Taking along the bikes

[padlin]

Heading to Utah next year from Massachusetts for a couple months and would like to take along the bikes. We have the rear receiver, and will get a newer/better bike rack as mentioned in one of the many posts on racks. The question is has anyone done the long haul with them on the back of your trailer? if so any issues or suggestions? Guess I'm wondering if the receiver is really up to the task.

[Bcdonaher]

We always travel with our mountain bikes. I think this type of setup is best to prevent any sway, best used with a top tube adapter to keep the bikes level. The downside is the weight and we have to adjust cargo inside the Escape accordingly. Utah is an awesome place to ride!

[Bcdonaher]

Forgot to mention, the trick is to tie the inside pedals together, that keeps the bikes from rubbing.

[holo]

Like others I add a strap from the top of the rack to the top of the spare tire bracket which tightens the rack to the tire and keeps the rack from moving. I also add an "insurance strap" from bikes to rack and extra strap holding the bikes together like Bcdonaher. No problems on long trips so far. Utah parks are a great place to go!

[Ron in BC]

The receiver is more than strong enough for the task. What's needed is a "U" clamp to take the slop out of the connection. Taking out the slop and holding the bike rack firm prevents the bike rack from moving back and forth etc.

That is unless you find a bike rack that is a rock solid fit in the receiver.

Ron

[Brian B-P]

Some racks don't have a problem with slop in the receiver fit because they are not just pinned though the receiver - they are bolted into it. My rack (never used on a trailer, just the van an a motorhome) is not a good one; it is just an older version of this SportRack. It has only a 1.25" stinger, but it avoids rattling by having a nut welded into it so it is held into the receiver by a bolt through the hole normally used for a pin. When in a 2" receiver, it is used with a plastic spacer to fill in the extra 3/4" in each direction. In the main photo on that SportRack webpage you can see it is in a 2" receiver tube with the spacer and bolt in place; the instructions for this rack more clearly show the bolt setup (images 17 through 20).

I think that a slop-free connection in the receiver will be easier on the receiver, although I trust that the receiver tube itself is suitably strong anyway.

Even with zero play in the receiver mounting, I think the bracing straps are a good idea, due to play and flex in all of the other joints of the rack. I have not used straps with our motorhome, but there is no where to tie them to (unlike the readily accessible Escape bumper), and the motions of the back of a trailer might be even worse than the back of the motorhome.

With a trailer, I would probably install permanent eyebolts (or hooks, or loops) for convenience when using the straps... although I would rather avoid a rear-of-trailer rack, for all of the reasons discussed in other threads.

[bolerfan]

We too use the Thule for our 2 bikes and completed a month across five states in Sep with no problems. The bolt needs to be checked daily as it does loosen. The advice given by other posters to put on additional straps is very important! No matter how little lack of movement in the receiver, there will be a lot of sway by the bikes if the upper parts of the rack are not restrained. We are also considering welding extra bracing on the pivot points on the lower part of the rack to strengthen that area, although to date we have not noted any wear. On a previous rack where the bikes rode with their wheels in a wire mount, the bounce ( had a Boler then) going over a cattle grate, slammed the bikes up and down so hard they snapped all the bolts holding the rack together. So just an extra backup to weld those areas with extra plates. We did move that rack to the front of the Boler, but a whole new issue comes along when backing and turning the trailer as to wheel pinch; just another thing to complicate our drive for recreational opportunity!

[padlin]

Thanks folks, my current Thule looks just like the one bconaher shows, it bolts to the receiver. Maybe I won't bother getting one of the wheel mount jobs and just use this one. The bikes are not real high value, pretty old school compared to what's out there these days.

[Escapist]

We have used a Swagman rack for thousands of km travel with bike on the back, looseness in the receiver was moderated by shims made from an old magic carpet sled. I like the idea of the straps mentioned above or getting round tuit and drilling and welding bolts to the receiver to steady the mount. Great riding in many parts of Utah.

[padlin]

How about care of the bikes? I usually go through them over the winter, and tweak if needed during the season. Any extra maintenance needed for bikes hauled around on a rack?

[Jim Bennett]

I bought the 1UP USA rack, after it was mentioned here, and heard from Texscapees (Brad), who also bought one, plus a couple car top racks. I have used dozens of different racks, and this rack by far, is the best rack I have seen, or used. It is built better than any other rack out there, and installation of both the rack, and the bikes in it, are extremely quick. I tightens into the receiver with absolutely no movement allowed.

It is not the cheapest, nor the lightest available, but I am confident it is the best. I plan to do a full review on it next spring.

http://www.1upusa.com/product-quikracksilverdouble.html

Originally Posted by padlin

Any extra maintenance needed for bikes hauled around on a rack?

I know with the 19, and no front storage, I do have to be cautious with loading to ensure adequate tongue weight is maintained. As well, if I was to take one of my good bikes, I would use a cover to keep road dirt and mud off of them.

[fudge_brownie]

Depending on the value of the bikes I would consider a bike bag to protect them. Think of your trailer back window after a trip, especially a wet trip. Without a bag I would spay them entirely with silicon. Skip foam, leather and plastic. Use a half a can of spray and reapply after it gets wet.

[Chapitre]

Hi Bob,
I have driven many miles with two bikes on the back of our 17 & now our 5TA. THis is my first trip with the 5 but the setup is the same.
If you look through my posts you will see a few places where I've posted about the bikes, but also under "bike Rack" post #23 - I posted photo's.
We are currently on our way to Florida from Nova Scotia, and they are towing great, wouldn't know they were there, have not had to worry about them at all.
The rack isn't the same as you have though....

[dfandrews]

Originally Posted by Chapitre

..., but also under "bike Rack" post #23 - I posted photo's.....

Here's that post:
http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f8...ch-3753-3.html