Bicycle racks

[Sheetmusic]

For those that haul around bicycles, how are you carrying them? Maybe the on a rack using the rear trailer hitch receptacle. Maybe hanging from the ladder. What are you doing that works well?

[LBZYA]

A platform rack works great for us.

[sigfire]

Swagman XC-2 bike holder, platform style
Swagman 2" clamp on hitch receiver
Swagman anti-rattle threaded lock

Great reviews, took the plunge a few months ago, have a few trips on this set up and performed flawlessly! Very little bounce or movement, clamps are firm and stay in place. Set up easy and straight forward. Bolted onto the 4" creekside bumper, have no doubts on the construction of the bumber (welding and braces). We put two mountain bikes on it and they seem happy.

The threaded anti-rattle lock is a must! Good luck in your search.
P.s. all items were purchased from etrailer, can't say enough about them! quick delivery and confirmed for me that this rack was rated for RV's/motorhomes.

[abarkl]

Bike rack on the RV hitch without the toad, same bike rack on the toad hitch when included.

[Martin6]

Originally Posted by sigfire

Swagman XC-2 bike holder, platform style
Swagman 2" clamp on hitch receiver
Swagman anti-rattle threaded lock

Great reviews, took the plunge a few months ago, have a few trips on this set up and performed flawlessly! Very little bounce or movement, clamps are firm and stay in place. Set up easy and straight forward. Bolted onto the 4" creekside bumper, have no doubts on the construction of the bumber (welding and braces). We put two mountain bikes on it and they seem happy.

The threaded anti-rattle lock is a must! Good luck in your search.
P.s. all items were purchased from etrailer, can't say enough about them! quick delivery and confirmed for me that this rack was rated for RV's/motorhomes.

Pretty much the same set up, but using the Thule T2 2 bike or 4 bike rack.

[brulaz]

Had a platform rack with a 1 1/4" neck that came with an adapter for 2" hitch receivers.

But with the 1 1/4" neck, it bounced a lot going down the road, and on the old trailer the bike handle bars pounded dents in the back of the trailer. The thin neck just flexed too much.

I would look for a platform rack that has a full 2"neck.

And I just dunno about the bumper mount receiver.
Does ORV suggest it, or not?
There's certainly been horror stories about that way of mounting a receiver with other manufacturers.

[Nomad Mike]

One of the things I noted when searching for a hitch mount bike rack was if the manufacture said they were ok on the back of RV's. Neither Thule nor Yakima recommend it, Swagman and 1UP USA do with the caveat of only 2 bikes with 1UP USA. Since I'm full time and the bikes will live there I chose the 1UP USA. It is made from aluminum and stainless steel fittings. They are pricey but also have a lifetime warranty. I looked at the Swagman, and the version for not supporting by the frame but by the tires was weak. Bouncy, thin metal setup for a rust out. The price is right, but they were not for me. The frame hanging style however was very durable looking, I don't know why they went with thinner metal on the wheel support type.

Also, as the name implies 1UP USA are made in the USA - Swagman is China.

[dagmandt]

I wouldn't use the hitch receiver that ORV puts on their trailers, if anyone is considering it, DON'T do it. It is a joke. Had I known they were just going to weld it to the rear 1/16" square tube bumper with a bar on the back I'd not have paid for the upgrade. It wouldn't pass muster to hold much of anything for any length of time. I'm going to have to weld up my own hitch the right way after cutting this POS off.

That is the one thing I'm REALLY disappointed in with my trailer.

[brulaz]

I drilled and bolted a 2" class III hitch receiver between the frame rails of my previous trailer. It was by Curt, designed for RVs, and could be adjusted for different frame widths. Very solid. Probably helped strengthen the frame of that light-weight trailer.

I see you can also get a class IV from etrailer.com at a fixed 44" width, but that would probably be a bit over-kill.

[GearJerker]

I just use a rack hanging off the ladder, but you have to use care that your handlebars or tires aren't rubbing on the back wall of the trailer.