The Best RV Bike Racks (Hitch, Bumper & Ladder)

Are you tired of stuffing your bikes inside your limited RV storage space? There’s a solution out there for you, and that’s purchasing the best RV bike rack possible. But this process isn’t as simple as it sounds.

You see there are an overwhelming amount of RV bike racks on the market and deciding which one’s perfect for you requires a lot of thought. In fact, it can bring forth a sense of frustration that you don’t want to have on an RVing trip.

With this in mind, we thought it was a good idea to create this buying guide discussing all things RV bike rack. And the information you learn from this article will hopefully make this buying experience a more manageable and stress-free one.

We’ll even reduce the market down to 10 RV bike racks that we’ve deemed the best on the entire market. As a result, it’ll become apparent what you’re supposed to be looking for in the product you end up purchasing.

So please, keep reading and let us help you find the perfect RV bike rack for RV. We promise you won’t regret it!

Best Bike Rack for RV Reviews

In this section, we’ll provide you with 10 product reviews of the RV bike racks that we see as the best on the entire market. After reading these discussions, we hope you start to see certain aspects that separate these models from other bike racks you’ll come across in your search.

1. Swagman RV Approved Traveler XC2 Bike Rack

Our first product comes from a manufacturer that you’ll see multiple times on this list, Swagman. This particular Swagman bike rack for RV has numerous features that I find to incredibly attractive as a potential customer.

For instance, I love its load capacity at a healthy 70 pounds, which could easily carry the two 35-pound bikes I intend on bringing with me during my RVing trip. In other words, it perfectly suits my particular needs as an RV owner.

It also having a lifetime warranty isn’t a bad feature to have in your back pocket. There’s nothing wrong with having a little insurance just in case something goes wrong. Plus, it gives me a sense of confidence about the faith Swagman has in this product.

Another feature I would love to have with any RV bike rack I’m purchasing is this product’s sliding wheel hoops. This feature can support wheels in the range between 20 to 29 inches, which will give you some extra assurance no damage happens to your bike’s wheels during transport.

But the best part about this bike rack is its versatility; you see this model has two different mount systems, a 2-inch hitch receiver and a bumper mount. As a result, you can use this product as either a bumper-mounted or hitch-mounted rack.

Pretty cool, right? Well, it doesn’t stop there as this bike rack also has a push button ratchet arms, which you can easily adjust to offer further protection for your bikes. And it also comes with adjustable hooks, which can be a godsend for people that want to mount their bikes by their frames.

2. Thule Range Hitch Bike Rack

RV owners who double as mountain bike daredevils can rely on the Thule Range Hitch Bike Rack to accommodate 4 bikes in one go. This RV bike rack has a sturdy design and stable and secure elements to offer RV owners peace of mind whenever they head to the countryside for some biking fun.

Using this Thule RV bike rack is easy because it has a thoughtful design and seriously-considered build quality. I can secure four mountain bikes, dirt bikes, or road bikes in the super-strong swing arms, allowing everyone in my family to have a two-wheeled wonder for our outdoor adventures.

Attaching and securing the bikes is effortless because the cradles fit the bike frames like a glove. I will never fret about the bikes bumping against each other since the ratcheting straps secure the bicycles in their respective slots. There is also a seven-inch clearance between bikes, giving me peace of mind when taking these bicycles on our RVing holiday.

I love the anti-sway cradles, securing the bikes on bumpy roads. No matter how the motorhome swerves, the bikes stay in their place. I also like the rack’s foldable swing arms, making it easy to secure the rack into the RV’s rear when not in use.

Unlike other products, this RV hitch bike rack can accommodate four 37.5-pound bikes for a 150-pound maximum weight capacity. I can already imagine other things I can attach to the RV-specific bike rack, such as an electric bike.

Unfortunately, this rack’s hitch design prevents access to the RV’s rear, making it unsuitable for camper vans.

3. Camco RV Ladder Mount Bike Rack

Coming from a manufacturer that any RV owner should be familiar with, Camco, our next product is another ladder bike rack option. And this particular one worth considering for all you bargain buyers out there.

After all, there are a variety of features about this product that I love. For example, its design makes this bike rack a quick install as it should effortlessly hook onto your RV’s rear ladder with little issue.

If you do expect you’ll have some issues with the install, Camco was kind enough to offer an expert installation add-on. And the extra cost isn’t too steep, which is another bonus this product has going for it.

It also helps that removing the bikes from this rack is another simple process as well. There will be no struggle or wasting time trying to get your bikes out of this model.

The product’s peak storability is another aspect where this product tends to outpace its competition. You see its design offers you the choice of folding it up when it’s not in use.

As a result, you won’t have to waste valuable extra storage during the times where you don’t need it. In fact, you can even strap it on top of your roof; that way you won’t have to waste any storage space at all.

4. YAKIMA HoldUp Hitch Mount Tray Bike Rack

The YAKIMA HoldUp is a reliable bicycle rack for RV. Like the Thule Range, this product connects to the RV’s hitch system, allowing RV owners to maximize their vehicle’s rear section for carrying a couple of bikes for outdoor fun.

I like this RV bike rack better than the Range because it tilts down to give me access to my camper van’s rear door. I can stow my camping gear in the back and close the door without any problems. Securing the RV bike rack into its original position is also fretless because of its locking elements.

The bike also feels and looks more stable on the cradle, too. There are vertical posts to keep bicycles upright while also preventing swaying when I drive my motorhome faster than usual. Driving on bumpy roads does not dislodge the bikes from their racks because the StrongArm technology secures them like vise grips.

I also like the SKS locks that came with the YAKIMA RV bike rack, an add-on I did not see in the Thule Range. The rack and frame are also as robust as I can hope for, capable of accommodating a pair of my 30-pound, 29er mountain bikes.

People will never worry about its quality, either. The brand covers this RV bike rack for a lifetime.

Unfortunately, this bike mount model can only accommodate two bikes. One should consider the Thule Range if one wants to stow four bicycles or the Yakima HoldUp Hitch Mount Hanging Tilt Rack to carry 5 bikes.

5. Surco 501BR Ladder Mounted Bike Rack

Our next product is another ladder-mounted bike rack that would be the perfect purchase for a bargain buyer. I mean, it has a ton of high-quality features and comes at a price that won’t sink your bank account.

Its heavy-duty aluminum construction is a perfect example of one of these features. It’ll make sure the bike rack doesn’t fall victim to rust or corrosion and has a lightweight quality, which ensures it’s easy to handle.

I also love that Surco kept the design rather simple, which makes the installation process smooth and straightforward. Even mechanically challenged people like myself, shouldn’t have an issue getting this bike rack operational without any outside help.

This design has pivoting arms as well, which would offer me easy access to the ladder when the bike isn’t in use. A feature like this one could do wonders as it means I won’t have to keep removing and installing the bike rack every time I need it.

The bike rake being rather versatile is another plus as it can support bikes of all different frames, sizes, wheels, etc. Of course, all these bikes would have to stay inside the appropriate loading capacity, which is where the problem lies with this model.

Its 60-pound load capacity isn’t going to mesh well with my particular needs. As a result, this model isn’t what I’m looking for and wouldn’t be something I buy. But if you’re seeking to transport one or two lighter bikes, this model could be a steal for you.

6. Quick Products RV Bumper-Mounted 2-Bike Rack

The Quick Products RV Bumper-mounted 2-Bike Rack would be the perfect bike rack for a travel trailer bumper. It’s hard not to see why given the unusual set of qualities that make up this bike rack.

As an example, I find this bike rack’s all-steel construction to be quite appealing as it will put up a fight against both corrosion and rust. This quality comes from the steel construction being powder coated.

Given the nuisances these two environmental factors can be, this feature is a nice touch from Quick Products. And it’s not the only feature that stood out to me either; I also found the bike rack’s adjust mounting to be quite intriguing.

You see this feature gives this product the ability to fit almost any bike in existence. As someone that doesn’t like being surprised, you can bet I value a quality that makes this product a nearly universal fit for all bikes.

It was nice to see so many customers report that the install was relatively easy as well. This type of majority conclusion on a product like this one is rare to see and is something you should take into account when making your final decision.

It seems this quality comes from all the hardware being durable and able to fit together remarkably well. I should also mention that the price is quite affordable and several customers praised the customer service in their reviews.

7. Swagman 2-Bike RV Bumper Rack

In a shocker to absolutely nobody, another Swagman product has ended up on our list. And this particular model would be a fantastic bike for trailer, motorhome, or any other recreational vehicle.

The Swagman 2-Bike RV Bumper Rack excels in a lot of areas that I find essential in my particular travel trailer bike racks search. The one area where it stands out the most is with its ability to easily fit onto any square bumper between 4 to 4.5 inches.

If you have a bumper like this one, your life will be much more manageable by buying this product. In fact, the install is such an easy one that several customers said it took them a lot less time than they expected.

It’s also essential I mention that this product comes with steel U-bolts, which will further ensure the installation is sturdy. Plus, the construction itself is entirely heavy-duty steel that’ll protect the bike rack from various issue causing elements.

Another aspect that this bike rack has on the positive side is its versatility. You see this bike rack can fit almost any wheel or frame size imaginable; therefore, you shouldn’t have any surprises when you try racking a specific bike.

In doing so, it fits into the reputation that Swagman has gained over the years as a manufacturer who prides itself on being able to create products that offer peak versatility. And since this bike rack isn’t any different, it showcases this brand’s overall consistency.

8. Lippert Components Black Jack-It 2-Bike Trailer A-Frame Mounted Rack

As one of my favorite bike racks for motorhomes, Lippert Components Black Jack-It 2-Bike Trailer A-Frame Mounted Rack provides a unique take on a 2-bike carrier for RVs. This model has an innovative design, which allows you to install this rack onto your RV trailer’s A-frame.

With this type of design, it secures the two bikes by their wheels rather than the body as many other products do. This construction offers more protection against the bikes bumping together, which reduces the damage that might occur.

The design has another feature you don’t typically see in a bike rack that I found incredibly interesting as well; the rear hitch/cargo space. This feature gives the person using the product a place to store additional gear or other things valuable things.

I also like the fact that this bike rack can efficiently handle up to 80 pounds. Given my 70 pound minimum, you can start to see why this model is so appealing for me. It coming with adjustable wheel cradles isn’t too shabby either.

You see these wheel cradles work together with this bike rack’s straps to ensure your bike’s wheels stay secure. Any feature that adds a sense of protection for my bikes is a win in my book.

And since the bike rack’s construction is comprised of highly durable material, you can bet this product will be in your life for a long time. It’s even coated to ensure things like rust and corrosion don’t become an issue as well.

9. Swagman RV Approved Dispatch Hitch Bike Rack

The Swagman RV Approved Dispatch Hitch Bike Rack is another high-quality product from this brand that continues to outpace all its competitors. This specific model is a fully loaded hitch-mounted bike rack that has every feature you could ever ask for in a product such as this one.

In particular, I love the fact that this bike rack can carry up to 90 pounds. With a load capacity like this one, I’d never have to worry about my bikes overloading it or any potential problems occurring during the transport.

This model’s sliding wheel trays would also help in this regard as they can adjust to various bike configurations. As a result, I shouldn’t have any issues getting this model to work with whatever type of bike I might need it for during my RVing trips.

It’s a nice touch that Swagman added in the highly durable adjustable hooks as well, which will ensure the bike’s frame remains secure to the rack. Along the same lines, the adjustable wheel ratchet straps will work to ensure the bike’s wheels stay firmly secure.

Given this information, I feel reasonably confident that nothing will happen to my bikes with these kinds of safety measure in place. But the best part about this product is the remarkable feedback it got from customers regarding its installation process.

Honestly, almost every single review spent time referring to the install as taking place without any hassles or complications. The sad part is the only negative this model has isn’t something I can overcome as a customer.

10 Swagman RV Approved Around the Spare Deluxe Bike Rack

Our last product is another bike rack from the manufacturer that’s dominated this last, Swagman. This specific model has a unique purpose and goal in its construction as it solves a long time issue that’s plagued RV owners.

You see I love that this model gives you the capabilities to place a bumper bike rack on your RV even when a spare tire might block it. It’s able to solve this issue by having a design that can mount around the spare tire.

Aside from this amazing quality, I also like that it can be useful even if you don’t have a spare tire in the way. You can still use this product as a regular old bumper-mounted rack regardless of whether or not a spare tire is in the way.

And in whatever capacity you intend on using this model, you can bet on an install that’s hassle-free, which is another winning aspect in my book. The anti-sway cradles aren’t anything to sneeze at either as these wildly essential features prevent contact between bikes.

In doing so, significantly reduce the damage that might occur to the bikes during your trip. Given you want your bikes to stay in the best condition possible, I’d imagine you value this feature as must as I do.

You can also take comfort in the entire construction being both rust and corrosion free, which is always a plus as well as making sure the product’s going to stay in your life for a long time. But it’s not all positives though with this Swagman model.

Swagman RV Approved Escapee Hitch Bike Rack (Outdated)

Our most expensive product on the entire list, the Swagman RV approved Escapee Hitch Bike Rack earns the right through having all its bases covered. But the real kicker here is everything about this bike rack is second to none.

In all estimations, there’s nothing about it that fails to meet up with the expectations of a potential customer. I love the fact that it ensures there will be no frame contact between bikes within the bike rack itself.

It’s able to do this with its ratcheting arms that’ll keep the wheel secure. At the same time, the rear wheel ratchet straps firmly hold the bikes and grip the wheels. As a result, the frames of the bikes never end up touching, and the potential for damage never exists.

And this area isn’t the only one where it excels. This bike rack also has the capabilities of carrying up to 120 pounds or 60 pounds per each bike. In this marketplace, a load capacity this large is almost unheard of among bike racks.

Plus, like all Swagman products, it has a certain versatility that allows it to fit most bike configurations no matter the shape, frame size, or style. It’s features like this one that makes me wish I could spend an absurd amount of money on this wildly expensive bike rack.

It also doesn’t hurt that Swagman threw in 2 additional same key lock cylinders with purchase, which will further ensure my bike stays safely secure within the bike rack. And all these features come with the backing of the all-too-important lifetime warranty.

Swagman RV Approved Ladder Rack (Outdated)

Another product from Swagman that’ll more than meet your RV bike rack needs is the Swagman RV Approved Ladder Rack. In fact, it’s one of the more popular models on the entire market, and given its features, I can easily see why.

I mean, its lightweight, aluminum construction makes it extremely easy to move this product; therefore, the install process shouldn’t be an issue. I also like that the aluminum construction is corrosion-resistance, which will do wonders against environmental elements such as rust.

This construction also ensures that this product can comfortably carry up to 70 pounds making it perfect for my two bikes. I also like that the aluminum construction is corrosion-resistance, which will do wonders against environmental elements such as rust.

It helps that this Swagman RV ladder bike rack’s hook design makes the install process a breeze as well. These hooks allow you to secure the bikes without having them touching the ground, which you can imagine is fairly essential.

Plus, it makes removing the bikes and putting them back into the rack a simple process that doesn’t require much effort. As someone that doesn’t want to spend much time trying to figure out my bike rack, this quality is a welcomed addition.

I also like that it comes with rubber straps, which will provide more security and protection for my bikes. The dual-arm design is another safety measure Swagman took in ensuring your bikes stay away from obtaining any damage.

What to Look for When Buying an RV Bike Rack

When looking for the best RV bike rack, there are going to be some factors that’ll shape your decision. In other words, there are going to be some things that need considering before you end up understanding what’s the right RV bike rack for you.

And in this section, we’ll go over these things to ensure the overwhelming amount of options will start winding down toward a much more manageable number.

Price

As with most products, RV bike racks can come at all sorts of price points; therefore, you must make a budget reflecting the amount you’re okay with spending. For instance, if you’re looking for a cheap, simple solution to your bike rack problem, you probably should look at some ladder-mounted racks.

These products are often cheaper than their fellow types and can do wonders for a person with a lower budget. But if you aren’t a bargain buyer, you should opt to increase your budget and look for a more reliable bumper or hitch rack model.

And once you decide the parameters of your budget, your options will significantly lessen, which will make this whole buying experience a much simpler process. Honestly, establishing your budget should be one of the first things you do as a prospective RV bike rack buyer.

We should also mention that the most expensive RV bike rack doesn’t always mean it’s the best. So please, don’t extend your budget due to some unnecessary features a manufacturer shoves down your throat.

You should instead establish what you want out of your RV bike rack and find a model that fits all those requirements, which lands in your budget.

Quality

Maybe the most essential factor we discuss in this section is the bike rack’s quality. It’s a must that you evaluate the product’s performance before you put into your Amazon cart. You’re probably asking yourself how exactly do I do that as a potential customer?

Well, it’s quite simple. All you need to do is read the customer reviews made by your fellow consumers. I know, these kinds of things can be quite dull, but these resources are valuable pieces of information.

After all, these customer reviews will tell you a lot more than the product description. Manufacturers tend to make products sound better than their performance, which makes other customer’s experience a pivot source.

And these customer reviews are the only way to access these experiences unless you know someone else who bought the product you’re considering. So please, do yourself and use these crucial pieces of information to your advantage before making a final decision.

Number of Bikes

Each rack you’re considering will have a specific bike loading capacity. Most of the ones on the market can handle two bikes. But you might find yourself in need of more or less loading capacity depending on the number of bikes you intend on bringing.

Luckily, there are single bike racks and other models that offer more loading capacity capable of handling up to five bikes; therefore, it’s reasonable to say there’s a bike rack out that can handle the racking needs of whoever is looking for one (unless they need six or more).

But it’s essential we mention that as you start going up in loading capacity, the options begin to dwindle. As a result, you must be incredibly cautious of the bike racks you’re considering to ensure you don’t end up with a dud.

Bike Size

The sizes of the bikes themselves is another factor that should go into your final decision. You see some racks don’t come with an adjustable setting, which means bikes that aren’t adult size could be a hassle to secure properly.

With this in mind, I’d always recommend making sure the bike rack you get has an adjustable setting feature; it’ll protect you against any issues you might end up facing. After all, the last you want to be doing in a couple of months is searching for both a new bike and rack.

It’s also essential we mention that kid’s bikes will typically require adapter regardless of the bike rack having an adjustable feature or not. It’s something to keep in mind while you’re conducting your search.

We gather here the list of some most favorite tow dollies to make your decision to buy the best one. Besides, please look at our list of 8 most popular scooter racks if you plan to bring your scooter during long RV trips.

Other Important Factors to Consider

All the things we mentioned in the above section are essential pieces of your search and will factor heavily into your buying experience; however, it doesn’t cover all the things you must understand before making a final decision on a bike rack.

This section will guide through all the remaining information you need to know before you can make a responsible decision about buying a bike rack. In other words, it’ll make sure you have every detail necessary to find the right one for you.

What is a bike rack for RV?

An RV bike rack exists for a couple of reasons, but none bigger than saving storage space area. I mean, how many times have you found yourself trying to store something new and end up not having room because your bikes are in the way?

Well, the high quality RV bike rack would be there to solve this problem. But there are some things you need to understand about these products before picking one up. For instance, the RV bike rack you need will ultimately depend on your particular RV’s setup.

In other words, you’ll need to look for one that can fit your vehicle. You should also take note of your bike’s or bikes’ size as well as the number of bikes you plan on transporting. As you might expect, bike racks have different capacity loads.

Therefore, ensuring the one you get can handle your needs is an essential part of your search. In most cases, RV bike racks can carry one to three bikes. If you need more loading capacity, there are ones that can handle up to five bikes.

And you’ll also have to understand there are different rack types. Most of the time RV owners go with hitch mount racks; these racks are incredibly useful and tend to have install process that takes less than five minutes.

But there are reasons to explore the other two types (bumper and ladder racks) as well. These two options tend to be high-quality and durable; however,  the bumper racks installation process can get a little problematic, and the ladder racks are more a hassle to use.

In the end, it’s all about finding the right bike rack for your circumstances. And trust me; the perfect product is out there. You just have to think about what you want out of the bike rack you intend on purchasing.

What are the different types of RV bike racks?

RV bike racks come in all different shapes and sizes, which can invoke a little bit of frustrating into a potential customer. I mean, how are you supposed to know, which type suits your RV the best?

Well, this section will discuss those issues at length. We’ll also highlight the three primary types of bike racks (hitch-mounted, bumper-mounted, and ladder-mounted racks) to ensure you know the differences between each one. Once you understand these differences, the marketplace will be much manageable.

Hitch-mounted Racks

As mentioned previously, hitch-mounted racks tend to be the most common choice for RV owners. You see the best part about these racks is most RVs come with a hitch installed, which makes the install process for these racks incredibly easy.

It’s also essential you understand that these racks come in various bike loading capacity. In most cases, you’ll have a choice between a two, three, four-bike hitch-mounted rack. These racks come in two different styles as well: hanging and platform.

As a result, you’ll need to decide which style and loading capacity fit your preferences the best. We should mention these racks have a certain versatility about them because they tend to work rather well with other vehicles as well.

This obvious benefit is from their ability to fit any 2-inch hitch receiver; therefore, it’s effortless to dismount this rack from an RV onto a truck or any other vehicle with this type of receiver. With this in mind, you can imagine how many options a product like this one gives you.

Bumper-mounted Racks

Some RV owners opt to get a bumper-mounted rack as they eliminate any chance of your mounted bikes causing visibility issues when you’re driving. In other words, their bumper location won’t allow your bikes to block a portion of your windshield.

As someone who’s a somewhat cautious driver, you can imagine how much a bumper-mounted rack would appeal to me. But there are some issues with this type of product.  For one, these models only tend to work well with RVs that have steel construction and a wield, which encompasses the entire bumper.

You see a bumper like the one described would able to offer a strength capable of supporting the weight provided by the bikes. If you don’t have a bumper like this one, it could cause a severe issue and end up with you buying a new bike as well as a new rack.

If you do have the optimal bumper for a bumper-mounted rack, it’ll do the job efficiently. In most cases, these racks can carry 2 or more bikes depending on the model you buy. And they won’t require you using your trailer hitch or ladder, which is always a positive storage wise.

Ladder-mounted Racks

Our last type is a ladder-mounted rack, which is a rack that’s located on your RV’s back ladder. The bikes themselves will be secured vertically with their front tire facing the ground. However, since a ladder-mounted rack uses the ladder, it can become quite a hassle to use it for other means.

You’ll have to dismount the bikes every time you need the ladder for another purpose. These racks also are somewhat deficient in their loading capacity compared to the other twos types. At most, you can expect to carry two bikes, but they must be relatively light.

In the end, these types tend to the last resort for people that don’t have a hitch receiver or bumper. Otherwise, you’re best going with one of the other two types when trying to figure out, which RV bike rack is the best one for you.

Why do you need an RV bike rack? (Benefits)

Given their popularity in the RVing community, you shouldn’t be shocked to learn that having an RV bike rack benefits you in a multitude of ways. And within this section, we’ll go over a couple of reasons why getting one of these products is an excellent idea.

Storability

If you’re an RVer that loves biking, you know how problematic bringing your bikes on the trip can be regarding space inside your RV. After all, the storage space onboard an RV is often quite limited, and a bike rack can solve this issue.

You see a high-quality bike rack will be able to carry multiple bikes at once without them affecting your storage space. As a result, you won’t have to cram your bikes inside your RV and take up valuable room.

The extra room you now have can be available for things you pick up on your trips. It’s little things like this aspect that can make a bike rack such an essential purchase for an RVer.

Portability

Another problem with storing bikes on your RV is the difficulty removing them from the RV can provide. I mean, there’s no reason trying to take your bikes out of your RV should take more than a minute or two.

With a bike rack, this dream can become a reality as these products make storing and removing bikes a breeze. Of course, this aspect will ultimately depend on the bike rack you end up getting as certain types require a bit more effort.

For instance, a ladder-mounted rack can be a little bit challenging due to the height of their position. But even these models are much more efficient regarding portability than merely stuffing your bikes inside a cramped RV.

Will Make Sure Your Bikes Don’t Tangle

If you proceed on your trip without a rack, you run the risk of your bikes getting tangled together. Trust me; there’s nothing good that’ll come out of this scenario. In fact, it’s highly probable that the bikes will end up getting damaged, which is something nobody wants.

A bike rack will instead offer assurances against this occurring such as different positioning options and additional features. All of these things will make sure your bikes stay far enough away from each other that damage can’t occur.

But you must make sure the bikes are tightly secured, or this benefit will be rendered moot. I’d recommend using bike covers or some straps to ensure the bikes don’t sway back and forth during less than ideal road conditions.

Keeping Your Bikes in Good Condition

Bikes racks will also ensure your bikes stay in pristine condition. After all, bikes that are forced into a small storage space will be more prone to damage and scratches, which will ruin their overall quality.

This issue becomes more prevalent when you consider the bumpiness of a typical RV trip; therefore, it’s in your best interest to invest in the best RV bike carrier possible as it’ll secure your bikes without having them bumping into each other.

The bike carrier or rack will also ensure the bikes stay secure no matter the road conditions. Given this information, you can see why getting a high-quality bike rack is an essential piece of the RVing experience.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

As with any FAQ section, this part of the article will try to answer any remaining questions you have about these products. And hopefully, the answers we provide can end up pointing you toward the right bike rack for your needs.

What are good RV bike rack brands?

The manufacturers that we consider high-quality are the ones you see in our product review section. This brands continually offer their customers high-quality products at a fair price. But even within this select group, there are a couple of companies that stand out a bit more: Swagman and Lippert.

And below we’ll offer you some background information on both these companies to give you an idea of why these brands consistently outpace their competitors.

Swagman

This company’s place here shouldn’t be a shocker to anyone given the numerous times their products appear in our product review section. And their high-quality bike racks seem to come from their “relentless pursuit to redefine outdoor products to enhance your life on wheels, water and snow.”

Given their dedication to creating top-notch bikes racks, you can expect a buying experience unlike any other. In other words, Swagman cares about your satisfaction as a customer and is always looking to do better.

Lippert

Lippert has become a force within the RV bike rack marketplace for various reasons. The biggest one has to do with them putting their customer’s needs over everything else. And this comes from a commitment “to make lives better through developing meaningful relationships with [their] co-workers, customers and community.”

As a customer, this type of commitment is something I can quickly get behind and makes me feel confident in purchasing a bike rack from them. It’d be a nice change of pace given the other experiences I’ve had with RV related part companies.

All in all, either of these brands would provide you with everything you’re looking for in an RV bike manufacturer. Honestly, any of the companies we shared in our product review would do the same; however, these two go above and beyond to ensure their customer is happy with their purchase.

Do you need a special bike rack for an RV?

Yes, one needs a special bike rack for an RV. Specifically, it must be an RV approved bike rack, capable of withstanding physical forces impacting it when the motorhome is in motion.

A camper bike rack might look like any other bicycle carriage system in modern automobiles. However, it has the correct weight, shape, and size-specific to various RV types.

Moreover, these products have superior construction elements that eliminate shaking and porpoising (bouncing) during vehicle motion. The improved stability safeguards the bike’s integrity while preventing bike rack damage.

A bike rack for camper vans, fifth wheels, motorhomes, and travel trailers reduces the bouncing movements of bicycles.

How to install an RV bike rack?

The installation process of an RV bike rack will ultimately depend on the model you end up choosing.  Thankfully, these models will come with a manual that’ll walk you right through it step-by-step.

In most cases, the process ends up being incredibly easy and doesn’t take much effort on your part.  As an example, I’m going to guide you through the process of installing a bumper-mounted rack to give you a little idea of what this process might look like for you:

• Screw the adapter into the bumper that came with the model. If you don’t get an adapter with the rack you buy, you’ll have to purchase it separately.
• The adapter will rest on both the top and bottom of your bumper, which should be steel-welded. If it’s not this type of bumper, you could have a serious issue as most adapters are only suited for them.
• Put in the screws and nuts, which secure the bracket over the bumper. Make sure its tightly locked in or you could see some complications.
• The rest of the device will slide into place with a bolt to fasten it.

Doesn’t sound anything to crazy right? And don’t worry; the instructions for the hitch-mounted and ladder mounted bike racks will be almost the same level of difficulty. In fact, ladder-mounted products tend to be even simpler than a bumper-mounted one.

But if you do find yourself having trouble with installation, you can also try a couple of other resources other than the manual. After all, these manual’s can be quite dry and often overly convoluted, which can cause you all sorts of frustration.

I’d recommend either calling the customer service or looking on Youtube for a video of someone doing the install themselves. Both of these resources could provide you with the help that could make the entire install process a breeze.

Can I attach other things to my bike rack?

Yes, one can attach other things to an RV bike rack, provided they do not exceed the rack’s weight capacity. For example, a two-bike, 50-pound bike rack can only accommodate other objects with a maximum combined weight of 50 pounds. Exceeding this weight limit might damage the RV bike rack.

One of the most interesting RV bike rack ideas circulating in RV bike forums is using the bicycle rack for electric bikes. E-bikes weigh between 45 and 50 pounds, putting them within a two-bike RV rack’s upper weight limit. Although the bike rack can accommodate the electric bicycle, the weight might unduly stress the rack’s frame and joints.

Some RV owners like to tie less valuable camping items to the RV bike rack, such as tarps, tents, ropes, buckets, and other objects. While it is safe, it would be best to check the combined weight of all items and compare it with the RV bike rack’s rated capacity.

How to use bike rack on RV/ trailer/ motorhome?

How you use these bike racks will depend on the bike rack you end up getting. It’ll end up being a little different for each model. As a result, it’s essential you read the manual that comes with the bike rack you purchase.

But in general terms, a hitch-mounted rack will attach your bikes to your trailer’s hitch. This option will keep the bikes out your eyesight and allow to keep your focus on the road. These racks also make sure there’s less of a chance your bikes end up getting damaged.

The bumper-mounted racks will attach to your rear bumper and can handle at most four bikes. These racks will require a bit more work than the other two types to get them going and ready for use.

And the last type, the ladder-mounted rack, requires the least amount of work as it attaches right to your RV’s ladder. It’s essential you understand with these types that they’re only for lighter bikes and can carry at maximum two bikes unless recorded otherwise.

How to load bikes on an RV bike rack properly?

Loading bikes on an RV bike rack is a straightforward process that requires four easy steps.

1. Mount and secure the RV bike rack onto the RV by following the manufacturer’s instructions. It would be best to pick the correct RV bike rack if one wishes to install it over propane tanks since many travel trailers have these tanks in the RV’s rear section.
2. Lift the bike and position the frame into the RV bike rack’s rubber slots. One can orient the bicycle with the rear wheel pointing up when using a vertical bike rack for RV. People can also position the bike upright or leave it hanging from the rack extension arms.
3. Secure the bike by tightening the RV bike rack’s straps. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 for the other bikes.
4. One can add a heavy-duty cord to fasten the bike frames to the bike rack. It would also make sense to wrap a bicycle chain lock or a similar product to safeguard the bicycles against theft.

Where to buy an RV bike rack?

Like any product these days, the place to buy an RV bike rack is Amazon. Their marketplace will offer you both the best deals and selection, which no other online or retail store can provide. It’s no coincidence all the products in this article link to their Amazon page.

But if you don’t feel comfortable buying from Amazon, there are other reputable options you should consider as a consumer.  Camping World would be one of these options as they’ll have an assortment of high-quality RV bike racks to look through.

In fact, I’d recommend always checking this site before settling on an option from Amazon. In doing so, you’ll be able to see if Camping World is offering a better deal. It’s unlikely, but you never know when something like a sale might happen.

You could also try going out into the real world and visiting a place like Walmart, Lowes, or even a local RV part store. All of these places should have some products to look through and have the bonus of having on-site help that’ll answer any of your questions.

An out-the-box location that you might not think of is a local bike shop. This type of place should have a few options that’ll suit your needs and the people there will a unique understanding of the product at hand: although it’ll probably be the most expensive out the choices you have available to you.

In the end, you have various high-quality places to peruse through as a prospective RV bike rack buyer. It’s all about finding which one makes you the most comfortable and has the best product in their stock. And the place that typically fits this description is Amazon.

Conclusion

With all your new knowledge about RV bike racks, this entire process should be a relative breeze. All you need to do is take what you learned within this article and apply it toward your search.

Once you do, the whole process will become a lot less overwhelming, and the best RV bike rack for your circumstances should become rather apparent. And who knows, it might even end being one of the ten from our product review section.

In any case, ensure the product you end up buying fits all the requirements you’re looking for from a bike rack. After you do find this perfect product, your RVing life will become much more relaxed, and you’ll have a lot more storage space for the things you pick up on your travels!

If you have any more questions, please leave a comment below. We’d love to help you in any way we can.

William Turner

Hi, I am William Turner, a junior color consultant. My work is to create designs that make visual impacts as desired by clients. I am here to introduce you to the current color trends and combinations that create the right mood for your rooms.