Ladder Bike rack

[Flametheus6]

I am looking at a two bike rack that attaches to the rear ladder. Anyone have experiences with these...problems?
thanks

[Flametheus6]

I am looking at a two bike rack that attaches to the rear ladder. Anyone have experiences with these...problems?
thanks

[Ed and Cheryl]

I really don't think that the ladder was meant to support bikes. We had our bend with the bike rack and 2 bikes on it. Our friend had theirs break loose from the back dropping both bikes. I would look for another solution for hauling bikes.

[Flametheus6]

Thanks, I could put a hitch style rack on the back of the fifth but that seems like overkill. I'll hold off and see what other options there are. Hope my wife doesn't get too tired pedaling back behind the fifth.

[cdrcos]

I have used bumper mount racks, receiver hitch mounts, and now a ladder mount. If you are only carrying one or two bike, I think the ladder hitch is the best and most stable.

I can't understand how a ladder can/should support he weight of a 250# person, but can't support a couple of 20# bikes? Never had a problem with ours.

[Flametheus6]

Thanks cdrcos. Just today I ran into (Figuratively) a guy that had one on his RV with two bikes. He has been hauling them for 3 years and no problem. Think I may get the one on ebay for 49USD if I can't find a cheaper one. Don't need it til March.

[Roy W.]

While working at an RV supply store , I had the luxury of trying different bike racks. The first one I tried was the ladder mount. I didn't care for it as the bikes got beat up from banging together, plus it blocked the tail/stoplight. You also had to almost hold the bike over your head to hang it up. Next was the type that fastens to the 4 inch square bumper and has two arms that stick out to hang the bikes on. On a trip on a rough road, one of the arms bent down and I wound up dragging the wheel of one of the bikes. Also womens bikes require an adapter as the bikes are hung from the cross bar. The last one I tried is the best one. It again fastens to the 4 inch square bumper, is made out of square tubing, and has a place where the tires fit down into a slot, similar to the bicycle racks found at some schools. This is the best arrangement by far. It spaces the bikes apart so they don't bang together, and once the bikes are removed, provides a handy place to put a grill, etc. Be aware that if you have a rear storage compartment, that in most cases the bikes have to be removed to open the compartment.

[Flametheus6]

Good rundown on racks. I appreciate the insight.