Bike rack for winnebago era 170c

[dannyboy]

Just purchased a Winnebago 170C and wanted to get recommendations for a bike rack for this RV. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Dan

[mkguitar]

I had a rental ( ireland) which had a rack on the rear swinging door...there was always danger of whacking yourself on the head !

there are a number of hitch mounted racks from $40 at harbor freight to hollywood brand racks to thule and etc etc

my neighbor has a $1200 bike on a $500 rack on a $80000 car

I have a $200 bike and a $50 rack on my pick up or RV

while not as nice to the eye the functionality of it all is satisfying

craigslist always has lots search for both rack and carrier in the bike section

mike

[wgoldman]

Most bike racks are not built to withstand the additional motion stress caused by the longer distance between the hitch and the rear axle of a motorhome. Because your Era is built on the extended Sprinter chassis, this distance is a big issue.

You'll want a sturdy platform rack like the hitch-mount bike carrier by 1UpUSA. I have driven over 5000 miles with this rack carrying two bikes on a 2015 Free Spirit SS that also has a spare tire mounted on the rear. I've posted a short review of the rack (including some photos) at:

https://www.vanscapes.net/blog/2015/...rting-bicycles

[dannyboy]

Thanks for the replies and pictures. This is exactly what I wanted to see. Yesterday, I talked to the people at Thule and they indicated as you did that many of the bike racks out there were not built to withstand the beating they will take on the extended van. Therefore options are limited. Thanks!
Dan

[Scottbaldassari]

Interesting...
Is there any sort of "rating" system (besides price)?
I am looking for a swing away rack now to put on my van, later I will add it to my extended promaster. I already experienced some issues with a standard bike rack on a standard length van I ended up having to do some welding on to make it stable and sure... The current rack is a Yakima, and it wasn't cheap. I don't think I would want to consider a 39.99 bike rack for the sake of my bikes, AND more importantly, safety and liability reasons if it falls off going down the highway..

[dannyboy]

I saw that Thule used some type of testing protocol for their bike racks. Not sure if it is standardized or developed by them for their use only?? Anyway, they would not recommend the swing away versions for use on the extended van.
Dan

[rockymtnb]

I can second wgoldman's recommendation for the 1UpUSA hitch rack. We've used the four bike version both on our Sprinter and our Honda with excellent results on the backcountry roads of Colorado and Utah. It's built like a tank (well, actually more like something out of a nuclear submarine).

Previously we had a Yakima hitch rack which was OK but not nearly the quality of 1Up. Looked seriously at the Kuat from REI which was fancier but not nearly as solid as the 1Up.

1UpUSA sells only direct from the factory so we couldn't examine it at any local stores. But fortunately many local offroaders use the 1Up so we got plenty of good feedback before purchasing. They were right.

[Scottbaldassari]

Originally Posted by dannyboy

.... they would not recommend the swing away versions for use on the extended van.
Dan

Bummer... I guess it's a door mount then.
I really want easy access to back doors (without trying to let down 100 lbs worth of bikes and rack and crawling over it all).
I was thinking once "locked into" driving position, the swing away would be sturdy...

[wincrasher]

It's hard to beat the Fiamma rack for convenience. It's just expensive.

[Scottbaldassari]

Originally Posted by wincrasher

It's hard to beat the Fiamma rack for convenience. It's just expensive.

Yeah, I suppose it probably keeps the bikes up closer to the van anyway.
You like yours I guess...?
Can you get three bikes on it (or some sort of adapter?)

[wincrasher]

I like it alot. I may try it in the lower position though - it's pretty high for my heavy electric bike.

I'd be reluctant strapping a 3rd bike on it though. Don't know what the weight rating is, but that is probably pushing it.

[eric1514]

I think it has a weight rating of 70 lbs., and you can buy extra rails. I've seen up to 4 on a photo once, but even two is crowded.

Eric

[black88mx6]

Curt 4 bike rack. Rv rated. About 350 at Amazon. Use it on my 170x and love it.

[dannyboy]

I bought the bike rack and hitch extender from
1upUSA. I bought the Super Duty bike rack instead of the Heavy Duty biker because it will support 75 lbs per bike instead of 50 lbs per bike. My wife has an e-bike. Anyway, here is exactly what I ordered. BTW, 1upUSA was very helpful (several email and a phone call). Thanks for the feedback from all of you!
Dan

So this is what I purchased from 1upUSA.
Qty Description Unit Amount
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 (SD_DOUBLE_SILVER) 2" Double $559.00 $559.00
Bicycle Super Duty Quik Rack
(Silver)
* Weight: 53.00 lbs. each

1 (HITCH_EXTENDER_2X2) Hitch Extender $39.00 $39.00
2" x 2"
* Weight: 4.00 lbs. each

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Shipment Weight: 57.00 lbs. Subtotal: $598.00
Total: $598.00