Recommended E-Bike Bike Rack and Swing Away Combo

Question:

Hello, We are about to purchase Two Pedego Element Platinum E Bikes which weight about 65 lbs each with the battery installed. They will have fenders and are design as a step thru bike. We want to buy an Hitch Mount RBike rack that can be used in both our Jeep Unlimited Tow vehicle while traveling and also independently on our Class A Motorhome with a hitch rating of 10K. We would most likely used the rack on the Jeep 90 of the time. It there are short trips we take w/o the tow, which would require using the hitch rack on the Coach. Also, when for the Jeep application, we are interest in using some sort of a “swingaway” hitch rack accessory like the Kuat Pivot V2, so we can get in the back of the Jeep w/o taking bikes off. This accessory would only be used when driving the Jeep around with the bikes on it. We could take it off, when towing the Jeep. Do you have a recommendation for which EBike Hitch Rack might work for us? Thank you very much,

asked by: Julia

Expert Reply:

I have a couple of parts that will make a great combination and do exactly what you are looking for. They are the Swagman E-Spec Bike Rack item # S94FR and the Saris Swing Away Hitch Extender for Bike Racks item # SAR36VR. This combo is extremely popular with our Jeep customers because it not only clears the spare tire but also swings away towards the passenger side so the rear can be opened.

The Swagman E-Spec Bike Rack item # S94FR has a 70 lbs capacity per bike. It is built with enough strength to be mounted behind any motorhome, trailer, and flat towed vehicle. The tire cradles allow up to 3" wide bike tires. If your tires are wider than 3" then you will need to use Fat Tire Adapter Kit item # S64679 which will be able to hold up to 5" wide tires.

The E-Spec works well with bikes that have fenders due to the frame-mount design. It works with a variety of bikes, but it is recommended to use Adapter Bar item # S57FR for step-thru bikes like your Pedego Element Platinum E Bikes.

The Saris Swing Away Hitch Extender for Bike Racks item # SAR36VR has a 250 lbs weight capacity and will give you plenty of clearance to get past your spare tire and allow the back of your Jeep to be opened.

The only drawback of using this setup is that it will reduce your hitches weight capacity by 50%. All hitch extenders do this but you should still be good. The E-Spec item # S94FR only weighs 60 lbs and it is recommended to remove the batteries from your bikes when transporting them. You should still have plenty of capacity on your Jeep's hitch to support the combined weight but you will want to verify.

I have linked a couple of review videos below.