RV Bike Rack Options

In this video, I discuss eight options for bringing your bikes with you when traveling with your R-Pod. Most of these options also apply to other RVs. I then show the solution that I went with and how to use it.
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[@JohnMarucci]

Product featured in this video*: - Let's Go Aero BikeWing-2 Tilting Two Bike Rack: amzn.to/2MnB7hU *Affiliate Link Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. These commissions help support the future development of this channel.

[@kohanadiver]

Does the Aero BikeWing-2 able to lock bikes to rack? If so how?

[@mmiljour]

Removing the bike seats when on the road or at a rest area is always a good idea to keep “shoppers” from quickly removing it👍👍

[@Raven5763]

Nice video. We have been struggling with all of the disadvantages of the various locations and settled on inside the trailer. I didn't want to expose the bikes to the weather and the potential of damage on the rear. We have two chairs in the rear of the trailer. One is rarely used, so we removed it and place a two bike rack where we can park the rear wheels in the rack and run straps to secure on long trips. The other end of the bikes is in the entry aisle and close to the closed slide so securing isn't really necessary. When we arrive to camp I move the rack and bikes outside and secure with a cable. It would be nice not to have to deal with it every time we stop, but it the best situation for the bikes.

[@JohnMarucci]

Carrying bikes with an RV has no good solutions IMO. I would be very curious to see your set if you are willing email me a few pics. You'll have to manually copy this email address: [e-mail]

[@outdoorjunkie2483]

Thanks I’m getting ready for out first two night bike camping trip over 40 miles with my kids and your video had some good content. As someone who loves the outdoors and biking myself, this is so much fun. I’m definitely a new supporter of your channel. Thanks for keeping it real!

[@JohnMarucci]

Glad the video was helpful!

[@craigphillips7258]

Another winner...thanks for answering all of the questions we've had about taking our bikes.

[@JohnMarucci]

Craig, toting bikes seems to always be a concern and I am not sure there is a best solution with R-Pods. Some people add supports welded to the back bumper to add capacity. You obviously have to be careful using the bumper, but it can be done. Glad the video was helpful in showing the different options.

[@donflowers8471]

Thank you. This was just what I needed.

[@njga94]

We use a tailgate hanging rack for our bikes. The hangers insert into the doorframe in our Toyota Sequoia and the racks stick straight out from the glass window. The drawback is that we can't access the rear of the SUV when the bike rack is mounted but a very easy solution that add just some weight to the tail of the truck and not the hitch.

[@JohnMarucci]

Thanks for sharing!

[@chrisr6157]

Great information! I like having a bike while out camping. These are great options. Thank you for this video!

[@JohnMarucci]

Chris, thanks for the comment. Glad the video was helpful. Thanks again for watching!

[@jeanineknapp6113]

Thanks! Great advice since we've been exploring this question!

[@samrossispeakssingsfilms2781]

Thanks for all the details since biking for me is a major part of my future camping plans. I've used rooftop bike carriers for several years and found they were tedious. The lower the bike the better for me. The rear hitch is an advantage over the Lance trailer which has nothing in the back. Good work!!

[@JohnMarucci]

Thanks Sam. The main thing is to know your weights with the bike in the back. Generally you want to keep it as light as possible. I also use the BikeWing rack that locks in pretty tight to minimize sway. Thanks again for watching!

[@georgehennon6415]

One time, I stored my dirtbike in my R-Pod for a trip. I turned it on because the air filter seemed dirty and I wanted to make sure it ran fine. To make a long story short, I left it on during the entire 2 hour trip and the R-pod was filled with exhaust fumes. It still reeks and I was wondering if you had advice to get rid of the smell. Thanks, another great video John.

[@JohnMarucci]

Hey George, sorry to hear this. I did a search and two things keep coming up: baking soda and kitty litter. You’ll want to search on how best to use these. Thanks, John

[@bruceklutz2870]

John, what about trailer sway with the bike rack in the back? Some dealers don't recommend it? I have a Jack-it on the front over the tanks. Works well but it is difficult to get bikes on and off. Thanks for all the info. on your site.

[@JohnMarucci]

There really is no great answer for bikes. If on the back bumper of the trailer, you add weight behind the axle which can lead to trailer sway. If on the tongue, you add to tongue weight and sag to the rear of the tow vehicle (payload issues). There isn’t one great solution, especially for lighter weight travel trailers. Thanks!

[@kerryscott2274]

One big concern I have for placement, is the amount of road grime thrown up and onto the bike. You mentioned insects when the bikes are on the front of the vehicle. But, road grime can be horrible on hitch mounts, as grime tends to accumulate heavily in the slipstream behind the TV or trailer. Destroys chains, gears, brake pads, saddles, handlebar tape.

[@JohnMarucci]

All good points. Many people cover bikes in transit to keep this from happening. Yet, I wouldn’t use a cover that isn’t made for the bikes as it could easily come off while at higher speeds. Thanks!

[@sued115]

George Hennon try fresh coffee grinds. I had a chemical smell in a refrigerated. After 2-3 weeks everything dissipated.

[@joempaolcom]

Hi John. I have a Rpod 192. Do you have any feedback on the ladder mount bike racks? It appears that there is enough space for the spare and bikes attached to a ladder mount bike rack. They look nice as the bike mound swings away and allows full access to the ladder.

[@JohnMarucci]

I would be very cautious about mounting bikes on the ladder. I haven't done it, so I would inquire further on the R-Pod owners forum as someone there has possibly tried it... rpod-owners.com

[@joempaolcom]

@@JohnMarucci Thanks for the advice. I was thinking that if it is strong enough for my 220 pound body to climb up it, it would handle 70 pounds of bikes and rake. But logic like that often does not prevail. LOL. Love your channel and videos and thanks so much for such prompt input. Joe

[@stevensteenwyk5836]

Possible issue is that simple dead weight alone doesn't tell dynamic forces exerted. Bike rack is a big lever arm that can produce a lot of torque during bumps and sways--I wouldn't push the weight spec to the 150 lb limit.

[@JohnMarucci]

Steven, I put together a video showing how bikes bounce on the back of a trailer. I am more convinced that the rear of the trailer isn’t a great solution. Here is link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a4Wkg52pjdehY5o

[@musicpaulweber]

@@JohnMarucci It sure has a lot of bounce going on. So you feel less inclined to recommend what your do in the video? I'm leaning towards sticking the bikes in our SUV, since we don't use the rear trunk/passenger area for much.

[@JohnMarucci]

@@musicpaulweber I do lean against using the rear hitch on the R-Pods for bikes unless you have the hitch reinforced.

[@lindar4514]

I have seen a few Rpos that put the bike rack on the back And attached the spare tire under the trailer with ushaped brackets. What is the downside of attaching a tire under trailer?

[@JohnMarucci]

Linda, I am not sure there are downsides to move the spare, but you do want to have it done well. I would be very careful as to placement so that it doesn’t hang too low or would be unstable.

[@kimberly3546]

Thank you for the informative video! We like the same option as you in having the bikes behind the camper, but I'm wondering how we'd transport the bikes to a different location once the R-pod was parked at the campground. Have you done this, and maybe just moved the bike rack to your tow vehicle? Thanks!

[@JohnMarucci]

Kimberly, my Bike Wing 2 bike rack has an adapter to work on the larger hitch receiver on my tow vehicle. You can fairly easily put the Bike Wing on the tow vehicle and take your bikes to a local (or not so local) trail head. Thanks again for the comments!

[@gerardhoward5321]

How is the bike wing working now?

[@JohnMarucci]

Gerald, I haven’t toted my Mt bikes for a few months but haven’t had any issues. It is very important that if you do put bikes on the back of the Pod (replacing the spare tire) that you get a rack that locks to the receiver to keep bike movement to a minimum. The Bikewing 2 does this and is very light at about 15lbs. Also be careful to stay well below the specific Pod’s receiver limit. My 2017.5 179 has a 150lb limit. With the Bikewing 2 rack and two 30lb bikes, I’m just north of 75-80lbs. Also, I am more comfortable with this set up on shorter trips. Hope this helps. There is real risk if you overload or have a rack that bounces the bikes. You can always load your bikes and have a friend or spouse follow you down the road and video tape what the bikes are doing. Always err on the side of caution. Thanks for the comments and thanks for watching!

[@gwenwelch7593]

What about e bikes on the back? Too heavy?

[@JohnMarucci]

I don't know of any travel trailer with a bumper hitch rated for modern e-bike weights. If you find any, please let me know. Thanks!

[@richardharrison7961]

Couple of questions...do the bikes obscure the tag? That could get you a ticket! Also, do you know a good way to take generators along?

[@JohnMarucci]

Richard, you are correct, bikes on the back of the Pod can obscure the license plate. As far as a generator, a smaller inverter generator would fit under the cover of the bed of my truck if I wanted to bring one along. I haven't done much boon-docking to need one and would rather not take up valuable bed space unless it were very necessary. Thanks again for the comments!

[@DianesPDXmetrohomes]

Thanks John for all of your RPOD vlogs! I have a 2018 177 and we live in Portland Oregon, what do you suggest for kayaks and bikes? Are there ways to attach them to the rpod if you don’t have any crossbars on the car.

[@JohnMarucci]

I have no experience with traveling with both kayaks and bikes. I’d point you to the R-Pod owners forum as there may be some folks who have traveled with Kayaks: www.rpod-owners.com