Receiver Bike Racks

[docsouce]

I'm looking for advise on which receiver bicycle rack to buy. I have a 2020 Jayco 26XD Class C. It will be for 2 bikes. I searched and found a "CURT 18085 Tray style" which looked good but had some not so good reviews. So I figured the best info I can get is here with people that use them as I would. I would rather not use a ladder mounted type.

[Thermoguy]

I believe what makes a rack RV rated is that it does not have a hinge at the back. So, an SUV rack, has a hinge to move out of the way when you open the tailgate. This hinge is a week point. When your RV bounces, more than a typical car or truck, that puts extra stress on the rack, especially with heavy bikes. The Yakima rack has a solid hinge (or lack there of) so it can not brake at that point. I've seen many types driving down the road, but so far my experience is good with the Yakima rack on the back of a 5th wheel.

[magicbus]

I guess a tilt works for a class C. No good at all for a B where access to the rear doors is a must so a full swing one is all that really works. Ours may not be “RV rated” but it’s a 4 bike rack that only ever carries 2 bikes so I’m not the least bit concerned. Actually I don’t think much of the RV rated designation. The rack has a built in no wobble receiver tightening system and the bikes each have multiple ratchet straps. Nothing moves anywhere, so I don’t think it would make a difference in engineering dynamics what vehicle it was installed on.

Dave

[Martyn]

covered wagon wrote:
Thule Made in Sweden I think is very good quality. I use mine all the time. It is so solid I can use it to stand on going in and out the back door of my truck camper. It also has a built in tightening nut to stop the wiggles. It swings down when not in use.

I got an rv type bike rack for free and only had one single bar to hold the bikes. It was not right as the bikes would swing side to side. So I got the Thule and they all have two bars. Very high end with excellent quality stretch bands to hold the bikes. I would look at Thule.

I second this. We have had a Thule T2 Classic 2 for 14 years and have carried two bikes on it behind our 5er with no problem. Well worth the money. Best product out there.

[garmp]

I just ordered a Kuat Transfer V2 2 bike carrier for the back of our Class C. I wanted a swing out type but no one seems to make them rated for RV's so I got the Kuat tilt for our two ebikes. It was about the only tilt carrier rated for RV use that I could find.

[jwoods61us]

If you want to put the bikes on the front, you might consider the Jack-It.

[covered_wagon]

Thule Made in Sweden I think is very good quality. I use mine all the time. It is so solid I can use it to stand on going in and out the back door of my truck camper. It also has a built in tightening nut to stop the wiggles. It swings down when not in use.

I got an rv type bike rack for free and only had one single bar to hold the bikes. It was not right as the bikes would swing side to side. So I got the Thule and they all have two bars. Very high end with excellent quality stretch bands to hold the bikes. I would look at Thule.

[dodge_guy]

I have the Swagman XC4 Bike rack. It replaced a generic 4 bike hanging style rack. I now wish I would've done it years ago. I will never go with anything but a platform rack. Swagman makes a very good product.

[Addy15]

bikendan wrote:
Unless something has changed, Swagman is the only bike rack manufacturer that has racks approved for RV usage.

We have an RV-rated Yakima and are very happy with it...

Friends have/had a Swagman and lost a bike during a trip we were on together. Several hundred dollars worth of damage to the bike...

[rav]

Check out Hollywood Racks RV Rider, designed for the RV. It's the one I purchased for our ebikes.

[wa8yxm]

way2roll wrote:
I love Swagman racks.

Mine was a Draw Tite but the style is the same as the Swagman.

What's more they come in 1 2 possibly 3 or 4 bike models. mine was a 2.

I built a frame out of PVC and ran cloths line between the side members. A cross member in the middle engaged the bike rack (Absent bikes) Instant cloths line

[way2roll]

magicbus wrote:
Oh boy. I hope I can sleep tonight after learning my Yakima Fullswing rack isn’t “RV rated”. 😛

Dave

Yakima makes a great rack, rest easy. 😄

[magicbus]

Oh boy. I hope I can sleep tonight after learning my Yakima Fullswing rack isn’t “RV rated”. 😛

Dave

[DrewE]

magicbus wrote:

bikendan wrote:
Unless something has changed, Swagman is the only bike rack manufacturer that has racks approved for RV usage.

Okay I have to ask. Who exactly approves bike racks for RV usage? I mean besides my wife who approved the Yakima I bought. :w

Dave

Approved by the bike rack manufacturer--it's as much about the rack being able to withstand the shaking about on the end of the RV without self-destructing during the warranty period as anything.

Thule, Hollywood, and Curt (and Yakima) also have rack models that they approve/recommend for RV usage, based on a few quick searches.

[magicbus]

bikendan wrote:
Unless something has changed, Swagman is the only bike rack manufacturer that has racks approved for RV usage.

Okay I have to ask. Who exactly approves bike racks for RV usage? I mean besides my wife who approved the Yakima I bought. :w

Dave

[bikendan]

Unless something has changed, Swagman is the only bike rack manufacturer that has racks approved for RV usage.