Traveling in an RV can be one of the most exciting times for the whole family. When you consider the opportunities for family road trips to uncharted places, there are ample adventures that await!
These adventures include everything from visiting beautiful beaches to biking through unfrequented mountain paths. So, what do you do when you want to bring your bikes along?
Choosing an RV bike rack is all about finding the perfect fit. Your bike rack has to be compatible with your RV and your bikes(electric or otherwise) have to be compatible with the bike rack.
To find the best fit, it's important to do research, ask questions, know your budget, and know your bikes. In this article, we will be diving into the best RV bike racks available today and what you need to know when choosing one. Let's begin!
If you have a towable already hitched to your RV or you just don't like the way the bumper mounted rv bike racks work, then you can use the RV ladder bike racks to mount your bikes to your motorhome.
Most of these types of racks are "universal" and should fit your ladder attached to your RV.
Be very careful when deciding to go with a ladder bike rack. The leverage of the bikes on the ladder and going over bumps or potholes can cause enough pressure to bend the ladder.
We got our Lazy Daze used and the ladder was bent. We think it was because the previous owner probably had a ladder bike rack.
RV Bike Racks Comparison Table
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
|---|---|---|
TOP PICK!  | 1. Pro-Series 63124 Eclipse Black 2-Inch Sq. 4 Bike Carrier
| Check Latest Price |
  | 2. Stromberg Carlson (CC-275) Bike Bunk for Cargo Tray
| Check Latest Price |
  | 3. Swagman Traveler XC2-RV 2 Bike Carrier with Bumper Adaptor
| Check Latest Price |
 | 4. Surco 501BR Ladder Mounted Bike Rack
| Check Latest Price |
 | 5. Swagman RV Ladder Rack
| Check Latest Price |
Best Bike Rack For RV: Our Top Picks and Reviews
Pro-Series 63124 Eclipse Black 2-Inch Sq. 4 Bike Carrier
Tech Specs:
- 31 Pounds
- Fits 2" receivers
- Has reflective tape for nighttime visibility
- Carries up to 4 bikes. Most makes and models will fit
- Tilting arm for easy access to the spare tire or vehicle access if loading the bikes on your toad
- Threaded bolt for tilting arm
This is a great bike rack for RV'ers who have kids or need to carry more than two bikes at a time. The rack fits nicely in a 2" inch receiver and would be great for either an RV bike rack or to install it on your towable. They have padding in all the right places to reduce friction while on the road.
Pro:
Sturdy build that most people like. It doesn't feel flimsy on the hitch. Straps work really well in securing all the bikes to the rack.Con:
Although it states that it works for most bikes, you'll need to have a bike with a horizontal bar. Since most women's and children's bikes don't have this, you'll need to get the bar adapter to make it work. This extra piece makes the set up a little more difficult going down the road.Our best friends have this kind of setup and love it, but the extra work of getting a bar adapter wasn't worth it to us.
Stromberg Carlson (CC-275) Bike Bunk for Cargo Tray: best bike rack for RV trailer
Tech Specs:
- Fits most a frame trailers
- 2″ receiver fit
- 49 pounds
- Supports up to 100 pounds
- Made in the USA
If you have a travel trailer or an A frame trailer and have been trying to find something to work with it, here is your bike rack. It’s adjustable to fit most A frames and puts here bikes over the propane tanks and out of the way. Also make sure they fit with your battery box if you have one there.
Pro:
Sturdy built and made in the USA. Easy to see the bikes from the cab. Absolutely great for Airstream travel trailer owners.
Cons:
Some people had to cut bars for a better fit and some bolts didn’t work correctly. You’ll have to do some trial and error on the installation because every frame can be just a little different. If you’re handy and don’t mind the extra work, this is not an issue.
Side Note:
They also have a cargo carrying system that holds up to 300 pounds and would work great for external generator.
Swagman Traveler XC2-RV 2 Bike Carrier with Bumper Adaptor
Tech Specs:
- 30 Pounds
- Fits 2″ receivers and 1 1/4″ with anti wobble hitch device
- Folds up nicely when no bikes are mounted
- Carries up to 2 bikes. Most makes and models will fit
- Tilting arm for easy access to the spare tire or vehicle access if loading the bikes on your toad
- Adjustable ratchet to keep bikes from swaying
- Bumper Adaptor
If you were wondering, this is the bike rack we have. This was the best bike rack for RV bumpers that we could find for our needs. We like that you can easily mount two bikes and have the ratcheting system come down on the frame to keep it from swaying.
They have several velcro straps to help secure everything down as well. When not in use, you can fold it up and it doesn’t take up too much space.
Pros:
Carries our 2 bikes very well, even though I have a Baria bike that doesn’t have a horizontal bar, I can mount my bike on this no problem. It takes maybe 5 minutes to mount our bikes when we’re heading out and secures them in place while going down the road.
Cons:
The ratcheting is great for keeping the bikes from swaying, but in one spot on one of our bikes, the pain has rubbed off in that area. It’s just from the sheer friction of going down the road. It’s a harder rubber, if it was foam it probably wouldn’t have done that.
Surco 501BR Ladder Mounted Bike Rack: best bike rack for RV ladder
Tech Specs:
- Universal mount
- Pivoting arms
- Made in the USA
- Carries 2 bikes
- 3 pounds
This rack has swaying arms that allow you to move the rack out of the way when the bikes aren't loaded. The lighter weight reduces the overall weight that you're carrying down the road.
Pros:
Bikes stay cleaner on ladder than when mounted on hitch systems. Good for long travels. No bike movementCons:
Only fits rounded ladder rails. If you have oblong rails like on a Lance Truck camper, then it might not fit yours. Steel plated pins so rusting can occur. Some users saw the rack bend while traveling.Swagman RV Ladder Rack
Tech Specs:
- Universal mount
- Carries up to 2 bikes
- Hook design makes fast installing
- 6.5 pounds
Many like the look and feel of this sturdy ladder and Swagman is a top manufacturer for the different bike racks that you need. They have reflectors at the end for added safety at night and the straps are rubber to make securing them easier.
Pros:
Quickly mounts onto ladder. Straps work great at securing bikes to ladder. Keeps bikes up and out of the wayCons:
Might have to remove front tire if ladder in near the passenger side so they don't extend past RV. Don't overload or the rack can bend.Related Content: Slide Out Awning, add layer of protection and coverage to your RV!
Lippert Components Black Jack-It 2-Bike Trailer A-Frame Mounted Rack
Tech Specs
- 16 pounds
- Fits most A-frame travel and cargo trailers
- Adjustable wheel cradles
- Lends hitch/cargo space
Taking your bike camping or on an outdoor trip has never been easier. This jack-it comes with a frame that will hold your bike safely and securely. It holds the bike by the wheels and secures it to the bike carrier, giving you a comfortable ride.
It?s a popular choice among consumers because of its ability to fit all bike frames. Since it is meant to be installed outside of your RV, it will save you a ton of space inside. You won?t have to worry about clearing any space for the jack-it or the bike.
Pros
- It can be easily installed and is also sturdily built.
Cons
- The instruction manual is not clear and many customers have complained about how much time they could’ve saved if the instructions had been written in a more easily understood way.
Quick Products RV Bumper-Mounted 2-Bike Rack
Tech Specs
- Can carry two bikes at once
- Comes with slotted tire wells that hold the wheels firmly
- 20.4 pounds
- Easy mounting adjustments
Trips aren?t fun if you?re unable to do your favorite activities. Going biking might be one of these activities and sometimes taking your bike along while traveling can be difficult.
But with a bike rack like the one created by Quick Product, taking your bike along with you on the RV has never been easier.
You can easily install the rack on the bumper of your RV. Your bike will be able to stand well while you have a smooth journey to your destination.
The bike rack comes with a stabilizer post that will hold the bike tires securely too.
Pros
- It?s an affordable bike rack that is also easy to install. It holds the bike effectively over the bumper, so you can speed off to your camping site with relief.
Cons
- It has to be installed on the bumper, which could be a little problematic when there are load restrictions. Bicycle wheels should be over 29″ to fit in perfectly.
Choosing The Best Bike Rack: 3 Different Types
Choosing the best bike rack means knowing your RV. If you choose to mount the bikes rack in the front, will it obstruct driving visibility? If you are towing a vehicle in the back, is there room for a Bumper-Mounted back rack? With this in mind, let?s look at the three different bike racks available today.
Bike Racks for RV Bumpers
A bike rack for your RV bumper can remove any worries of potential front-end visibility obstructions. However, it is important to note that bumped-mounted bike racks are only best for RV?s that have steel construction with a wield that stretches the length of the whole back bumper. This type of bumper allows for maximum strength.
Otherwise, the bumper may not be able to support the weight of the bike racks with the bikes.
With a bumper-mounted bike rack, you can rest assure that you can tow your favorite bikes. A bumper-mount style bike rack allows you to carry 2 or more bikes. The best part is that it does not require a trailer hitch and leaves the RV ladder completely open for cargo storage or roof access when you are parked.
Ladder-Mounted Bike Racks
Speaking of ladder-mounted bike racks, ladder mounts for your RV is another solution if you are thinking about taking your bike with you. A ladder-mounted bike rack is mounted on the RV?s rear ladder.
The bikes are secured vertically with the front tire facing the ground. However, it is important to keep in mind that with a ladder-mounted bike rack, you will not be able to use the ladder unless you dismount the rack every time.
Also, ladder-mounted bike racks are great for carrying 2 bikes but they must be relatively light. This is the best option if your RV does not have a hitch receiver or a bumper. Although they can be easily removed, they might not be able to carry larger and heavier bikes.
Hitch-Mounted Racks
The great news about hitch-mounted bike racks is that most RV already come with a hitch installed. With this in mind, hitch-mounted bike racks come in 2, 3, and 4 bike designs. With two styles, hanging and platform, you can choose the best option for you and your bicycles.
One of the biggest benefits about a hitch-mounted bike rack is that they fit and work well with other motor vehicles. Hitch bike racks will fit any standard 2 inch hitch receiver, making it easy for you to dismount from the RV and onto a truck. If you happen to be towing a car with your RV, you can easily detach the hitch from the RV and onto the car for when you want your bikes on the go.
More Info On RV Bicycle Racks
Material
Before buying the ideal bike rack, you must be sure of the material. The material will impact the duration and performance of the product. Finding a good quality bike rack can be challenging, but it can be easy if you are aware of the best material on the market.
Choosing powder-coated bike racks can be a great option. The metal of this kind is corrosion-resistant, leading to a longer lifespan. You won’t find damages and it won?t break easily if the bike rack is made of this material.
Another important aspect to keep in mind is the weight distribution rating. Check the reviews and see if the bike stand is capable of handling your bike?s weight evenly.
Stronger mounts are designed according to the trailer that they will be attached to. This enables more sturdiness for the bikes in the stand while traveling over bumps.
Ease of Use
While choosing the ideal rack, you must reflect on how you are going to use it. Are you going to load the bikes and unload them often? If yes, then you must find a rack that is easily accessible for you based on your height and size.
Hitch-mounting and bumper-mounting are two ways to keep your bike at your reach.
Another alternative is the ladder mount. But this can be challenging, as you must be able to reach higher in order to get to your bike.
Cost
Cost is an important factor that affects your purchasing decisions. You?ll need to be okay with spending a decent amount of money to get an ideal bike rack. At the same time, a quality bike rack is what you should be looking for.
You?ll face more risks if you focus solely on price because then the quality might not be right and your bikes might not be properly secured.
But, luckily, there are good and reputed companies that supply quality bike racks at modest prices. Purchasing from a reputed company is important because these companies work to ensure quality and customer satisfaction.
However, make sure to read the customer reviews and see if the companies are keeping up to their promises.
Easy Installation
Installation is a crucial aspect to look at when purchasing a bike rack. Look for bike racks that are easy to install. If the instructions are difficult to understand, try looking at videos and online instructions to make things a little easier.
The type of rack you choose will influence your installation process. You should be able to find a lot of online sources available for every type of installation. Most bike racks come with installation manuals that you can refer to, but you can always look online if the manual seems too difficult.
Bike Capacity
The number of bikes your bike rack can carry is another important factor to look at. Have a clear idea of how many bikes you’re wanting to carry and then you can start hunting for the right one.
The most common bike racks available are usually the ones that hold 1 or 2 bikes, but some are designed to hold 4-6 bikes. Then again, the capacity also depends upon the type of bike you are carrying because different types of bikes take up space differently.
So, you need to check the capacity of the bike rack before deciding to buy it.
However, there are a few bike racks that come with adjustable settings. This could be great if you have different kinds of bikes.
You will also have to check your RV capacity before buying the bike rack, especially for the bumper mount type. Some bumpers have a restricted capacity, so it’s necessary for you to check the RV manufacturer weight restrictions.
RVs with a good metal construct and bumper will be highly ideal to fit steady bike racks and hold a good number of bikes while you are on-the-go.
Never Worry About Your Bikes Again
When it comes to taking your bikes on your next RV adventure, bike racks make it easy. Whether a ladder style bike rack or bumper mount is the best option for you, only you know. It is important to test the sturdiness of your ladder, your bumper, or any other area you might place the bike rack to ensure it is secure and safe.
When looking for a bike rack ask yourself these key questions:
- How many bikes do you plan to take?
- What is the maximum weight per bike?
- Will the bike rack obstruct any views?
- Is it a trusted company?
- Is there a warranty?
As always, looking for the best of anything requires patience and time. We hope to have shed some insight and light on the best rv bike racks out there. Whether you are choosing a ladder mount or spare tire bike rack, the adventures that await are priceless. Enjoy your next trip!
Related Article: Best RV Backup Camera, keeping your things safe and secured!
None of these racks will work for me. I need a rack that won’t block the door on the back of my motorhome!
I have a sportsman 24? trailer. I?m looking for a over the spare tire bike rack for two adult cruise bicycles (100 lbs total ) I have a square bumper on the back. Do not recommend the Swagman brand. I had that one and it bent causing damage to my bike. Please help me