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Old 03-23-2016, 02:53 PM   #1
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Hitch mounted bike rack?

Since our new 5th comes with a receiver hitch attached to the frame, we are considering getting a 4 place bike rack to throw back there. I've always read that the platform racks are much better than the ones that the bikes hang from. What racks have you used that you would recommend?

Mind you, I'm not talking about bumper mounted, but frame attached receiver hitch mounted.

Thanks for your help!
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Old 03-23-2016, 02:59 PM   #2
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I've had good luck with the Allen brand of hitch mounted bike racks. I bought one of their bike racks and it arrived damaged due to shipping. I didn't want to mess with returning it so emailed Allen, got an immediate response, and the replacement part in a few days. Nothing like good customer service to promote a brand! BTW, the rack worked very nicely and was easy to get the bikes on and off of. I always use extra velcro and strapping to secure the bikes and prevent paint wear.
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Old 03-23-2016, 03:18 PM   #3
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I borrowed my sisters nice suspended style bike rack to go to Florida last month. Only put 2 bikes on a 5 bike rack. Driving down on the interstate we had enough motion in the bike rack for my handlebar to move almost 16" and strike the back of my trailer multiple times, causing a couple dents in the aluminum siding. Later in the trip my in-laws were following us and said that the rack had a LOT of movement.

Because of my personal experience, I won't be using a suspended style rack anymore. Next time we will have either a dedicated platform style bike rack, or simply a platform utility rack.

The a minor amount of movement at the hitch is exacerbated by the long arm that suspends the bikes and allows for a LOT of movement, which will create a lot of inertia on the dropdown. A minor amount of movement on the platform style will have minimal movement throughout.
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Old 03-23-2016, 03:21 PM   #4
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Many of the hitch receiver racks specifically say they are not meant to be used on the back of a trailer or RV. Too much bouncing around. One brand I know folks have used and does not have this restriction is Swagman.

While we do not carry our bikes on the back of the trailer, we have had a Swagman rack for many years and it has held up well.

We have this 2 place rack.
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Old 03-23-2016, 04:24 PM   #5
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Definitely Swagman. Very easy to load and unload your bikes and comes with a cable to lock your bikes. This is Swagman I have.

http://www.amazon.com/Swagman-Bicycl...gman+bike+rack
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Old 03-23-2016, 04:40 PM   #6
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I use this one - 2-in-1 Cargo Carrier with 4-Bike Rack — 500Lb. Capacity | www.kotulas.com | Free Shipping
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Old 03-24-2016, 09:07 AM   #7
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I bought this one Robot Check

We have used it between our truck and camper several times, worked great. They made it in a 4 bike model last year, not sure now.
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Old 03-24-2016, 11:31 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cdash View Post
Since our new 5th comes with a receiver hitch attached to the frame, we are considering getting a 4 place bike rack to throw back there. I've always read that the platform racks are much better than the ones that the bikes hang from. What racks have you used that you would recommend?

Mind you, I'm not talking about bumper mounted, but frame attached receiver hitch mounted.

Thanks for your help!
This is the bike rack I use on the rear of my 5th wheel. Bike rack

I like this one because the pin actually threads into the rack so that there is no play in the rack and it doesn't bounce around hardly at all. I did have to put another bolt through the second part of the rack because that part did have some play.
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Old 03-24-2016, 12:35 PM   #9
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I have a tray style rack that requires the front wheel to be removed. Has worked well the couple trips we took last year after getting the optional Jayco cargo hitch.

I did buy one of the anti-rattle kits for it. Requires a 3/4" wrench to tighten/loosen it. But from what some friends say the rack itself doesn't move seperately, just "with the trailer". It is a steel plate with one end bent, held on with a u-bolt.

Good luck!
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Old 03-24-2016, 12:58 PM   #10
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Definitely Swagman. Very easy to load and unload your bikes and comes with a cable to lock your bikes. This is Swagman I have.

Robot Check
We have a Swagman XCT four place rack, not an RV approved rack. I bought it because a friend has one and really liked it on his HTT. Works nice, folds up nicely. Easy to load and unload, bikes are very secure.
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Old 03-24-2016, 01:24 PM   #11
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X2 on DocBrown - I did a LOT of research, and only came across two companies that had anything they would allow for RV use - Swagman, and 1UpUSA. And each only has a couple of versions. None of the majors (Thule, Hollywood, etc.) have racks for RV use. Every one specifically notes they are not to be used on trailers. As was noted, the exaggerated sway and bounce is just too much for most.
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Old 03-24-2016, 06:07 PM   #12
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I have a 4 bike swagman for RV use. So far, so good. It was a bit loose in the receiver in my opinion. I could see how some major movement could take place, so about 5 minutes with the Mig welder and Grinder and its its very snug now. The anti-rattle pin will also make the hitch tighter horizontally.

Id buy another one tomorrow if I needed one.
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Old 03-24-2016, 07:08 PM   #13
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We have a Swagman XCT four place rack, not an RV approved rack. I bought it because a friend has one and really liked it on his HTT. Works nice, folds up nicely. Easy to load and unload, bikes are very secure.
Do you or your friend use it on the camper?
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