The Ultimate Guide to Bike RV Trailer Racks: Choosing the Right Carrier for Your RV Adventures

After three years of rigorous testing, including an unforgettable journey to Alaska and back, we’re diving deep into the world of Bike Rv Trailer racks. Specifically, we’re revisiting our experience with the Swagman RV-Approved Bike Rack, a model that has consistently exceeded our expectations. This isn’t just a product review; it’s a comprehensive guide to understanding why choosing the right bike rack for your RV trailer is crucial, and what features truly matter for safety and peace of mind on the road.

Here I have attached the bikes to the bicycle rack but have not yet installed the covers on the bikes or finished installing the red electrical cable which is currently laying on the ground.

Many RVers underestimate the stress a bike rack endures when mounted on the back of a recreational vehicle. Unlike car bike racks, bike RV trailer racks are subjected to constant motion, vibrations, and dynamic loads far exceeding static weight. We’ve witnessed firsthand the horror stories of bike rack failures on the road, especially on challenging terrains like the Alaskan Highway. This is why upgrading to a robust, RV-approved bike rack became a top priority for us in 2021.

This article builds upon our original publication in Do It Yourself RV, offering an updated and expanded perspective based on years of real-world use. While you can find the original article here Do-It-Yourself-RV-Bike-Rack, this version provides deeper insights, more practical advice, and is tailored for those specifically searching for the best bike RV trailer solutions.

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We understand the importance of unique content in the online world, so while some information overlaps with our previous article, this piece is significantly enhanced with new experiences and a specific focus on helping you choose the ideal bike RV trailer rack.

As e-bike enthusiasts, we also frequently get questions about carrying these heavier bikes on RVs. Yes, our Swagman RV-approved bike rack successfully carried our e-bikes to Alaska! You can find more details about our e-bike setup and bike rack recommendations in our e-book, specifically in the bike rack section: Everything you need to know about a bike rack for your car.

E-bikes, How to choose the best electric bicycle!

It’s critical to understand that not every bike rack is created equal, especially for RV use. Many standard bike racks simply aren’t strong enough to withstand the unique stresses of being mounted on an RV trailer. Furthermore, some RVs, particularly those with weaker bumpers, are not suitable for any bike rack attachment.

The Strength of an RV-Approved Bike Rack: Why It Matters

To truly illustrate the robustness of the Swagman RV-Approved Bike Rack, consider this: I can stand on it. While this wasn’t a planned stress test, it vividly demonstrates the rack’s inherent strength.

I didn

My weight exceeds that of two e-bikes combined. However, the dynamic forces at play when an RV is in motion are far greater than static weight. A bike RV trailer rack doesn’t just hold weight; it endures constant vertical and horizontal movements, especially on uneven roads.

We’ve seen firsthand the devastating consequences of inadequate bike racks. A friend’s trip to Alaska was marred by a bent dual hitch, a component made of solid 2-inch steel, solely due to the stress from bikes and a non-RV-approved bike rack.

A bent dual hitch adapter after a trip to Alaska.

The bikes and rack were the only weight on this part of the hitch, yet the continuous stress led to significant bending. Imagine if this failure had happened at high speed – the bikes could have been dragged on the road or collided with the towed vehicle, resulting in thousands of dollars in damage.

Never underestimate the importance of a strong mounting point. Trailer bumpers are notoriously weak and are not designed to support the dynamic loads of a bike rack. Attaching a bike rack to a trailer bumper is a recipe for disaster.

Trailer bumper failure.

Construction and Design of the Swagman RV-Approved Bike Rack

The Swagman RV-Approved Bike Rack is built for resilience. Almost every component, except for the wheel straps, is constructed from heavy-duty steel.

Every part of the bike rack that you see in this picture is made of steel except the wheel straps.

While not a folding bike rack, its simple and robust design minimizes potential weak points. The only folding element is the upper support hooks, designed to fold down for easier bike loading. We appreciate this non-folding design for its inherent strength and reliability, crucial for long-term bike RV trailer use. To prevent water pooling, I’ve even drilled small drainage holes in the wheel trays – a testament to long-term usability considerations.

Integrating the Bike Rack with Our RV and Tow Vehicle Setup

Our typical travel configuration involves positioning our bikes on the bike RV trailer rack, nestled securely between the RV and our tow car. This placement offers protection and keeps the bikes relatively out of the way. We use bike covers for both travel and storage, though they could technically be transported uncovered.

This is what our bike rack looks like just before we attach the car to the Roadmaster tow arms. In this picture, the bikes are ready to go.

This “between-vehicles” strategy is a key aspect of our setup. However, initial installation wasn’t without its challenges.

Installation Journey: Overcoming Double Hitch Compatibility

My first attempt to install the Swagman RV-Approved Bike Rack wasn’t seamless. The issue wasn’t the rack itself, but rather a compatibility problem with our existing double hitch receiver.

This is a picture of our old bike rack that is made out of 1 1/4 steel tubing.

We use a double hitch receiver to allow for both the bike rack and our Roadmaster tow arms. The vertical distance between the upper and lower receivers on our old hitch was insufficient to accommodate both the bulkier Swagman rack and the tow arms in their stowed position.

In this picture, the Roadmaster Falcon All Terrain Tow Bar is in the stowed position. The result was I had to buy a new taller double hitch to go with my new bike rack.

The solution? Upgrading to a taller double hitch receiver. This seemingly simple change made all the difference, providing the necessary clearance for both components to function correctly.

Here is my finished configuration with my taller double hitch receiver. It made all the difference in the world in terms of success.

If you’re using a double hitch for your bike RV trailer setup, ensure you have adequate vertical clearance. For more details on our complete towing system, you can refer to this article: How to tow – what we tow .

Unboxing and Initial Impressions

The Swagman RV-Approved Bike Rack arrives partially disassembled, requiring minimal pre-assembly. The components are well-packaged and straightforward to put together.

After removing the Swagman RV-Approved Bike Rack from the box I had to do a little pre-assembly In this picture the parts are all laid out with the packing plastic removed.

We’ve also used this rack on our car, demonstrating its versatility beyond bike RV trailer applications. While the bikes do protrude slightly on a car, this is not an issue when mounted on the wider RV.

Our car with the bike rack installed carrying our bikes. Yes, the bikes stick out slightly on both sides of the car. This doesn

Enhanced Stability: The Self-Securing Connection

One significant improvement over our previous bike rack is the Swagman’s self-securing connection. Our old rack had a tendency to bounce and wobble within the hitch receiver, requiring a makeshift clamp with a steel plate and U-bolt for stabilization.

This plate and U bolt with these large nuts on the top prevent movement between the bike rack and the hitch receiver.

The Swagman RV-Approved Bike Rack eliminates this issue with its integrated Locking Anti-Rattle Threaded Hitch Pin. This precision-engineered pin creates a snug, movement-free connection, making the U-bolt clamp entirely unnecessary and simplifying transitions between RV and car mounting.

Loading and Security Features

Loading bikes onto the Swagman rack is straightforward, especially for lighter bikes. For our e-bikes, we remove the battery and seat to reduce weight before lifting. While we manage lifting, Swagman offers a ramp accessory for easier, roll-on loading, particularly beneficial for heavier e-bikes. Swagman Ramp

Swagman ramp

Security is also well-addressed with a built-in locking system. A cable lock integrated with the hitch pin secures both the bikes to the rack and the rack to the vehicle with a single lock. For added security, we use supplementary cable and chain locks.

Swagman cable lock with hitch pin

Weight Capacity Considerations

While robust, even RV-approved racks have weight limits. We tested the rack with a heavier Pedego cargo e-bike and found that due to its longer wheelbase and significant weight, only one such bike could be safely accommodated. For extremely heavy cargo e-bikes, exceeding the rack’s weight rating is a possibility.

Pedego cargo e-bike installed on the back of our car. I don

A Comprehensive Bike Rack Buying Guide for Your RV Trailer

Choosing the right bike RV trailer rack involves several key considerations:

Installation on Different RV Types:

Motorized RVs: Typically easier as they often have pre-existing 2-inch receivers for towing. A dual hitch receiver is often the primary adaptation needed.
Towable RVs: Can be more complex as frames may not extend sufficiently for easy receiver attachment.

Dynamic Stress – The Real Enemy: Repeated dynamic stress, not just static weight, is the primary cause of bike rack failures on RVs.

Avoid Trailer Bumpers: Absolutely never attach a bike rack to a trailer bumper. They are not designed for these loads.

Bike rack attached to a trailer bumper.

Trailer bumpers can hold a sewer hose and nothing else.

Suspension and RV Type:

Towable RVs: Often lack shock absorbers, increasing stress on bike racks.
Motorized RVs with Air-Ride Suspension: Offer a significantly smoother ride, reducing dynamic loads on the bike RV trailer rack.

Key Bike Rack Features to Look For:

RV-Approved Designation: Crucial for ensuring the rack is designed for RV stresses. Look for explicit “RV-Approved” labeling.

Swagman RV-approved bike rack

Stinger Length: Ensure the stinger (receiver bar) is long enough to prevent bike-RV contact, especially if using a dual hitch. However, avoid excessively long stingers as they increase leverage and stress.

Swagman Bike Rack Components

Stinger Strength: A robust stinger is paramount to handle dynamic loads.
Clearance for Tow Car (if applicable): Ensure sufficient height to avoid interference with a towed vehicle.
Ground Clearance: Adequate height to prevent dragging in dips and inclines.
Avoid Hinges: Non-folding racks are generally stronger.
Platform vs. Hanging Racks: Platform racks that support bikes by the wheels are superior, especially for e-bikes and step-through frames. Hanging racks sway more and are less suitable for heavy bikes.

Bikes hang on the top tube from this rack.

Non-Contact Bike Racks: These racks only contact tires, avoiding frame damage, especially important for carbon frames.

A non-contact bike rack design, showcasing the preferred method of securing bikes by the tires to prevent frame damage on RV trailer racks.

E-bike Rating: Choose a rack specifically rated for e-bikes, even if you don’t currently own them, for future-proofing and maximum robustness.
Loading Ramp: Consider a ramp for easier loading, especially for heavier bikes.

Loading a bike with a Swagman Bike ramp.

Conclusion: Invest in Peace of Mind with an RV-Approved Bike Rack

Even if you don’t own an RV, the robustness of Swagman RV-approved bike racks makes them a worthwhile investment for any cyclist seeking a reliable and durable carrier. The peace of mind knowing your bikes are securely transported, especially on long journeys or with an RV trailer, is invaluable. Don’t compromise on safety – choose an RV-approved bike RV trailer rack and enjoy your cycling adventures worry-free.

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