Community Forums

Bchtravlr · 04-20-2019, 10:17 AM

When we travel places where we can use our bicycles, we add them onto the Jeep with a hitch bike rack. This makes access to the back of the Jeep impossible without removing the bikes and hitch rack. I have seen some people put a double hitch on the back of the coach, and put the bikes above the tow bar. I have been concerned about the engine heat baking the bikes and accelerating the age of the bike parts, especially since one is an ebike.

Thoughts and opinions, as we have some long trips planned, and are debating about if we take them with us, or leave them at home.

Full timers don’t have that option so I am guessing I am not the first with trying to optimize this issue.

brandss · 04-20-2019, 10:36 AM

We did exactly what you are asking about last week for our new ebikes. I never really thought about heat but, can't imagine it to be a problem with the bikes since there is space between the coach and the bikes. When we were going down the highway I was watching the cover on the bike to see if it was betting blasted by the wind. The cover did blow a bit, nothing like I thought it would. This tells me there is enough air movement to deal with the heat of the engine.

Jake21 · 04-20-2019, 10:40 AM

7 years and over 100,000 miles with 4 carbon fiber bikes and no issues.

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Soniccruzer · 04-20-2019, 10:45 AM

Which bike rack are you considering? I’ve been looking at the Hollywood and 1up racks $$$

Carefree · 04-20-2019, 11:32 AM

We have a Hollywood Fat Tire bike rack for our two e-bikes and we use it on our Jeep GC. While not easy (mostly because the e-bikes are very heavy) access to the trunk is possible. I can tilt the rack down for access to the trunk. It does take two people though to do this - one person has to hold on to the bikes.
Having the bikes on the back of the coach would not do us any good, as we need the bikes to either access hiking trails or use them as a shuttle for through hikes.

Soniccruzer · 04-20-2019, 11:42 AM

I see that Hollywood says not to use behind a towed vehicle.

Mike8253 · 04-20-2019, 01:05 PM

I have a Swagman Dispatch 2 Bike Rack that is made for RV use. It is hitch mounted and very well built. I'm very happy with how our two bikes ride in it on the MH. No flopping around of the bikes at all and very easy to get a bike cover over both bikes. I know Swagman also makes a similar model for e-bikes. Might want to give it a look.

BCam · 04-20-2019, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soniccruzer

I see that Hollywood says not to use behind a towed vehicle.

I've read several threads about this issue and the consensus seems to be that this is a CYA thing on the part of the rack manufacturers, citing the additional force of the swinging of the towed vehicle. It's not unique to Hollywood and most of those posting on the threads say that they haven't experienced any problems.

Here's an example:
http://www.irv2.com/forums/f250/rv-b...ks-306469.html

Bchtravlr · 04-20-2019, 01:28 PM

We currently have a Thule easy fold XT Electric Bike Platform. We got this due to the high weight capacity. We currently only have one ebike, but I am told I may eventually get old!

Mike8253 · 04-20-2019, 02:09 PM

There seems to be another thread about mounting a bike rack on the hitch of a DP. (http://www.irv2.com/forums/showthread.php?t=436190). Might be useful to your data gathering.

Soniccruzer · 04-20-2019, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike8253

I have a Swagman Dispatch 2 Bike Rack that is made for RV use. It is hitch mounted and very well built. I'm very happy with how our two bikes ride in it on the MH. No flopping around of the bikes at all and very easy to get a bike cover over both bikes. I know Swagman also makes a similar model for e-bikes. Might want to give it a look.

Ok great I’ll check it out
Thanks

LeslieGary · 04-20-2019, 06:12 PM

I bought a dual adapter for our hitch intending to add a bike rack on top and the tow vehicle on the bottom. I couldn’t get the adapter to seat solidly even with a hitch tightener so I abandoned the idea (and the bikes).

I saw a coach where they added another 2” receiver next to the original coach receiver (they were side by side) and I’m sure this was a solid/sturdy solution. I like this approach as it allows you to keep the bikes on the coach when using from the campground, but you can move the hitch to the tow vehicle when traveling to a biking area. It also doesn’t change your tow vehicle setup.

In the end, suppose it depends on how you plan to use your bikes.

bobwallace · 04-20-2019, 06:14 PM

Check out 1UP USA....bike racks. No bouncing around. Easy to take on and off. Folds down easily with optional handle kit. Expensive but worth it.

photraveller · 04-20-2019, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BCam

I've read several threads about this issue and the consensus seems to be that this is a CYA thing on the part of the rack manufacturers, citing the additional force of the swinging of the towed vehicle. It's not unique to Hollywood and most of those posting on the threads say that they haven't experienced any problems.

Here's an example:
http://www.irv2.com/forums/f250/rv-b...ks-306469.html

Maybe with other manufacturers, but Hollywood is pretty straightforward, Don't Do It!

Here is a quote from their website regarding use with RVs, trailer,s towed vehicles and not to use their racks:

We have seen 100+ incidents where the consumers/end user has not taken this advice and suffered disastrous results.
We've even had phone calls from consumers who said they read that advice (do not use on a trailer) and ignored it, only to discover a tragic end result.
So . . . don't do it. If you insist on doing it regardless of the above, please use some other companies’ rack.

When a manufacturer says they have had over 100 complete failures then I don't want to use it in this application.

Steve