Recommended 4 Bike Platform Rack for E-Bikes Carried on 2018 Thor Challenger 37FH

Question:

Greetings. We have a 2018 Thor Challenger 37FH with a 2inch 800/8000 lb hitch rating. We have a roadmaster split hitch so we can have a bike rack and tow our honda fit, We purchase recently electric assist bikes. They are heaver then the standard bike and articles on e-bikes recommend a platform style bike rack over our existing 4-bike hanging rack. Our e-bikes are step through so no top bar to hang the bikes. I am concerned that the added top bike bar that hooks around the seat post and the handle bar stem may give way causing damaging our bikes and our towed car. Friends and family who travel with us like to bicycle as well. some have purchased e-bikes as well other have standard bikes. Is there a 4-bike platform rack that would still give us the clearance to tow our Honda Fit from the lower receiver of the split hitch, We use a ready break breaking system which added an additional foot of length between the Roadmaster split hitch and the Blue OX tow bar. Is there a platform 4-bike rack that you would recommend.

asked by: Joe O

Expert Reply:

I'll start off by addressing the adapter bars like the Swagman Deluxe Bike Frame Adapter Bar # 64005 which are very sturdy and designed to hold the full weight of most bikes. However, since you've got e-bikes, they're likely going to weigh considerably more than the 35-lbs capacity that they've got and likely won't work for you. Additionally, when you take into consideration that most hanging bike racks are not designed for heavy e-bikes, they really aren't ideal for carrying your e-bikes (even if you were to remove the motors, in most cases). On top of being easier to get bikes on and off, platform racks are traditionally going to have higher capacities that will allow you to carry e-bikes without issue.

When it comes to carrying bikes on the back of a flat towed vehicle, the large amount of sway, wind and shaking that goes on at the backs of these vehicles really does not provide an acceptable place to carry bikes in most cases. There are an extremely small number of racks that have been tested and rated for being carried at the rear of a flat-towed vehicle, but they're few and far between and will generally not allow you to carry heavier bikes. The Yakima RidgeBack # Y02458 is a good example of this and could be used for carrying up to 4 light weight bikes if you needed to carry them on your toad.

When it comes to the racks you've mentioned, neither the Swagman Chinook # S64683 or the Swagman XTC # S64665 are rated to carry bikes on the back of a flat towed vehicle because of the stress all of the movement at the back of the vehicle would put on the shank of the carrier AND the actual frame of the toad. It's really a preventative measure to make sure there isn't any catastrophic damage if a malfunction occurs.

The best solution to carry your e-bikes on the back of your 2018 Thor Challenger with a 2" hitch is going to be with the Hollywood Racks SportRider SE 4 # HR1400Z. The SportRider SE 4 has a 50-lbs per bike capacity and is rated to be carried on the rear of a motorhome. If your e-bikes weigh more than 50-lbs each, you're going to need to remove the battery pack in order to get under the weight limit, but this is one of the rare carriers that will provide you with this much carrying capacity.