Best RV Bike Racks
For those who must heed the call of the road, RVs and motorhomes are a great way to pass the time, whether it’s just over the weekend, a couple of weeks, a month, or the entire summer. However, despite practically being on the move at all times, people still want to enjoy the activity, freedom, and peace of a bike ride, to enjoy the scenery in a way no motor vehicle can (yes, this includes motorcycles). And this is precisely the situation where an RV bike rack is useful.
- Best RV Bike Racks
- Meet the Winners!
- Different Types of RV Bike Racks
- Our Selection of the Best RV Ladder Racks
- Our Selection of the Best RV Bumper Racks
- Our Selection of the Best RV Spare Tire Racks
- Top Tips for Your RV Bike Rack
- Frequently Asked RV Bike Rack Questions
- Will using a Bike Rack Prevent Me from Accessing Certain Areas of My RV?
- Are there any Particular Security Issues with an RV Bike Rack? If so, what safety measures can I take?
- Are there any special difficulties with vehicle/bike damage that an ordinary bike rack doesn't present with RV bike racks? What can I do to reduce the risks?
- Is towing from an RV bumper rack possible?
- Swagman Traveler XC2-RV2
Swagman Traveler XC2-RV2
The Swagman Traveler is a high-quality bike rack with many mounting options that is simple to use.
| Best Overall RV Rack | Swagman Traveler XC2-RV 2 |
| Best RV Ladder Rack | Swagman RV Ladder Rack |
| Best RV Bumper Rack | Swagman 2-Bike RV Bumper Rack |
| Best RV Spare Tire Rack | Swagman RV Spare Tire Deluxe Bike Rack |
Different Types of RV Bike Racks
Options are the name of the game in life, and RV bike racks are no exception! There are two key things to think about in this list: bumper or ladder. The distinction can have a significant impact on how you carry your bicycles and how you might prevent damage to your RV and bicycles.
As previously noted, there are a few options to take into account when hauling bikes in an RV. Although the RV bike racks are the main emphasis of this post, you should be aware that there are other options. Whether your RV has roof rails or a hitch, for instance. Putting options aside, this list will help you select the best RV bike rack, so let’s get started!
RV Ladder Racks
RV Spare Tire Racks
RV Bumper Racks
Our Selection of the Best RV Ladder Racks
Compared to a bumper rack, a ladder-mounted rack is more adaptable and can suit most types of RVs (that have ladders). Depending on the length of the trailer tongue and, of course, provided your hitch is clear of impediments, these racks might also allow you to attach a trailer.
1. Swagman RV Ladder Rack
Specs & Features
| Bike Capacity | 2 Bikes (35 lbs each) |
| Dimensions | 26.5 x 18.0 x 2.0 inches |
| Weight | 5.32 lbs |
The dependable Swagman and their RV Ladder Rack are our guides as we set out on the first stage of our tour. This bike rack installs on the ladder of your RV or camper and does exactly what it says on the package. It goes without saying that if your model has a side ladder, this is obviously not the best option for you.
Up to two bikes can fit on the rack as long as they don’t weigh more than 35 pounds each. In other words, the rack can support a maximum load of 70 pounds. Since it is composed of aluminum, you can be sure that it is both lightweight and corrosion-resistant. Thanks to the straightforward yet clever hook design, installation is absurdly simple.
To give the bikes plenty of space to hang without touching the ground, make sure to hook it on the top rung. Enjoy the voyage while keeping them secured with the included straps from the rack. Of course, if you want to be extra certain and stop the bike from “dropping off” the back, you may add a bike lock on top of it.
The rack is covered by the standard Swagman limited lifetime warranty for your peace of mind.
2. Thetford Universal Ladder Rack
Specs & Features
| Bike Capacity | 1 Bike (50 lbs) |
| Dimensions | 23.5 x 16.5 x 3.5 inches |
| Weight | 5.0 lbs |
Nothing is more rewarding than lying in bed after a long day’s work knowing that you’ve gotten the most value for your money, and the Thetford Universal Ladder Rack’s multipurpose use will meet that delight.
This ladder rack is a great option for those who need to make the most of every available space because it can be used to transport bikes, chairs, and even portable garbage totes. The rack has a carrying capacity of 50 lbs. and is composed of lightweight aluminum, which resists corrosion.
The installation of this rack, which uses metal brackets and screws, is incredibly simple, and it includes an 85-inch nylon rope to better secure your baggage. The rack weighs only 5 pounds, which is an advantage when traveling in an RV but is quite usual for a ladder rack.
Overall, this rack receives excellent marks for its adaptability, but like other “jack of all crafts,” it could not have the same advantages as racks made particularly for carrying bikes. You must weigh your needs, but in the end, this is a reliable rack that can compete with the best of them.
3. Camco RV Ladder Mount Bike Rack
Specs & Features
| Bike Capacity | 2 Bikes (60 lbs total) |
| Dimensions | 23.0 x 11.0 x 3.7 inches |
| Weight | 7.58 lbs |
The Camco RV Ladder Mount Bike Rack is a dependable option for RVs that need require convenience. Due to its form-to-function design, it can be perfectly fitted to practically any ladder rack that is currently available and attached to an RV. Excellent evaluations for this rack are currently available, and one feature that jumps out is how simple it is to store when not in use because it is foldable.
The rack’s sturdy design and foam grips enable the cradles to hold your bikes securely so that they don’t damage your car or sway when you’re driving fast. This rack can support two bikes that weigh up to 60 pounds.
The soft-grip handles on this rack are another fantastic feature that will prevent you from scratching the paint of your bikes while moving them. One thing to watch out for is that a few rack users positioned the rack below the bumper rather than above it, as directed, in violation of the rules.
If you are pulling a trailer and making any fast turns, improper installation will harm your bikes. Therefore, it should go without saying, but be careful to read and install the rack appropriately, lest you see some needless bicycle carnage.
Our Selection of the Best RV Bumper Racks
A bumper-mounted rack mounts straight to the bumper of your RV, as it states on the package. Be cautious to double-check the necessary bumper specifications before making a purchase as some bumper racks require a specific shape bumper (often square but occasionally round)! These racks may also make your license difficult to see and impede the mounting of a trailer.
1. Swagman Traveler XC2-RV 2
Specs & Features
| Bike Capacity | 2 Bikes (35 lbs each) |
| Dimensions | 5.0 x 35.0 x 11.0 inches |
| Weight | 39.0 lbs |
You’ll hear the name Swagman mentioned repeatedly when it comes to bike racks and carriers, and for good reason. They are one of the key participants in this specialized market, and they are working hard to uphold and defend their stellar reputation. In this aspect, their excellently named Traveler CX2-RV 2 Bike Carrier excels. Of course, the rack comes with a limited lifetime warranty, as we’ve come to expect from Swagman.
The rack can be mounted on any 2-inch class 3 hitch receiver or 4-4.5-inch continuously welded bumpers (with the bumper adaptor), as you might have already realized (without the bumper adaptor). This allows you some excellent mounting flexibility, which, while it might not seem like much, does matter when you’re trying to make the most of every square inch of space, as is the case with RV excursions.
As long as each bike weighs no more than 35 pounds, you are permitted to install up to two bikes on the Traveler. Naturally, they attach horizontally and without removing the front wheel. The rack has push-button ratchet arms that can be adjusted to clamp onto the bike and secure it in place, as well as sliding wheel hoops that can fit any wheel between 20 and 29 inches for this purpose. Don’t worry, the arms have padded hooks so the finish on your bike’s frame won’t be damaged.
2. Swagman 2-Bike RV Bumper Rack
Specs & Features
| Bike Capacity | 2 Bikes (30 lbs each) |
| Dimensions | 26.5 x 21.0 x 2.5.0 inches |
| Weight | 0.75 lbs |
The Swagman 2-Bike RV Bumper Rack delivers on what it says in the name and then some. It fits any square bumper with 4 to 4.5 inches on each side, making it clear that it is a bumper-mounted model. Bolts that are 6.5 and 8 inches long are used to install it around the bumper. Don’t be concerned that the rack won’t hold up under pressure. To withstand corrosion, the frame is built of sturdy steel that has been powder-coated and painted black. Additionally made of heavy-duty steel are the fasteners that hold it in place.
The rack can carry up to two bikes, providing they weigh no more than 30 pounds each, as the intelligent readers may have already deduced. Most bike types, including road, mountain, and hybrid models, as well as all frame and wheel sizes, ought to fit. Even the upright bar in the middle of the rack is there to provide your bikes with additional stability and support when being towed.
Of course, you can always put a cable lock to prevent the bikes from wobbling and to deter people from using their fifth finger as a discount. To be honest, however, purchasing the rack at the moment is practically a steal given the price and quality you receive, so we shouldn’t start blaming anyone just yet.
3. Quick Products RV Bumper 2-Bike Rack
Specs & Features
| Bike Capacity | 2 Bikes (30 lbs each) |
| Dimensions | 22.0 x 3.0 x 26.0 inches |
| Weight | 22.0 lbs |
On a more somber note, let’s move on to the next item on our list, the Quick Products RV Bumper 2-Bike Rack. Although finding a little bit more never harmed anyone, this gadget is everything it claims to be. is made of sturdy steel, has tire wells to keep your bikes securely so they don’t crash into your car and a powder coating for corrosion resistance.
It fastens to a bumper that is 4 to 4.5 inches square and offers the convenience of an adjustable strap system that enables any bike length to fit on it. The Quick Products RV Bumper 2 features a weight capability of 30 lb. in addition to its robust design. each bicycle.
The rack’s inability to accommodate bikes with fat tires or ones larger than 29 inches is a drawback. The tire wells’ stabilizer post, which reduces shaking and the risk of damaging both your car and your bike, is another advantage.
Our Selection of the Best RV Spare Tire Racks
This rack securely attaches to the bumper and fits over the spare tire of your motorhome. You are typically prevented from attaching a trailer by this. These racks typically hold two to four bicycles, and a spare tire is obviously necessary.
1. Swagman RV Spare Tire Deluxe Bike Rack
Specs & Features
| Bike Capacity | 2 Bikes (35 lbs each) |
| Dimensions | 34.0 x 12.0 x 26.0 inches |
| Weight | 22.0 lbs |
You might start to see a pattern along this list, and that pattern is Swagman. Their items are featured so frequently for a reason, and that reason is that they are highly regarded and in high demand.
The Swagman Mighty Rack, which is also on this list, has an older sibling named the Swagman RV Deluxe. But unlike its younger sibling, the Deluxe enlisted in the military right after graduation, where it gained strength and picked up a few new skills. With all humor aside, the Deluxe is a terrific upgrade over the Mighty rack, with better, newer, and upgraded anti-sway cradles that shield your bikes and the vehicle from harm.
This rack fits around your spare tire and fastens to a bumper that is 4 to 4.5 inches wide. When it comes to racks, having all the necessary gear included is quite excellent, especially when you’re ready to go but don’t have the equipment to attach the device.
The biggest praise for this rack, to sum it up, is that it isn’t shaky, which lowers the risk of scratching your bike and car. Overall, the Swagman Deluxe is a need for hauling bikes because of how convenient it is.
2. Swagman Mighty Rack – Around the Spare RV Bike Rack
Specs & Features
| Bike Capacity | 2 Bikes (35 lbs each) |
| Dimensions | 33.0 x 15.0 x 2.0 inches |
| Weight | 1.0 lbs |
If you have a spare tire blocking the bumper of your RV, camper, or van but still want to keep the ladder available at all times, the Swagman Mighty Rack is the best option. The Mighty Rack (had to love Swagman’s naming convention) mounts around your spare tire and onto the bumper, making it ideal for RVs without hitches. The rack can, of course, be used without the spare tire; simply mount it to the bumper.
It is comparatively simple to install; just center the rack around the spare tire, feed the provided U-bolts around the bumper and tighten it with a lock washer and nut. And if you do require access to the tire, you only need to remove the upright rack bars that are locked in place and lift them off.
Before connecting it, it does need some assembly, but if you’ve ever played with LEGOs or put together IKEA furniture, you’re more than capable of doing it. Fortunately, everything is included, including U-bolts, hooks, bolts, nuts, and washers.
The rack can support two bikes weighing a combined total of 70 pounds, or 35 pounds for each bike. Simply tighten the handles using the J-hooks that are provided to secure them. When you’ve finished, use the included straps and tighten them around the frame to completely prevent wobble.
Top Tips for Your RV Bike Rack
RV bike transport has a special combination of potential and challenges. Here are a few of the most important factors to take into account while utilizing or picking an RV bike rack.
Make sure the RV rack you buy is constructed of a material that will sustain lengthy journeys and big loads. It’s likely that you’ll be transporting two to four bikes on your RV rack, so it will be crucial that you invest in a rack built of a material you can rely on to hold up over long trips and consistent weight.
If the RV rack you’re interested in has an anti-rattle (or occasionally anti-wobble) feature, that is something else to take into account. It is generally advised that your bike rack should not sway because doing so increases the likelihood that its attachment to your vehicle will come loose. This risk is higher with an RV bike rack because the trips are likely to be longer and there is a higher chance that a constant sway will cause your rack to come loose. If the rack you want lacks such a feature, it might not be the best option for you.
When looking for a motorhome rack, decide whether you’ll need to tow from your hitch or bumper and keep that in mind. Not all motorhome racks provide access to the hitch and rear bumper, however some do. In order to avoid issues that may be easily avoided, it is necessary to have a clear notion of what you intend to wish to bring with your RV.
Frequently Asked RV Bike Rack Questions
Will using a Bike Rack Prevent Me from Accessing Certain Areas of My RV?
Depending on the rack you’re using, yes. Using a ladder rack will obviously prevent you from accessing the roof, but depending on where the ladder is placed, you can also be prevented from using your rear hitch. Naturally, a bumper rack hinders your ability to tow as well (typically), but in that situation, a front bumper rack would be worth considering (just make sure it doesn’t cover your vehicle’s license plate!)
Are there any Particular Security Issues with an RV Bike Rack? If so, what safety measures can I take?
Like the majority of standard bike racks, RV bike racks vary depending on whether or not they have a locking mechanism. It goes without saying that you should always have your own lock to attach the bikes to the rack, or to the vehicle as well if possible. Racks can occasionally be constructed for utility without security in mind.
It has been noted that in some situations, the additional locking mechanism of the owner has been the only thing keeping bikes from falling off a rack attachment while in transit, usually as a result of improper installation.
Are there any special difficulties with vehicle/bike damage that an ordinary bike rack doesn’t present with RV bike racks? What can I do to reduce the risks?
The difficulties presented by most bike racks mounted on vehicles are similar. Your bikes could potentially scratch each other if they are arranged too closely on a rack. If the rack is attached to the frame of the bike, it may be difficult to apply a pool noodle to cover the exposed frame; in that case, wrapping fabric strips around the exposed frame might work. When trying to buy a rack, it’s important to look for padded clamps that hold securely while lowering the chance of scratching. One such rack is the RV ladder rack.
It all boils down to common sense; if you notice that the rack wobbles or isn’t equipped with an anti-rattle mechanism, there’s a considerable risk that the shaking might cause the bikes to scrape your car, rub against one another, or even come loose while you’re driving.
In this situation, there may be an issue with the rack, a problem with the installation, or you may have just purchased a rack that is inappropriate for your car. You must make sure the rack you buy fits snugly and is stable. In conclusion, if you already have a rack that shakes, you can try to maintain it, but you will need to stop around every 100 miles to tighten and secure it.
Is towing from an RV bumper rack possible?
Swagman Traveler XC2-RV2
The Swagman Traveler is a high-quality bike rack with many mounting options that is simple to use.