Bike transporting

[NCFUN2GO]

Any suggestions on how to carry 2 bicycles? Lost two last year when the carrier started to "fold" ( it cracked down at the base, but did not completely break). When looking at the bike racks at Wally world, they say not to attach to a RV ( I guess because of the bouncing being exaggerated due to the length of the RV). We have a 2008 Cruiser 30SK with a factory installed 1 1/4 inch receiver. We have seen some rigs with bikes attached to the ladder, but that looks like asking for trouble.



Any help will be appreciated. Bob and Lynn

[lenny]

We carry ours with a Swagman 2 place receiver hitch carrier. Hitch is a 2" opening, welded directly to the frame. No issues, and everything is very sturdy even with the bikes on there. The one pedal is only about half an inch at most away from the rear cap so I always put a glove over it to protect from rubbing. It hasn't even left a mark in the road dust on the cap. No movement, approx 5500 miles of use.

[sheltieRV]

Originally Posted by NCFUN2GO

Any suggestions on how to carry 2 bicycles?

If you have a full sized bed, try the Yakima bed heads. We carry our two bikes that way, up against the cab. We do remove them for tight (near 90) backups as the cap will push on the handlebars, but normal travel there is lots of space.

[shoetravel]

I have a bike rack for the ladder but only use it for a couple of the kids bikes. On my 29RE the ladder is too far to the right and the adult bikes would hang out too far to the side. For the adult bikes I have bumper mount rack that mounts at two places on the bumper. I check the bumper welds each time but after 4 years it seems to be holding fast. The mounts are a couple of feet apart so put less torque on the bumper. I did a quick web search to see if I could find it but no luck.

[dja29RK]

I have mine on the front of the truck. I installed a front hitch. Much better for me.

[bouncemanca]

I have seen that Thule has a mount that bolts on the wall at the back of the RV and then mounts the carrier on that. Maybe try the Thule website for more info. I use a rack on the truck roof but it is no small feat to put them there. My downhill bike weighs in at 45lbs and my truck is tall. Makes for some pretty funny contortions!

[diesel dave 99]

I have a pin box for sale that has a reciver mounted to it for a bike rack.

if any one is intrested let me know. It is a lippert #1621 HD 12 inches wide.

[fixit5561]

I have a Saris rack the Thelma model. You can see it at this url: http://www.saris.com/p-298-thelma.aspxI have the three bike rack with the juvenile attachment on it.



It will work with a 1 1/4 "or 2" receiver and has a hitch pin that tightens the rack up to the hitch so no movement at all.



I used it for the first time this past weekend and it worked great. The rack folds up when not in use, the bikes go on and off in about 1 minute each and I couldnt be happier. Plus they warranty their racks for life.

[Virginia RVers]

I use a Bodiak hitch on the front of my Dodge. Works great. Pictures of the bike rack when I get them.

[spinella]

Originally Posted by dja29RK

I have mine on the front of the truck. I installed a front hitch. Much better for me.

i have the same set up. works for me.

[salda01]

Toss the Wal-mart shopping and head to your local quality bike shop.

I use the factory installed hitch and a Hollywood bike rack. No problems in the 5,000+ miles we have towed the bikes. The key is to make sure the bikes don't bounce, adding additional forces. Hollywood racks eliminate the bounce.

[NCFUN2GO]

Thanx to all that made replies. I ordered the Swagman Mighty Rack for two bikes. Overstock.com has them for under $60.00. We'll see what happens. Making a short trip next week, near the NC Coast.

[ffBillyNy]

Check out this post...Maybe it will help.



http://crossroadsrv.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=596

[Kevin from K]

I was interested in the Hollywood racks referenced above. When I emailed the company about what rack they would recommend this is the response I got:



"Sorry, we don't recommend use of a trailer hitch rack on the back of a trailer or 5th wheel due to possible extreme "sway""

[fixit5561]

Kevin,



Thats why I use the Saris rack, it has the pin that elminates sway completely. It locks the bike rack to the hitch itself.



The bike rack has threads inside the hole the pin goes through. Then the pin is threaded. You thread the pin into the bike rack when it is inserted in the hitch, then you use a wrench and tighten down the pin, and it tightens the bike rack to the hitch itself. No sway that way. Then you can do like I did and put a lock on the end of the hitch pin (where a clevis pin goes in) and noone can loosen the pin(like thieves carry around wrenchs to steal bike racks, I think not, they will just go to the next one that is easier without a pin that screws in) and steal it.