Is Thule EasyFold XT 2 Electric Bike Rack the Best Option for Back of Motorhome  

Question:

Helpful Expert Reply:

The Thule EasyFold XT 2 Electric Bike Platform Rack # TH903202 is absolutely going to be the best option to carry your two e-bikes on the back of your 2018 Tiffin Allegro 34PA, and it can also be used with your Cherokee, but NOT when the Cherokee is being flat towed.

The EasyFold XT has a weight capacity of 65 lbs per bike which will accommodate your needs, and the fenders will not be an issue because the EasyFold uses ratcheting straps to secure the wheels and has independent arms that can be repositioned to secure your bikes anywhere across the downtubes or uptubes.

There is also 9 inches of space between where your two bikes mount so there should not be a problem in terms of your bikes touching when on the rack. Additionally, Thule uses what is called Road Dampening Technology (RDT) on the pads of the clamps that significantly reduces the vibration your bikes will encounter on the rack because it absorbs the movement.

Additonally, the EasyFold XT has a bunch of what I like to call "quality-of-life" features which make it stand out, including an anti-rattle hitch pin that tightens with the turn of a knob, a foot lever you can press in order to tilt the rack (even with the bikes loaded), locks to secure the rack to your hitch and bikes to the rack, a fold-up ramp so you can easily mount your heavy bikes, and a folding design with both a handle and wheels to make it the most easily maneuverable bike rack on the market.

expert reply by: Kyle S

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Frans

5/26/2018

Thank you for your answer. Please tell me why the carrier cant be used on the back of the Cherokee when it is flat towed? This will happen most of the time. If not possible what would be another solution?

Kyle S.

5/26/2018

Due to the amount of play (rattle) that the rear of a towed vehicle or trailer encounters, bike racks need to be rated for use on trailers, flat towed vehicles and even motorhomes, which is something the bike rack manufacturers specifically test their racks for. The EasyFold XT 2 # TH903202 is rated for use on the back of a motorhome but is not rated for use behind a trailer or towed vehicle. That said, there is a way for you to still use the EasyFold XT 2 # TH903202, and that would be with a dual hitch adapter from Roadmaster, which has two receivers and is designed so you can flat tow your vehicle and carry an accessory like a bike rack. We carry two of these, the Roadmaster Dual Hitch Receiver Adapter # RM-077-8, which has an 8" drop or rise, or Adapter # RM-077-6, which has a 6" drop or rise.

Frans

5/29/2018

Thank you again. So if I understand it the bike rack will be attached to the RV just in front of the Jeep. That does not sound convenient to me because if we want to detach the vehicle from the RV I can not put my tow bar in the right position because the bikes are in the way. Why can the rack be positioned behind the Jeep when not towed and is it not possible/allowed when the Jeep is towed? If this rack is not working behind a towed vehicle what other solution/rack would you advise?

Kyle S.

5/29/2018

The Roadmaster Dual Hitch Receiver Adapters # RM-077-8, # RM-077-6 or # RM-077-2 are designed to be used to carry an accessory such as a bike rack while flat towing and will not be in the way in terms of positioning your tow bar, it simply gives you an extra receiver. The EasyFold XT 2 Electric Bike Platform Rack # TH903202 is not rated for use behind a trailer or towed vehicle because there would be too much bounce and rattle compared to when put on just a vehicle. There is only one bike rack rated for bikes that weigh up to 60 lbs and rated for use behind a trailer or towed vehicle, but it is a wheel-mounted rack, the Swagman Escapee # S64693, and wouldn't work for your e-bikes with fenders. So the only solution to carry your e-bikes on a rack like the EasyFold XT 2 Electric Bike Platform Rack # TH903202 would be to use the Roadmaster Dual Hitch Receiver Adapter # RM-077-8, # RM-077-6, or # RM-077-2.

Barry B.

6/7/2020

I need a sturdy bike rack to carry 2 RadCity ebikes (65 lbs each). Because of the fenders and rear carrier, the rack needs to be a frame mount, I also need to be able to switch the rack between my car and my RV. I prefer a 2" tongue because that's more sturdy than 1 1/4" with an adapter, in my opinion, because that arrangement tends to twist and allow bikes to wobble. I don't need a tilt feature. What do you recommend?

Chris R.

6/10/2020

The sturdiest option available is the Hollywood Racks Sport Rider # HLY84FR, which can handle two bikes of up to 80 pounds each and features a dedicated 2" shank. If your RadCity bikes have that step-thru frame, you can just add a couple of adapter bars like # UB01 to create the needed horizontal mounting point.

Bruce S.

4/9/2021

Problem with most racks that can support very heavy e-bikes is that the user needs to lift the bike 2 plus feet off the ground and set it down on the rack and this includes the rear section. Yakima and Thule provide e-bike racks that have an integrated ramp so the user can wheel their heavy bikes up onto the rack.