What Bike Rack do You Recommend for Transporting an E-Bike on a Truck and Travel Trailer?

Question:

When using the bike rack off road or on a RV, the limit is 40 Lbs per bike. If I only have one 60 Lb bike on the rack is that still within the weight limit as 2 40 Lb bikes would total 80 Lbs? Thank you.

asked by: Bob V

Expert Reply:

I have a solution for you. Any time you use any adapter like the MaxxTow Hitch Adapter # MT70032, you reduce the overall weight capacity of the hitch by 50%. With that being said, that will reduce your trailer's hitch to only 65 pounds of available tongue weight. Since the OnRamp # Y36FR already weighs 39.5 pounds, that leaves only 25.5 pounds of available tongue weight on the rack. This is extremely dangerous. We unfortunately do not recommend going this route even if you plan on further securing methods to the rear bumper. To complicate the matter further, you will also be over the weight capacity of the OnRamp itself since it has an RV-rating of only 40 pounds per bike. We do not have a bike rack solution that can accommodate your weight requirements on a travel trailer with a 1-1/4" hitch with your current available weight capacity.

For the best and safest solution, I recommend installing either the Ultra-Fab 2" Motor Home Trailer Hitch Receiver # UF35-946402 (if you have a standard 4 inch x 4 inch bumper) or the Adjustable Width Trailer Hitch Receiver for RVs, 22" to 72" Wide # 13703 (as long as your frame is within 22-72 inches wide). With these two hitch options, you will have the required capacity you need for your bike and a rack.

For a great rack for your application, I recommend the Swagman E-Spec Bike Rack for 2 Electric Bikes - 2" Hitches # S94FR. The E-Spec comes with an impressive 70-pound weight capacity and is constructed to withstand the extra force and torque when mounted on the end of a travel trailer. If you happen to have fat tires on your RadCity 5, you need the fat tire adapters # S64679. If your particular bike model has a step-thru frame or an alternative frame style, I recommend a bike frame adapter bar like the # 64005. With the bike frame adapter bar, this will provide a straight, horizontal plane that is required to attach to the ratcheting hooks of the E-Spec.

expert reply by: Bob C

Bob V.

1/1/0001

Bob C.

1/26/2022

You are correct that the Yakima OnRamp # Y36FR has an off-road and RV weight rating of 40-pounds per bike. On all bike racks, if the manufacturer provides a per-bike weight capacity, that is the weight rating that the user needs to abide by. For this reason, we do not recommend using a single 60-pound bike as an alternative even if that falls under the 80-pound total capacity for two bike positions.