Traveling w Bicycles

[RWalt]

Hello, what is the best way to travel with bicycles on a 5ver?
We used to carry them in a bike rack behind our 5ver but the rack broke and ended up dragging 4 bikes down the highway. Since then we have learned that both Thule and Yakima have warnings against using their racks on trailers (front or back). I have thought about only storing two on a back rack and placing two inside the unit but this could be a pain when we pull over for just an overnight. Our TV is a short bed and there is no room for them in the bed

[Crodad]

I bought a 2" front receiver from Etrailer.com and carry the bikes in the front of the truck on a bike rack. Sorry I don't have a picture.

[RWalt]

Tks for the ideas. I'm going to look at two on the rear trailer with a beefed up carrier and review options for the other two. The bikes will fit not between the truck and trailer which seems like the best option. I'm leary of putting them out front or on the roof of the truck. We seem to hit a bird about once a year and these locations would be directly in line with them.

[lap527]

kampinguru wrote:
Put a front mount receiver on the front of the truck. Works great for us with 3 bikes.

We did same, bought a bodiak that installed using tow hooks. Now we use it for bikes and also can use it to carry firewood in cargo carrier, works great for both.

[BB_TX]

If you already have a bike rack, you can make a very inexpensive frame to mount to the pin box. No bouncing here. And up and out of the way.





I bought the receiver for about $20 and already had some spare 2x2 angle. Mounts to the pin box bolts. No drilling of the pin box required.

[Dennis_M_M]

We also carry two bikes on a Swagman rack on the back of the fiver. The receiver hitch is a a factory option, so it is plenty strong enough. Been almost coast to coast and Florida to Canada with no issues at all.

Our setup does carry the bikes quite close to the back of the fiver - I remove a pedal and turn the handle bars 90 degrees for clearance - so that helps keep the stress level lower.

[Dick_B]

For previous posts you could search this Forum for `bike rack' in the Fifth Wheel section.
For those who have not, as yet, purchased the bikes I recommend Dahon folding bikes which we used for many years when we were sailing. they foldup into a suitcase size and can be stored almost anywhere.
Now we use a Saris Cycle On mounted on the front of our TV for two adult bikes (and tie them down with several bunges) BUT the new ones only have a 1 1/4 inch post with a 2 inch adapter which is not strong enough IMHO.
Take a look at http://www.prolineracks.com/sportrack-sr2902-4ez-bike-racks.html which has a true 2 inch post.
5ers don't seem to bounce as much in the back but I would NEVER carry my bikes on the back of my TT.

[kampinguru]

Put a front mount receiver on the front of the truck. Works great for us with 3 bikes.

[Padlin]

1UPUSA makes a very heavy duty and one of the few rear RV bike racks, and charges appropriately for it. Here's what they say.

"1up USA advises a two bike max for RV and travel trailer usage for our two inch models. The 1 ¼ inch models are not intended for RV and travel trailer use."

[is_it_friday_ye]

Have a better hitch welded to the frame. I had a welding shop weld one to my frame and he said I could pretty much tow anything I wanted to, even though it was only for my bike rack. We sold the 5th wheel and got a toyhauler. Now I have a bike rack I don't even use.

[Halmfamily]

We installed a Curt front mount receiver on our truck and carry our bikes on a Swagman XC rack. Works great, no movement and we ways have an eye on them.

I have no overheating of the truck or blockage of my headlights.

[eDUBz]

Lantley wrote:
Consider an Arvika pin Box bike rack

***Link Removed***

That's pretty sweet. Might have to get one, even tho we have a toy hauler.

[Lantley]

Consider an Arvika pin Box bike rack

Images of Arvika bike racks

[truckin-on]

If you have a long-bed truck, the absolute best solution I believe is to bolt a receiver setup to the pin-box and front-mount a carrier over the bed of the truck in front of the trailer. I've been running that for several years now with over ~10k miles with a Swagman 4-bike rack. The bikes do not bounce, you can see them in the mirror, they don't extend the length of the trailer, and they clear the back of the cab with no problem at all. It's a great use of otherwise wasted space.

Downsides are limited to: The bikes accumulate more bugs and dirt (being in the wind-stream), you likely need a step stool to get them on and off, and you can't get to them with the trailer connected to the truck. All in all, minor trade-offs.

I made up the adapter by cutting and welding a receiver tube (at the appropriate pin-box angle) to a steel plate, with a brace, then bolted the plate to the pin-box. Works great, and the rack is easy to remove it you want to use it on the truck while the trailer is parked.

[Bob_Shaw]

I've got a ladder mount with lots of straps. Even if the rack mount broke, the straps would hold the bikes, as long as the ladder stayed on the trailer. So far so good.

[mydazeoff]

Put 2 on the rear of the 5ver and 2 on top of the truck with bar rack. I've also seen rigs with 2 bikes on the front of the truck.