Best RV Bike Rack: 7 Best & Safe Picks That Are Hassle Free to Install

Given the limited space of an RV, finding a safe and appropriate spot for your road bikes can be an issue.

Take your worries away. This article will help you pick the best RV bike rack that will suit your needs and ideals.

Swagman takes the cake home both in price, value, and appeal. But if you’re in a pickle and need the cheapest bike rack that doesn’t compromise on quality, Surco doesn’t disappoint.

7 Best RV Bike Racks

Swagman Traveler XC2 Bike Rack: Best Overall

Swagman has been one of the top brands that offer high-quality RV bike racks in the market. You’ll see a couple of their products on this list.

It’s not hard to see why.

This particular model exceeds expectations on what the brand has to offer to their patrons.

The manufacturers added unique features that make this hitch bike rack stand out among other Swagman products.

For starters, this hitch bike rack is compatible with various travel trailers and campers. The best part is that it is easy to install as it comes as a single piece.

Adaptability

While its adaptability to mount on various kinds of RVs is good all alone, you should take a second look at this model. It does not stop impressing travelers from all walks of life.

You noticed that we describe this model as a hitch mount type. With its two different mount systems, this product comes as a 2-in-1 package.

Besides a two-inch hitch receiver, there is a 4.5-inch bumper adapter for bumper mounting.

What can that do for you?

The convenience of course! Small trailer with little space? Not a problem for Swagman.

You don’t need to worry about the stability either since the adapter incorporates steel welding to reinforce its design so you can use Swagman for years and years of camping trips!

Adding to the premium features that contribute to the versatility of this product is its upright ratchet arm. This component can adjust to various bike frames, from children’s bikes to mountain bikes.

On top of these items, you also get adjustable hook designs to allow a unique way of mounting your bikes using their frames.

It seems that this is the most acclaimed product for all RV riders out there.

Loading Mechanism

All of these outstanding features supplement the mind-boggling bike capacity of this product.

The product itself only weighs about 36 pounds, but it can handle almost twice its weight when you maximize its 2-bike holding capacity.

Here’s what we mean by that:

With the sliding wheel hoops, you can fit two bikes in the bike rack at once, each having wheels ranging from 20 to 29 inches. This setup removes the problem of incurring damage to the bikes during transport.

Not to mention, its lightweight frame makes the product easy to carry. Its foldable design adds to its overall portability.

You can get all of these high-quality inclusions with lifelong insurance to boost your confidence in the product.

Pros

• Easy installation
• Versatile
• Portable
• Durable
• Comes with a lifetime warranty

Cons

• Hitch pin not included in the package
• Can only hold up to two bikes

Swagman 2-Bike RV Bumper Rack: Best Value

It may not come as a surprise to you to see Swagman products dominating our list. Another top choice is the 2-bike rack model of the prestigious brand.

Unlike the previous item on this list, this product might have fewer offerings, but one can find its price worthy of its unique set of features.

Also, this product can only function as a bumper-mounted rack that can secure two bikes with ease.

Before you start criticizing this Swagman model, just know it also captures the practicality of all Swagman products out there.

Let’s dive more into it below:

Mounting Process

Installing this RV bike carrier to a solid bumper reinforced with steel welding is a piece of cake for anyone.

There’s ABSOLUTELY no issue in attaching it to either four-inch or 4.5-inch bumpers with the steel U-bolts included in the package.

Worried because the ride is bumpy? or perhaps the driver in the front seat constantly clocks in at 60 to 80 mph?

Take a look then at Swagman’s 6.5-inch and 8-inch bolts which further secure the RV bike rack around your bumper during RVing so no matter how much obstruction you drive through, your bikes are soundly safe.

Having a durable RV bumper rack is useless if it cannot hold two bikes securely during transport.

For additional support, the upright bar secures both bikes while on your way to an exciting exploration.

Here comes the not-so-great part

This model can only transport two bikes with a combined weight of 60 pounds. This value is way lesser than the bike capacity of the previous product.

Versatility

Despite this, it can match its sister product evenly in versatility, supporting various bike sizes, frames, and wheels.

It comes with two sets of slots where you can insert the bike wheels before securing the bikes with the central post.

What’s interesting about this product is it comes as two separate pieces. Therefore, you can place the two bikes far enough from each other depending on their sizes.

You can also find the brand’s consistency in addressing durability concerns of RV bike racks. You can see by yourself the state-of-the-art designs of its racks in this particular model.

While it is significantly lighter than the previous product, you can ensure its durability over time with its heavy-duty steel construction.

You might adore the black color of this product. This painting style, supported by powder coating, has a purpose beyond aesthetics, as it protects the bumper-mounted rack from corrosion.

Overall, the product does not fail to impress its users by providing functional features at a valuable price and aesthetics.

Pros

• Super lightweight
• Sturdy design
• Flexible layout

Cons

• Only two bikes can fit in
• Installation might be time-consuming

Surco 501BR Ladder Mounted Bike Rack: Budget Pick

You’ve encountered bumper-mounted and hitch-mounted RV bike racks so far.

So let’s switch that up, shall we?

Enter the ladder-mounted rack; in the name of Surco 501BR Ladder Mounted Bike Rack.

Generally, the best RV ladder-mount bike rack will secure your bikes at an RV ladder of your fifth-wheel, travel trailer, or utility van.

With that, most RV travelers prefer the best RV bike racks with ladder mounts that fit in all ladders.

Compatible with any RV rack, an RV ladder rack is the most economical choice for RV travelers who:

• Are on a tight budget
• Have minimal storage space
• Want to be FREE of any hassle to assemble the ladder mounted rack. All you have to do is to install it in your RV’s ladder.

Sweet!

Ladder Support

The setup goes as simple as that, making its installation process quick and easy. You don’t need any bonus straps as the ladder-mounted rack itself is enough to secure your bikes on the RV.

However, you might want to check your ladder first before getting this product.

CHECK if your ladder is a one-inch tube ladder, as the RV ladder-mount bike rack does not fit in a 1.5-inch ladder.

Unloading two bikes can also be as simple as attaching them to the ladder-mounted rack. Grab, Go, and Rest anyone?

The secret lies in the pivoting arms of the model that provides easy access to the ladder. This feature removes the need for the removal and installation of the ladder racks over and over again.

Exhausting, right? That’s why we made sure to make it to our top 3!

Despite this feature, the ladder mounted bike rack still restricts your access to the RV ladder.

While you don’t necessarily need to carry the RV ladder bike rack often, you should find the lightweight RV rack easy to handle.

This four-pound ladder mounted rack has a load capacity of 60 pounds for the two bikes combined. You can fit any bike size, frame, and wheel in this 2-bike ladder rack.

Construction Style

Aesthetically, the premium aluminum construction polished with an elegant satin finish will make the back of your travel trailer look nice and clean.

More than the aesthetics, the heavy-duty aluminum component of this model protects the RV ladder bike rack from corrosion and rusting over time.

After seeing all these excellent features for the best RV bike rack, you might find it surprising to know that you can get this product at a low price.

Yes, you read it right.

It should be mind-blowing to know one affordable product that comes as a complete package. What more can you ask?

You simply need to it for yourself!

Pros

• Extremely affordable
• Compatible with ladders of any RV type
• Unloading of bikes possible without removing the rack itself

Cons

• Can only fit in a one-inch tube ladder
• Two-bike capacity only

Swagman RV Approved Dispatch Hitch Bike Rack

We hope you aren’t tired of seeing Swagman products?

Perhaps, you might be expecting a lot about this model since you witnessed how great the other Swagman products were.

So let us entice you a little bit more as a Swag-man. Get it?

You’re right to assume this is yet another high-quality product offered by the brand. It seems that there’s no one stopping them from catering to the needs of people who love RVing.

You can tell that this Swagman product is different from the first two racks mentioned in this list. However, you will see that it contains a distinct set of features that make it stand out.

Functional Components

For one, this trailer hitch-mount rack has a loading capacity of 90 pounds, way higher than the 70-pound capacity of the XC2 model.

However, both racks, supported by hitch mounts, can only carry two bikes at once.

Another thing about this product that you might love is the sliding wheel trays.

We know what you’re thinking… who the hell cares right?!

Well, here’s why you MIGHT care now:

These items let you adjust the hitch receiver to various bike types, so not only are you assured of the security of your bikes, but whether it’s a kid bike, adult, or pro-bike, the hitch receiver carries all.

This Swagman model exemplifies the brand’s dedication and consistency in providing versatile racks for everyone. The brand does its job in catering to the several needs of RV camping.

Worried about how the adjustable bike racks can secure your bikes in place?

This model has an adjustable hook design to hold your bikes in place on your travel trailers. There are bonus straps that come as adjustable wheel ratchet straps.

Compatibility

These components work hand-in-hand to secure your bikes in your travel trailer during road trips. You should have no more worries about bringing your road bikes with you while RVing.

Now comes the sweet treat:

Components worth mentioning and one you might find functional are the locking cables and hitch pin.

You might notice that these items are lacking in the previously mentioned Swagman racks.

Despite the numerous components included in the product, the trailer hitch-mount bike rack is easy to install.

This product is a testament to the brand’s never-ending commitment to innovate its RV bike racks over time.

In turn, they have established a good reputation in the industry with its numerous loyal patrons.

However, all these premium features come at a cost. You might want to prepare your budget in purchasing this product.

Pros

• Huge loading capacity
• Quick and simple installation
• Adjustable bike fits

Cons

• Relatively expensive
• Can only hold two bikes at once

Camco RV Ladder Mount Bike Rack

We have an exciting addition to our list of the best RV ladder bike racks. This time, you will meet another trusted brand for the best RV bike racks.

If you cannot afford the Surco RV bike rack, you’re NOT out of luck.

Consider the Camco RV Ladder Mount Bike Rack.

It has the essential features you need for a bike rack that comes with ladder mounts.

And the best part?

You don’t need a large amount of money to enjoy these exciting offers.

All you need is ladder mounts to use this RV bike rack.

Installation Process

Most people can handle the installation process all by themselves.

However, if you have any issues in doing so, you could ask for Camco’s expert installation add-on.

This add-on might cost you a little more, but you might not want to risk a doubtful installation of the RV bike rack.

After all, you’re RVing for the long haul, aren’t you?

It follows the standard size for ladder bike racks, so you must fit it in any ladder. Having ladder mounts for the RV bike rack gives you a couple of advantages in holding your bikes.

You might try using your ladder itself as a tough spot where you can lock your bikes for some time. Consequently, you don’t need an extremely long lock to secure your bikes in place.

Also, you will find two sets of soft grips on the horizontal rungs. These grips keep your bikes away from any damage on a couple of long-road expeditions.

Manipulation

Unloading your bikes is as easy as loading them to the RV bike rack.

If there’s one word to really describe this bike rack... It would be “Easy.”

The product screams convenience left and right, hassle-free in all corners, and easy just all over the place.

However, go easy on this model, alright? Your bikes should not exceed the bike rack’s loading capacity of 60 pounds to prevent any issues.

Be careful in getting this model if your ladder placement would make your bikes stick out beyond the side of your RV.

You don’t have to worry about this RV bike rack competing for the storage space in your RV.

Say goodbye to space issues and say hello to a new Marie Kondo RV series -if you want to keep the RV bike rack in a safe place inside your RV, you can fold it up for temporary storage.

Folding the RV bike rack does not require a lot of effort as it only weighs eight pounds making it easy to manipulate.

You can also strap this RV bike rack on top of your roof in the most secure way possible.

Perhaps, the foldable design of this bike rack makes it stand out among its competitors. If you’re looking for that feature on your bike rack, don’t hesitate to purchase one as it would be worth your money.

Pros

• Foldable design for temporary storage
• Add-on expert installation
• Bonus straps for added security

Cons

• Children bikes impossible to fit in
• Loaded bikes oriented horizontally
• Folding can cause damage

Allen Sports 4-Bike Hitch Rack

What happens when two bikes aren’t enough for the entire group?

The previous products on this list can only carry up to two bikes at once.

You might be thinking…do I have to buy multiple bike racks?

Think again.

Are you willing to invest in the best RV bike rack and pay for it without meeting your capacity needs?

We don’t think so.

Because believe it or not, there are bike racks that can accommodate more than 2 bikes and Allen Sports 4-Bike Hitch Rack found a way to do so!

Now how can a bike rack with hitch mounts carry four bikes all alone? Here’s why:

Loading Capacity

Its hitch receiver allows you to mount the RV bike rack directly to your hitch, removing the need for any additional components.

It also comes with a paddle cradle that can rotate 360 degrees, letting you fit bikes that come with different bike tires, frames, and sizes.

Take that bike racks with only a 2-bike capacity!

However, carrying four bikes at once is a complicated feature that might require professional help. Unlike other racks in this list, installing this bike rack would not be an easy process.

For starters, this RV bike rack can only fit in a two-inch trailer hitch. As there are various kinds of two-inch trailer hitches, you should seek help when dealing with Classes III and IV.

Stability

When it comes to durability concerns, this product has a patent design that testifies its high-end durability.

Having a patented design signifies that it satisfactorily meets the standards set by a higher governing body.

This RV bike rack has 22-inch carrying arms where you can secure your bikes while traveling. You can drop these arms out of the way when not in use, giving you access to your travel trailer.

You should also have no worries about your bike’s security whenever you decide to stopover. The unit comes with a lock and two keys to ensure your bikes are safe and secure.

Sure, holding four bikes at once can be a difficult feat, even for the best bike rack.

That means there’s an open window of improvement for the manufacturers and engineers.

After all, you can tell this product is a good attempt at addressing the limited capacities of the best RV bike racks currently available in the market.

Pros

• Can hold up to 4 bikes
• Tie-downs available for every bike hold
• Easy maneuver upon installation

Cons

• Loaded bikes might be too near to each other
• Loaded bikes might also touch each other during travel

Quick Products RV Bumper-Mounted Rack

Finishing this list of premium racks is the Quick Products RV bumper-mounted 2-Bike Rack. If all you have in your RV is bumper mounts, this bumper-mounted bike rack would be a great choice.

Judging only its appearance, you can tell that this bumper-mounted bike rack is not your ordinary bumper-mount bike rack.

This bumper bike rack has something more to offer than your typical bike rack.

Quality Layout

Don’t just neglect the all-steel construction of this bumper bike rack.

Steel may seem ordinary, but with a bike rack, that changes the game, RVers.

It does not only look captivating, but this design comes with a powder coating that reinforces your RV bumper rack against rusting and corrosion.

All in all, this construction style adds to the product’s durability and longevity.

While other steel-graded RV bumper bike racks lack versatility, this bumper-mounted rack allows you to customize the bike rack depending on your needs.

You can adjust the bumper mounts to fit any bike type in the RV bumper rack.

Now, listen closely to this:

The adjustable bumper mount makes this bike rack one of the closest products to a universal bike rack you can get in the market.

Installing this bumper bike rack should not be a problem with a four-inch or a 4.5-inch steel-graded bumper. Its loading capacity equals 60 pounds for the combined weight of two bikes.

It is advisable to incorporate steel welding during the installation process of the bike rack for increased stability.

Ease of Use

Loading up your bikes in the bumper bike rack is pretty easy with the slotted wheel wells onboard. These inclusions keep the bike wheels in place, especially during traveling.

Moreover, you can quickly adjust the space between these slots where your bike wheels sit. This feature is essential whenever you have bikes that have different lengths.

Besides, you can load bikes with wheels measuring up to 29 inches.

However, be cautious in attempting to load Fat Tire bikes as you might encounter issues when transporting them from one place to another.

You can maximize the function of the stabilizer post in fastening your bikes upon loading for additional support.

The components work in synergy due to the durable hardware that fits well together in place.

Given these features that you can get from this bike rack, you might want to transport other objects besides bikes on the RV.

Many customers realized this supplementary function upon experimenting with the stability and durability of the bike rack.

Well, how do we know the experiences and sentiments of the customers regarding the product?

Customer Support

On top of the best deals provided by the product alone, you will also get reliable customer service that is more than ready to assist you or answer your queries regarding the product.

While you can expect that the customer service is getting lots of love and appreciation about the product, they have no escape from some complaints.

It turns out that there might be issues in shipping the product. Some mentioned there are missing items on the package upon delivery.

Pros

• Durable all-steel construction
• Affordable
• Adjustable
• Caring customer service

Cons

• Shipping issues
• Lacking locking mechanism

How to Pick The Best RV Rack For Your Bikes

Don’t overwhelm yourself with all the choices for the best bike rack company for your RV. You might now have your ideal pick from the list above.

But give us just 5 minutes more.

Hold back for a moment before releasing a good amount of money for the bike rack you are rooting for this time.

We want you to make the right purchase and spend your money wisely.

So before making your purchase, consider these things first to make sure you get the value of what you’re paying for.

Type of Bike Rack

Going through the list, you already encountered the general types of a bike rack.

You witnessed the distinct characteristics of each type from the best bike racks included in the list.

Each type of bike racks offers a unique set of advantages while having its corresponding disadvantages. Therefore, one must be familiar with the specifications of each bike rack type.

You should check if a particular bike rack fits your RV layout to prevent any issues in the long run.

For travel trailers…

bike racks with a hitch receiver are the most POPULAR choice.

Installing and removing one is quick and easy if it’s a perfect fit for your trailer hitch. They often come in different forms and designs, making them adaptable to different bike types.

What if you have a tow vehicle?

In that case, you must ensure first that you would not use your hitch often for other functions.

If you are expecting this, then you might want to get bumper racks instead. Although using a bumper-mounted rack might require you to have a steel-graded bumper, this rack does not block your driving view all the time.

If you’re on a budget…

A ladder-mounted rack might be an ideal pick. Given their unique configuration, most users had safety concerns in carrying their bikes on the RV with this rack installed.

However, several tests proved that ladder racks are generally safe.

User-Friendly Attributes

After deciding which rack type is the perfect fit for your RV, the NEXT step is to see how you can use and manipulate the rack without any hassle or discomfort.

Check if you can safely install the rack all by yourself.

In that matter, you should have no issues with most products mentioned in the list.

Loading and unloading the bikes might be tedious when your rack layout is too complex to hold your bikes securely in place. ‘

A ladder-mounted rack does not need any extra components to get this job done. All that it needs is on your RV trailer itself.

There might be times you want to store the rack TEMPORARILY when not in use. Well, the Camco RV Ladder Bike Rack would be the perfect pick for you.

Product Quality

This attribute shouldn’t come as a surprise to you.

A product’s quality must be one of your priorities in choosing the best unit, even in simple things like a bike rack.

Examine the construction style of a bike rack to check its durability and functionality. In doing so, consider the materials used in making the product.

Meanwhile, reading  about your desired product will help you evaluate if it is worth your money.

You can find valuable information from these reviews to guide you in picking the best bike rack for you.

Type and Number of Bikes

Perhaps, the most significant feature you should look for in a bike rack is its capacity.

After all, this is the essence of a bike rack that should be your priority.

A typical bike rack can only carry up to two bikes, which is enough for most RV travelers. However, if you have more than two bikes in use, the Allen Sports 4-Bike Hitch Rack could be a great companion.

If you settle on a two-bike rack…

Make sure it can carry your heavy bikes without sacrificing its stability. In that case, the Swagman RV Approved Dispatch Hitch Bike Rack could be the best choice with its 90-pound capacity.

In terms of versatility, the simple-looking Quick Products RV Bumper-Mounted Rack can fit well in almost all types of bikes with different wheels, frames, and sizes.

Price

Finally, you must be mindful of the total price of the RV rack you wish to purchase. After all, you might need other essential items in your RV beyond a bike rack.

Sure, you might expect that a cheaper option comes with less value. However, the Surco 501BR bike rack proves otherwise as it offers most of the features you will find in premium products at a low price.

Top Picks

With all the products included in this list, it is hard to ignore the unique attributes each bike rack has to offer.

With that, we pick the top three bike racks that came out stronger among other bike racks mentioned in the article.

2nd-Runner Up: Surco 501BR Ladder Mounted Bike Rack

For those who have a tight budget, this simple yet highly functional bike rack has unique features that you can only get from premium products.

1st-Runner Up: Swagman 2-Bike Bumper Rack

If you have a considerable budget in hand, this product is the most economical unit you can get in the market. From durability to versatility, this unit will not disappoint you over time.

Champion: Swagman Traveler XC2 Bike Rack

Another Swagman unit standout that comes as both hitch and bumper bike rack that does not compromise ease of use, quality, and durability for the sake of adaptability.