Class c front ebike rack

[Steve Connelly]

We have a Jayco Greyhawk and are thinking of getting 2 electric bikes. I would like to mount a bike rack on the front of RV. We tow a car so looking for another option to carry the bikes on the front. Anyone have any suggestions. May be a crazy idea. Thanks.

[MerlinW]

We also have a Greyhawk and will be towing a Ford Escape using a tow dolly on longer trips. We are looking at getting a pair of folding e-bikes, and plan on toting them in the back of the escape.

[JFlightRisk]

I saw an interesting set up last week at the park we stayed at. A big Class A had a full-size motorcycle on a rear carrier that raised up, and he towed a Jeep Wrangler too. I didn't get a close look at the bike lift, but it might have been electric. It looked expensive.

[ogione1]

I have a 2017 Greyhawk and bought ebikes. Also have a small Nissan Micra as a tow car. I am looking at buying a "Roadmaster dual hitch." Upper hitch for the bikes and the lower hitch for the blue ox to tow the car. If anyone has used this method please let us know how it works. Thanks!

[Scoutmaster253]

Our 31FS is on a Ford 450 chassis, and several companies make a front mounted receiver. The ebike rack then goes on the front of the RV while we have our toad on the back. Putting the weight of the ebikes on the front helps the front to back balance, too.

https://www.etrailer.com/p-65053.htm...rd&hhmodel=Van

[DrSmart]

Originally Posted by Steve Connelly

We have a Jayco Greyhawk and are thinking of getting 2 electric bikes. I would like to mount a bike rack on the front of RV. We tow a car so looking for another option to carry the bikes on the front. Anyone have any suggestions. May be a crazy idea. Thanks.

Hi Steve. Part of the solution will depend on how heavy the e-bikes are and tire size. We just got our Hollywood Racks RV Rider (HR1700). It's rated for 2 80lb e-bikes and up to 5" tires. A class 3 hitch is required. If you're going lighter you have more options.

[Steve Connelly]

Originally Posted by DrSmart

Hi Steve. Part of the solution will depend on how heavy the e-bikes are and tire size. We just got our Hollywood Racks RV Rider (HR1700). It's rated for 2 80lb e-bikes and up to 5" tires. A class 3 hitch is required. If you're going lighter you have more options.

Thank you.

[Steve Connelly]

Thank you!

[Steve Connelly]

Thank you.

[JimD]

I installed a front receiver hitch on my 2017 Greyhawk because I might need to be towed out of the sand where we would often camp (had to 1 time). At the time the manufacturer didn't list it as fitting the E450 chassis but my brother had installed it on his unit and it went in without a hitch (pun intended).

It bolted right up with no problems. I did have to trim the plastic air dam a bit but that was no big deal. I mounted my front license plate on some 2" square tubing that slid right in and it completely hides the receiver.

[bucko]

I'd be reluctant to place anything in the front that might block a significant amount of air flow to the radiator, oil cooler, and power steering oil cooler (if equipped). The hitch mentioned by JimD is a great idea (I've seen this done to push a boat/trailer down a boat launch).

But mounting a bike rack into it with bikes might block air flow on a long trip at speed.

Perhaps someone who has done this though will chime in and say it did not cause any engine temp issues.

[cpd1343]

When I looked into to this idea several years ago, I found that some states do not allow anything in front for fear it will obstruct your view. I would check with the states that your are planning on driving through.

[jyh818]

Originally Posted by bucko

I'd be reluctant to place anything in the front that might block a significant amount of air flow to the radiator, oil cooler, and power steering oil cooler (if equipped). The hitch mentioned by JimD is a great idea (I've seen this done to push a boat/trailer down a boat launch).

But mounting a bike rack into it with bikes might block air flow on a long trip at speed.

Perhaps someone who has done this though will chime in and say it did not cause any engine temp issues.

I've installed a front hitch receiver on my Ford Excursion with the V10 carrying 2 bikes while towing a 26' TT. I had no issues with overheating. I don't think it blocks air flow all that much.

[don_kleinschnitz]

I added a front receiver and I mount my bike there with no problem.

The weight of your bike matters and I take off the battery.

https://kit.co/donkjr/rv-upgrade-mai...hitch-for-jayc

[JaytheDJ]

I like this idea for short trips to the campground, but what about long excursions? I'd be concerned with having the bike(s) exposed to the elements so I'm thinking a cover would be in order. But then I think covered bikes in the front would limit airflow.

Thoughts?

[DocBrown]

Keep in mind that most ebikes have thicker, heavy duty frames and will block more air than a conventional pedal bike. Will it be enough to cause issues? You might find out.

What kind of car? Can you mount a 2" receiver on the car? Any of the bike racks that can handle the weight of 2 ebikes require a 2" receiver.

We have a Hollywood Racks Destination E. But we're using it with an aftermarket hitch on our 2019 GMC Terrain Denali. Just got back from a week trip, this rack is excellent.

https://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Bike-...s/HLY66ZR.html

Originally Posted by JaytheDJ

I like this idea for short trips to the campground, but what about long excursions? I'd be concerned with having the bike(s) exposed to the elements so I'm thinking a cover would be in order. But then I think covered bikes in the front would limit airflow.

Thoughts?

Yeah, covering them will just make a sail. As far as the elements, I wrap the controllers in cling wrap and tape that down. The motors are generally pretty waterproof, but I bought a "diaper" for my wife's Giant Lafree. It won't fit on my Trek though so I just leave it exposed. I wrap her battery cage also with cling wrap, and have a custom plug for the Bosch battery for my bike. We just drive 3 hours in pouring rain and everything that needed to stay dry did.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[dvspl]

Originally Posted by Steve Connelly

We have a Jayco Greyhawk and are thinking of getting 2 electric bikes. I would like to mount a bike rack on the front of RV. We tow a car so looking for another option to carry the bikes on the front. Anyone have any suggestions. May be a crazy idea. Thanks.

There are multiple solutions to this problem, several have already been suggested. We use a Gen-Y drop hitch to give us multiple hitch connection points. Then we put a Thule XTR Pro 2 bike rack in the top connection and our tow bar in the bottom connection. The Thule is rated for RV use and up to 60 pounds per bike so it works for our bikes (52 pounds without the battery). We also cover the bikes with this Team Obsidian XL heavy duty transportation carrier: https://www.amazon.com/TeamObsidian-...dp/B09PBXP7VZ/

Works well for us, but as I said, this is only one possible solution.