Bike and Canoe Carrier Options for Jayco 12HW Pop-Up Camper Trailer

Question:

Roof rack for jayco 12hw. Would like a bike rack that can hold 4-5 bikes and/or a canoe.

asked by: Hudson

Expert Reply:

We offer specialized roof racks made just for pop-up camper trailers like your Jayco 12HW and we also offer RV bike racks in several varieties.

As a starting point I suggest you confirm the weight rating for the camper top. An average adult bike can weigh 35-lbs or more, so 4 or 5 bikes along with a canoe can present a significant weight load for the camper's top.

A great-value camper rack comes from Swagman, their Roamer LT Roof Rack for Pop-Up Campers # S80510. This square bar rack has a 150-lb capacity (but your camper roof may have a different rating). Please note this is not designed for use with plastic 1-piece trailer tops. It installs with included hardware and requires drilling.

If your camper has a 2-inch rear hitch then that may offer you the best bike carrying option. Note there are not any 5-bike racks rated for use on a trailer; 4-bikes is the maximum, as with the Swagman Trailhead # S63381. If you can transport the bikes on a hitch-mounted rack that leaves you plenty of room for a canoe, kayak or other recreational items on the camper rack. Our range of frame-mount RV hitches is linked for you.

If you do choose to use a hitch bike rack you then have another easy option for the canoe. Foam block carriers like the Malone Deluxe # MPG152 offer low-cost, very low weight and require no permanent modifications to your camper. This is an ideal choice if you want to avoid over-stressing the camper roof with too much weight.

You may care to review the linked article on RV bike racks. This will help you consider the best match for your specific bikes.