A few years ago when I bought my first RV bike rack, I went into it a bit recklessly.
I have to admit I was naive in thinking that a bike rack is a bike rack, it holds your bicycles securely to the back of your vehicle. Right? Well, no…
When it arrived, and I realized that the one I’d ordered was about as useful to me as an elastic band, I knew I needed to do a bit of research so I wouldn’t make the same mistake again.
That’s why I have created this shortlist of the best bike rack for RV use. And written an informative buyers guide to help you select the best one to fit your needs.
Our Picks: Best Bike Rack For RV
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*Our Top Pick*
Swagman Traveler XC2-RV 2
- RV approved
- Bumper attachment
- Will fit 1 or 2 bikes
*Best Money Can Buy*
Kuat Racks NV 2.0 Bike Rack
- Superior build quality
- Great safety features
- Easy to fit & assemble
*Budget Option*
Swagman 2-Bike RV Bumper Rack
- Simple design
- Great value
- Will fit any bike
Picking The Right RV Bike Rack
There are various designs and features on the market when it comes to bike racks for RVs and cars. You need to do some due diligence to get the right product for your needs. To be sure you get the right bike rack for your camper, you need to ask yourself the following questions…
How many bikes do you have to carry?
For your information, the minimum capacity of the average bike rack available on the market these days is usually two. You can find single bike racks, but two is always a better option. If you travel with family, a larger four bike rack is the ideal choice. Racks with capacities beyond four are also available, but not very common. Fixing on a number from the start will help narrow down your choices quite a bit.
Do you have similar size bikes, or are they different styles and sizes?
This can be an important consideration, as not all racks have adjustable settings. Adult sized bikes are compatible by default, but some sizes or designs may cause issues. Lady bikes and kids bikes will often need adapters for secure mounting on most racks.
Difficulty loading/unloading bikes?
Not all folks are created alike, and not all RV bike racks are made to fit people of all ages or sizes. Some models may be unsuitable for seniors. Others may be more suitable for tall people. Ladder racks, about which we will talk in detail in the coming sections, are notoriously difficult for people under five feet to handle easily. The alternative is a bumper rack. But there is a trade-off here: a bumper RV bike rack may provide less security than ladder bike rack.
How often do you plan to use your bikes?
This is related to the question above. If the racks are difficult to reach, they may not be suitable for bikes that are intended for daily use. But if you plan to use your bikes sparingly during the trip, you might want to prioritize security over easy access. Ladders and roof mounts are ideal for this, while bumper and hitch receiver mounts are best for easy access.
Do you want a wheel mount or frame mount rack for your bikes?
Different types of racks connect to your bike in different ways. A ladder rack uses the bike wheels to connect. Hitch receiver mount racks often allow you to pick either wheel mount or frame mount. If you have a preference in this matter, check individual rack models to ensure that they support the same before buying.
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What are the mount options you have on your RV?
There are two main RV bike rack types: front mounted and rear mounted. If you have fifth wheel kingpin or a motorhome with an A-frame, the front mount option might work. For the rear section of an RV bicycle rack options include hitch receiver mounted, ladder mounted, bumper mounted, and spare tire mounted. I will speak in detail about these in the next couple of sections.
Front Mount Racks
A-frame mounts are also commonly called trailer tongue mounts. They are not very popular due to a few common complications. These usually have to sit high above the propane tank in that part of the trailer. So you have to be extra careful about their installation. And mounting and removing the bikes is also harder. They can usually hold two bikes.
Ladder Mount Racks
These are inexpensive options for mounting a couple of lighter bikes. Since they too sit rather high above the ground, accessing the bikes on a ladder rack may be a challenge for shorter individuals and seniors. Of course, your RV should have a ladder that is capable of handling all that extra weight as well!
Bumper Mount Racks
These racks often involve quite a bit of prepping on your motorhome. You will probably need to install a bolt-on receiver (or a bumper receiver) to your rear bumper to be able to use one of these. And if you bumper cannot handle heavy loads, you might have to reinforce them with extra welding. Some bumper racks can handle up to four bikes.
Hitch Mount Racks
These are by far the most popular option. They sit parallel to the travel trailer, and there is less chance of any damage or scratches to the trailer body. These racks can carry up to 5 bikes. It is comparatively easier to access the bikes on these racks. These are a great option as long as you have a compatible receiver on your RV.
Do note that a lot of bike racks made for cars also use a this style of mounting. This does not automatically mean that any hitch receiver rack can be used on a trailer or RV. The suspension setup and rear axle configuration on trailers are much different from cars. The result is a much bumpier ride that many car-based racks cannot safely handle.
So always check with the manufacturer before buying a rack that is not made specifically for RVs, trailers, or fifth wheel motorhome. Although it might fit, that does not make it suitable.
Other Mount Options
If your trailer has a spare tire at the back, you can use a very cheap tire mount rack for holding up to two bikes max. There are some issues with such racks. They may require additional support to handle the extra weight. These racks might block your brake lights as well. If all else fails, a roof mounted rack is always a viable option. They require professional installation. Also watch out for vehicle height and weight limits, as these racks tend to change those figures significantly.
RV Bike Rack Reviews
1. Swagman Traveler XC2-RV 2 Bike Carrier with Bumper Adaptor
Swagman is one of the leading names in the business of making RV bike racks. What makes the XC2-RV 2 such a good choice is the fact that it has been rated specifically for a motorhome. That means that you can use these carriers with total confidence. Many other models will have their warranty voided if you hitch them to an RV. These, on the other hand, will work perfectly on a Motorhome, or 5th wheel.
Versatility is what truly sets this Swagman carrier apart for me. While most other racks make do with one mount system, the Swagman Traveler offers two. On the one hand, you get the default 2-inch hitch receiver. And on the other, a bumper hitch as well. The latter is immensely useful if your RV has a larger 4-inch hitch. As long your bumper is strong enough (4.5” continuous steel), you can attach this bike rack on to your RV.
Another feature I like about these racks are the adjustable hooks on board. They are very useful for mounting your bikes by their frames. This ensures that the rack can handle bikes of different sizes. With the ability to carry two bikes, this rack feels like a great choice for solo travelers and couples.
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2. Stromberg Carlson (CC-275) Bike Bunk for Cargo Tray
The Stromberg Carlson is the unicorn in the pack. It is a front mount rack receiver for those happy campers who want to foist their bikes onto this section of the trailer. If you have an A-frame trailer, this is probably one of the best trailer tongue mount adaptors in the business.
Take special note though. This is not an actual RV bike rack. This is an adaptor that you can use to attach any standard hitch receiver rack in the front portion of the trailer. Now you might wonder why an adapter is doing in this review of the best bike rack for RV.
The reason is pretty simple. There are dozens of popular hitch receiver bike racks out there. But good quality models that have been rated and certified for use with RVs and motorhomes are much harder to come by. This nifty adaptor allows you to circumvent that. Using this bike bunk tray, you can attach pretty much any 2-inch hitch mount bike rack.
There are several advantages to this particular position. The front portion of the motorhome has a smoother ride than the rear, due to the favorable position of the axle and suspension. Most car hitch mount bike carrier are not rated for RV use because of the bumpy ride quality. The Stromberg Carlson circumvents this limitation and makes more bike racks compatible with your motorhome or 5th wheel.
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3. Yakima RoadTrip Bike Carrier
Yakima does have some better reviewed and rated models elsewhere, but those do not have RV certification. But the RoadTrip series, on the other hand, has been specially designed and developed for RVs and motorhomes. I cannot stress enough the importance of using only bike racks that have been tested and rated by manufacturers for RVs. And this Yakima model fulfills that requirement and deserves a spot on my list.
As for the specifications, you get a bike carrier that is compatible with most standard 2-inch hitch receivers. Once nice feature is the availability of a hitch lock to secure the entire rack to your vehicle. This can be helpful in thwarting any attempts to steal your bikes along with the rack. But do note that this is only an optional accessory that you have to buy separately. Still, I feel that security is a significant aspect that many bike rack manufacturers d not seem to take very seriously. So full marks for Yakima on that front.
The cradles on this rack have several enhanced features like an anti-sway design, and zip strip cradles. The result is a rack that prevents damage to bike frames and enables swift loading and unloading. As it is capable of holding up to four bikes, the RoadTrip rack is best suited for families or groups of friends.
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4. Swagman RV Ladder Rack
Swagman could easily have all the products on this list. They make great and popular products. But to keep things on an even keel, I have picked some of their best offerings, from different niches in the RV bike rack market. If the earlier one had a hitch and optional bumper mounts, this one comes with a simple ladder mount. This is an excellent choice for a motorhome since most of them have decent ladders by default.
A highly simplified hook design is probably the highlight of these racks. I find them incredibly easy to work with. The installation and removal process is an absolute breeze on these racks as a result. For the safety and security of your bikes, this rack comes with rubber straps. They can securely anchor your bikes in place. That, combined with a dual-arm design, ensures that your bikes are kept out of harm’s way.
The build quality is also top notch on these Swagman racks. Aluminum is the metal of choice here. That has allowed them to keep the weight to a minimum. Aluminum is also highly corrosion resistant, which is a handy feature to have on a product that is bound to catch a lot of rain and sunshine, among other things.
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5. Swagman 2-Bike RV Bumper Bike Rack
Often, the most straightforward option to stow a couple of bikes is to use a couple of long bolts on your bumper to install a bumper hitch bike rack. The Swagman RV motorhome bumper bike rack is a very sturdy piece of equipment, with a corrosion resistant powder coated finish. For a very affordable asking price, you get a very durable and practical piece of equipment.
The package itself is very comprehensive. It comes with a rack and steel u-bolts. So the entire installation process can be handled without any major hiccups. As long as you have solid 4-4.5” square bumpers, these racks should work well.
Versatility is one of the major strengths of this bike rack from Swagman. Most racks struggle to accommodate a lot of different bike models. And the Swagman does a better job than most of the other bike racks out there. It is by no means perfect, but it can support a lot of different frames, wheels, and sizes.
The bike carrier supports keep the bikes securely in place on the bumper. I noticed very few rattles, if any, during rides. There are tire slots that firmly hold the wheels of the bikes. This, I feel, does a better job than the usual hook designs out there. But you might still have to use a couple of bungee ropes just to be extra safe!
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6. Swagman RV Spare Tire Attached Deluxe Rack
Swagman is a popular producer of bike racks for both autos and RVs. The Swagman team is constantly innovating and updating their products, to meet the needs of modern outdoor enthusiasts and RVs. You can trust a Swagman bike rack to protect your bike, and get your ride safely to the great outdoors. If your travel trailer does not have a hitch receiver for the usual type of hitch mounted bike rack, the Swagman RV Around The Spare bike rack is the perfect solution for active campers and mountain bike enthusiasts. Also, if your vehicle does not have a ladder for a ladder bike rack, this will work well. It’s very stable, and it fits around the spare tire with plenty of space and no rubbing. If you need to get to the spare tire, you do not need to remove the entire rack; just remove the bikes, and take out the two pins securing the arms to release them. It’s solidly constructed, and the cradles are designed to prevent contact between two bikes.
- Super easy to fit and install
- Easy access to the spare tire
- Corrosion resistant powder coating
- The receiving tubes tend to collect water
7. Camco RV Ladder Mount Rack
Camco is a leading name in RV accessories, and Camco products are widely available at many RV supply locations. The Camco RV ladder bike rack will easily install on your RV ladder, with minimal tools. All the hardware you need is included in the kit, as well as easy to understand instructions. The cradles are form fitted, and expertly made to secure and lock the the bikes safely and easily. The bike rack’s unique locking pins will further keep the bikes firmly and safely in place. To top it off, Camco includes straps in the kit to further secure the bikes.
This Camco RV bike rack can carry up to two bikes, with a weight limit of 60 lbs. Best of all, the Camco RV bike rack folds flat and small for easy storage. Overall, the Camco RV ladder bike rack looks like a good value for the money, easy to install, and from a company well established in the RV community.
- Compact, and easy to fit
- Folds flat for easy storage
- Extra secure straps included
- May not be the most sturdy
- May need to use straps for security
8. Kuat Racks NV 2.0 Bike Rack
This bike rack comes with some serious advantages.
The initial assembly of the rack is a breeze. The rack comes with simple instructions and is easily assembled in just a few minutes. If you need additional assistance, you can also find assembly videos on YouTube.
This rack also supports bikes that weigh up to 60 pounds. Many other utility racks can only hold 50 pounds or less so the Kuat Racks NV Bike Rack 2.0 is a step above the competition when it comes to weight capacity.
This rack also has beefed up security measures to keep your bike locked up safely. The rack comes with two integrated locking cables to keep your bike safe. You will also receive three copies of the key that you need to unlock these cables, just in case you misplace one or lose one on the trail.
The Kuat Racks NV Bike Rack 2.0 attaches to your vehicle’s hitch. This makes the loading and unloading process a breeze. After a long day on the trails, place your bike in back in the cradles and reattach the ratcheted straps. And voila! You’re ready to head home.
For some customers, there may be one minor drawback to the Kuat Racks NV Bike rack 2.0.
For some people, a hitch-mounted bike rack isn’t the best option. This is especially true if you are storing gear in your trunk or your hatch. To access these storage spots from the outside of your vehicle, you would need to remove the bike rack. This isn’t necessarily time-consuming or difficult, but it may add another extra step to your day.
Conclusion
Hopefully the information here has helped you choose the best bike rack for your RV. The shortlist of products presented here are just recommendations based on my knowledge and experience.
Based on your RV design and requirements, you may have to look at other brands and models. But in my opinion, Swagman products are the best out there for motorhomes at the moment. And the Traveler XC2-RV 2 Bike Carrier gets my vote as the pick of the lot. Always remember one thing though: when a manufacturer says that a particular model is not rated for use on a motorhome, please heed that warning. Using a bike rack not rated for a motorhome could potentially cause a serious accident.
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Last update on 2024-04-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API