Roof Bike Rack System

[jbjuices]

Hello. We have a great set-up with our TV and TT. We are a family of 5 with 2 big dogs, so we tow with a Ford Excursion. We love to take our bikes which is also great entertainment with the kids, however we don't have a great way to carry them. The back of the TT has a cargo tray, but I mounted an aluminum storage box. My only real option; besides dragging them inside and mounting them on plywood; is to buy a Yakima Roof System. The cost is crazy; $1200; but may be worth the cost for the ability to carry the bikes without having to drag them in and out of the trailer and risk scratching woodwork, etc.

1) What are your thoughts on a better method?
2) What are your thoughts on the roof mount system?

[NEnative]

Jbjuices, I have several bike racks since my wife and I ride year round and use several different vehicles to transport the bikes. If your Excursion has a flat roof (no ridges stamped into the sheet metal) may I suggest you look at a SeaSucker bicycle carrier. We have the SeaSucker bomber bicycle rack which carries three bikes. It is unbelievable how strong their racks are!

[Lantley]

jbjuices wrote:
I'm confused on being able to use the Avrika without the camper. If your talking about getting the hitch receiver for the avrika and buying my own hitch mount rack, I would then only hold a max of 3 bikes, per the comments I read on their page. However, if somehow the Avrika 4-bike carrier can go onto my Excursion, then that changes things...I'd be interested.

Let me know...Thanks.

I have 4 bike carrier on my fiver. Without issue. It would work the same way on your X. I have the 4th bike mounted in front of the other 3. I think Arvika's plan was to mount 4th bike behind the other three on the rear end of the rack.
I know this might not make sense to you. But the rack is designed for 3 bikes with an attachment for a 4th bike.
I mounted my 4 bike in front of other 3 vs. behind other 3.
I think the biggest question is do you have enough room to squeeze 4 bikes on the tongue between your X and the trailer.
As you noticed from the photo the PP/Hensley hitch allows more clearance between truck and trailer which is really key.
I was dealing with a couple of smaller kids bikes which helped me fit them all as well.
Notice the 4th bike track mounted in front of the other 3.
that 4th rack would not fit between front of fiver and bike rack as it was originally designed but I improvised.

[jbjuices]

I'm confused on being able to use the Avrika without the camper. If your talking about getting the hitch receiver for the avrika and buying my own hitch mount rack, I would then only hold a max of 3 bikes, per the comments I read on their page. However, if somehow the Avrika 4-bike carrier can go onto my Excursion, then that changes things...I'd be interested.

Let me know...Thanks.

[Lantley]

jbjuices wrote:
I have to weigh the options available. The Trailer tongue mount looks interesting and I was worried since I have a Propride Hitch, but noticed Lantley has a Hensley and it worked just fine. My issue is that I wouldn't be able to carry the bikes without the trailer (not sure how big of a deal that is) and I believe that system is close to the cost of the Yakima Roof Mount. The front hitch is out due to 1) I have expensive bikes and don't want rock chips and bugs after a long haul and 2) I don't want air flow to my engine to be blocked.

I'll look into the Over the Tank mount, but depending on cost, looks like either 1) Yakima roof mount or 2) sticking with my current set-up (free) of dragging the bikes into my bedroom and mounting them on a homemade plywood platform with 4-forks to mount the bikes to. That's not my favorite because of the 20-30 minutes it takes to very carefully load and unload all 4 bikes (Such a hassle).

The Arvika rack is very versatile. It can be used as a rear receiver bike rack as well. Meaning you could attach same rack to Excursion and take bikes without trailer. You can also protect bikes by covering them with a cover.
This is another photo of the SAME rack that I now use on my current 5'er. Yes there are bikes beneath that cover!

[jbjuices]

The reason it takes me so long is that I have to carefully take in my 4'x5' plywood platform that my forks are attached to; and the reason I have plywood is because the bikes go on my bed and I don't want the comforter to get dirty; take off the front wheels of all 4 bikes and carefully take them in and hook each one up. It's a free solve, so could be worth the 20m to load and 20m to unload. I just think $1200 it outrageous for the Yakima Roof Mount. I looked the cost up on the Avrika set-up and it would be 960 without tax. If I go with an external carrier, then I would probably do the Yakima since I can go a 12m No Interest and also carry the bikes without the trailer.

[SoundGuy]

jbjuices wrote:
I have to weigh the options available.

2) sticking with my current set-up (free) of dragging the bikes into my bedroom and mounting them on a homemade plywood platform with 4-forks to mount the bikes to. That's not my favorite because of the 20-30 minutes it takes to very carefully load and unload all 4 bikes (Such a hassle).

I've occasionally loaded 2 adult bikes inside our trailer, leaning them against the queen bed, but it sure didn't take 20 - 30 minutes - more like 2 - 3 minutes at most. The only nuisance I found is getting them through the entry door without scratching anything, otherwise no biggie.

[keymastr]

Inside keeps them clean and dry.

[jbjuices]

I have to weigh the options available. The Trailer tongue mount looks interesting and I was worried since I have a Propride Hitch, but noticed Lantley has a Hensley and it worked just fine. My issue is that I wouldn't be able to carry the bikes without the trailer (not sure how big of a deal that is) and I believe that system is close to the cost of the Yakima Roof Mount. The front hitch is out due to 1) I have expensive bikes and don't want rock chips and bugs after a long haul and 2) I don't want air flow to my engine to be blocked.

I'll look into the Over the Tank mount, but depending on cost, looks like either 1) Yakima roof mount or 2) sticking with my current set-up (free) of dragging the bikes into my bedroom and mounting them on a homemade plywood platform with 4-forks to mount the bikes to. That's not my favorite because of the 20-30 minutes it takes to very carefully load and unload all 4 bikes (Such a hassle).

[bobndot]

I have used all 3 types (trailer tongue mounted, front hitch and roof top) of bike racks and they all work well. You need to decide where you want the extra weight to be distributed.

Can you afford the extra weight (###) of the 5 bikes plus the frame mount as well as the bike rack weight on the tongue ? Will your WD bars support it without the expense of installing heavier bars. I would get a real tongue weight prior to buying the tongue rack system.

The YAK system would allow the extra weight to be spread out on the TV axles and might be worth the cost.
Front hitch carriers keeps it on the front axle but it adds a lot of frontal area carrying all 5 up front. You might have a small issue to be able to swing between trees if you maneuver into a tight campsite.
Give some thought to splitting the load between a front hitch rack and a trailer tongue rack.
That would help distribute the load but the expense will be pushing the YAK price which might end up being the easiest way to transport for you .

[Lantley]

SoundGuy wrote:

Lantley wrote:
When I towed with an Excursion I carried my bikes on a tongue mounter Arvika bike rack ...

X2 - Excellent solution for carrying up to 4 bikes. :B

Hey Sound guy I guess your correct I only managed to carry 4 bikes.
Since we are dealing with kids possibly the bikes are smaller and you could squeeze one more on the rack or just strap the 5th bike to the roof of the Excursion.

[SoundGuy]

Lantley wrote:
When I towed with an Excursion I carried my bikes on a tongue mounter Arvika bike rack ...

X2 - Excellent solution for carrying up to 4 bikes. :B

[Halmfamily]

We use a Curt front mount receiver on our truck with a Swagman XC bike rack. Easy install and I can see our bikes at all times. Just have to remember when pulling out of steeper driveways you have a lower front on the truck.

[Lantley]

When I towed with an Excursion I carried my bikes on a tongue mounter Arvika bike rack as shown below

[LarryJM]

jbjuices wrote:
Hello. We have a great set-up with our TV and TT. We are a family of 5 with 2 big dogs, so we tow with a Ford Excursion. We love to take our bikes which is also great entertainment with the kids, however we don't have a great way to carry them. The back of the TT has a cargo tray, but I mounted an aluminum storage box. My only real option; besides dragging them inside and mounting them on plywood; is to buy a Yakima Roof System. The cost is crazy; $1200; but may be worth the cost for the ability to carry the bikes without having to drag them in and out of the trailer and risk scratching woodwork, etc.

1) What are your thoughts on a better method?
2) What are your thoughts on the roof mount system?

IMO the best alternative is a front receiver and one of the many bike carriers designed for a 2x2 inch receiver. This is how I transport and carry my mobility scooter when we travel.

Larry