Any info on bike racks please

[beach momma]

We are new to pup's and want a bike rack for our '98 Mesa. After looking on the internet we don't think a rack that needs to be screwed in to the roof is the answer. Can anyone share there recommendations or experience with racks. We would need a four bike rack to go over an A/C. The tow hitch variety look scary but would be ideal. Just not sure about turning radius and the actual hitch. Thanks for any input!

[beacher]

I have been dealing with this issue this season, (started my search in February).   My two small kids are now riding their bikes and want to bring them when they can.

My Fleetwood PopUp has the factory Yakima rails, but I was thinking of getting a rack that mounts to the tow vehicle instead.  That way we can bring our bikes along when we disconnect the PopUp at the campsite.

There are strap-on racks by Sixnail, and Swagman.  However, those will probably leave dents in the roof, and indent the side panels where the straps go under to the frame.

I'm leaning towards Yakima roof racks for my TV, a hitch sleeve-style rack, or a clamp-on bike rack.  However, those only carry three bikes.  I want to carry four bikes!

[beacher]

duplicate post

[Recumbentman]

We have the roof mounted racks that work great for us. But if I didn't have them I would seriously consider making a rack like this one Pro-Rac  A person could make one for a lot less money using extruded aluminum.
good luck in your search

[jendak760]

Has anyone used the  hitch sleeve-style rack mentioned below? Seems like you could use it even when you aren't towing. Does it interfere with turning or the propane tanks?

[beach momma]

We thought the pro rack looked like the best option but wanted to see if anyone used one. Our TV is a weedy Suzuki XL7 so we are really concerned about the hitch/tongue weight. Wish we would have kept the massive Suburban  we test drove for a day last year! I have a feeling this great deal pup is going to be getting a lot more expensive real soon!

[motx72]

We also looked at the "clamp-on" or "hitch sleeve" style of bike racks.  We ended up buying a dual hitch receiver & a regular 4-bike hitch rack.  We probably paid a total of around $150 for this combination.  It works well for us, and pulling with our Durango, has not presented any tongue weight issues at all.

Hope that helps!
=motx72

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[Clarabelle]

We bought a Pro Rac (http://www.prorac.com/tenttrailerpro.php) last year after a lot of soul searching.  I did not want to start drilling in my roof and the extended hitch rack did not look like a good idea with my Sienna (low to the ground).  The roof racks for our TV looked like a hastle getting the bikes up over our heads to mount them.    

We have been pretty happy with the Pro Rac.  The only down side is you can't raise the pu roof until the bikes are off.  You have to be sure to strap the bikes to avoid the back tires bouncing around.  The mounting hardware (U-bolts) were too narrow for my hitch, so I ended up doing some drilling to get it mounted.  

All in all, I'd buy it again.

[butterflyfish]

DH made something similar to this with an old bike rack we have that has been discontinued from the manufacturer.  Since the truck is new, he didn't want to drill into the truck bed, so he used rachet straps to tie it down.  It worked and stayed put all the way from SC to KY (over 10 hours).  Since, like I said our rack was discontinued and we only used it before we had kids, we can't get any more parts for it and it only carries 2 bikes.  It still frees up a lot of space in the truck bed, though and the kids' bikes are small right now and don't take up too muck room.  

However, I was looking through the JC Whitney catalog and came across this bike rack.

It also only holds 2 bikes, but I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with this carrier?  With this one and the one he has for the bed of his truck, we would be able to carry all our bikes without any problems.  I am sure as his truck ages, he will have no problem drilling into the bed to mount his homemade rack a little more permanantly.

Here are some pictures of the rack and our camper and site in KY.

[marktalkington]

I found an inexpensive solution for bringing extra bikes along whether you are towing a popup, jetski, or boat at Sportsmans Guide (located in St. Paul, MN but they have an internet link also.

It is a 2" receiver hitch that has a t-bracket welded on top.  This allow users to use the top receiver for a bike rack and the bottom receiver for popup, boat, jet ski... I think it ran me about $35.

When my wife saw it she announced to our group... this is the benefit of marrying the smart ones...

[sacrawf]

I suggest you go to a quality bicycle shop and look at options for your vehicle with vehicle roof racks from Yakima or Thule instead of camper-mounted racks.  Watch for special spring sales and product demonstration days.  Have the bike shop staff demonstrate how easily the rooftop vehicle mounts can be to use.  Or, use the fit-my-vehicle function on the Yakima or Thule websites.

1. If setting up quickly before an approaching rainstorm, it's great not to have to remove bikes from on top the camper before popping up.

2. Vehicle mounted bike racks allow bike transport to the local parks when not camping and while you are camping you can take them to a trail head without towing your camper.

3. Yakima and Thule products are standardized allowing cargo boxes, kayaks, ladders, and snow gear to be carried as well.  Many products will be useable with new vehicles as you trade.

4. The vehicle roof racks can be quickly removed or attached, with or without factory roof rack mounts, and are available for most any vehicle.

5. Vehicle roof racks don't impede your visability.

Product support is great, both brands have excellent quality and design. (Yakima even builds in bottle openers in some of the racks for after-ride adult refreshments!)

[Camping Coxes]

If you're handy with a welder, the Pro-Rac type of rack is pretty easy to assemble.  Otherwise, I think it's well worth buying it so as not to have to get one that requires drilling into the roof.  DH made one very similar to it and it's been great for us.  We also use tie-down straps to make sure the back ends of the bikes won't move at all.