The Best Bike Rack for Travel Trailer: A 3-Year Review and Comprehensive Guide

0 1 15 minutes read

Bikes mounted on the Swagman RV-Approved Bike Rack before covering or electrical connection

Having the right gear is crucial when traveling with bicycles, especially when hauling them behind a travel trailer or RV. The dynamic forces at play on the back of a recreational vehicle demand a bike rack far more robust than standard car racks. After three years of rigorous use, including an extensive trip to Alaska and back, I’m sharing my long-term experience with the Swagman RV-Approved Bike Rack, specifically the Dispatch model, to help you find the Best Bike Rack For Travel Trailer adventures.

Long-Term Performance: A Proven Performer

Installed in the summer of 2021, this Swagman RV-approved bike rack has now endured over three years on the rear of our RV and occasional transfers to our tow car. While I’ve made minor modifications since the initial setup, the core performance and durability of the rack have completely validated my initial positive assessment. It remains the most robust bike rack I could find, and every component functions exactly as it did on day one, showing no noticeable wear despite the demanding conditions.

No Complaints After Three Years

In my three years of owning and using the Swagman RV-approved bike rack, I genuinely have no complaints. It consistently performs its intended function without issue. This contrasts sharply with experiences I’ve witnessed among fellow RVers; several friends have suffered bike rack failures, some even during our Alaska trip. These failures highlight the necessity of a purpose-built, heavy-duty rack for RV use. I only wish every piece of RV equipment I own was as reliable and trouble-free as this bike rack. Our bicycles are transported in the space between our RV and the vehicle we are towing, making the integrity of the bike rack paramount to avoid potential damage to the car. Incidents of bike rack failures damaging towed vehicles are unfortunately common, particularly on long or challenging journeys like those to Alaska, reinforcing why we invested in a superior RV bike rack and towing assembly in 2021. Ensuring you have the best tires for a travel trailer is also vital for overall travel safety, just as having a dependable bike rack is for your bikes.

Bikes mounted on the Swagman RV-Approved Bike Rack before covering or electrical connection

Origin and Related Content

Originally Published on Do It Yourself RV

My initial article detailing the installation and first impressions of the Swagman RV-Approved Bike Rack was picked up and published by Do it Yourself RV in 2021. This current review is intended as a follow-up and update to that original piece. Do it Yourself RV has featured several of my articles, partnering to provide valuable information to consumers looking to maximize value and protection for their RV lifestyle.

Understanding Internet Publishing

As experienced online publishers know, having identical content appear in multiple places is generally discouraged for SEO reasons. Therefore, this article is distinct from the version hosted on Do It Yourself RV. For the full history and initial details, reading both articles is recommended.

E-bike Usage and E-book

Many questions arise regarding using e-bikes with this rack. Yes, we transported our e-bikes to Alaska on the back of our RV using the Swagman RV-approved bike rack. The rack is also featured in my e-bike e-book, which serves as a comprehensive reference for selecting and understanding e-bikes. The e-book includes a section dedicated to bike racks suitable for e-bikes. My e-bike e-book aims to answer all common questions about our e-bike choices and usage, making it a valuable resource.

Rack Strength and Durability

It’s crucial to understand that not every RV bike rack is strong enough to be used on the back of an RV or travel trailer. Many RVs and trailers, especially older models or those with light-duty bumpers, lack adequate structural support for the dynamic loads a bike rack exerts. Attaching a bike rack directly to a travel trailer bumper is a common and dangerous mistake.

Built for Strength

To underscore the strength of the Swagman RV-approved bike rack, consider this: I have personally stood on the rack. Although my feet were about two feet off the ground, I weigh more than any two of our e-bikes combined. This wasn’t a test I performed lightly, but rather a demonstration reinforcing what I already knew about the rack’s build quality.

Author standing on the Swagman RV-Approved Bike Rack demonstrating its strength

Dynamic Loads are the Real Challenge

While static weight is a factor, the primary stressor on a bike rack mounted to an RV or travel trailer is the dynamic load. As the RV travels down the road, the rack and bikes are subjected to constant up-and-down and side-to-side motion, significantly amplifying the effective forces beyond just the bikes’ static weight. Even on a smooth-riding RV, these forces are substantial. The comprehensive details on how these dynamic loads affect RV bike racks were covered in my original article. The image below shows a friend’s damaged dual hitch adapter after a trip to Alaska, a piece of solid 2-inch steel bent by the forces exerted by a bike rack and bikes – clearly demonstrating the extreme stress involved. This was not my setup, but it highlights the potential for catastrophic failure with inadequate equipment.

Bent dual hitch adapter after an Alaska trip, illustrating dynamic stress failure

More than one RVer has tragically discovered their bikes dragging behind their vehicle. In my situation, a rack failure wouldn’t just mean dragging bikes; they would likely impact my towed car, resulting in potentially thousands of dollars in damage.

The Danger of Trailer Bumpers

A critical point for anyone seeking the Best Bike Rack For Travel Trailer applications: Do NOT attach a bike rack to a trailer bumper. Trailer bumpers are typically designed only to support a sewer hose or perhaps a lightweight cargo box, not the significant and dynamic weight of bicycles and a bike rack.

Bike rack attached to a trailer bumper, a high-risk mounting method

Attaching a bike rack to a trailer bumper will almost certainly lead to bumper failure, often sooner rather than later. This type of failure isn’t theoretical; it’s a well-documented problem in the RV community. If you’re researching a travel trailer bike rack bumper solution, be aware that it’s widely considered unsafe by experienced RVers and manufacturers.

Travel trailer bumper designed only for light loads like a sewer hose

Design and Setup of the Swagman Dispatch

Construction Details

The Swagman RV-approved bike rack (Dispatch model) is built predominantly from steel, except for the wheel straps. This robust construction contributes significantly to its durability. It’s fundamentally a non-folding rack, a design choice that I believe eliminates potential weak points associated with folding mechanisms (though some models have folding arms for storage or loading convenience). The only part that folds is the upper support arm, which I fold down to make loading bikes easier. I drilled small drain holes in the wheel trays after noticing water pooling, a simple modification not related to the rack’s structural integrity but useful for drainage.

Steel components of the Swagman RV-Approved Bike Rack

Traveling Position

When we travel, the bikes are positioned on the rack at the back of the RV, riding securely between the RV itself and our towed car. We keep the bikes covered both during travel and when parked. This configuration keeps them out of the direct slipstream and within the footprint of the vehicles, unlike mounting them directly to the tow car where they might extend further.

The Swagman RV-Approved Bike Rack mounted on the RV before attaching the tow car

Between the RV and the Car

Positioning the bikes on the RV’s rear rack means they ride between the RV and the towed vehicle while traveling. This setup utilizes the space effectively but requires careful consideration of clearance, which leads to my initial installation challenge.

Bikes on the rack positioned between the RV and the towed car

Installation: Initial Failure, Then Success

Switching to the Swagman rack wasn’t instantly seamless for me, purely due to a compatibility issue with my existing towing setup, not a flaw in the rack itself. The Swagman is a significant upgrade in quality. The problem arose because our bikes ride on the upper receiver of a dual hitch receiver. The vertical distance between the lower receiver (used for the tow bar) and the upper receiver (used for the bike rack) on my old dual hitch was insufficient to allow both the Swagman rack and the Roadmaster tow arms to be used simultaneously, particularly when the tow arms were stowed.

Old bike rack with bent tubing to clear tow bar, highlighting a weak point

My old double hitch receiver simply wasn’t tall enough. The Swagman rack’s sturdy, non-bent stinger (the tube inserting into the hitch) required more vertical space than my old setup provided for stowing the tow bar. Using a framing square to illustrate the space needed by the rack’s stinger, it became clear that a taller dual hitch was necessary.

Roadmaster Falcon All Terrain Tow Bar in stowed position, showing clearance issue with standard dual hitch

This necessitated purchasing a new, taller double hitch receiver to accommodate the Swagman rack and the stowed tow bar simultaneously. This new hitch made all the difference in achieving a successful configuration.

Finished towing setup with a taller dual hitch receiver and the Swagman bike rack

Swagman RV-approved Bike Rack — Fresh out of the box

Upon receiving the Swagman RV-Approved Bike Rack, minor pre-assembly was required. The parts were well-organized, and the construction quality was evident immediately. The tire cradles and support bracing are substantial.

Components of the Swagman RV-Approved Bike Rack laid out for pre-assembly

While primarily used on the RV, the rack can also be installed on a car with a compatible 2-inch receiver. On a car, the bikes do extend slightly beyond the vehicle’s width, a common trade-off for hitch-mounted racks.

Swagman bike rack installed on a car with bikes

Self-Securing Connection

My old bike rack suffered from excessive movement within the hitch receiver, bouncing noticeably during travel. I had to use a makeshift clamp (a steel plate and U-bolt) to reduce this play.

Homemade clamp used on the old bike rack to reduce movement in the hitch receiver

The Swagman RV-approved bike rack features a precision-engineered solution: a threaded hitch pin. This anti-rattle design significantly minimizes movement within the receiver, making the U-bolt clamp unnecessary. This threaded hitch pin system works exceptionally well and simplifies transferring the rack between the RV and the car.

Loading the Swagman RV-approved bike rack

Loading bikes onto the Swagman Dispatch involves lifting them onto the wheel trays. While our standard bikes and even our e-bikes (with batteries and seats removed) are manageable for me to lift, the process becomes slightly more challenging with age or heavier bikes. Swagman offers an optional ramp accessory designed to allow rolling bikes onto the rack, which seems like an attractive option for easier loading. I’m unsure if this ramp is compatible with the Dispatch model specifically, but the concept is appealing.

Swagman ramp accessory for easier bike loading

Built-in Locking System

The threaded hitch pin on the Swagman rack includes a built-in locking mechanism. A cable lock is attached to the hitch pin; one end loops through the bikes, and the other end connects back to the locking hitch pin. This single lock theoretically secures both the bikes to the rack and the rack to the vehicle.

Swagman cable lock integrated with the threaded hitch pin

While this built-in lock provides a baseline level of security, I enhance it by bolting the cable directly to the rack in one spot and using a secondary lock to create a more secure loop around the bikes. I also use an additional heavy-duty chain and lock wrapped around both bikes for added peace of mind, especially when parked in less secure locations.

Robust Doesn’t Mean Unlimited Weight

The Swagman RV-approved rack is robust, but it has weight limits. As a test, I tried mounting an friend’s extra-long, heavy Pedego cargo e-bike. Due to its significantly longer wheelbase and substantial weight (roughly twice that of my mountain bikes), I could only fit one on the rack. While I don’t know its exact weight, lifting it confirmed it was considerably heavier than bikes the rack is typically rated for. This suggests that extremely heavy cargo e-bikes might exceed the Swagman Dispatch’s capacity, even if you can only fit one.

Heavy Pedego cargo e-bike mounted on the back of a car with the Swagman rack

Choosing the Right Bike Rack for Your Travel Trailer or RV

Finding the best bike rack for travel trailer, motorhome, or fifth-wheel applications requires understanding the unique stresses and structural considerations involved. Attaching a bike rack to a motorized RV with an existing frame-mounted receiver is often simpler than finding a suitable mounting point on a towable RV or trailer. Hitch receivers for towable RVs must be connected directly to the frame, which may require fabrication depending on the trailer’s design, as frames often don’t extend to the rear bumper area.

Key Considerations for RVs/Trailers

The primary enemy of RV bike racks is repeated dynamic stress. The constant motion while driving puts enormous forces on the rack and its mounting point. This is why many standard car racks are unsuitable and why dedicated RV-approved racks are necessary.

Trailer Bumper Risks

Again, and it bears repeating: Do NOT attach a bike rack to the bumper of a travel trailer. These bumpers are not designed to withstand the dynamic loads from a loaded bike rack. As the RV moves, the rack sways and bounces, multiplying the effective weight far beyond the static weight of the bikes. Even 100 pounds of bikes can exert forces equivalent to several hundred pounds dynamically.

Another example of a bike rack attached to a trailer bumper

I sincerely hope the failure shown in pictures happens in the driveway rather than on a busy freeway. Travel trailer bumpers are typically only strong enough to hold lightweight items like a sewer hose, not heavy, oscillating loads. If you’re wondering howto get out of a traffic stop travelling not driving with an overloaded bumper, preventing the failure in the first place is the best strategy.

Towable RVs vs. Motorized RVs

Towable RVs (travel trailers, fifth wheels) generally have simpler suspension systems, often relying solely on leaf springs without shock absorbers. The lack of shock absorption means road impacts are transferred more directly to the frame and anything mounted on it, including a bike rack, increasing dynamic stress. Motorized RVs often have more sophisticated suspension, including shock absorbers and sometimes air-ride systems, which provides a smoother ride for the bikes and the rack.

Motorized RV Specifics

Motorized RVs usually come equipped with a two-inch receiver hitch designed for towing a vehicle. To use this receiver for both towing and a bike rack, a dual hitch receiver adapter is typically needed. If possible, opt for a dual hitch with a significant rise (e.g., 10 inches) to provide adequate vertical separation between the lower towing arm connection and the upper bike rack connection. This is crucial for clearance, especially when the tow bar is stowed.

Roadmaster Dual Hitch Receiver Adapter

Motorized RVs equipped with air-ride suspension offer the smoothest ride. This significantly reduces the dynamic loads on the bike rack compared to RVs with standard spring suspension, akin to the difference between riding in the back of a school bus versus a city bus.

Get an RV-Approved Bike Rack

This is perhaps the most critical piece of advice. Look for a bike rack that explicitly states it is “RV Approved.” My experience is primarily with Swagman, and I’m impressed, but the principle applies broadly. If a company hasn’t tested and certified its rack for the unique stresses of RV use, they may not stand behind it if it fails on an RV. Conversely, reputable companies put the RV-approved label on racks they know can handle the job. Choosing an RV-approved rack is essential for safety and durability.

Swagman RV-Approved Bike Rack label

Ensure the Stinger is Long Enough

The “stinger” (or “receiver bar”) is the part of the bike rack that slides into the receiver hitch. For RVs and trailers, it must be long enough to ensure the bikes have adequate clearance from the rear of the vehicle during turns or when navigating uneven terrain. Our dual hitch adds about eight inches of space, which is beneficial. However, if you don’t need a dual hitch for towing, using one will increase the leverage arm exerted by the bike rack on the receiver, putting more stress on the stinger and the hitch connection. Choose the shortest stinger that provides necessary clearance.

Components of a Swagman Bike Rack including the receiver bar or 'stinger'

Ensure the Stinger is Strong Enough

The stinger is a critical load-bearing component and must be exceptionally strong to handle the dynamic forces. Swagman’s RV-approved stingers are notably robust. As mentioned, using a dual hitch increases the lever arm, placing even greater stress on the stinger. The further the bikes are from the hitch receiver, the stronger the stinger and the hitch itself must be.

Make Sure Your Bike Rack Doesn’t Interfere with Your Tow Car

If you tow a vehicle behind your RV and carry bikes on the back, ensure the bike rack’s height and positioning provide ample clearance for the tow car, especially during turns and while the tow bar is connected or stowed. This was the specific challenge I faced, requiring a taller dual hitch.

Make Sure the Bikes Are Carried High Enough

Beyond clearing a tow car, the bike rack needs sufficient ground clearance to avoid scraping on inclines, dips, or uneven road surfaces. Some racks use a gusset plate or specific design to raise the bikes, improving ground clearance. This is vital to prevent damage to the rack and bikes.

Avoid Hinges

Bike racks with multiple hinges or folding points that bear significant load tend to be less structurally sound than more rigid designs, especially under the constant vibration and dynamic stress of RV travel. Choose a rack with minimal moving parts in its primary load-bearing structure.

Don’t Hang Your Bikes (Use a Platform Rack)

For RV travel, platform-style bike racks where the bikes’ weight rests on trays supporting the wheels are superior to hanging racks where bikes are suspended by their top tubes. Platform racks distribute the weight more effectively and reduce sway. This is particularly important for heavier bikes like e-bikes. Hanging racks also don’t work for step-through frames or bikes with non-standard top tubes.

Bike rack where bikes hang from the top tube

Get a Non-Contact Bike Rack (Ideal for Frame Protection)

The best bike racks for protecting your bike frame are those that secure the bike solely by its wheels, using arms or clamps that do not touch the frame itself. This “non-contact” design is essential for carbon-frame bikes but beneficial for any bike to prevent scratches and potential damage from clamping forces. While my Swagman Dispatch uses a hook that contacts the frame, I would ideally prefer a non-contact system. Some newer RV-approved models offer this.

Bike rack securing bikes only by the tires

If your bikes have fenders, a platform rack with wheel-only support is often better, as frame-contact hooks can interfere with or damage fenders.

Get an RV-Approved Bike Rack That is Rated for E-bikes

Even if you don’t currently own e-bikes, consider that you might in the future. E-bikes are significantly heavier than standard bikes. Investing in an RV-approved rack explicitly rated for the weight of e-bikes provides maximum capacity and future-proofing. Get the most robust rack you can afford.

Get a Bike Rack with a Loading Ramp (Optional Convenience)

For maximum ease of use, especially with heavier bikes, look for a rack system that includes or is compatible with a loading ramp. This allows you to roll bikes onto the rack rather than lifting them. Seeing others use ramps certainly makes me a little envious of the convenience! While considering ease of transport like using a bicycle box for air travel, think about ease of use for your primary mode of transport too.

Loading a bike onto a rack using a Swagman ramp

Specific Product Links

Here are links to items mentioned or used in our setup, as well as other recommended Swagman RV-approved bike racks:

Items Used/Mentioned

Two-inch Hitch Receiver for Car: Needed to use the rack on a vehicle other than the RV. (Link provided in original: E-trailer Trailer Hitch Receiver 2″ for a Subaru Forester – Note: Link was specific to 2017 Forester; find appropriate hitch for your vehicle.) [Subaru Forester 2-Inch Receiver](https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch/Subaru/Forester/2017/e98839.html?VehicleID=201769683)
Dual Hitch Receiver: Necessary if you tow a vehicle behind your RV and use the same hitch receiver for a bike rack. [Roadmaster dual hitch receiver 10″ Drop/Rise ](https://www.roadmasterinc.com/products/accessories/hitch/dual.php)
Tow Bar: Used on the lower receiver of the dual hitch. [Roadmaster Falcon All Terrain Tow Bar](https://www.roadmasterinc.com/products/towbars/falconat.php)
Swagman RV-approved Bike Rack “Dispatch” model: The specific model reviewed here. Designed for two standard bikes. [Swagman RV-approved bike rack “Dispatch” model.](https://www.swagman.net/collections/hitch-mount-racks/products/dispatch-rv-approved)

Other Recommended Swagman RV-Approved Bike Racks

These models are more robust and/or designed with features better suited for e-bikes or carbon frames.

Swagman RV-approved bike rack “E-Spec” model: For 2 Electric Bikes, more robust than the Dispatch. [***Swagman RV-approved bike rack*** “E-Spec” model.](https://www.swagman.net/collections/hitch-mount-racks/products/espec-rv-approved)
Swagman RV-Approved Bike Rack “Escapee” model: For 2 Bikes, features wheel-only contact for frame protection. [Swagman ***RV-approved bike rack*** “Escapee” model](https://www.swagman.net/collections/hitch-mount-racks/products/escapee)
Swagman RV-Approved bike rack “Traveler XC2” model: Another 2-bike RV-approved option. [Swagman RV-Approved bike rack “Traveler XC2” model](https://www.swagman.net/collections/hitch-mount-racks/products/traveler-xc2-rv-approved)
Swagman RV-Approved bike rack “Nomad” model: A different style, also RV-approved. [Swagman RV-Approved bike rack “Nomad” model](https://www.swagman.net/collections/hitch-mount-racks/products/nomad)

Conclusion

My three years of experience confirm that the Swagman RV-approved bike rack is exceptionally well-suited for the demanding task of carrying bikes behind an RV or travel trailer. Its robust construction has withstood thousands of miles, including the challenging terrain encountered on a major trip like Alaska. Whenever I hear about or see bike rack failures among fellow travelers, I reflect on the decision to choose the Swagman and am consistently glad we prioritized durability and an RV-specific design. For anyone searching for the best bike rack for travel trailer or RV use, prioritizing an explicitly RV-approved model with a strong, frame-mounted connection (never a bumper!) is paramount for the safety of your bikes and your vehicle. Swagman’s RV-approved line, based on my experience with the Dispatch model and observation of others, is a reliable choice. Finding cheap places to travel for college students might be about budget, but finding safe ways to transport your gear is about preventing costly damage.