Platform Bike Rack Recommendation for Rear of Motorhome

Updated 05/04/2017 | Published 05/03/2017

Products Featured in This Question

Curt Dual Hitch Extender for 2" Trailer Hitches - 8" Extension

(120)

$98.09

Question:

I am interested in installing a bike rack on the back of my 40 ft long diesel pusher motor home that has a hinged engine compartment door in the back above the 2inch hitch receiver. The hitch receiver is used for a car towing bar. I would install a custom made dual hitch extender so the tow bar would go into the lower receiver and the bike rack into the upper. I am curious why you do not recommend certain platform style bike racks for RVs. For instance, the Swagman Semi 4.0 is recommended for RVs and the Kuat Sherpa 2.0 is not. I have an air suspension on my RV so why are some racks not recommended? It seems like the build quality of the Kuat is superior to the Swagman.

asked by: Keith K

Expert Reply:

At the rear of a trailer or RV the ride quality is very rough when compared to the ride quality at the rear of a passenger vehicle. Reason being the suspension isn't as sophisticated and there is a longer distance between the rear axle and the rear of the trailer which exaggerates the movement of the trailer when hitting bumps. Because of that only a few bike racks were designed to be reinforced enough for that type of use.

The Kuat bike racks are great bike racks that are high quality, but they just aren't reinforced quite enough for the RV hitch application. The Swagman Semi 4.0 part # S64698 would be the closest rack that would work great for you.

For a dual hitch adapter we have the part # D-192 which has a lower ball mount for your tow bar and then the upper opening for the bike rack.

expert reply by: Jameson C