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bike rack
Yahoo Message Number: 18873
I'll be picking up my LD 26 -1/2 ft. rear bath the end of Feb. and was wondering if anyone has any suggestions for a bicycle rack to be attached to the hitch.  I would like one that carries 2 bikes at the most.  I'm hoping to get one that doesn't stick out too far.
Thanks.  Jan
bike rack
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 19098
Hi guys, I am looking for a bike rack that can hold two bikes or a scooter and a bike and I was wondering if anybody knows where can I get one. I would like to install it on the rear of my lazydaze.
Thanks.
1990 22' Rear Lounge
Re: bike rack
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 19124
chendorpg wrote:
 
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Hi guys, I am looking for a bike rack that can hold two bikes or a scooter and a bike and I was wondering if anybody knows where can I get one. I would like to install it on the rear of my lazydaze.
Here is a website which offer various bike racks:
 http://www.sportsrack.com/Search.bok?keyword=GOTGCat019&oem=Thule

One of the ones listed is a Rak N' Lok.  We have an earlier model Rak N' Lok (slightly different) on our camper van. We purchased the bike rack at Taylor vans in San Diego for $ 305.00 in 1997. The price was higher than we wanted to pay, but we needed something quickly.  We have been quite happy with this sturdy bike rack which tilts so rear doors can open (not a consideration for LD.) This bike rack fits in the 2" hitch receiver and clamps so that it does not rattle.
 Recently we read in the LD manual that LD has bike racks for sale in their store that fit the LD.  I have not seen this bike rack nor a photo of it.  It might be something to consider.  It might be a standard item.  I do not know if items from the LD store are priced higher than they can be found elsewhere.

Ken in San Diego 2003 MB on order
bike rack
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 23831
Hi, My name is Beth, I,m one of the Seattle group.( charlies angels) I am new to posting messages on this site, while avidly reading the posts for months.

I'm going to pick up my new RB next month, while I'm excited, I'm also frightened about driving off in it.

my question is about how to carry my bike. What are your recommendations? In the front, on back, or on top?

Beth Waiting with baited breath
Re: bike rack
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 23833
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my question is about how to carry my bike. What are your recommendations? In the front, on back, or on top?
In our case, the issue was security. Simply the best and least fussiest way to secure the bikes when we would not be around was on the back, locked to the step-bumper directly.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: bike rack
Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 23840
Beth, Enjoy your new LD next month. Don't worry, it will be a piece of cake.
I have two bike racks, one is a 3 bike rack that goes in the hitch receiver. It is a Yakima brand and works well. It is very sturdy and the bikes are secured by the frames on the rack. You can't use this when towing something.
I also use a Enflite brand, that will take two bikes and can be mounted on truck lids, SUV rear doors, auto roof rack...quite versitile. It is made for road bikes or mountain bikes with the quick release wheels. The front wheel is removed and the fork secured to the rack by a quick release clamp. I use this when we are towing the CRV. This rack is very light and easily stowed.
 We are heading up to the NW in August, order up some sunshine for us.
Chris H.
Re: bike rack
Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 23862
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Beth, Enjoy your new LD next month. Don't worry, it will be a piece of cake.
I have two bike racks, one is a 3 bike rack that goes in the hitch receiver. It is a Yakima brand and works well.
We have a little delima.  My husband rides a recumbent and I ride a hybrid.  Does anyone know of a bike carrier that can handle both bikes?  I've been looking at various web sites and catalogues, but haven't come up with anything that addresses carrying a wider bike.
Perhaps we'll have to end up carrying the recumbent inside the LD ....
Any suggestions or thoughts?

Ken, Patty and Stephanie in San Diego - Expecting blue MB in Sept/Oct.  You are #7972 and we are #7976 - both of us expecting around the same time.  (We also ordered a blue, MB 26.5)  Perhaps we'll see one another down at the Mothership!  I know the time will fly between now and then, and we are trying to get as much ready now as possible.

Good luck on your delivery!

Kathleen & Paul in Oakland, CA (www.bike70th.com)
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: bike rack
Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 23993
Check out  http://www.sportworks.com/stcat.asp  They sell the bike racks that are on all the buses in Seattle and the Northwest for that matter. You can buy a recumbent add-on and carry the 'bent' bike along with a conventional bike. The racks are easy to use and sturdy.  Much easier than carrying a recumbent inside your rig! Hope this helps.
Marti in Seattle '87  22' Rear Lounge
Marti
2011 Blue MB
Seattle
bike rack
Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 18875
Sportworks bike racks are able to fold up when not in use.  They hold 2 bikes.  Many cities use them on their buses for bikers using public transportation.  They are easy to use, rugged and fairly expensive.  You can see them at www.supergo.com, or the Sportworks website.  When folded the rack does not interfere with the tire cover.
Larry P.
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] bike rack
Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 23835
Beth,

There will be varying opinions on bike rack placement, etc.
 In my case, I went to the bicycle people to find the finest rack for carrying two bicycles, and the Yamaha/Thule rack was recommended. It fits into the trailer hitch. Have used it for two years and it has worked quite well. The bicycles can be attached within minutes and secured with a built-in cable lock. This won't work if you use a dinghy.

Ronald 2001 Red RK
Re: bike rack (Hitch Haul?)
Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 23838
Beth, We're also wrestling with what kind of a bike rack to get for our 2003 26.5 MB.  I've been to the local bike shops, looked online, and found lots of options, and some of them seem pretty pricy for a single purpose item.   At the moment I'm leaning towards the Hitch Haul.  It is a steel cage that slips into the 2 inch receiver hitch.  It can be used to carry anything from firewood to storage boxes.  And they offer a bike carrier as an accessory that bolts on and will carry up to 3 bikes.  With a locking hitch pin and a locking cable run through the bikes it looks like that should work just fine. I'm a big fan of products that can serve multiple uses, as long as they function adequately.  Does anybody have any experience with one of these things?  Any negative I haven't considered?

Here's a link to the Hitch Haul in the JC Whitney catalog.
http://www.jcwhitney.com/product.jhtml?CATID=14939

I've also seen these at Wal-Mart for less money, but I couldn't find them at their online site.

Charles.
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] bike rack
Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 23841
Hi Beth,  I have a system that has worked for years.  I needed to carry two bikes and we towed a car so couldn't use the hitch.  I used the type of bike carrier you see hanging from the backs of cars.  I attached the hooks on the straps on the back of the hood and rested the rubber supports on the hood.  I bought two six inch square pieces of metal at the hardware store and used wire to attach them to the grill.  The two pads of the rack to rest on the metal.  When we got to aour destination the bike rack comes off and folds flat and stays under the RV.  The only problem I ever had was explaining to people what the two pieces of metal on the grill were there for.  Good Luck.  Doug

elizabeththegardener wrote: my question is about how to carry my bike. What are your

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recommendations? In the front, on back, or on top?

Beth Waiting with baited breath

 
  [Click Here!]

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">lifewithalazydazerv-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
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Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: bike rack (Hitch Haul?)
Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 23852
Charles, we have found that the Hitch Haul as pictured in the link you provided to be slightly unstable.  We bought one years ago and found we had to stabilize the outer corners because weight bouncing up and down tended to cause it to flap/wobble.
 We have a bike rack that fits into our 2 inch square receiver hitch, but we carry use the one on the front of our LD rather than the back.  Our LD came with two 2inch receiver hitch slots, one in the front and one in the back.
Our bike rack is single purpose, but it works well up front.  We even have one of the step-plates that the others are talking about but it folds flat and does not interfere with anything (and they are VERY handy to have) for cleaning the front windshield.  I can't imagine what it would be like not to have one.
 Anyway, I would watch out getting the platform type hitch haul.  If the weight is slightly off on one side when you load it, you will have a springboard-like bouncing on each side as it flexes.  Ours was heavy duty but with all the weight balanced on a center bar/beam, it's kind of scary how the ends of those things bounce around back there.
 I probably didn't explain it very well, but if you have questions I can put it into a diagram to show you what I'm talking about.

Hugh
[Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: bike rack (Hitch Haul?)
Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 23870
Hugh, Thanks for your experiences with the Hitch Haul.  I hadn't really thought about the weight distribution issue.  I suspect it wouldn't be a problem with the bikes, but it makes sense that if you loaded it down with several hundred pounds of "stuff" it might become a problem.  I may have to re-think this.  What did you do to stablize the outer corners?

Thanks,

Charles.
 
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Charles, we have found that the Hitch Haul as pictured in the link you provided to be slightly unstable.  We bought one years ago and
found we had
 
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to stabilize the outer corners because weight bouncing up and down
tended to
Re: bike rack (Hitch Haul?)
Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 23888
Charles, I don't have the Hitch Haul but I know people that do and depending on what you are carrying on them and how the weight is distributed they can be just fine. For bikes it would be as good as any of the hitch mounted bike carriers. I plan to get one for our LD also since it's about the only type that will carry my daughter's bike. Since we have 2 girls bikes it also makes more sense and they don't put stress on the bike frame. I know a few people that carry those small electric carts for disabled people with a Hitch Haul and they work fine with them also.

With the Ford v10 chassis you don't want to carry them on the front or you'll block too much cool air from reaching the radiator, transmission cooler, and air intake. Ford and LD both warn against it.

Mike R.
 
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: bike rack (Hitch Haul?)
Reply #16 –
Yahoo Message Number: 23897
Charles, as Mike R pointed out, some people do not have problems.  I cannot speak for anyone else, I only have our experiences to pass along.
 The best advice I can give is to find someone that has one and is willing to load it up with whatever you consider a reasonable load.  Then have them drive drive around trying a variety of road and driving conditions (pulling out of parking lots, secondary roads, etc.), and while they are driving, follow them around and observe how the platform handles.
 In our particular case, we did not realize there might be an issue until we had a 2 vehicle convoy and I was following the vehicle with the hitch mounted.  We did not have several hundred pounds, and the weight was as evenly distributed as one would try to make when packing a centrally supported device.  I saw things during the course of that trip that gave me long-term concerns about how the hitch handled various stresses.
 We do a lot of "jeeping" with our 93 Wrangler and we have seen more than a few hitch haulers at the various rallies we've attended over the years (jeeps aren't exactly famous for their cargo carrying capacities).  Some people swear by them, others find that on anything other than smooth roads there are issues (just like with anything else).  We did not use ours with our jeep though.
 So if you tend to cruise down well-maintained roads and interstates, I doubt you will have any problems.  If you intend to carry light loads of less than 150lbs, I doubt you will have any problems on any reasonable road surface.
Common sense more than anything will dictate how it handles under various loads and conditions.
 Mike brought up another good point - this is not something you would use on the front hitch (if you have one).  We only have 2 bikes that we carry up front on our hitch mounted rack, and in our case and the effects of any reduced airflow is negligible and has not impacted our engine cooling.
However, I would never put anything more than a couple bikes up front.
 One last consideration is the weight.  Depending on the model, you might find the weight and size awkward to work with if you tend to do things by yourself.
 In our case, we found the extra stabilization on the outer corners a huge help.  I'm not sure I would recommend what we did, which was welding mounts so we could hook in stabilizing rods for travel off the beaten path or for heavier loads.
 If you know someone that has one, ask if you might be able to borrow it for a trip to try it out.  Your particular usage will determine if it's right for you.

Hugh

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