Bike Rack to be used During Flat Tow and Why Does the Bike Rack Need to be Flat Tow Approved

Published 11/11/2021

Products Featured in This Question

Swagman Trailhead RV Bike Rack for 4 Bikes - 2" Hitches

(560)

$237.92

Yakima HoldUp Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 2" Hitches - Wheel Mount

(359)

$478.44

Question:

What constitutes an RV approved bike rack? If the rack on is a flat towed car, does it need to be RV approved? Thx

asked by: Becky

Helpful Expert Reply:

Bike racks are tested under certain conditions to be approved for use on a vehicle, RV/Motorhome or flat tow. A bike rack being approved for a RV/Motorhome doesn't necessarily mean it will also work to be flat towed. In fact more often than not RV/Motorhome approved racks are not flat tow approved. There are a couple options that are both RV/Motorhome and flat tow approved. The Yakima OnRamp Bike Rack for 2 Electric Bikes # Y36FR and Swagman Trailhead 4-Bike Rack # S63381 are going to be vehicle/RV/Motorhome/Flat tow approved.

Flat towed vehicles are more susceptible to sway and bounce, so they need to be tested under such conditions to ensure they are safe for use. A rack like the Yakima HoldUp Bike Rack for 2 Bikes # Y02443 is a bike rack that is approved for vehicles and flat towing but is not approved for use on a RV/Motorhome.

For safety reasons you will want to ensure whatever rack you plan to use is approved for that purpose. If it has been approved for the purpose you are wanting to use it in, it means it has been tested under those conditions. I have also included a link to our selection of flat tow approved bike racks you can check out. If you select a bike rack and scroll towards the middle of the page you will see a section that has green check marks or a circle with a line through them (I have included a picture of what you will look for), that information will tell you what the rack has been approved for.

expert reply by: Scott S