Swagman ESpec RV rack question...

[ISeyes]

Good Morning

Does anyone use the Swagman E-SPEC RV bike rack... if so does it clear the spare back tire?

Thanks,
Ian

 

[occer]

Good Morning

Does anyone use the Swagman E-SPEC RV bike rack... if so does it clear the spare back tire?

Thanks,
Ian

The rack itself clears the tire, It sits just below the tire. My bike itself does not fit on the inside spot.
I only carry one bike and mount it on the outside holder. Because of no need I haven’t tried to figure out how to carry two bikes. I’ll try looking at it a little closer and see if there is an adjustment that can be made.

 

[ISeyes]

The rack itself clears the tire, It sits just below the tire. My bike itself does not fit on the inside spot.
I only carry one bike and mount it on the outside holder. Because of no need I haven’t tried to figure out how to carry two bikes. I’ll try looking at it a little closer and see if there is an adjustment that can be made.

Thanks Occer!!! We have rad city ebikes and thinking the pedal may be the issue...

 

[BillDavis9663]

I've got an e-spec on the back of a 17B with a single Lectric 1.0 mounted on the inside holders. No problem with the rack clearing the spare tire. My pedals fold but I'm pretty sure they would not interfere if they weren't folded.

 

[waltkaren]

What folding pedals did you use. If I don't algin and bungee the cranks in place they rotate and scratch the bike next to it.

 

[BillDavis9663]

What folding pedals did you use. If I don't algin and bungee the cranks in place they rotate and scratch the bike next to it.

Stock folding pedals on the Lectric. Looks like Wellgo brand. Quick search and they are available on EBay but I think any folding pedal would work. I was curious about the clearance so threw the bike on and double checked. They would not clear the spare tire on the inside holders unless they were folded. Securing the crank is always best practice, at least for me. Here's a couple of pics of the pedals folded and unfolded. Reduces pedal length about half if that helps.

 

[Mike G]

Just a reminder to anyone doing this, to check and make sure there is no way the handlebar can contact the window when the bike bounces up & in. There have been broken rear windows on a couple of Escapes. Wouldn't want to see someone's camping trip get spoiled.

 

[splitting_lanes]

Just a reminder to anyone doing this, to check and make sure there is no way the handlebar can contact the window when the bike bounces up & in. There have been broken rear windows on a couple of Escapes. Wouldn't want to see someone's camping trip get spoiled.

Adding to this, a pool noodle cut to about 8 inches and slid over the grip of the inside bike is excellent insurance for avoiding contact of the end of the handlebar and rear window.

I carry a piece of pool noodle in my storage compartment on the trailer for just that, and use it anytime I have our flat bar bikes loaded. It’s unused with our drop bar bikes.

 

[ISeyes]

I've got an e-spec on the back of a 17B with a single Lectric 1.0 mounted on the inside holders. No problem with the rack clearing the spare tire. My pedals fold but I'm pretty sure they would not interfere if they weren't folded.

Thanks Bill for your input and the pictures!!! Much appreciated

 

[ISeyes]

Just a reminder to anyone doing this, to check and make sure there is no way the handlebar can contact the window when the bike bounces up & in. There have been broken rear windows on a couple of Escapes. Wouldn't want to see someone's camping trip get spoiled.

Good point Mike!!!

 

[ISeyes]

Adding to this, a pool noodle cut to about 8 inches and slid over the grip of the inside bike is excellent insurance for avoiding contact of the end of the handlebar and rear window.

I carry a piece of pool noodle in my storage compartment on the trailer for just that, and use it anytime I have our flat bar bikes loaded. It’s unused with our drop bar bikes.

Thanks for this info!!! Pool noodles are used in many places inside our unit... to protect my head

 

[BillDavis9663]

One measurement for the e-spec that might help the OP is the distance from the rear window to the handlebars. Stock handlebar was almost straight and 22". I swapped it out for a swept back bar that measures 26" for a more comfortable riding position. Mounted on the inner holders there is 9 3/4" from the handlebar tip to the rear window so not an issue for me. Pool tubes are good insurance if you're uncomfortable with distance.

Another thing to consider is the weight, both for the bike and tongue weight. My bike weighs 57 lbs without the battery which I always remove before putting it on. The holders sit about 26" from the ground so you're going to have hoist it up and for some this may be a physical challenge. It is for me. I found a YouTube video that shows how to do it in a couple of steps using both sets of holders. First, move the bike so the front tire is positioned ahead of the front tire holder. Engage the rear brake lever and pull back on the bike to lift the front tire and position it on the holder. Next, hold the front brake lever and lift the back of the bike straight up into the rear holder. I found that even though I don't have a second bike I need the outside holders in place to get the bike up safely. Last step is to move the bike from the outer holders to the inner holders and then secure the frame with the J bar. This process makes it much more manageable for me than trying to muscle it straight up. Swagman does have a ramp but I'm not sure how that sets up or works so can't offer any info on that.

Tongue weight!!! My 17B is tongue heavy to start so it's not a problem but can't speak for the other models. With the rack and bike installed I get the tongue weight to 12% without having to move anything around inside the trailer to get it right. Can't emphasize enough to get accurate weights for trailer and tongue along with a couple of short test rides fully loaded with an observer following before tearing off at highway speeds.

 

[BillDavis9663]

Thanks for this info!!! Pool noodles are used in many places inside our unit... to protect my head

LOL. Noodle on a tension rod in front of the door was the first mod/improvement I made after towing it from Sumas back to Ohio.

From my research I could only find two options for travel trailer racks hauling e-bikes with fat tires. The e-spec and the 1up. Both are very expensive options and every bit of information helps in making the selection.

 

[Darox]

Swagman espec rack


No problem carrying two standard size ebikes on this rack. Very pleased with how solid it is and no interference of peddles with spare tire. I agree that padding between handle and window a good idea.

 

[ISeyes]

View attachment 70992
No problem carrying two standard size ebikes on this rack. Very pleased with how solid it is and no interference of peddles with spare tire. I agree that padding between handle and window a good idea.

Thanks Darox for the reply!!! The picture sure helps

 

[Windymountain]

I have a swagman espec on my 2013 E19 which has the factory installed bike hitch and spare tire. There is ample space for e-bikes. I have a Cube step thru e-bike and I use the swagman bar adapter and mount this bike on the inside without any risk to the spare tire or the rear window. The outer bike is a regular touring/road bike. It’s proven to be a great setup.
Note that Swagman also sells a ramp to help in loading heavier e-bikes. It’s rather expensive so I went to the scrap metal yard and got a 6 foot piece of aluminum C channel that works.

 

[ISeyes]

I have a swagman espec on my 2013 E19 which has the factory installed bike hitch and spare tire. There is ample space for e-bikes. I have a Cube step thru e-bike and I use the swagman bar adapter and mount this bike on the inside without any risk to the spare tire or the rear window. The outer bike is a regular touring/road bike. It’s proven to be a great setup.
Note that Swagman also sells a ramp to help in loading heavier e-bikes. It’s rather expensive so I went to the scrap metal yard and got a 6 foot piece of aluminum C channel that works.

Thanks Windymountain!!! We greatly appreciate your input We now have this swagman on order!

 

[SandyO-ESC]

Thanks Occer!!! We have rad city ebikes and thinking the pedal may be the issue...

We carry 2 ebikes on the rack and the pedal just barely clears the spare tire. We adjusted the bike tire cradles to the drivers side for a little extra clearance. First it rubbed a small hole in the tire cover so we remove the tire cover when we used the rack.

 

[ISeyes]

We carry 2 ebikes on the rack and the pedal just barely clears the spare tire. We adjusted the bike tire cradles to the drivers side for a little extra clearance. First it rubbed a small hole in the tire cover so we remove the tire cover when we used the rack.

Thanks SandyO!!! Much appreciated

 

[WannaBeEscaped]

Just a reminder to anyone doing this, to check and make sure there is no way the handlebar can contact the window when the bike bounces up & in. There have been broken rear windows on a couple of Escapes. Wouldn't want to see someone's camping trip get spoiled.

If possible, could you also loosen the handlebar stem and rotate the bar(s) 90 degrees, inline with the frame and wheel?