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You might think it’d be easy to carry your bikes on the back of a meaty RV, but you have to choose your RV bike rack carefully. Ideally, it should be RV approved.
In this article, we’ll help you find the best RV bike rack for you and your vehicle. Find out what features you should be looking for and browse our product reviews.
The first-placed product among those reviews is the Swagman Traveler XC2 RV Approved Hitch Mount Bike Rack. We like this mainly for its reassuring build quality, ease of use, and the convenient installation choices it allows.
Top 11 Best RV Bike Racks Reviewed
Below is a selection of eleven best RV bike racks for your consideration.
1. Swagman Traveler XC2 RV Approved Hitch Mount Bike Rack (best hitch mount)
- Rack type: Hitch
- Weight capacity: 35 lbs per bike
- Bike capacity: 2
The Swagman Traveler XC2 RV Approved Hitch Mount Bike Rack mounts directly to a 2-inch Class 3 hitch receiver on your RV. You can also install it on a 4.5″ continuous steel welded RV Bumper Adapter. It comes with a bumper mount adapter.
Suitable for various trailers and campers, this bike rack is easy to install using the clear instructions provided.
Lightweight yet durable, this alloy steel Swagman rack has a powder-coated finish to protect it from the elements and abrasion. Thanks to its push-button design and ratcheting hooks, loading or unloading bikes is quick and easy.
This rack will carry bikes with a maximum wheelbase of 52” and a maximum tire width of 3.5 inches. That makes it suitable for anything from road and gravel bikes to most types of MTB and everything in between (not fat bikes or heavy e-bikes).
What We Like
- RV approved – buy this rack knowing it’s intended for RV use.
- Versatile – two ways to mount the rack & carries a variety of bike types.
- Durable – strong alloy steel construction with a powder-coated finish.
What We Don’t Like
- Extender – you may need a hitch extender to keep bikes away from a trailer window.
2. Swagman RV Approved Around the Spare Deluxe Bike Rack (best bumper mounted)
- Rack type: Bumper
- Weight capacity: 35 lbs per bike
- Bike capacity: 2
Another from the same brand: the Swagman RV Approved Around the Spare Deluxe Bike Rack is designed to fit around a 4” to 4.5” continuously welded steel bumper using U-bolts and brackets.
A handy feature of this rack is its ability to fit around most spare tires. It holds your bikes with thick rubber anti-sway cradles, which are designed to prevent contact between your bikes. Nylon straps are also provided to keep your bikes perfectly still.
As with all RV approved bike racks, this sturdy rack is designed to accommodate the added stress of being carried on the back of an RV and all the extra movement and vibration this involves.
All the hardware you need for installation of this rack is included. Installation is easy, too, using only six bolts, and should only take you around 15-45 minutes on average.
What We Like
- Simple – very easy 6-bolt installation.
- Secure – effective anti-sway rubber cradles and nylon straps keep everything still.
- Tires – mounts around most spare tires provided they don’t extend too far back.
What We Don’t Like
- Bike types – like all hanging bike racks, it can be hard to mount bikes without a high top tube unless you buy a “top tube substitute”.
3. Camco RV Ladder Mount Bike Rack (best ladder mounted)
- Rack type: Ladder-mounted
- Weight capacity: 30 lbs per bike (60 lbs total)
- Bike capacity: 2
Ladders on an RV are useful for tasks like clearing snow off the roof, but the Camco RV Ladder Mount Bike Rack lets you utilize such a ladder for carrying your bikes. This is a budget-friendly rack solution, too!
Designed for use with standard RV ladders, this mount has a durable heavy-duty steel construction. It uses form-fitting cradles to hold your bikes, together with included straps for extra security and stability.
This rack is simple to install, hooking over one of the upper rungs of a ladder (you must keep it clear of the bumper). If offers a neat and convenient way of carrying bikes on an RV and folds up for easy storage when not in use.
Many people prefer this kind of mount over a bumper or hitch mount.
What We Like
- Construction – this is a very solid bike rack with a steel construction.
- Easy – installation is quick and easy, as is bike mounting and unmounting.
- Space – takes up less space at the back of your RV than other rack types.
What We Don’t Like
- Full Suspension – not ideal for full-suspension mountain bikes because of limited seat tube space.
4. Thule Range RV 4-Bike Hitch Rack (good for capacity)
- Rack type: Hitch
- Weight capacity: 37.5 lbs per bike (150 lbs total)
- Bike capacity: 4
If you need to carry bikes for all the family on the back of your RV, the Thule Range RV 4-Bike Hitch Rack may well be your solution. This USA-made rack from a dependable brand installs into a 2-inch hitch receiver.
Solidly constructed, this Thule rack features a compact cradle design that caters for a wide variety of bike types and sizes. It provides 7” of space between each bike, which helps to prevent bikes knocking together and damaging one another.
This rack features anti-sway cradle extensions, which reinforces the stability of each bike. Mounting bikes to the rack is quick and easy, thanks to Thule’s ratcheting cradle straps.
Everything is lockable with this rack, which deters the casual bike thief at least. There’s an integrated cable lock for locking bikes to the rack and a Thule STL2 bolt for locking the rack to your RV.
(Note that cable locks are usually easily bypassed with wire cutters.)
What We Like
- Capacity – rock-solid bike rack for up to 4 bikes.
- Versatile – compact cradle design holds many types and sizes of bike.
- Secure – integrated locking of bikes to the rack and rack to the RV.
What We Don’t Like
- Price – great product, but there are cheaper options out there for the budget-conscious.
5. Surco 501BR Ladder Mounted Bike Rack (most versatile)
- Rack type: Ladder-mounted
- Weight capacity: 37.5 lbs per bike.
- Bike capacity: 2
If you want the versatility of a rack that you can always keep installed without it taking up any space, look at the Surco 501BR Ladder Mounted Bike Rack. This ladder-mounted rack has pivoting arms, so you can just swing it out of the way when not in use.
This type of rack is also versatile because it holds bikes by their down tube rather than the top tube. With the possible exception of full-suspension mountain bikes, that means it holds a wider variety of bikes than some other racks without any extra expense.
The Surco 501BR rack fits onto any 1” van or RV ladder. It’s made from strong and lightweight aluminum with a satin finish. Like other ladder racks, it leaves plenty of carrying space for other items on the back of your RV if you need it.
What We Like
- Versatile – holds many bike types with ease.
- Convenient – leave it installed and just swing it out of the way for ladder access.
- Space – leaves lots of space for carrying other stuff on the back of an RV.
What We Don’t Like
- Capacity – two bikes may be a tight fit in some cases.
6. Swagman RV Approved 4-Bike Bumper Rack (best value)
- Rack type: Bumper
- Weight capacity: 30 lbs per bike.
- Bike capacity: 4
A trusty bike rack that holds up to four bikes for a reasonable outlay is the Swagman RV Approved 4-Bike Bumper Rack. This rack is designed to install on 4″ to 4.5″ square RV bumpers. It’s robustly constructed from heavy-duty steel with a powder-coated finish.
One great thing about this kind of “platform” style of rack is you don’t have to worry about different frame sizes and styles and whether or not they’ll be compatible. The only restriction is tire width, which makes this rack suboptimal for fat bikes.
An upright support bar in the center of the rack helps to keep your bikes secure on any journey. This rack is easy to install and easy to use; though you might want to add ratchet straps and bungee cords of your own to make double sure the bikes are secure.
What We Like
- Versatile – holds most types of bike, regardless of frame shape or size.
- Construction – solidly made from powder-coated, heavy-duty steel.
- Support – a vertical support bar helps to keep your bikes stable.
What We Don’t Like
- Cinch – holding bikes purely by their wheel doesn’t inspire unbreakable confidence, so you’d be wise to cinch them down with your own straps.
7. HYPERAX Volt RV Hitch Mounted E-bike & Fatbike Rack (best for e-bikes)
- Rack type: Hitch
- Weight capacity: 70 lbs per bike (140 lbs total)
- Bike capacity: 2
Because of their weight or tire size, bike rack options for e-bikes and fat bikes are often limited. The HYPERAX Volt RV Hitch Mounted E-bike & Fatbike Rack offers an excellent solution, accommodating as it does bikes up to 70 lbs apiece as well as fat tires.
Supporting your bikes primarily by their wheels, this rack is suitable for wheels with a 20” to 29” diameter and tires from 1” (approx. 25mm) to 5” wide.
Bikes are also secured to this rack from the top via rubberized hooks, though this system works best on bikes with high top tubes. Bikes with step-though frames may need a top-tube adapter or substitute to make them secure.
Note that this rack is not suitable for use with a mounted hitch adapter.
This hitch rack features locks for both the rack and your bikes, so the hooks cannot simply be lifted by a thief for easy removal of bikes.
What We Like
- Solid – inspires confidence with its sturdy build quality.
- E-bikes & fat bikes – accommodates bikes that other racks do not.
- Lockable – both the rack and your bikes are lockable (probably more securely than with a cable lock).
What We Don’t Like
- Bike height – some bikes with low top tubes (e.g., step-through frames) may need a top-tube substitute for this rack to work.
8. Quick Products QPRBM2R RV Bumper-Mounted 2-Bike Rack (best budget)
- Rack type: Bumper
- Weight capacity: 30 lbs per bike
- Bike capacity: 2
If you don’t have a big wedge of cash to spend on an RV bike rack, there’s a possible solution in the Quick Products RV Bumper-Mounted 2-Bike Rack. This rack fixes to 4” to 4.5” square bumpers.
The reason bumper racks tend to be cheap is their simplicity. They don’t come with a load of fancy cradles or straps, though you might want to bolster security with some ratchet straps, Velcro straps or bungee cords of your own.
This affordable rack from Quick Products is robustly made from steel. It can accommodate most types of bike except very heavy bikes or fat bikes. Regular mountain bikes and road-type bikes are fine.
A vertical stabilizer post at the rear of the rack gives you something to cinch your bikes to using your own straps or cords.
This rack weighs 22 lbs. Buyers are advised to check any manufacturer’s load restrictions on their RV bumper before buying.
What We Like
- Price – appealing price for anyone on a budget.
- Versatile – accepts most types of bike except heavy bikes or fat bikes.
- Durable – sturdy steel construction with powder-coated finish for resistance to weather and abrasion.
What We Don’t Like
- Not much at this price – lacks any cinch straps or cords, but so do several similar products.
9. Let’s Go Aero Jack-It Double Bike Carrier System
- Rack type: tongue jack (trailer)
- Weight capacity: 80 lbs total
- Bike capacity: 2
Designed to install on a trailer’s A-frame via the tongue jack, the Let’s Go Aero Jack-It Double Bike Carrier System frees up the space you might otherwise have used on the rear of the trailer to carry bikes.
By carrying bikes at the front of the trailer, they are subjected to less bounce, vibration and movement. This rack further protects your bikes with foam bumpers and a “SwayControl” system to keep them stable.
With a total weight capacity of 80 lbs, you can carry moderately heavy bikes on this rack. You can transport bikes with any size or shape of bike frame, which often isn’t true of other racks.
The Jack-It bike rack holds bikes via their wheels using its BikeWing carrier and secure SwayStop cradles. As well, the lower PowerTower portion of the rack protects your tongue jack against being hit by any foreign objects.
What We Like
- Front – carrying bikes at the front of your trailer increases stability.
- Design – innovative patented design that protects your bikes and tongue jack.
- Versatile – suitable for most types of bikes, including moderately heavy ones.
What We Don’t Like
- Fat – not suitable for all fat bikes as the straps struggle to encircle the wheels.
10. Swagman Escapee RV E-bike Approved Hitch Mount Bike Rack
- Rack type: Hitch (2”)
- Weight capacity: 60 lbs per bike
- Bike capacity: 2
Though it’s not cheap, the Swagman Escapee RV E-bike Approved Hitch Mount Bike Rack is a mightily strong RV-approved bike rack that can carry two 60-pound bikes. That means it will carry heftier e-bikes and any bike with a tire width of up to 3 inches.
Security is a significant attraction of this Swagman rack. The rack is anchored to the RV via a locking threaded hitch pin, and your bikes lock to the hooked arm of the rack so it cannot be ratcheted open.
The above security system is almost certainly harder to breach than the cable locks that often come with racks. The tools required to steal your bikes would need to be more elaborate than a wire cutter.
As well as being held by their top tube, bikes are secured in the wheel wells of this rack by their rear wheel and the provided ratchet straps.
What We Like
- Security – reassuring locks at the hitch and on the ratcheting hooked arms.
- Construction – a well-made product made of alloy steel.
- Strong – boasts an unusually high load capacity of 60 lbs per bike.
What We Don’t Like
- Cost – you get what you pay for, but you can probably get the job done for much less.
11. Tow Tuff 500-Pound Capacity Steel Cargo Bike Rack
- Rack type: Hitch (2”)
- Weight capacity: 500 lbs
- Bike capacity: 4
If you’re looking for bike rack with herculean strength, the Tow Tuff 500-Pound Capacity Steel Cargo Bike Rack may fit the bill. Because of its platform design, you can carry most types of bikes on it, including heavier e-bikes or fat bikes.
When placing bikes on this sizeable 62” by 27” rack, you’ll secure them in place using the wheel holders, Velcro loops and a ratcheted tie-down strap.
Because it’s so heavy-duty, you can also use the Tow Tuff rack to carry other cumbersome loads that are not bike related. To transfer the bike rack into a regular cargo rack, you simply remove the pins holding in the wheel holders.
This rack is constructed from heavy-duty steel and weighs about 50 lbs unloaded. It’s a durable rack that should serve you well for many years.
What We Like
- Universal – this rack can carry most imaginable types of bike.
- Robust – extremely rugged build quality with steel construction.
- 2-in1 – switches easily from a bike rack too a cargo rack with removal of pins.
What We Don’t Like
- Weight – heavy on its own at approximately 50 lbs. Check the maximum tongue weight of your RV, though its should be fine for bike transport.
Why Bring Your Bikes On A Camping Trip?
An RV in all its forms lets you explore new places freely whilst still retaining some of your own creature comforts. Often, RVs are used for camping trips.
With all this freedom you get from an RV, why do you need bikes as well? Below, you’ll find several good reasons.
Read more: Best bicycle rack for pop-up campers
Eco-Friendly
If you’ve gone camping, chances are you appreciate the value of nature and the countryside. Giving yourself the option of pedal power rather than driving everywhere helps the environment.
If you save the RV for the bulk of the journey or the longest stretches, you can use the bikes for everything else. Using a bike may also save you the hassle of unhitching a trailer for what may be a quick trip to local shops.
Healthy
It should go without saying, but riding a bike in between long stints of driving is good for your health. Even gentle bike riding is good for your aerobic fitness and helps to prevent illnesses like diabetes or heart disease.
Whether you’re at home or on a camping holiday, it’s always worth remembering the 150 minutes of moderate exercise that health organizations recommend per week for adults.
Explore
The places you can reach and stop at on a bike are not places you’ll see or admire in an RV. On a bike, you are far more mobile. And though you won’t travel as far or fast, you’ll see a lot more of the area you’re in. Bikes are great for exploring!
If all you ever do is drive, you’re missing out on some of the smaller details of life. Anyone with a camera will take better pictures if they’re not having to worry about where to park a large vehicle first. Within reason, you can stop anywhere on a bike.
Satellite Vehicle
Some people in RVs tow a small car to their destination(s) as a kind of satellite vehicle for short trips out.
Well, bikes can serve this purpose while affording you some of the benefits already mentioned above. You can explore the locale or nip to the local store on two wheels!
Save On Parking
Another benefit of taking a bike on a camping trip is the avoidance of car parking costs. If you’re on the outskirts of an expensive city, that could be worthwhile.
In any case, a bike is far easier to “park” than an RV and there are usually many places to lock it. Just be sure to lock your bike well, perhaps using a thick U-lock or chain.
Read more: Guide to U-lock mounts
What Type Of RV Bike Racks Suits Me?
The type of RV bike rack that’s ideal for you will depend on a number of factors:
- Type of bike – do your bikes have a high top tube or a step-through frame? Many types of “hanging” bike rack are designed to hold a bike with a tall top tube (the tube between the saddle and the handlebar). Without that, you may need to buy a substitute top tube to make your bike fit the rack.
- Electric bikes – e-bikes are often too heavy for bike racks unless they’re also uber-expensive road bikes. Thus, you must pay close attention to the weight capacity per bike before buying a rack. Platform-style racks rather than hanging ones may work best.
- Fat Bikes – fat bikes are also problematic for many bike racks because of their extreme tire width and often their weight. Unfortunately, your choice of bike racks is quite severely diminished with a fat bike, but we have one or two suitable products among our reviews above.
- Load Restrictions – it’s always worth heeding any maximum load restrictions when buying a rack that fits onto a bumper or into a hitch receiver. On an RV, you won’t normally be overloading the tongue weight capacity of a hitch, but you might need to be more careful with a bumper-mounted rack.
- Height – are you okay with lifting a bike up a few feet off the ground? You might have to do that with a ladder-mounted rack, but it’s less likely with other RV racks.
- Space – the type of rack you buy affects how much other space you have available for carrying stuff. A ladder rack or tongue-jack rack generally leave room for other items you may wish to carry on the back of an RV.
What Is An RV-Approved Bike Rack?
Bikes bounce around a lot on RVs, partly because there’s a long distance between the rear wheels and the rack. There is also more side-to-side movement. The last thing you’d want is to have your bikes fall onto the road and potentially cause an accident.
An RV-approved bike rack is one that has been specifically approved for RV use by the manufacturer.
Video: Is Your Bike Rack RV-Approved?
You’ll find some bikes on the Internet that are evidently used for RVs without being officially approved (or even being non-approved). These are usually very sturdy racks with strong stability features, but you take a risk if you buy such products.
First and foremost, you should base your buying decisions on the safety of other people rather than the potential loss of your bike. The latter can be replaced.
Can I Attach Other Things To A Bike Rack?
If you’ve pored over every word of our reviews, you’ll have noted the ability with some racks to commandeer them for other purposes. For instance, a ladder rack is quite handy for carrying outdoor seats or loungers.
Many platform-style hitch racks can also be used to carry other stuff, including quite heavy machinery in some cases. Naturally, you must be entirely sure the load is secure before attempting such things and that you stay within the load capacity.
Carrying other items at the same time as carrying bikes is generally less feasible, as you’re always aiming to stop things (including other bikes) clattering into frames and chipping paintwork.
Safety is always a primary concern with bike racks, so if you have any niggling doubt about what you’re carrying, how stable it looks or how you’re carrying it, think again.
Final Words
Now it’s time to recap on the top three picks from our RV bike rack reviews.
The Swagman Traveler XC2 RV Approved Hitch Mount Bike Rack made our top spot for best hitch rack partly because of its ability to carry lots of different bike types. That’s often not the case with hitch racks. It also happens to be very well made.
Swagman stole the spot for best bumper-mounted rack, too, with the Swagman RV Approved Around the Spare Deluxe Bike Rack. This rack is unusual in that it also clears any spare tire that may reside on the back of your RV.
Ladder-mounted RV bike racks are much liked for their affordability and convenience. So it is with the sturdily made Camco RV Ladder Mount Bike Rack. It’s easy to install and use and leaves space to carry other stuff if required on the back of your RV.
If none of our reviewed products are right for you, we hope the information in this article inspires and guides you towards your own perfect RV bike rack.
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