Bike Carriers

[Boris and Natasha]

As new RV owners, this forum has been so incredibly helpful, I thought it would be smart to seek input from the forum before purchasing a new bike rack for the back of our Voyage 32H.

I'm looking at a Thule Parkway that fits the 2" receiver on the MH and retails for about $150. The downside of a receiver rack is that you can't tow and use the rack at the same time. But when we tow our Wrangler (sometime in the future) the bikes can go on the rack that's already on the back of the Jeep.

What experiences have others had with bike racks? Your thoughts and input are greatly appreciated!

Boris

[Boris and Natasha]

As new RV owners, this forum has been so incredibly helpful, I thought it would be smart to seek input from the forum before purchasing a new bike rack for the back of our Voyage 32H.

I'm looking at a Thule Parkway that fits the 2" receiver on the MH and retails for about $150. The downside of a receiver rack is that you can't tow and use the rack at the same time. But when we tow our Wrangler (sometime in the future) the bikes can go on the rack that's already on the back of the Jeep.

What experiences have others had with bike racks? Your thoughts and input are greatly appreciated!

Boris

[AFChap]

I've had a number of bicycle racks that went into my 2" receiver over the years. I don't have any now as my bicycle rides inside the toad. There are some rack models that slip over a 2" drawbar so that you can use the rack while towing if you are interested in that option. Whatever you get, it would be good if you could try you bicycle on it before buying just to be sure you like the way your particular bike works with the rack.

[NeilV]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Boris and Natasha:
As new RV owners, this forum has been so incredibly helpful, I thought it would be smart to seek input from the forum before purchasing a new bike rack for the back of our Voyage 32H.

I'm looking at a Thule Parkway that fits the 2" receiver on the MH and retails for about $150. The downside of a receiver rack is that you can't tow and use the rack at the same time. But when we tow our Wrangler (sometime in the future) the bikes can go on the rack that's already on the back of the Jeep.

What experiences have others had with bike racks? Your thoughts and input are greatly appreciated!

Boris </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Look at the SwagMan with the towing option.

Check them out at:

http://www.swagmanbikeracks.com/shop...me.php?cat=274

[Indy Itasca]

We use a two bike carry made by Coleman that fits the tow receiver. It is completely adjustable. We've never had any problems with it. We did invest in a pretty good lock and chain for the bikes. (not that we think campers would take them but we wouldn't want to temp anyone when we're stopped along the way.)

[jimandsue60]

I don't know if your hitch is similar but here is a picture of what we did. I didn't want an extension with a bike adapter on it because most extensions reduce the weight than can be towed and or tongue weight. We had a qualified welder fabricate and install this for us. We were at the 1000 trails in Las Vegas when it was installed. If you want more pictures let me know.

Jim

[codgerbill]

How about some thoughts on the ladder type bike carriers?

[FrontRangeRVer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by NeilV:

Look at the SwagMan with the towing option.

Check them out at:

http://www.swagmanbikeracks.com/shop...me.php?cat=274 </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

The Swagman 64600 is the exact model we use as we have a toad. We use it when we DONT tow also.

[FrontRangeRVer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by codgerbill:
How about some thoughts on the ladder type bike carriers? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Wouldn't have one of those at ALL! There are too many people that have had trouble with the ladders coming off or bikes bouncing off. No thanks!

[ruppr]

I've used a Masterbuilt HBCDL ladder mounted bike carrier for two bikes on both my class C and A since 2001, as needed.

No problems with either rig.

Best,

[Rocket Heart]

I solved my problem by buying a 4 bike carrier from Coleman and then making an adapter to fit on the left side of my hitch. A simple piece of square tubing welded and drilled a hole for the pin. I can carry my bikes and tow my car at the same time.

Worked great for four years. Very inexpensive to do too.

[Richard 34A]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by codgerbill:
How about some thoughts on the ladder type bike carriers? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I had a picture of a MH that had a bicycle rack mounted to the rear ladder, with a bicycle or two mounted to it. I can't find it right now, but let's just say that some pretty good damage was done to the MH because the bicycles hung out too far to the side and the bicycles caught something. The picture showed what happens to fiberglas on the rear cap; it wasn't very pretty!

[NeilV]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Richard 34A:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by codgerbill:
How about some thoughts on the ladder type bike carriers? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I had a picture of a MH that had a bicycle rack mounted to the rear ladder, with a bicycle or two mounted to it. I can't find it right now, but let's just say that some pretty good damage was done to the MH because the bicycles hung out too far to the side and the bicycles caught something. The picture showed what happens to fiberglas on the rear cap; it wasn't very pretty! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I would stay away from the ladder mount too. Even if you don't see any damage to your ladder I would hate to find out that it was damaged when transitioning the top rung. I had a ladder fail on me once and lived to talk about it. That was after 10 hours in the operating room with two surgeons and two life threatening mishaps caused by the hospitals staff (highly chilled IV with a wide open flow almost caused a stroke durring prep for surgery and they tried to use an incorrect airway which got jammed and almost asphixiated me).

I would consider a towing rack such as the Swagman or a dual receiver for the hitch such as the following instead of a ladder mount rack:

http://www2.northerntool.com/product-1/492929.htm

http://www.campingworld.com/browse/skus/index.cfm/Outdo...eceiver/skunum=34685

http://www.hitchsource.com/dual-hitc...0-p-28867.html

http://www.hitchsource.com/dual-hitc...0-p-28868.html

[GG1]

I have tried the ladder mount and sent them back. There is too much spring with 2 bikes causing stress on the ladder and rear cap, also tried the swagman mounted to the tow bar on the coach it was a hassle to disconnect the tow bar with the bikes mounted, I wound up with the bike rack mounted on the hitch on the back of the toad which is the best solution for me.