We're heading out on a cross-country trip again. We want to take the bikes this time.Got a Lance 845 -- we can hang off the ladder or put a hitch mount. Wondering which one you bike riders use, that works the best for two bikes. Hitch mount we'd need an extender - which we already have for towing.Would prefer on the rear, not the front. We've been Goggling a few, but noting jumps out, and we know practical use experience is better to come from users than from ads ... Thx B

We bought this, or a version of it many years ago.Thule ApexIt worked well for us behind our pop-up camper. Near the hitch you can pull a pin and the bikes swing downward to make camper door accessible (but problematic for a step probably).We can tow and put the rack on the towed vehicle if it has a hitch, or just on the pickup when not towing.I cut our four position down to two position. The horizontal portion also folds vertical when not in use by pulling a pin.But ours wasn't as cool looking as this example. It also wasn't anywhere near that price. Check a local bike shop or sporting goods store for lesser priced versions.

I like a hitch mount tilting one so I can get to a compartment at the rear of my RV without taking the bikes off .LIKE This One

Sorry but we carry ours on the front of the Suburban.

We just use a cargo basket with the addition of front wheel hoops, but it makes getting in out of a rear door TC difficult when loaded (I added a 1.5' step extension between the basket and SuperTruss to give us better access). A swing away style bike rack would be the easiest to use on the rear.

My ladder rack on my 845 works for various bikes that I have used. I can open the camper door with no problem. If for whatever reason you need to use a bike rack and tow . You need to be careful , it's possible to damage the trailer if you turn too tight . I use this from CWsomeone made a fork mounted mod for a rear ladder. If I can find it , ill post it . It uses a fork mount like the one shown here . http://forums.woodalls.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/23928245/page/2.cfmhere is the fork mod for a ladder : http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/23447685/gotomsg/23447685/p/1.cfm

Carry two bikes ... | Good Sam Community

Geewizard
Explorer
Nov 07, 2014
I use the Thule Revolver and a hitch extension. I like it since it swings to the side instead of tilting down. That way, I can extend my scissor steps.
It's discontinued but there are other swing-away bike racks.
monkey44
Nomad II
Nov 07, 2014
Great -- some good ideas here -- will probably get a 'pre-made' one and modify it -- thanks guys.

Will let you know -- Xmas is on the way soon, and I'll leave a note for Miss Santa :) :)
Caysea
Explorer
Nov 07, 2014
Hi All

I use the swing daddy with a hitch extender. Carry 3 bikes no problem. The best feature is that it swings out of the way of the rear door.

Caysea.
Carb_Cleaner
Explorer
Nov 07, 2014
Get a hitch extender/step and a 2" to 1.25" adapter from Harbor Freight (our tray-style rack has an 1.25" mount). Those two pieces extend the bikes out as far as necessary to allow the door to swing open and give us room to climb in. For our arrangement, the step integrated into the extender isn't too far from the ground, but it's a hefty distance up to the camper. I have plans for welding an additional step onto the Harbor Freight unit.
Here is a thread (overly) detailing my truck camper bike rack thought process. You can skip a lot of reading and go straight to my post dated 8-4-'14. There are pics of the Harbor Freight components and our rack. The tray-style racks are quick and easy to load, some have tilt ability for tail-gate access with folding arms for compact storage. The bikes don't bang into each other and they don't swing to and fro.
Bike Rack Thread
Hitch Extender/step:
http://www.harborfreight.com/hitch-extender-with-step-97685.html
2" to 1.25" adapter:
http://www.harborfreight.com/2-inch-to-1-1-4-quarter-inch-hitch-adapter-65024.html

Fabricating a step for your existing extender probably wouldn't be difficult, either. Let us know how you do.
Buzzcut1
Nomad II
Nov 06, 2014
I run my rack off the front hitch. I'd rather not have to carry the 48" super truss, loose the back step and have the bikes in the way of the back door. Tray mount is a better way to go than hanging of the top tube or an adapter.
Wheelholder
Explorer
Nov 06, 2014
We use the one from e-trailer also. Very secure and sturdy. The tilt was nice when we had a rear entry camper. It a well built and pretty heavy. I just run a cable lock through the tires and frame to secure the bikes to the truck. Run the lock through one of the safety chain loops to make sure the bikes don't go wondering off on their own.
languiduck
Explorer
Nov 06, 2014
I also prefer the platform style carrier, as the bikes are more secure and don't swing or bounce around. I had a bike fall off a frame carrier before when the rubber straps broke.

I have one similar to what is posted above for 2 bikes, and when I need to carry 3 I use this one which is really strong:

http://www.discountramps.com/wheel-mount-bike-rack/p/BC-3581/
Campfire_Time
Explorer
Nov 06, 2014
This is the one we have. I've seen it on sale as cheap as $125 (which is what we paid for it). It's fairly light weight, well made, and the bikes don't bounce around.
nycsteve
Explorer
Nov 06, 2014
I use a Weather Tech hitch mount. It will hold 4 bikes securely. Front or rear hitch,tilts down.">
hedge
Explorer
Nov 06, 2014
When I had mine on the rear I had a Yakima swing daddy. It was great as you could swing it away to get to the door without unloading the bikes.