Will Bikes Sway On Swagman XP 3 Hitch Bike Rack # S64910-2 on Rear of 26 foot RV

Question:

We are looking for a bike rack to mount on rear of 26ft bumper pull rv. Not having done this before, we are concerned about keeping the bikes from swaying towards the trailer during braking and swaying from side to side. Are the bikes tied anywhere else other than where they are mounted? Or are there other products needed to keep this from happening?

asked by: Michelle

Expert Reply:

The Swagman 3 Bike Rack, part # S64152-2, is a hitch bike rack that is designed to be used on the rear of an RV or Motor Home with a 2 inch hitch.

When using a bike hitch rack on the back of an RV you will want to measure the ground clearance on your hitch to make sure it exceeds 15 inches. Since a RV hitch will normally sit lower than a vehicle hitch it is recommended to make sure you have more than 15 inches of ground clearance to keep the bikes from touching the ground when driving up a hill.

The ground clearance would be measured from the ground to the bottom of the receiver opening on the hitch with the RV parked on level ground. If it is less than 15 inches, you can use # D210 to add a bit of a rise (4-3/4 inches from the top of the receiver tube).

As far as the bikes swaying toward the trailer, the cradles that are used on this bike rack are cushioned with a vinyl padding that will keep the bike sway to a minimum after the top plate is tightened down. The bikes are not attached anywhere else on the bike rack, besides the cradles.

I am including a link to the installation instructions and a link to a video review on the Swagman bike rack.

expert reply by: Jeff D