Bringing your bike along on your RV travels can help save you money and provide health benefits. Imagine the possibilities of using your bike to run an errand, enjoying a leisurely ride in the country air, or using a bike path to enter into a city. The most challenging part can be finding a place to store and carry your bike safely while traveling. It’s important to know which is the right choice when considering an RV bike rack. With the popularity of eBikes (Electric bicycles) making their way into the RV community, transporting eBikes has now created a new challenge for RVers.
Things to consider when transporting
-Weight of the bike(s). Keep in mind that eBikes weigh significantly more.
-Mounting on the back of your RV or tow vehicle will have different effects due to the tail whip of your RV or Tow vehicle.
-Know your tow capacity. Some RV trailers and 5th wheels do not allow weights over 300lbs on their hitch. Keep in mind of total cargo carrying capacity of your RV.
-Lifting your eBike can be challenging.
-Bike racks are rated to carry the cumulative weight of bikes and the rack, so remember to find the total weight of both when shopping for a bike rack
RV bike rack
An RV bike rack is exclusive for an RV which is different from a standard motorized vehicle. Racks are made for RVs based on size and shape of the rig, added stability and shock absorption to keep bikes in place. One type of mount is a hitch mount, which is the most popular style. Rear hitches can create a tail whip effect due the the rear end of rigs being so far from the tires. Remember the days sitting in the back of a bus going over bumps? Imagine what your bikes go through in the rear end of your rig.
Standard bike rack
This is your everyday, run-of-the-mill bike rack that you have (most likely) seen all your life and throughout your travels. Excluding a small minority of Racks, these DO NOT include an accessory/feature that is designed to reduce the “shock” your bikes will experience behind your RV.
RV approved rack
If mounting bikes on a rack on the back of your RV, you want to make sure it is RV approved. An “RV-approved” bike rack is specifically designed to reduce the energy transferred from the road to the bikes on the back of the RV, which can be very different from other vehicles. RV-approved bike racks are designed with specific size, weight, and shape considerations, and have increased stability features to keep your bikes from bouncing and shaking. The vibrations and movement, if not stabilized, can damage the bikes and even break a traditional car bike rack. MoTow provides a Hitch Stabilizer with every eBike Carrier and has been independently tested for usage on RV’s.
Now that you know the difference you can shop more confidently and understand what you need for your specific setup.
Check out our selection of eBike Carriers and be sure to subscribe to the MoTow MoJo Blog to stay up to date with all news and special offers for subscribers!
MoTow, Your Freedom Awaits!
