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Bike racks in the rear

LIGirlatheart
Explorer
Explorer
Can anyone advise a good rack that will hold our bikes securely for long distance travel? We have one but it seems that its not the best. Traveling the east coast and thru NY & PA where the winter pot hots are still there from 2017. Has anyone carried their bikes inside or under the box of the truck bed?
43 REPLIES 43

Dick_B
Explorer
Explorer
Just slightly off topic but, depending on how strenuously you ride, you might consider the Dahon foldups which can be stowed almost anywhere like luggage. We had two of their three speed models way back when and put literally hundreds if not thousands of miles on them over the 10 years we had our sailboat.
Dick_B
2003 SunnyBrook 27FKS
2011 3/4 T Chevrolet Suburban
Equal-i-zer Hitch
One wife, two electric bikes (both Currie Tech Path+ models)

SDcampowneroper
Explorer
Explorer
email. davem@swagman.net.
Dave Michael is a product engineer at Swagman I granted Swagman my front 5er pinbox nitrogen strut lift/ pull down design to perfect. It may be available now.
Tell him Max sent you.

IAMICHABOD
Explorer II
Explorer II
One of the things is the rocking and the damage it can do when the bike carrier is mounted in a RECEIVER .
You need a good anti rattle device so you don't get so much play in the receiver,thus magnifying the movement and doing more damage to the bike carrier.

I have tried almost every Anti Rattle device on the market, most have been no good or so complicated and cumbersome that they are useless. Including the Roadmaster type,totally useless.
Until I found the one at Hitch Rider.

Their Hitch Vice is the best and easiest one I have come across and it really works.
2006 TIOGA 26Q CHEVY 6.0 WORKHORSE VORTEC
Former El Monte RV Rental
Retired Teamster Local 692
Buying A Rental Class C

ScottG
Nomad
Nomad
I have destroy 2 bike carriers on the back of TT's. I also ripped the bumper nearly off our last TT.
We have had a "Swagman" brand carrier for about ten years now and it shows no sign of problems. Swagman is specifically design to go on the back of RV's.

Lwiddis
Explorer II
Explorer II
There is no need to watch bicycles mounted to a TVโ€™s front bumper since no quality bicycle would be transported in that way. Or you could just high pressure all the grease out of the wheels, crank and headset bearings at a car wash.
Winnebago 2101DS TT & 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71, WindyNation 300 watt solar-Lossigy 200 AH Lithium battery. Prefer boondocking, USFS, COE, BLM, NPS, TVA, state camps. Bicyclist. 14 yr. Army -11B40 then 11A - (MOS 1542 & 1560) IOBC & IOAC grad

Bowti
Explorer
Explorer
Another option is to get a front receiver hitch for your truck. Then add any of the brand name bike racks. This set up works nice for keeping a watchful eye on your bikes without the worry of your bikes getting beat to death on the rear end of your trailer..
2013 Keystone Cougar 28SGS Xlite
Shipping weight 7561 lbs
Carrying capacity 2439 lbs
Hitch Pin 1410 lbs
2008 Silverado 2500 Duramax 4X4 Crew Cab
Reese 16K Round Tube Slider
Custom 3 Receiver Hitch Scooter Carrier
2013 Honda PCX Scooter on the Carrier

Addy15
Explorer
Explorer
Our trailer came with a tow hitch embedded in the frame. We purchased a Yakima "Long Haul" bike rack which is specially "designed, built, and thoroughly tested to stand up to the long miles and rigorous demands of RV and travel-trailer use" (quote from their website). Been very satisfied with it so far.

And totally agree with the above advice to not mount a bike rack on the bumper.

LOL, with every new trailer we've gotten, we've had to redesign our bike carrying strategy (and spend more money...).

rhagfo
Explorer III
Explorer III
I will post pictures later, but think about carrying your bikes on a pin box reciver. Bikes ride smother, and always in your view.
Russ & Paula the Beagle Belle.
2016 Ram Laramie 3500 Aisin DRW 4X4 Long bed.
2005 Copper Canyon 293 FWSLS, 32' GVWR 12,360#

"Visit and Enjoy Oregon State Parks"

Michelle_S
Explorer III
Explorer III
If you have a "Good" 2" Receiver hitch you can mount a good bike rack there. We have a Swagman 2 Bike rack that has made several trips from Western New York to Central Florida and back. Once mounted properly the bikes are rock solid.
2018 Chevy 3500HD High Country Crew Cab DRW, D/A, 2016 Redwood 39MB, Dual AC, Fireplace, Sleep #Bed, Auto Sat Dish, Stack Washer/Dryer, Auto Level Sys, Disk Brakes, Onan Gen, 17.5" "H" tires, MORryde Pin & IS, Comfort Ride, Dual Awnings, Full Body Paint

TXiceman
Explorer II
Explorer II
What ever you do, DO NOT mount any bike rack or carrier on a 4" square tube bumper. The thin material rips out at the weld to the frame.

Ken
Amateur Radio Operator.
2023 Cougar 22MLS, toted with a 2022, F150, 3.5L EcoBoost, Crewcab, Max Tow, FORMER Full Time RVer. Travel with a standard schnauzer and a Timneh African Gray parrot

Lwiddis
Explorer II
Explorer II
Good quality bicycles are never carried on the back of an RV. Trailer tongue mounts and hitch mounts are better but still not ideal. Truck bed with shell or inside the SUV are best.
Winnebago 2101DS TT & 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71, WindyNation 300 watt solar-Lossigy 200 AH Lithium battery. Prefer boondocking, USFS, COE, BLM, NPS, TVA, state camps. Bicyclist. 14 yr. Army -11B40 then 11A - (MOS 1542 & 1560) IOBC & IOAC grad

Dave_H_M
Explorer II
Explorer II
i am like Lars, I use bunch og bungee straps.

Lar_s
Explorer
Explorer
Our rack isn't the greatest and my darn hitch is a 1" receiver... who ever thought of that... anyway, by placing straps on both sides going up to a solid part of the ladder it has done a great job for probably 7,000 miles. Our ladder is in the middle so that really stabilizes the whole arrangement.
Lar

2015 Dynamax Trilogy
36 RL
Ram 3500 Dually

Milt
Explorer
Explorer
If your trailer has a receiver hitch, you might try what I did got a cargo carrier and a " garage bike rack". I mounted the bike rack on the carrier and it works quite well and is solid.
Milt