a related question in the past. The issue is that many of the responses are conjecture and hearsay. I'm hoping to get first-hand experiences instead of people talking about what 'could' happen.

I hauled bikes on the ladder of my 5er for years all around the good old US of A without any problems.And as far as searches go on these forums... One can get overwhelmed easily trying to read them. I myself, like to see if any new info is available on a subject. :)

Ladder bike racks - actual experiences. | Good Sam Community

18 Replies

enblethen
Nomad
Aug 02, 2013
Hauled full size bikes on chair rack style bike rack on ladder. No problems.
Recommend using some nylon straps, rather then bungee cords, to keep from swaying and bouncing around.
wny_pat1
Explorer
Aug 02, 2013
Better yet to search google images. Trouble is you need to use the proper search words. Use to be all kinds of pics. Maybe we're getting better and not having those things happen any more.
noe-place
Explorer
Aug 02, 2013
I've also found there's always somebody who will accuse others of asking a stupid question when it's actually legitimate. Some people just don't know when NOT to say anything.
USARMYCW
Explorer
Aug 02, 2013
I hauled bikes on the ladder of my 5er for years all around the good old US of A without any problems.

And as far as searches go on these forums... One can get overwhelmed easily trying to read them. I myself, like to see if any new info is available on a subject. :)
Mickeyfan0805
Explorer
Aug 02, 2013
Dick_B wrote:
Did you try searching this Forum for this information which has been discussed at length.

I always love these responses - yes I have searched. I've read many of the threads, and have even asked a related question in the past. The issue is that many of the responses are conjecture and hearsay. I'm hoping to get first-hand experiences instead of people talking about what 'could' happen.
memgrove
Explorer
Aug 02, 2013
Some dear friends of ours carry 3 adult bikes on the ladder of their class c and have for two years now. We camp together practically every other weekend from May to November. We were just on his Motorhome checking things out and looked over the ladder mounts just because of the posts here about potential problems. We found nothing, no loose screws, no cracked mounts, no pelling caulk. He does use the rack AND then also a ratchet strap to keep things from bouncing around. I say go for it.
OpenRangePullen
Explorer
Aug 02, 2013
The only way two 20lb bikes on a 300lb capacity ladder aren't going to do anything unless your hitting hard bumps constantly. I used a ladder bike rack when my parent had a C class. Didn't do any damage except for marks on the ladder from where the rack clamps where.
Dick_B
Explorer
Aug 02, 2013
Did you try searching this Forum for this information which has been discussed at length.

Forum Discussion

Ladder bike racks - actual experiences.

18 Replies

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