Bike Racks

[marydell]

I am in the market for a 4 bike rake for towing with the camper.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to what has worked for them; Brands and/or methods.  

I have a Honda Pilot and a Coleman Fairview.  There are the one's that connect to your hitch or the one's that extend past your camper's bumper.

My main concern is the security of the bikes and the durability of the holder itself.  Some look pretty flimsy.

Thanks for any help in this matter.

[tlhdoc]

I have the Pro Rac (they sell it here in the store) and like it a lot.  It is very easy to assemble and is mounted to the tongue of the trailer.  I use 2 cable locks to secure the bikes to the rack.

[bearbait]

Tracy is right,  a good cable locking system goes a long way in theft prevention.  Obviously their is nothing that is perfect,  but cables seem to be a good deterent. Even after you decide on a mounting system,  add a cable.  The Pro Rac is a really good option,  if I were in the market now that's what I would do.  I have a roof mounted system and thats works fine for me.  But the Pro Rak seems like the best option out there right now.

[campincrew]

How does that system work if you have sway control?  Does it mar the finish on the PU's trunk lid?

[tlhdoc]

I have a sway bar on one side of the tongue and a swing up tongue jack on the other side.  I didn't think the Pro Rac would work for me, but it does.  You can mount the brackets to the tongue anywhere on the tongue.  They recommend closer to the trailer and I was able to mount the system right next to the box.  I didn't want the bike tires sitting on my trunk lid, they sit up on the roof of the trailer.  You get clear adhesive plastic sheets that stick to the roof or trunk lid that prevent the tires from making marks on the PU.

[gekko65]

Hi tlhdoc.

One question about the bike rack. Do the rear tires mess up the roof? Or do you put someithing under the tires to prevent the vibration rub?

Thx Matt in San Diego..

[tlhdoc]

The Pro Rack includes 4 plastic tire guards that go on the roof under the tires.  They prevent the tires from marring the roof/trunk of the trailer.

[4campinfoxes]

We have the Yakima rack on the roof of our PU, personally I'm interested in the Pro Rac. Getting the bikes onto the roof & adjusting the Yakima bars, etc.... is just about imposible without a stepladder!  And if you end up at a site with a slope - it's even crazier.  We also had the pvc rack before the Yak.  It had it's advantages but it had to be put on each time, attached around the trailer and again the bikes had to be hiked up there.  So, I wouldn't recommend the roof mounted unit myeslf.

Sharon

[Used 2B PopUPTimes]

The next issue of the magazine has an article that Tracy submitted about her ProRac bike rack along with photos.

[K-man]

just-rite bike rack here.  I would highly recommend it.  You can also use it when your not towing the popup.

[tlhdoc]

We have the Yakima rack on the roof of our PU, personally I'm interested in the Pro Rac. Getting the bikes onto the roof & adjusting the Yakima bars, etc.... is just about imposible without a stepladder!  And if you end up at a site with a slope - it's even crazier.  We also had the pvc rack before the Yak.  It had it's advantages but it had to be put on each time, attached around the trailer and again the bikes had to be hiked up there.  So, I wouldn't recommend the roof mounted unit myeslf.

Sharon

First I had the bikes on a rack on the back of our van.  Rack dented van, DH had a fit, never again.

Then I switched to having the bikes on the roof of the tow vehicle.  It was a pain putting the bikes up there, and it dropped my mileage about 4 mpg.  

Next thing I tried was carrying the bikes on the roof of the PU.  I had the Yakima system installed.  It was just as hard loading the bikes on to the roof of the PU.  I carry a step ladder for that purpose.  I still had a drop in mileage, but not as much as when the bikes were on the roof of the TV .

Now I have the Pro Rac.  My mileage is better than  when the bikes are on the roof of the PU.  I don't see much of a difference between towing with the bikes or without them.  I don't have to use a ladder to get the bikes loaded.       The system can also be moved from one trailer to another.  I will not loose my rac if I change trailers.

[gekko65]

One more question please for the ProRac - You said the rack comes with clear adhesive for roof, but what keep the bike from bouncing and turning? In the pics I only see the front wheel off with the bike forks locked-in rack. What about the rar of the bike>>>>

Thanks Matt in San Diego  

Looking at the 4 bike model - looks nice but not cheap!!

[tlhdoc]

There are 2 straps for each bike that you attach to the rear frame or seat post.  The straps come up along each side of the bike and attach to the load bar.  This stops the bikes from moving side to side, and i have not seen the bikes bounce.  When the bike is snuggly attached to the skewer, the bike really can't move up and down.

[gekko65]

:-()

tlhdoc,

      This sounds like just what I need so far, just a couple more questions:

1) Where do you store the front tires when traveling? Does the rack come with front-tire mounts?

2) Any idea who may have the best price for the 4-bike rack?

Thx again for your help....

Matt in San Diego

[tlhdoc]

There isn't a place to store the tires with the rack.  I have placed the front tires between the fork of the bike and the down tube and bungee corded the tires in place.  When we take the tire off first, then the bike and the tires are reattached immediately.  I got my rack here at PUT.  As an RV club member you get a discount on purchases at the store, and shipping is included.

http://www.popuptimes.com/miva/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=P&Product_Code=rrack4&Category_Code=RV