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Old 10-23-2017, 05:35 AM   #1
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Recumbent trike rack

I just bought a recumbent tadpole trike. I want to carry it behind my Escape. I have been unable to find a rack that is for use behind an RV. Does anyone know of a rack I can use for my trike? Is anyone using a rack that is not specified for use on a trailer? I don’t understand why a hitch mounted rack would be much different behind the trailer than a car.

Thanks
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Old 10-23-2017, 06:25 AM   #2
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Originally Posted by Playdog View Post
I just bought a recumbent tadpole trike. I want to carry it behind my Escape. I have been unable to find a rack that is for use behind an RV. Does anyone know of a rack I can use for my trike? Is anyone using a rack that is not specified for use on a trailer? I don’t understand why a hitch mounted rack would be much different behind the trailer than a car. Thanks
Mitzi
Mitzi, I'm confused regarding your confusion. It's a standard 2" x 2" box hitch just like on a car, so unless I'm missing something, if you have a car bike rack that works for your trike, you should just be able to put it on your camper (albeit the spare tire might necessitate an extension). What am I missing?
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Old 10-23-2017, 06:29 AM   #3
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I'd guess she's looking for a rack rated for an RV, which most are not.
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Old 10-23-2017, 06:40 AM   #4
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Lots of 1Up USA bike racks out there on the back end of RVs. https://www.1up-usa.com/ Tray style, all metal construction (no plastic parts). For RVs, they recommend using their 2" models only (not the 1 1/4") and limit add-on models to 2 bikes (do not extend to 3 or more bikes). We have the 2" Super Duty Single (but expandable). Great rack.
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Old 10-23-2017, 06:46 AM   #5
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Originally Posted by Playdog View Post
I just bought a recumbent tadpole trike. I want to carry it behind my Escape. I have been unable to find a rack that is for use behind an RV. Does anyone know of a rack I can use for my trike? Is anyone using a rack that is not specified for use on a trailer? I don’t understand why a hitch mounted rack would be much different behind the trailer than a car.

Thanks
Mitzi
The forces exerted on a rack behind a trailer are considerably higher than the ones behind a car or truck. Racks designed to go behind a trailer are stronger and will say that they are rated for trailer use. There are only a few trailer rated racks and the ones available are designed for regular bicycles, we never found a recumbent trike rack rated for the rear of a trailer. That has not stopped people from using them but you are taking a chance.

We looked several times over the years for one. I sold it before we purchased our Escape so we stopped looking. Cargo carriers look promising there are heavy duty models you might be able to convert to carrying a recumbent.

You might have better luck looking for one that can be mounted to the top of your tow vehicle
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Old 10-23-2017, 07:02 AM   #6
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When we had the trike I used to put it in the back of the truck when we brought it along.
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Old 10-23-2017, 07:20 AM   #7
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The forces exerted on a rack behind a trailer are considerably higher than the ones behind a car or truck.
Where can I read up on the differences in the forces for behind the trailer v behind the truck?

Any links to that information would be appreciated.
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Old 10-23-2017, 07:21 AM   #8
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My bad! I've seen several recumbent bikes at campgrounds and, for some reason, I assumed they would collapse or fold to a flatter profile for transport. But if the frame, including the wide wheel profile, is rigid, then now I'm curious how those folks transport theirs. I guess I need to start waving them down and asking.
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Old 10-23-2017, 07:27 AM   #9
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Recumbent trike assembly - I wish I could work as fast as this guy!
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Old 10-23-2017, 07:28 AM   #10
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We just bought two ICE Adventure recumbent trikes. We specifically got ones that fold up and then both fit inside the Highlander with space leftover.
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Old 10-23-2017, 07:30 AM   #11
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I'm aware of at least one member here that transports their recumbent bikes with them, I believe the Eddy's from NH?
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Old 10-23-2017, 08:13 AM   #12
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Where can I read up on the differences in the forces for behind the trailer v behind the truck?

Any links to that information would be appreciated.
I doubt there are links, but it is pretty easy to visualize as the hitch is out on a long cantilever and any trailer bounce is exaggerated back there. We had a Swagman we sold after friends following us described how much it bounced. It also wore paint off our bikes from the action. The 1UP is very solid back there.
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I'm aware of at least one member here that transports their recumbent bikes with them, I believe the Eddy's from NH?
The Eddy's bought a Kuat rack, so must use regular bikes I would think. BTW, they are from Vermont, but you are very close.
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Old 10-23-2017, 08:24 AM   #13
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I have never ridden a recumbent bike, but have seen a few around. I have to ask what is the advantage, as to me maybe sitting comfort would be the only one. Visibility would not be so great sitting low and I would worry about being seen sitting that low, they are obviously harder to stow and carry, they must heavier, they look funny, and and one I have seen while road riding seems WAY slower. When road riding, can you still draft like you do with road bikes?

Plus the big one, how the heck can you blast along a single track with them? The dual wheels on the back would never fit.

Educate me, please.
I would sure like to try one out sometime, but don't know anyone with one around here.

I was thinking if I added a fourth bike to my stable, it would be a fat bike. I know a couple folks with them, and they add a further fun factor riding in snow and loose soil.
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Old 10-23-2017, 08:32 AM   #14
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Jim, if you ever get to ride a quality recumbent trike, you'll understand.

As Leon (who owns about 8 different bikes) says, when he gets on a recumbent trike he feels like he's driving a Miata. We had recumbent bikes for 20 years and they can actually be faster than upright bikes due to optimum leg motion on the pedals and aerodynamics - bike speed record are almost always set by skinned recumbents. A good trike ain't slow by any means.

Our new ones: http://www.icetrikes.co/products/adventure
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Old 10-23-2017, 08:33 AM   #15
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Moment of Inertia

Quote:
Originally Posted by Honair View Post
Where can I read up on the differences in the forces for behind the trailer v behind the truck?

Any links to that information would be appreciated.
From a movie somewhere I remeber a line that went something like “You’re dealing with forces here that you can’t understand.” That describes my bouts with Physics classes at Iowa State in the late 60s. That said, I later encountered damaged equipment and facilities in my career which in retrospect dealt with the Physics term Moment of Inertia. The Wikipedia article on this topic is extensive and beyond my pay grade. At the same time I was taking Physics I was also good friends with a guy who was into stock car racing on dirt tracks. Using shade tree logic , we repaired broken frames, roll cages, engine mounts and other bracing on the car. We declared the job finished with the term “Hell for stout”. Failing the location of a verified rack, my advice would be to purchase a heavy duty hitch hauler and find a good welder to beef it up for you and to increase the points of attachment to your trailer. That’s what I would do if it were me.
Dave
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Old 10-23-2017, 08:35 AM   #16
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I have never ridden a recumbent bike, but have seen a few around. I have to ask what is the advantage, as to me maybe sitting comfort would be the only one. Visibility would not be so great sitting low and I would worry about being seen sitting that low, they are obviously harder to stow and carry, they must heavier, they look funny, and and one I have seen while road riding seems WAY slower. When road riding, can you still draft like you do with road bikes?

Plus the big one, how the heck can you blast along a single track with them? The dual wheels on the back would never fit.

Educate me, please.
I would sure like to try one out sometime, but don't know anyone with one around here.

I was thinking if I added a fourth bike to my stable, it would be a fat bike. I know a couple folks with them, and they add a further fun factor riding in snow and loose soil.

Actually due to the lowered wind resistance they can be way faster than a regular bicycle. And the tadpole configuration is very stable, the delta can be if the seating is slung real low. The main problem with ours was the amount of space it took to transport it. As far as visibility no one sees regular bicycles either, or at least it seems that way.
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Old 10-23-2017, 08:48 AM   #17
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While lots of riders pass me when on the road, never a recumbent, and I have blown by many of them. That said, I really would like to try one.

Eric, you need to bring yours to the rally next year so I can try it out.

To me though, they seem to lose the fun factor of riding, like blasting trails while exploring. Are there ones that can do this? My Specialized Stumpjumper is aptly named, as it does a good job clearing roots, rocks and so on on trails.

I only want to bring one bike along when taking the trailer. I don't bring my (expensive) full suspension bike(or my road bike either), preferring an older Specialised Hardrock, a mountain bike with no suspension at all. Much less of a theft target, a bit lighter due to simplicity, and works better on smooth stuff where suspension is not needed. Not so great for single track riding with drops and rocks on the trail. Being a mountain bike it is geared really low, so climbing is a breeze, but I run out of gears when blasting down big hills.
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Old 10-23-2017, 08:53 AM   #18
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Leon and Lindy always travel with two of these in their tow and love them. https://www.brompton.com
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Old 10-23-2017, 08:59 AM   #19
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Jim, if you ever get to ride a quality recumbent trike, you'll understand.

As Leon (who owns about 8 different bikes) says, when he gets on a recumbent trike he feels like he's driving a Miata. We had recumbent bikes for 20 years and they can actually be faster than upright bikes due to optimum leg motion on the pedals and aerodynamics - bike speed record are almost always set by skinned recumbents. A good trike ain't slow by any means.

Our new ones: Adventure
Hi: thoer... The only recumbent I ever rode was attached the the wall in a hospital test lab. On it... I got nowhere fast.
On the road they seem like a complicated way to give your ascend a ride. This opinion from a minimalist tower of an Escape 5.0TA. Alf
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Old 10-23-2017, 09:03 AM   #20
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On the road they seem like a complicated way to give your ascend a ride.
But you ascend is sure more comfortable on them than those upright torture seats!
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