Bicycles

Thanks all for the super great comments. So now all I gotta do is a ton of research, find a bunch of money, and convince the DW (Dear Wife). Maybe the package can be a Christmas/anniversary combo?

Good Luck Garmin.  Let us know what she decides! LOL

When I looked for a bike rack i could not find one that was approved rear mounting on a tow car and RV.  They were approved for one or the other only. I only looked on trailer.com.  I find that kind of strange and suspect they just want to sell more bike racks.  Bike racks mounted behind a toad or RV seem to me to have to be design similarity. 

Anyone know of a bike rack the is approved for use behind an RV and toad?

Ron S

This one is rated for both but out of stock.

 https://hollywoodracks.com/products/rv-rider?variant=31819472437317

I have the Hollywood Sport Rider for E-bikes that I've used on the PC and Tracker toad for close to 15k miles with no problems, tho now I see it is not rated for use on trailers. I have a question in to Hollywood regarding this rating  right now. Never thought of there being an issue.

Just got this back from Hollywood:

info@hollywoodracks.com
Attachments
2:02 PM (1 hour ago)
to me

Hi Doug,

 

Travel trailers (including towed vehicles and fifth wheels*) have a slight side to side motion that's very low frequency (1 to 1-1/2 times per second) that fatigues the steel from which the racks are manufactured.  The fatigue first happens at a molecular level, but eventually (several thousands of cycles later) a visible crack will appear.  Once the crack has formed, it will enlarge, finally to the point where the rack drops off the vehicle and the rack (and bikes) impact the roadway. This is also a dangerous situation for whoever may be following the trailer on the highway.  We have seen 100+ incidents where the consumers/end user has not taken this advice and suffered disastrous results.  We've even had phone calls from consumers who said they read that advice (do not use on a trailer) and ignored it, only to discover a tragic end result.  So, please don't do it.

 

For Class A,B,C, towed vehicles and fifth wheels our RV Rider is the only rack that will work. It will not work for travel trailers.

 

The RV Rider (HR1700) is a heavy duty version of the Sport Rider for Electric bike rack (HR1500). The key differences are attached.

 

Thank you,

 

Jen / Hollywood Racks

Now I'm afraid to use mine...had no idea or warning...

PS just got clarification my rack is good for the RV miles, so I'm trying to find out if it is ruined after 6300 miles on the toad.

2 Lucky
Thanks for sharing.  Our Saris Freedom cannot be used on RV or Toad.  I have a backup heavy duty bike rack I will use on our PC.  I may look into building the Barry support for our bike rack so I can use it on PC and the car once at a destination.

I love this forum!!

Ron S

We carry two e-bikes (Pegasus Cross) on the back of the PC.  We use a Saris Freedom bike rack (rated to carry two e-bikes).  The bike rack was not rated to be used on the back of an RV and it also was not rated to be placed on the back of a towed vehicle.  However, it is the perfect bike rack for these two step through e-bikes because of the way that it holds the bikes down.  We could not use the ratcheting frame hooks that many bike racks have and since we also have fenders those that locked the front tire would not work.  Another requirement we had was for it to be 1 1/4 inch and 2 inch receiver.

We went to a local welding shop and they made us a carrier out of 2 inch x 3/16 inch steel tubing that will easily hold 1000 pounds.  When we want to put the bikes on the back of the PC we simple bolt the rack to the carrier and are good to go.  They are rock solid.  There is plenty of room to fully open the rear hatch with both bikes on the rack.

We can also use the bike rack on the back of the toad when we do not have the PC.  We just unscrew the two bolts and use the bike rack on its own.

Picture 1 - bike rack carrier
Picture 2 - bike rack attached to carrier with blue ox ready for travel
Picture 3 - PC carrying one of the e-bikes and towing the car

Thanks for taking the time to post this item.  We have the same Saris Freedom rack and may build a carrier like yours.
I am considering building one or getting one built.

Do you have any drawings or measurements on your carrier?  More pics at different angles would also help.  What welding shop did it?  How long ago? We are in the area and could request another carrier.

My email is sarz272000@yahoo.com.

Anything you can do would help!

Ron S.

Ron,

I will work on getting different pics and measurements.  We have a local welding shop within 5 miles of our house.  I first made a prototype out of wood and took it to them to get their thoughts.  I had to modify it once because my blue ox would interfere with it on steep grades.

It works great for our bikes and towing a chevy cavalier.  That is the one caution I have.  Depending on your tow vehicle, measurements could be different.  The chevy is a low profile front end so I do not get any interference on tight turns or steep grades.  I went to a parking lot and did tight turns while Sue was outside watching the clearance.

Barry

Thanks Barry.   You are right the measurements may vary with each toad.  If you could just take a side view of the carrier I think that would help.  If you have the measurements fine but don't spend a lot of time on it.  I like the wood model idea.  You never cease to amaze me with your ideas! 

We bought a 2021 Trailblazer for a toad.  However, the base plates are back ordered, there are no cross roof racks available yet and owners manual for recreational tow vehicle procedure is wrong.  Ugh.  May have to shop for a used toad instead!! 

Ron

Ron

PM on the way.

Barry

For a bike rack with "play" in the hitch, consider one of those "Quiet Hitch" type products to tighten it up.  There are a few different designs for removing "play" in the hitch.

Would I be wrong to assume that the hitch receiver can handle about 200 pounds? That being a swing away rack 60 pounds, and 2 ebikes at 70 lbs each. This should not be an issue should it?

Would I be wrong to assume that the hitch receiver can handle about 200 pounds? That being a swing away rack 60 pounds, and 2 ebikes at 70 lbs each. This should not be an issue should it?

No, should not be a problem.

If your hitch still has its original label it should show both towed load capacity which is probably 8,000lbs and also tongue weight capacity which is usually 10% of tow capacity so probably 800 lbs

It's the lower number (tongue weight capacity) that I am sure will be well over 200 lbs.

Your rack should be approved for use behind a motorhome.  Not too many are approved.  Your e-bikes at 70x2 may be too much weight for rack.  Hopefully your rack can handle weight and be motorhome certified.

Ron S

Yes I am checking on the compatibility issue now. The rack is made for RVs & SUVs and made for ebikes.
Thanks for the reminders.

I put a 350lb motorcycle and a 50+lb rack on my hitch with no issues.  I can't even tell it is back there.