Benefits of Having a Bike Rack
Taking your bike with you on a vacation or trip in your RV adds to the fun, allows you to see more of the surrounding area and it is a great way to get some exercise. Carrying or storing your bike on your RV can be done using a bike rack.
Assuming you have a strong lock, it keeps your bike secure, prevents your bike from getting damaged, and it frees up other space, especially inside your RV, which may have been the only alternative place to store your cycle safely.
3 Different Kinds of Racks
Bumper Bike Rack
These are normally attached to motorhomes with a strong steel rear bumper. Because of how strong the bumper is, it is often possible to store more than bike to these racks.
Ladder Bike Rack
This type of rack, as the name suggests, is connected to the rear ladder of an RV which has them. Bikes are stored vertically and it can normally accommodate 2 bikes.
Hitch Bike Rack
For RVs, and in particular, motorhomes which have a trailer hitch to them, these bike racks are ideal. The bike is attached to the hitch and they can carry as many 4 bikes at a time, so perfect if the whole family plan to go cycling.
Best Bumper Bike Rack Comparison Chart
Swagman Bicycle Carriers Traveler XC
This bike rack is suitable for both hitch and bumper connection as it has a bumper adaptor included. It will connect to a continuous 4.5 inch welded steel RV bumper and can carry up to 2 bikes for a combined maximum weight of 70 lbs. To ensure the bikes are held in place the rack has adjustable hooks, and push-button ratchet arms can adjust in order to secure the bikes.
- RV APPROVED: The TRAVELER XC2 works well with various sizes of trailers & campers
- EASY TO ASSEMBLE: Only takes a few minutes to assemble following the instructions.
- CONVENIENT: Once installed, simply load your bikes and you are ready to go! When not in use you can fold the upright bar down to give access to the rear of the RV
- STURDY: The light but sturdy design keeps your bikes in place, even on the those long journeys!
- VERSATILE: Easily transports up to 2 bicycles and is compatible with a 2" Class 3 hitch receiver or mounts to a 4.5" continuous steel welded RV Bumper Adapter. Also comes with a 2" Bumper Adapter.
Pros
- Suitable for both hitch or bumpers
- Can hold 2 bikes
- Holds up to 70 lbs. weight
- Adjustable hooks to hold bikes securely
Cons
- Padding wears quickly
- High price
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Swagman Bicycle Carriers RV Bumper Rack
This RV bumper bicycle rack from Swagman is designed for use with RVs which have 4 inch to 4.5 inch square rear bumpers. The rack is secured using 4 U-shaped bolts and locking nuts. A vertical bar at the center of the rack allows you to secure your bike with a cycle lock or padlock and chain. The rack is black in color and it is coated with a rust resistive coating to help prevent corrosion. It has the capacity to carry 2 bikes with a maximum weight per bike of 30 lbs.
- Transports 1 to 2 bicycles on an RV or camper trailer bumper (max 30 lb. per bike)
- Designed for 4" to 4.5" square RV bumpers, installs with a 6.5" and 8" long bolts around the RV bumper
- Heavy duty steel construction with a black paint finish and powder-coated to resist corrosion
- Secure the steel U-Bolts provided with the rack to your bumper. The upright bar in the center of the rack gives added support to your bikes while towing
- Simple to use and supports various bike sizes, frames and wheels
Pros
- Easy to install
- Corrosion resistant coating
- 2-bike capacity
- Accommodates various frames and wheels
Cons
- Not suitable for bikes with wide tires
- Lacks support at the bottom
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Best 4 Bike Rack – Swagman Bicycle Carriers 4-Bike RV Bumper Rack
Having looked at a few products, this is the best RV bumper rack we have found. One the main reasons is that while the others can carry two bikes, this one allows you to carry up to four. It secures to any 4 inch to 4.5 inch square bumper using U-bolts and can carry a maximum combined weight of 120 lbs. An upright bar at the center of rack gives you the means to securely attach all the bikes either individually or with a chain which interlocks them all.
- Transports 1, 2, 3, or 4 bicycles on an RV or camper trailer bumper (max 30 lb. per bike)
- Designed for 4" to 4.5" square RV bumpers, installs with a 6.5" and 8" long bolts around the RV bumper
- Heavy duty steel construction with a black paint finish and powder-coated to resist corrosion
- Secure the steel U-Bolts provided with the rack to your bumper. The upright bar in the center of the rack gives added support to your bikes while towing
- Simple to use and supports various bike sizes, frames and wheels
Pros
- Holds up to 4 bikes
- Upright bar to secure bikes
- Weigh capacity of 120 lbs.
- Corrosion resistant
Cons
- Locking washers misalign
- May bend weak bumpers
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Best Ladder Bike Rack Comparison Chart
Swagman Bicycle Carriers RV Ladder Rack
This rack can be installed on most RV ladder mounts quickly and easily. It hooks on to one of the upper rungs and is secured at the bottom using rubber straps. Rubber straps are also used when securing your bikes. This ladder rack can hold two bikes at a time with each bike weighing up to 35 lbs. To protect the bikes from scratching there are cushioned rolls on each side rail. The rack is made from aluminum which means it’s not susceptible to rust. There are reflective stickers on each arm which improves safety when driving at night.
- EASY TO ASSEMBLE: The LADDER RACK mounts quickly to your RV ladder with hooks; bikes and the bike rack are secured in place with rubber straps (2 straps included)
- WORRY FREE SECURITY: The dual arm design provides good support while the soft cradles holds bikes securely so you don't have to worry about your bikes falling off. The rack also comes with reflectors at the end of each arm for added safety
- VERSATILE: This rack carries up to 2 bikes and fits most RV & motorhome ladder rungs. It provides great support for bikes with dual arm design. Maximum weight capacity of 35Ibs. per bike.
- STURDY: The rack is made out of lightweight aluminum to resist corrosion and rust so you always have peace of mind knowing your bike will always get to its destination safely.
- RV APPROVED: RV's put more strain on a bicycle rack compared to a regular car, thankfully our RV approved racks have been built to withstand these conditions
Pros
- Easy to install
- Aluminum frame
- Reflectors on arms
- Cushioning to protect bikes
Cons
- Straps can break if pulled too tight
- Bikes can overhang if ladder is not central
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Surco 501BR Ladder Mounted Bike Rack
If you like simplicity, then this RV ladder rack will appeal to you. It can be fitted to most RV ladders without the need for straps nor the ladder itself having to be unmounted. The rack has mounting connectors which fit it securely to the ladder. The rack can carry one or two bikes and when the bikes are on the rack they are protected thanks to padding on the cradles. When not in use the arms pivot so that they are not protruding or preventing access to the ladder.
- Fits on the ladder of any van or RV
- Pivoting arms allow easy access to use of the ladder
- Securely carries 2 bikes
- Rack mounts without the need of straps or ladder removal
- Made in USA
Pros
- Easy to fit to ladder
- Protective padding
- Two bike capacity
- Pivoting arms
Cons
- Not suited to smaller children’s bikes
- Poor access to Allen screws
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Stromberg Carlson Ladder Bike Rack
With an aluminum construction, this ladder bike rack is both strong and durable, plus it will not rust. It is suitable for ladders with 1-inch rails and is attached using connectors and pins which are designed not to rattle when your RV is on the road. When you need to access the ladder simply remove the pin. Bikes are held securely by adjustable straps. The capacity of the rack is 2 bikes with a recommended weight maximum of 50 lbs. in total.
- Length from bend to tip of extended bike arms is 13″
- Max distance between bike cradles is 9″
- Weight capacity of bike rack carrier is 50lbs
- 1 complete assembly
Pros
- Aluminum construction
- No rattle
- Adjustable holding straps
- Easy access to ladder
Cons
- Bolts should be longer
- Straps on one side don’t stretch
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Best Hitch Bike Rack Comparison Chart
Swagman Bicycle Carriers Hitch Mount Bike Rack
The hitch bike rack will easily carry two bikes with a maximum load of 35 lbs. per bike. The ratchet arms are adjustable for different bike sizes and can accommodate bike frames up to 23 inches. Center arm can fold down when you need access to the rear of your RV. The grips which secure the bike have a special coating which protects the bike’s frame from getting marked. It is suitable for hitch receivers between 1.25 and 2 inches, and when fitted it has anti-wobble mechanism which prevents excess movement when your vehicle is in motion.
- EASY TO ASSEMBLE: The LADDER RACK mounts quickly to your RV ladder with hooks; bikes and the bike rack are secured in place with rubber straps (2 straps included)
- WORRY FREE SECURITY: The dual arm design provides good support while the soft cradles holds bikes securely so you don't have to worry about your bikes falling off. The rack also comes with reflectors at the end of each arm for added safety
- VERSATILE: This rack carries up to 2 bikes and fits most RV & motorhome ladder rungs. It provides great support for bikes with dual arm design. Maximum weight capacity of 35Ibs. per bike.
- STURDY: The rack is made out of lightweight aluminum to resist corrosion and rust so you always have peace of mind knowing your bike will always get to its destination safely.
- RV APPROVED: RV's put more strain on a bicycle rack compared to a regular car, thankfully our RV approved racks have been built to withstand these conditions
Pros
- Adjustable ratchet arms
- Coating avoids marking bike
- Anti-wobble mechanism
- Center arm folds for access
Cons
- Fitting can be difficult on certain vehicles
- Not ideal for smaller bikes
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Allen Sports Deluxe Hitch Mount Rack
Easy to install within a few minutes and is made from coated steel so it has a sturdy construction. Its capacity is 5 bikes which are all secured using adjustable straps. When it’s not being used the arms fold away and the rack can be tilted so that you can gain access to the rear of your RV. Fits 2-inch trailer hitches only so check the specification of your vehicle before purchasing.
- FOLD ARMS: Allen Deluxe Hitch Racks incorporate an easy fold arm design that allows the carry arms on the racks to be dropped out of the way when not in use by simply squeezing the two red release buttons on the carrier.
- SECURE YOUR BIKES: The durable, UV resistant rubber cradle straps quickly secure your bicycle in place and work with a wide range of tube sizes. The tie-downs include a soft cradle bed to fully protect your bicycles during transport.
- TILTS BACK: The hitch racks feature an easy to use tilt-back main mast. A rugged internal mechanism keeps the rack securely in place during use but allows for single-handed tilt-away if you need access to the inside of your vehicle.
- SPINE SHIELD: Allen's Dual Compound Spine Shield snaps in place over the vertical mast on your rack and offers a large landing pad to protect the inner-most bicycle during transport.
- PRODUCT INFO: Mounts easily to 2-inch hitches for up to 5 bikes (175 pounds). Includes powder coated frame for weather-resistant use, No-Wobble bolt for a movement-free installation and the rack fits a broad range of bike and frame designs
Pros
- Strong construction
- Coated to prevent corrosion
- Can accommodate up to 5 bikes
- Fold and tilt mechanism for access
Cons
- Bike capacity reduced by mountain bikes
- Plastic tie downs can break if pulled tight
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Yakima DoubleDown 4 Bike Rack
This hitch rack is suitable for both 1.25 and 2 inch hitch receivers. When not in use it can be folded with by pressing a release trigger to give you unrestricted access to the rear of your vehicle. You can use the rack to carry up to 4 bikes with a maximum bike weight of 40 lbs. each. Each bike is held securely in an anti-sway cradle which prevents bikes from banging into each other whilst you’re travelling.
- Car Bike Rack Attachment: Bike hitch rack can hold 4 bicycles for maximum convenience with a traditional frame that attaches to cars, trucks, and SUVs
- Easy to install and load and designed to tilt out of the way when not in use; TriggerFinger technology lets you fold down the arms with one press of a button for a lower profile
- Bike Rack Car Mount with Anti-Sway: Features a SwitchBlade anti-sway cradle to eliminate bike-to-bike contact and effectively avoid interferences and scratches
- Car Bike Mount Tilts Away: Bicycle carrier hitch mount made to tilt out of the way when not in use and can fold down with a press of a button for a lower profile
- Car Hitch Bike Rack Compatibility: Compatible with 1.25-inch and 2-inch hitch receivers for simple installation with no hardware tools required; Dimensions (L x W x H): 36 x 14 x 44 inches
Pros
- Anti-sway cradle
- Trigger release to fold arms down
- 4 bike capacity
- Tilts for access to rear of vehicle
Cons
- Easy to remove (steal)
- Straps are awkward to use
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RV Bike Rack Buyers Guide
Things to Consider Before Buying a Bike Rack
Rack Type
You need to decide what is going to be the most appropriate for your RV specifications: Bumper, Ladder or Hitch
Capacity
How many bikes do you want to carry? The answer will determine the size of rack you need.
Weight
Check the maximum load the rack can carry.
Accessibility
If you use the rear of your vehicle regularly, ensure the rack can tilt or fold to allow access.
Fitting
Some require a couple of bolts to be secured, others are a bit more complicated. Check so you are prepared.
RV Bike Rack Accessories to Consider
Bike Rack Cover
Will protect the rack and bikes when travelling in adverse weather.
Cross-bar adaptor
This fits between the handle bars and the seat and to allow bikes with unusual frames sizes to be secured to a bike rack.