Recommended Bike Carriers for Use on Rented RV

Question:

Im looking for a hitch mounted system that I can use on an RV Im renting. Id like to carrier a dirt bike, 2 adult bikes, and 3 kids bikes, which may be too much for any one rack. The dirtbike has a 60inch wheelbase and weighs ~240Lbs. I was thinking there might be a cargo tray style that I could use to carry all this. Do you have any options? One other note is that I have a Yakima hitch mounted bike rack already which could carry the bikes, but I dont know if this could be used in conjunction with another hitch-mounted system. Any ideas you have would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

asked by: Steve R

Helpful Expert Reply:

As you have already noted, there is no one hitch-mounted carrier that can handle the weight of a dirt bike and 5 bicycles. Most 2-inch hitches that are on the back of an RV will typically have a maximum tongue weight (TW) or downward force capacity that tops out at 350- to 500-lbs. This means that the combination of the carrier and what is on it cannot exceed that hitch capacity. This TW capacity is usually noted on a sticker on the hitch itself. Be sure to confirm what that hitch can handle before loading up anything.

Also, note that bike and cargo carriers that will be used on the back of a trailer must be specifically rated for that use since a standard carrier meant for use on a passenger vehicle would not be able to handle those stresses. There is more motion at the back of an RV than a car and this is what creates the extra stresses. Yakima offers no hitch bike racks that are rated for use on an RV so I cannot recommend using that rack.

We do not offer a hitch motorcycle carrier that is recommended for use on an RV but we do have hitch bike racks with up to a 4-bike capacity that will be fine to use on the back of the RV. All of these can be seen on the linked page. 4-bike rack choices include the Reese Eclipse # 63124 and Swagman Original # S64400.

We also offer 2-bike carriers for RVs that can mount to a rear ladder. These are shown on the other linked page. If your rented RV also has a ladder on the back you could use one of these racks like # SP501BR for two of the lighter kids bikes and then use a 3-bike hitch rack for the remainder, such as the Swagman Original 3 # S64152-2. I own this rack and it is really solid.

I also linked two articles about RV racks that should be helpful.

Please feel free to let me know more about the RV (is it a bumper pull or a Class C) and what it's hitch TW rating is and I will be glad to check for other options.