7 Best Bicycle Racks for RV Travel That Veteran RVers Swear By
Find the best RV bike rack with our guide to 7 veteran-approved models. We cover durable hitch, bumper, and ladder options for secure, worry-free travel.
You’ve seen it a hundred times: a standard car bike rack strapped to the back of an RV, bikes swaying violently with every bump. That setup is a disaster waiting to happen, and it’s a rookie mistake veteran RVers learn to avoid the hard way. Choosing the right bike rack isn’t just about convenience; it’s about protecting your expensive bikes and your even more expensive rig from damage on the road.
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Choosing the Right RV-Approved Bike Rack
Let’s be clear: a standard bike rack is not built for an RV. The physics are completely different. The area behind the rear axle of a trailer or motorhome experiences significantly more bouncing and side-to-side sway than the back of a car. This amplified force, often called the "crack-the-whip" effect, will fatigue the metal on a non-rated rack until it fails.
That’s why you must look for racks specifically designated as "RV-Approved" or "RV-Rated." This isn’t just a marketing gimmick. It means the manufacturer has built the rack with heavier-gauge steel, stronger welds, and a more robust design to withstand the unique stresses of RV travel. Using a non-approved rack on an RV bumper or hitch will almost certainly void its warranty.
Before you buy, you need to answer three questions. First, where will it mount? Common options include the rear hitch receiver, the travel trailer’s A-frame, the rear ladder, or directly to the motorhome’s wall. Second, what kind of bikes are you carrying? Heavy e-bikes require a rack with a much higher weight capacity than one for simple road bikes. Finally, what’s your RV type? A solution for a fifth wheel won’t work for a Class B van.
Swagman Traveler XC2: Versatile Hitch Option
The Swagman TRAVELER XC2 bike rack is RV-approved and hauls up to two bikes using a 2" Class 3 hitch receiver or RV bumper adapter. Its sturdy, foldable design allows easy bike loading and rear vehicle access.
The Swagman Traveler XC2 is a workhorse, and you see it everywhere for a reason. It’s one of the most popular RV-approved hitch racks because it hits the sweet spot between affordability, durability, and function. It’s a no-frills platform rack that gets the job done without a premium price tag.
Its design is simple and effective. The rack supports bikes by their wheels in adjustable trays, secured by a padded, ratcheting hook over the frame. This wheel-mount system is great because it accommodates a huge variety of bike frames, from step-throughs to kids’ bikes, without needing special adapters. When not in use, the vertical mast folds down, and the whole rack can fold up toward the vehicle for a smaller profile.
The key here is its RV-approved status. Swagman built this model specifically to handle the extra bouncing and jarring at the back of a motorhome or trailer. While it’s rated for two bikes up to 35 pounds each, making it unsuitable for heavy e-bikes, it’s a rock-solid choice for most conventional bicycles. For the RVer who needs a reliable, straightforward hitch solution, this is often the first and last stop.
Hollywood Racks RV Rider for Heavy E-Bikes
Effortlessly transport your 2 e-bikes up to 80 lbs each with the Hollywood RV Rider Hitch Bike Rack. Perfect for RVs, fifth wheels, and flat-towed vehicles.
If you’re hauling e-bikes, your search should start and end with the Hollywood Racks RV Rider. E-bikes are heavy—often 50 to 70 pounds each—and they will destroy a standard rack. The RV Rider is purpose-built for this challenge, boasting an impressive weight capacity of up to 80 pounds per bike.
This rack is overbuilt in all the right ways. It features extra heavy-duty wheel holders, a reinforced base, and a patented "no-wobble" hitch pin system that keeps the rack locked tightly into your receiver. The bikes are secured with padded, locking frame clamps and ratcheting wheel straps, providing multiple points of contact that prevent swaying. It’s the kind of peace of mind you need when your bikes are worth more than your first car.
The tradeoff for this security is weight and cost. The rack itself is heavy, and it comes at a premium price. But this is a classic "you get what you pay for" scenario. For the serious RVer committed to bringing their heavy, expensive e-bikes on every trip, the investment in the RV Rider is non-negotiable.
Lippert Jack-It: The A-Frame Rack Solution
Mount your bikes on your A-frame trailer's tongue jack for extra cargo space and enhanced stability. The Jack-It system features foam bumpers and SwayControl for bike protection and NoMotion pins for security.
The Lippert Jack-It solves a very specific problem for travel trailer owners. Many trailers have flimsy rear bumpers that can’t support a bike rack, and using the rear hitch might not be an option if you’re double-towing or just don’t have one. The Jack-It cleverly mounts above the trailer’s A-frame, using the tongue jack as its structural anchor.
This mounting position is brilliant for a few reasons. First, it places the bikes in a much more stable location, where they experience far less bounce than at the extreme rear of the trailer. Second, it keeps your rear hitch receiver completely free for other accessories. The bikes ride securely between the tow vehicle and the front of the trailer.
However, this solution isn’t for everyone. It’s designed exclusively for travel trailers with A-frame tongues. You also have to be mindful of your turning radius, as the bikes could potentially make contact with your tow vehicle in a very tight jackknife turn. But for the right setup, it’s an elegant solution that utilizes otherwise wasted space.
Fiamma Carry-Bike: Classic Motorhome Choice
Carry your bikes easily with the Fiamma Carry-Bike XL. This compact drawbar carrier securely holds two bicycles up to 35kg and features a foldable handle for convenient access to your drawbar box.
Walk through any European campground, and you’ll see Fiamma racks on the back of nearly every motorhome. The Fiamma Carry-Bike is a classic for a reason: it’s an incredibly stable and integrated solution designed specifically for the flat rear walls of Class B and C motorhomes.
Unlike a hitch rack, the Fiamma bolts directly to the vehicle’s structure. This requires drilling into your RV, so professional installation is highly recommended to ensure it’s mounted to reinforced points in the wall. The result is a rack that feels like part of the RV itself, with virtually zero sway or wobble. It also carries the bikes higher up, keeping them clear of road grime and improving your departure angle.
The obvious downside is its permanence. This isn’t a rack you can easily move to another vehicle. It’s a dedicated, permanent upgrade to your motorhome. But for full-timers or serious motorhome travelers who always bring their bikes, the stability and clean, integrated look are unmatched.
Surco Ladder Rack: Simple, Lightweight Design
Easily transport two bikes on your van or RV ladder with the Surco 501BR. Its pivoting arms ensure convenient ladder access, and the rack mounts securely without straps or ladder removal.
Sometimes the simplest solution is the best one, and the Surco Ladder Rack is about as simple as it gets. This rack consists of two arms that hook over the rungs of your RV’s rear ladder. You hang your bike from the arms, strap it down, and you’re ready to go. Installation takes seconds, and it requires no tools.
Now for the major caveat: this rack is only for lightweight bikes. Your RV ladder has a strict weight limit, typically around 250 pounds, and that’s for a human climbing it. The dynamic forces of a bouncing bike add stress, so you should never put more than one or two light bikes (well under 50 pounds total) on a ladder rack. It is absolutely not for e-bikes or heavy mountain bikes.
Think of the Surco rack as the perfect solution for the casual cyclist with a standard road bike or cruiser. If you just want to bring a bike along for leisurely rides around the campground and don’t want to deal with a complicated hitch setup, it’s an incredibly convenient and affordable option. Just respect its limits.
Yakima OnRamp: Premium E-Bike Platform Rack
Easily load and transport up to two eBikes or other bikes with the OnRamp LX hitch rack. Its integrated ramp and adjustable trays ensure secure, interference-free transport, while the tilt feature allows trunk access.
Yakima is a top name in the rack world, and the OnRamp shows why. This is a premium, RV-rated platform rack designed with the e-bike user’s entire experience in mind. Its standout feature is right in the name: an integrated ramp that lets you roll your heavy bike up onto the platform instead of trying to deadlift it.
This is a game-changer for anyone who has struggled to hoist a 65-pound e-bike. Beyond the ramp, the OnRamp is packed with smart features. The wheel trays are fully adjustable side-to-side, making it easy to stagger handlebars and pedals to prevent bikes from rubbing against each other. The frame clamps are versatile and secure, and the whole system includes integrated locks for both the bikes and the rack itself.
Of course, premium features come with a premium price. The OnRamp is an investment, but it’s one that pays off in convenience and back-saving ease of use. For the RVer with high-end e-bikes who values thoughtful design and top-tier build quality, the Yakima OnRamp is a fantastic choice that makes loading and unloading effortless.
Let’s Go Aero BikeWing: Front-Hitch Hauling
Mounting bikes on a front hitch is an under-utilized strategy that solves a lot of problems. The Let’s Go Aero BikeWing is a compact, V-shaped rack designed for this purpose. Placing the bikes on the front of your truck or motorhome keeps them out of the turbulent air at the back and, more importantly, keeps them directly in your line of sight.
The benefits are significant. For fifth-wheel owners, it’s one of the only viable solutions. For travel trailer owners, it leaves the rear bumper and hitch completely free. A front mount also eliminates the extreme bounce found at the back of a long trailer, providing a much smoother ride for your bikes. The BikeWing’s design holds bikes by the wheels, which is great for carbon frames or unusual shapes.
The main prerequisite is that your vehicle must be equipped with a front-hitch receiver. This is a simple bolt-on addition for most trucks and some motorhome chassis. While driving with bikes on the front takes a little getting used to, many veterans who make the switch swear they’ll never go back to a rear-mount system.
Ultimately, the best bike rack is the one that fits your specific RV, your particular bikes, and your style of travel. Don’t just buy the cheapest option or the one your neighbor has; assess your needs honestly. Investing in the right RV-approved rack isn’t just an accessory purchase—it’s a core part of your rig’s setup that ensures your adventures on two wheels can happen safely, wherever the road takes you.
