Bicycle Transport

[EagleScout-USA]

We are doing more towing with our Expedition, and less with the F150. Wondering if anyone had any ideas for bike transport inside the RV. We do not have a reinforced bumper, and would be reluctant to do a bumper tow. I also don't want to put additional weight on the rear end by using a trailer frame mount over the propane tanks. And getting bikes to the roof of the Expedition seems as if it would be a daunting task. I have heard of some mods where bikes are secured to the dining benches. Wondering if anyone has had any success in that capacity and would be willing to share any information.

[SoundGuy]

Anytime we carried bikes inside the camper instead of the back of the truck I'd just lean them at an angle against the end of the bed and they'd never shift at all. K.I.S.S. :B

[NEnative]

ajriding; as for locks to secure the bikes, it does not matter what lock you use because anyone with an portable angle angel grinder will cut any lock in less than 30 seconds.

[packnrat]

rear bumper mounted bike racks always brings this to mind

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/video/news/video-1465741/Dashcam-captures-brazen-man-try-steal-bike-car.html

.

[ajriding]

The 2x4 and fork mount is the best option. In my trailer I had a place to bolt to the floor, but I used unistrut instead so I could adjust the fork mount.
If no place to bolt down, then maybe no need to, just make the 2x4 long enough that they dont tip over.
Or, easiest way is to use moving blankets and lean bikes on something. Taking off front wheels helps to lower them, keep them from rolling and is easier to lean on each other (because yo can turn handlebars 90 degrees with wheel off and makes them flat).
I have used all three methods.
You will always be dealing with bikes in the way unless camper is just too big and yo have spare room.
Finding a way to haul them outside is best. A front receiver is great. I sometimes haul mine inside, then put on outside bike rack while I am there, Inside is more secure if you leave it unattended and inside is dry.
Do not DO NOT use the braided cables to lock them. These can be cut with scissors and every homeboy carries tools to cut these cables. Get the biggest, baddest chain or locking device you can.

[Ron3rd]

We transport our bikes inside our trailer. We throw an old blanked on the bed and lay one bike on the bed and one on the dinette table that is collapsed down during transit. They never move.

[K_Charles]

The front wheels of our bikes come off in about 10 sec. With the wheel removed they fit behind the back seat of our excursion.

[Lwiddis]

Quality bicycles are not mounted on the front of the TV or the back of the TT....or they are gone.

[donn0128]

We used a 4 bike version of this when the girls were little and taking 4 bikes with us
Something like this.

[drsteve]

What about a front mount rack on the truck?

[camperdave]

I was always going to make a nice wood mounted front wheel clamp style rack like shown in the post above for two bikes, and put it on the folded down dinette in our old trailer but never got around to it. For every day camping use, I used a bike rack on a front hitch of my van. That was super easy and convenient, but when I was taking the 'nice' bikes along I'd just lay them down on the folded dinette with heavy shipping blankets between them. I didn't like the idea of my good bike getting all nasty on the front of the van. It worked fine for years.

[Campfire_Time]

You could cut a 2x4 and bolt fork mounts on it. I haul our bikes in the back of my truck this way.



Or you could make a rack out of PVC piping by modifying the design in the URL below as used for the back of PU trucks. I made one and used it for two years before I changed and went with what's pictured above. REally easy to do and it cost me about $30. I do not have a picture of mine but here's the instructions.

https://www.utahmountainbiking.com/goodies/TruckbedBikeRack.htm

[rhagfo]

The make front mounts for the “A” frame at the front of the TT.

[firemedic1992]

I lean my mountain bike up against my dining table (with a pillow to protect bike and table), then use a tie down around the frame of the bike and around the base of the table (which is bolted to the floor). It works well for me.