Another Bike Rack Question

[PopupSgt]

I currently own the Acar bike rack that mounts on top of the camper's roof.  I absolutely hate the rack due to it leaves dents in my roof due to the mounting method that it sits on my roof:banghead:.  This rack is sold at camping world and is entirely aluminum.
I am looking at (2) methods for a new bike rack:

Pro Rac
Swagman

Does anyone have any insight into these types of bike racks?  I know the swagman is much cheaper than the Pro Rac model, and it does interference during towing with turning.  

I also have heard that Tracy is using the Swagman also, maybe she can give some insight.

Any thoughts or insight is appreciated .

[Tim5055]

Well, I have been very happy with our Swagman!

I know you may be surprised, but I have information on the Swagman we use as well as our previous "homemade" bile carrier on my web site :eyecrazy:

Tim's Bike Rack

[tlhdoc]

Corey I just installed the Pro Rac on my PU.  I have the Yakima roof top rack and I like the Pro Rac better.  It is easier to load and unload the bikes.  I don't even have to use a step ladder to get the bike on and off the rack.

[PopupSgt]

Corey I just installed the Pro Rac on my PU.  I have the Yakima roof top rack and I like the Pro Rac better.  It is easier to load and unload the bikes.  I don't even have to use a step ladder to get the bike on and off the rack.

Tracy,
Not to put you on the spot, but where did you purchase your Pro Rac from?  I may be looking at that also.  I am trying another idea of a dual receiver hitch to see how it works with my present 2" receiver bike carrier.

[Ab Diver]

Corey, we bought one of those a couple years ago. I fixed that problem by adding an extra base to the rack. Before you lay out the big bucks for another rack, try this--
 
Grab a couple pieces of 2x4 about 4-5 feet long. Place the ACAR rack on top of the 2x4's so they are going side-to-side under the rack, and mark the spots where the little rubber feet sit. Now place a small U-bolt over the pipe so it's touching the wood. Mark those spots. Drill holes through the 2x4 for the U-bolts, and route, chisel, or chop enough wood out of the back (bottom) side of the 2x4's so the cross-plate and nuts on the U-bolts can secure the pipe to the wood and still be lower than the wood's surface. This will spread the weight of the bikes and the rack so it doesn't dent your roof.
 
If you have a Coleman with the domed ABS roof like I do, then just add a 2x4 wood "foot" at the ends of each board so the middle portion of the board clears the roof dome. Make the original 2x4 baseboards long enough so they reach the edge of the roof where the Yakima racks would bolt to the ABS roof (that's the strongest part of the roof), and screw the wood "feet" at 90

[tlhdoc]

Tracy,
Not to put you on the spot, but where did you purchase your Pro Rac from?

I bought it here at PUT.  If you are a member you get the discount off of the listed price and the price includes shipping too.  I was surprised at how easy it was to put together and it can be moved from one trailer to another by just removing a few bolts.

[griffsmom]

Question for Tim and Tracy:

 
How sturdy are the racks that each of you has?  
 
DH and I have looked at the Pro Rac and liked it (and would definitely buy it from PUT) but DH wasn't sure how wobbly or secure the bikes would be.  Also, with the rear tires sitting on the roof of the PU, does it mark up the roof's surface?
 
DH likes the way the Swagman attaches to the hitch receiver bar, but again, he's concerned with sturdiness of the bikes when attached to the rack.  We have non-traditional frame mt. bikes

[Tim5055]

Question for Tim and Tracy:
 
How sturdy are the racks that each of you has?  
 
We have non-traditional frame mt. bikes

Not sure what you mean by "Non-traditional frame" :confused:

On my Swagman, the bikes hang from the upper crossbar (mens style bike).  For the "womens" style bike, they sell a crossbar that clamps on to hang the bike from.

The bikes are extremly secure on the rack, I just put a bungee cord around each tire to keep it from spinning in the wind.

[tlhdoc]

Question for Tim and Tracy:

 
How sturdy are the racks that each of you has?  
 
DH and I have looked at the Pro Rac and liked it (and would definitely buy it from PUT) but DH wasn't sure how wobbly or secure the bikes would be.  Also, with the rear tires sitting on the roof of the PU, does it mark up the roof's surface?
 
DH likes the way the Swagman attaches to the hitch receiver bar, but again, he's concerned with sturdiness of the bikes when attached to the rack.  We have non-traditional frame mt. bikes

The bikes are very secure in the rack.  The bikes forks attach to the rack with skewers that are very secure.  The rack is secured to the frame of the trailer with brackets and lock nuts.  Unless you don't tighten the bolts the rack is not going to fall off the trailer.  The Pro Rack is a fork mount system so your non-traditional frames will not be a problem.  Pro Rack sends some 3M clear adhesive sheet plastic that you put on the roof so that the tires don't mark the roof up.  You can mount the rack any place on the tongue that you want.  They recommend further back, but if your trailer is light in the tongue you can mount the rack toward the front of the PU.  There are also 2 straps to attach each  bike to the rack.  This makes it impossible for the back end of the bikes to move side to side.