Best RV Bike Racks for Motorhome or Trailer

• Roof racks: this type of bike rack is mounted on the car roof. The car rack can be used to transport one to four bikes at a time. Mounting on the roof allows a clear view through the rear window. In return, drivers have a relatively large resistance on the roof, which may affect the driving behavior. When driving with a roof rack, drivers must ensure that they do not exceed the legally prescribed maximum speed of 74 mph. Depending on the model, the wheels can be placed either upright or lying on the carrier. You should keep in mind that with a roof rack you have to lift the wheels up onto the roof and secure them there, which often involves a lot of effort. Some models have lifting aids specifically for this purpose, which are commercially available. For transporting bicycles, the roof rack is usually the cheapest option in view of the respective price segment.
• Rear carrier: Those who do not have a trailer coupling on their car can rely on a rear carrier as an alternative. Drivers can mount this carrier on the tailgate, which can be done quickly on most models. Special tension straps are used for mounting, which allows simultaneous transport of up to two bicycles. The advantage of these models is the ease of mounting the carrier. A disadvantage is that the view through the rear window is blocked. In addition, improper use of this variant can cause damage to the paint. For this reason, bike fans rarely use rear carriers anymore.
• Coupling carrier: This bicycle carrier is mounted directly on the ball head of the coupling. Depending on the model, additional rails can be purchased, so that two or three wheels can be transported, for example. With appropriate models, even the carriage of up to five bicycles is possible. The additional load is usually shifted to the rear. In this way, driving behavior hardly changes and fuel consumption increases only slightly. Coupling carriers can usually be purchased independently of the car model. However, you should pay attention to the load capacity of the trailer coupling. Some models are available with a special automatic lowering system. Due to their high weight, a maximum of one or two electric bikes or pedelecs can be taken along with this bike carrier. Since hitch carriers can be mounted quickly and easily, they are popular among motorists.

In addition, it is also important whether the bikes on the bike carrier have a lockable device and how heavy the respective rear carrier model is. The carriers for e-bikes are all between 37 and 44 lbs in weight, with camper bike carriers for normal bikes, the weight of the manufacturers varies.

Depending on the material from which the bike carrier is made. Aluminum is the lightest option, but in some models, only certain parts are made of aluminum. Only a few manufacturers offer the whole rear carrier completely in a lightweight way. We have various carrier models of different price categories under the magnifying glass, highlight the advantages and disadvantages of each model.

• A number of bikes/maximum load: bike racks offer different numbers of bike spaces and are designed to carry different loads. Roof racks are usually sold individually. A maximum of four of them can be mounted side by side on a car roof. The maximum load per wheel for these models is  44 lbs, which is lower than for rear carriers. However, the distance between the carriers is greater than with hitch carriers. Wide mountain bikes with suspension forks and disc brakes, therefore, fit on roof racks. Bike carriers for the trailer hitch allow a higher payload of up to 30 kilograms per bike. For this reason, they are often suitable for transporting e-bikes or pedelecs. These carriers usually offer space for up to two bikes, but can sometimes be expanded to include a third space.
• Mounting the carrier/bikes: With a bike carrier for the trailer hitch, the plug connection is important. It is used to connect the additional lighting on the bike carrier to the car. Otherwise, the installation of a bike carrier for trailer hitches is easy to do. The bikes can be easily lifted into the holders and a second person is usually not required for this. With roof racks, there is no plug connection. Consumers must attach the bike rack to the base racks that are bolted securely to the roof of the vehicle. For attachment, cyclists always have to lift the bikes onto the vehicle roof first, in the case of a roof rack – this is strenuous and usually requires four hands. Carriers for the trailer hitch or rear carriers are the more convenient option.
• Stowability: A roof rack usually does not have to be dismantled every time it is not in use. They can be easily folded and do not affect the driving experience. With rear racks, care must be taken to ensure that they can be easily stowed. Some models can also be folded and transported in the trunk.
• Anti-theft device: An anti-theft device should ensure that the bikes on the bike carrier do not fall victim to thieves. However, many tests in recent years have shown that these usually only deter casual thieves. Anyone who wants to park their car with the bikes for a longer period of time should make sure that they are additionally secured with U-locks. If necessary, it may make sense to remove the bikes and lock them to a separate bicycle stand.
• Power connection: If the bike rack covers the rear lighting of the vehicle, an additional lighting system must be available. To do this, they need electricity. As a rule, most carrier models have a 13-pin plug. However, older vehicles may still be equipped with a 7-pin plug. In such a case, you will need an adapter installation so that the plug of the lighting system is compatible with the socket of the vehicle.
  Width of rails: Users should make sure that the width of the rails matches the width of the tires in the wheels when buying a bike rack.

Conclusion

Manufacturers have a variety of different motorhome bike rack models, whether for the rear garage of the motorhome or for attachment to the motorhome. There are models for families, athletes, and also older sports enthusiasts. Simple models that are cheap to buy, but also models that are equipped with a motor or lift. This makes loading and unloading a breeze. Care should be taken to ensure that the delivery includes good security for the bicycles. In addition, it should be considered whether in the future more than two bicycles are to be transported, here are particularly suitable models that are expandable. This is very important, especially for families. If e-bikes are to be transported or normal bicycles, here a special eye should be placed on the payload of the carrier and also on the weight of the bicycles to be transported. Individually tailored to personal needs, every buyer will find what they are looking for on the bike carrier market.