Motor Home Bike Rack Recommendations for Two Manhattan Beach Cruiser Bikes

Question:

Will this rack carry two Manhattan beach cruisers? They have wide handle bars. And, Do the front wheels just dangle, or are they fastened some how? thanks

asked by: Jim

Expert Reply:

The first issue that you will run into when trying to carry your Manhattan beach cruisers on a motor home or trailer bike rack is the weight capacity. All of our motorhome and trailer bike racks will only accommodate bikes that weigh no more than 35 lbs each. I did some research on your bikes and it looks like most cruiser style bikes weigh between 40 and 60 lbs. If your bikes weigh 35 lbs or less, then we may have a solution for you.

The Surco 2 Bike Carrier, # SP501BR, can support two bikes at 35 lbs each, but the wide handlebars of your bikes will most likely hit your motor home or trailer. The front wheels will hang loosely, but you could use tie downs like the Softride Soft Velcro Tie Downs, # SR18679, to secure your front wheels to the bike frame.

For your situation, I recommend a hitch mounted bike rack if your motor home has a trailer hitch. The Swagman Dispatch Bike Rack, # S44FR, measures 12 inches from the center of the hitch pin hole to the closest part of the bike rack. This is our most popular bike rack that is rated to be used on the back of an RV or trailer.

I have attached the installation instructions for this bike rack for you to check out.

You could also look into the RV Bumper 2 Bike Rack, # S80605, if your RV or trailer has continuous welded steel square bumper between 4 and 4-1/2 inches wide. This rack will extend 13 inches from the bumper. I have attached the installation instructions for this bike rack as well. However, it can only carry up to 30 pound bikes.

These will be the best options for carrying your beach cruisers and minimizing contact with your RV or trailer.

If you do not have a trailer hitch on your motor home or trailer, then you may be able to use the RV Bumper Receiver, # S64025. This will give you a receiver for a hitch mounted bike rack if you do not have one or do not want to install a trailer hitch. Be sure you contact your trailer manufacturer to see if your bumper can support the weight of both of your bikes plus a bike rack. This is not compatible with aluminum or spot-welded steel bumpers.

For the hanging style bike racks, you may also want to look into an adapter bar like the Swagman Easy-Out Adapter Bar, # 64005. Cruiser style bikes often have large or angled frames. This bar would provide a level crossbar to mount the bikes on hanging-style bike racks.