Bike rack for electric bikes

[OneReallyOldGuy]

I’m sure there’s a thread on here somewhere about bike racks but I can’t figure out how to search past threads effectively, so here goes.
I’m thinking about buying a pair of electric bikes to haul around with us. We are full timers so they will “live” on the rear of my trailer. The combined weight of the bikes and a heavy duty rack will be about 250#. Plus I’ll probably have to get a hitch extension to clear the ladder.
Will the factory hitch support that kind of dead weight hanging 2 feet behind the trailer and does anyone know what the lever and fulcrum effect of 250# back there will be on the ride of my rig?
2 bikes plus a rack is going to push $5K so I really want to know what I’m getting into here.
Thanks, Phil
2019 39DBRS3

[terry and jo]

I can't give you specific answers to your specific questions, but here is a "general" idea. When we ordered our 2010 Mobile Suites, we ordered the factory installed receiver hitch. It was rated at 300 pounds of tongue weight and I think 3000 pounds of tow weight. That said, I think your 250 pounds would be OK, although with the extra length of the "hitch," it might get kind of iffy.


Terry

[Notanlines]

Phil, we have all seen RV's going down the road with everything under the sun attached to the rear. In San Antonio years ago DW and I saw an old pickup with one of the HF luggage carrier mounted in his receiver. Laying on the carrier was a complete Ford V8 and C-6 transmission just like it was pulled from another truck,probably 600-700 pounds. It looked like it was ready to hit the pavement.
The items on these carriers take a terrific beating sometimes. I would be mighty wary about hauling that much weight that far back without support from above. Let us know what you do.

[OneReallyOldGuy]

Phil, we have all seen RV's going down the road with everything under the sun attached to the rear. In San Antonio years ago DW and I saw an old pickup with one of the HF luggage carrier mounted in his receiver. Laying on the carrier was a complete Ford V8 and C-6 transmission just like it was pulled from another truck,probably 600-700 pounds. It looked like it was ready to hit the pavement.
The items on these carriers take a terrific beating sometimes. I would be mighty wary about hauling that much weight that far back without support from above. Let us know what you do.

Thanks Jim. I surely don’t want to be that guy.

[porthole]

I have this rack. Solid, the receiver pin is a bolt so it it locks the rack to the receiver as well as tightening the rack to the receiver, so no bounce or rattle. we've watched the bikes on the rearview camera for over 10,000 miles and they they don't bounce or even move around.

They are rated for E-bikes up to 60 pounds and 3" tires. I'm waiting to hear back from Swagman if they have wheel pockets for 4" tires.

FYI, most standard bike covers will not fit this rack with two bikes. Swagman recently came out with a "large" version which is supposed to fit this particular rack but I haven't ordered it yet.

The front wheel grab locks but if we overnight on the road or have any extra concern I use a 15' Kryptonite cable and lock through the wheels and to the frame.

eTrailer had the best price when I ordered it. $378.00 including shipping, no tax (at the time).

https://www.swagman.net/product.htm?pid=828205&cat=40497

[OneReallyOldGuy]

That’s one of the carriers I’ve looked at and it looks rock solid. Good to get first hand knowledge that it does the job. Unfortunately like many things in the ‘Rona age it’s not available until spring. We’re stationary till March so maybe it’ll be available by then.
Thanks for the info Duane. I’ll probably pick your brain later about covers and locks, etc. if I pull the trigger. Now i think I’ll go shopping.
Phil

[porthole]

And I got the recommendation from a friend that had been using it for 2 years. And did the NJ to Washington state route twice a year, with a NJ to FL winter trip every year.

[MTK46]

Not sure what electric bikes your looking at but we bought 2 20" fat tire folding bikes for under $2k.

[OneReallyOldGuy]

Not sure what electric bikes your looking at but we bought 2 20" fat tire folding bikes for under $2k.

What brand and model are they? Where did you buy them?
Thanks,
Phil

[MTK46]

What brand and model are they? Where did you buy them?
Thanks,
Phil
We looked at a couple different brands. Because of ones being in stock we bought Ecotric 48v 20" folding fat tire bikes on eBay. 1512
One we keep under the front compartment the other is in the 5th wheel behind the island.
They weigh just about 52 lbs each. They fold nice and fit in a bin we got at Home Depot. We rode 150 miles this past summer. They get between 25- 45 miles per charge.

[OneReallyOldGuy]

I’ll check em out but I’m really looking for a full sized bike.
Thanks, Phil

[MTK46]

They have full size fat tire and none fat tire bikes also. The 20" bikes have adjustable seats and handle bars. They fit riders from 5' to about 6'6" up to 250 lbs.
We went with fat tire bikes so we could ride off road when needed.
Oh and we aren't youngster either. Wife just hit SS age, I'm the original baby boomer generation.

[OneReallyOldGuy]

Thanks again. I’ll definitely check em out. Never thought about dragging them up into the fifth wheel for travel.

[MTK46]

As they fit so nice in the bin wife lifts one side I lift the other. Once inside she lift front I lift rear and we put it at the rear of the island. Doesn't move around and it's as wide as the island so slides don't interfere. We remove the seat on the one in the front compartment. That way it clears the upper heater duct.

[MTK46]

These are electric pedal assist bikes. You can use them on straight electric or once you start to pedal you feel the electric kick in. You can also run them without any electric or pedal assist but you will know it. Pedal assist makes a big difference going uphill. You'll blow by any other person on a regular bike even the guys with the tight suits and the fancy helmets and the big bucks bikes.

[fjr vfr]

Check out blix and Rad power they both have many options and very good reviews.

[OneReallyOldGuy]

Thanks for all the help guys. I’ve learned I have a class III hitch with a 350# tongue weight rating and 3,000# towing capacity. 250# of bikes with a heavy duty rack will be fine.
I’ve found a place that rents 4 different models of Rad bikes about 2 hours away so I will be heading over there on the next nice day. That brand looks impressive for the cost. The Rover is a 75# beast. I don’t think a folding bike is for me. I want a big comfortable bike I can ride all day.
I hope the electronics hold up as the bikes will be stored outdoors at all times with only a cover between them and the elements.
Phil

[OCB]

Another option, but I don't know whether you might get into an over-length problem or your tow vehicle. Get a front receiver hitch and put one Bike in front and the other in back. More expensive but lots of options.
Originally I had a small RV with rear door thus I used the the front receiver. The bike was always available.

Clay

[OneReallyOldGuy]

Another option, but I don't know whether you might get into an over-length problem or your tow vehicle. Get a front receiver hitch and put one Bike in front and the other in back. More expensive but lots of options.
Originally I had a small RV with rear door thus I used the the front receiver. The bike was always available.

Clay

I’ve seen a few of those. I think I’ll be fine but it’s good to know I’ve got other options.
Thanks

[porthole]

I’ve seen a few of those. I think I’ll be fine but it’s good to know I’ve got other options.
Thanks


FYI with the Swagman rack.
The Escapee is rated for electric bikes and up to 3" tires.
I contacted them about tray availability for 4" tires and the answer was they were not rated for 4" fat tire bikes, so no to the wider trays.

[OneReallyOldGuy]

I finally found a bike rack rated to ride on my fifth wheel. The Kuat Transfer V2 two bike rack for a 2 inch class 3 hitch can be used on an RV. They claim it has been reengineered but I think they just realized the market they were missing and decided to rate it for RV’s.
It won’t fold up because the ladder is in the way but the bike fits without interference from the ladder or the rear of the coach. We’re taking a 300 mile journey on Saturday. Hope the bike is still there every time we stop.

[Bobplouhar0@gmail.com]

We have a 2004 36re will have to take to welding shop to fabricate a hitch for our yakihamma bike carrier to slide in for our e bikes

[MTK46]

Here's what one of our folding electric bikes looks like when carried in the RV.
1705
The other is carried in the underneath compartment.
It's also folded in a box

[Bobplouhar0@gmail.com]

Here's what one of our folding electric bikes looks like when carried in the RV.
1705
The other is carried in the underneath compartment.
It's also folded in a box our e bikes don’t fold that should work out good for you

[Deadbeat]

Try Northern tool. They have a rack for about $170 rated for 200# load