Bike Rack Recommendation for Winnebago Minnie 22 Travel Trailer that Holds Bikes by the Wheels

Question:

Adams response and recommendation is shown below. The swagman recommended, looks flimsy at the bike attachment point and provides no place for the wheels. What are your comments on a Yakima two timer hitch? Also, we have two Specialized walk-thru frame bikes. Would we need one or possibly two bike frame adapters to enable the hold down clamps to work? Swagman Around the Spare Mighty Rack # S80500

asked by: Bill C

Expert Reply:

The Swagman Around the Spare # S80501 is not designed to hold the bikes at the wheels, but is a hanging-style rack that will support the bikes by the upper frame bar. I have a co-worker who uses this bike rack on the back of his 5th wheel camper and the rack works great for him and his family.

If you're looking for a platform rack that is approved for use on RVs, Motorhomes, and Trailers, I recommend the Swagman Dispatch 2 Bike Platform Rack # S44FR because this rack will support the bikes at the wheels and the upper frame bar, like the TwoTimer. The wheel cradles feature ratcheting straps to secure the bike's wheels and the upper hook uses a ratcheting design to hold the bike secure on the rack. The Dispatch also features a threaded hitch lock and cable lock for added security with the rack and bikes. I've attached a review video of this rack for you.

Unfortunately, the Yakima TwoTimer bike rack is not approved for use on a RV or trailer. Since Yakima has not tested and confirmed the TwoTimer is okay to use on a RV/trailer like your Minnie, I cannot recommend that you use this bike rack on your camper. Yakima does not offer any bike racks that are approved for use on the back of an RV, Motorhome, or Trailer.

All of the bike racks approved for use behind a trailer such as your Minnie are shown on the linked page.

If you need a hitch receiver to install the bike rack on your Minnie, Swagman offers the RV Bumper 2 Inch Trailer Hitch Receiver, Clamp-On # S64025 that will provide a 2 inch receiver at a 4 inch x 4 inch rear bumper. A review video of this hitch receiver is also attached for you.

If your bikes do not have any type of upper frame bar, you will want to use a bike adapter bar to provide a location for the ratcheting hook to secure the bike. My favorite bike adapter bar is the Kuat Ubar # UB01 because it is spring loaded so it provides a more snug fit on the bike than most adapter bars. The Ubar will accommodate bikes with approximately a 16-28 inch spread between the seat post and the handlebar post and this adapter has a 33 pound bike capacity. If this adapter bar doesn't work for your bikes, you can view all of the adapter bars we offer on the linked page.