Recommended Bike Rack for Fifth Wheel
Updated 02/06/2021 | Published 02/04/2021
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Question:
I have a 2 inch hitch on the back of my 5th wheel.. I wanted to put Yakima HoldUp Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 2 Hitches - Wheel Mount Item # Y02443....as I read the description it would seem to work, will this rack be fine, towards the bottom of description you have the 5th wheel sign blanked out...it seems this would work with the hitch. If not what other do you recommend.
asked by: Korey B
Expert Reply:
It takes a special kind of bike rack to be approved for mounting on a 5th wheel. The suspension on RVs, motorhomes, and 5th wheelers are different compared to a car. Also, there is more road stress, bounce, and sway on the back of these vehicles. Bike racks need to be designed to handle this road stress to be approved for 5th wheel applications, which the Yakima HoldUp # Y02443 unfortunately is not.
My favorite recommendation for RVs and fifth wheels is the Swagman E-Spec # S94FR. This is a platform-style bike rack with 70 lbs per bike weight capacity. It's a frame mount rack with ratcheting hooks to secure your bike by the frame. This is different from the wheel mount design of the Yakima HoldUp, so if you have alternate frame or step through bikes, you will need a frame adapter bar # S57FR.
It also has special hardware for when you mount it on your fifth wheeler compared to mounting it on a car. I made a review video of this bike rack on a 2020 Grand Design Reflection Fifth Wheel. The video is linked below if you want to check out that process.
