How to Haul Bikes With a Pop Up Camper (Adding a Bike Rack)
Getting exercise takes discipline. It takes even more discipline when you go on vacation. One way to maintain that workout ethic is to bring your bikes with you as you travel. All it takes is finding the right roof rack as you do not want to put holes in your camper top.
How to haul bikes with a pop-up camper: There are several different types of bike racks you can buy. The one you get will depend on your tow vehicle, your hauling design, and preference as well as the number of bikes you want along for your vacation. The racks are the best way to go, you just have to decide where to put them.
To learn more about adding a bike rack to your pop-up or tow vehicle, just continue to read our article. It explores the issue so you can find many secure and safe spots to put the bike rack. There are plenty of options available so it is not difficult to find a bike rack to meet your need.
Bikes on a Pop Up Camper 101
How To Haul Bikes With a Pop-up Camper
You may think this is a difficult question to answer but with so many different types of hitches and bike racks available, the difficulty has been removed. The biggest obstacle will be your preference in hauling those bikes.
There are at least 7 different types of bike racks that will attach to almost anywhere on your towing setup. Those do not include the toy storage area some pop-up campers come with. In fact, that would solve your problems if your camper had that spare space.
Here are the options you have available. First, there is the bike rack that goes on your front hitch, then there is the over the spare wheel rack or a hitch rack. Then there is the roof rack for your tow vehicle, rear hitch bike rack, truck bed rack, the front of the camper rack, and the camper roof rack.
Now that you know what is available, the next step would be deciding which option suits your needs the best. many people use a pick-up truck as their tow vehicle but they usually load the bed with gear. For some reason, they don't want to rearrange their things to add bikes.
Some people do not like putting bike racks on the roof of their camper simply because they may hurt their backs and they do not want extra holes that may leak at some point.
What we are saying is, you have at least 7 options to choose from and you should make the best choice for your situation. There are probably more options so do thorough research before making your decision. Don’t forget to include some good DIY options.
Adding a Bike Rack To a Pop-up Camper
The biggest issue will be drilling the holes. You will need to find the right spot on the camper where the weight of the rack and bikes will not affect the performance of the camper, as well as not drilling into something important.
Location is essential as some rear bike racks have been known to make the pop-up fishtail due to the added weight. There are ways to attach a bike rack to the roof of your camper without drilling holes into it.
That would mean adding some wood thick enough to handle the bolts. Then long or wide enough to attach the wood to some other secure object. The issue with doing this on the roof of your camper will be the wind resistance the set-up will have to endure. The set-up has to be very secure.
Most bike racks come with the necessary hardware and instructions to mount them to your camper. You just have to pick the style of rack you want to use. The biggest problem besides wind resistance and location will be the number of bikes you want to bring along.
Sometimes more than 2 bikes get a little awkward when finding the right location.
Pop Up Bike Rack Options
We will just give you a brief description of several available options and a few pros and cons. This list is just to get you started and you may find better options in your own search:
1. Pro – Series Reese Eclipse 4 Bike Rack for 2″ Hitches- see it here
This bike rack option comes with pads and can hold up to 4 bikes. it can also hold up to 120 pounds. A release pin lets you tilt the rack in case you need access to the rear of your vehicle.
Pros:
- fasteners are coated with thread lock
- quick assembly possible
- made from heavy metal
Cons:
- welds may be weak
- may be a tight fit
2. Swagman XC 2-Bike Rack Platform Style- see it here
This is almost a universal bike rack as its design works with almost any bike made. Unfortunately, it only holds 2 bikes and has a low weight capacity of 70 pounds. However, you do get a lifetime warranty.
Pros:
- only weighs 26 pounds
- wheel holders are adjustable
- ratcheting arms for security
Cons:
- too many parts to assemble
- plastic knobs can crack on you
3. Yakima FrontLoader Wheel Mount Bike Carrier- see it here
This type of bike rack is for the lone cyclist in the family. It only holds one bike but it does have a built-in lockable cable for added security. Plus, your front wheel stays on. The rack weighs 40 pounds and only holds up to a 3-inch wide tire
Pros:
- no assembly and easy installation
- folds flat when not in use
- works with most tire sizes
Cons:
- easy for thieves to uninstall
- need to buy additional security
Pop Up Camper Roof Bike Rack
There are a lot of different styles of roof bike racks for pop-up campers. In this situation, you should go with a top brand to make sure you are getting top-quality products as well as your money’s worth.
Some tow vehicle roof bike racks can be adjusted to fit your pop-up camper’s roof so you can include them in your search. That opens up a lot of possibilities as you may have more than 2 bikes you want to carry with you.
Then there are those racks that attach to the camper’s frame. You get the best of both worlds as you have the stability of the frame to hold the rack and the roof of the camper to hold the bikes. many of these options hold up to 4 at one time.
If you are lucky enough to have bought a camper with a factory-installed roof mounting system, then your worries and hassles are over. You just need a rack to fit that system and you are good to go.
If not, then some good after-market systems will work, as well as a standard roof rack for tow vehicles. The challenge will be sealing up those holes so that the rain doesn't get in at any time.
Pop Up Camper 4 Bike Rack
This is another area where you will have plenty of selection to work with. One of the top brands and racks is the Swagman 4 Bike Mighty Rack and it is made from lightweight aluminum. This will keep the weight off the camper and it will hold up to 4 bikes at one time.
The Pro Series bike rack we mentioned earlier will also be a good choice. It too holds up to 4 bikes and easy is its middle name. It is easy to install, easy to assemble, and easy to use.
Then you can always add a rear hitch to your pop-up and attach a hitch mount bike rack that holds up to 4 bikes. This may be a bit more expensive but it is worth the time, trouble, and cost if you have kids who want to bike ride as they tour the country.
When you move up to 4 bikes there are some important aspects to consider. One will be the additional weight. You may have to alter the gear and supplies you bring along to accommodate the extra weight.
Then, the location of the bike rack is important as that added weight can affect the towing performance of the camper.
DIY Pop Up Camper Bike Rack
These options are as innumerable as the bike rack options. One example is that with the right hardware and a little time, you can make any hitch-mounted bike rack work with a pop-up camper.
One owner decided to make his own rooftop bike rack. He used 2 by 4s that were long enough to reach the sides of the camper. Then he drilled holes in the wood, not the camper roof. Then he added a slip-proof mat cut into sections for each bike.
He then added heavy-duty ratcheting straps to secure the 2 by 4s in place and attached some mounting forks and he had a great system for less than $100. Plus, he had no new holes in his camper roof.
How To Install a Bike Rack on a Pop-up Camper
We are not avoiding providing any instructions here but each bike rack should come with the necessary hardware and instructions to guide your installation. Because there are so many different types of bike racks you can use, installing one depends on the type you buy and the location of the rack.
For the front or rear hitch options, all you need is a front hitch attached to your tow vehicle or a rear tow hitch attached to the bumper of your camper. Then place the rack inside the hitch and slip in the bolt to secure it.
The roof racks will normally require drilling holes into the roof of your camper and using the bolts provided to secure it in place. That is if you do not already have a roof rail system in place.
The frame-mounted bike racks may be the best and most secure option. They use the strength of the camper frame to be a secure and stable plus, you can keep the bikes up and out of the way. The bikes rest on the roof of the camper and the rack rests on the frame doing no damage to your camper’s roof.
Installation on many of the bike racks is said to be easy so you should not expect too much work to be involved.
How To Use a Roof Bike Rack on a Pop-up Camper
This also depends on the type of bike rack you buy. Some easy-to-use models, simply have a strap that goes between the spokes of the wheels and attaches to the other side. Once through the spokes, the bike is secure and held in place by those straps.
Other models, like the frame mount ones, require that you take the front wheel off first before lifting the bike into place. Then straps with ‘s’ hooks are placed on the rack and stretched to reach the best and most secure spot on the bike. that strap will hold the bikes in place for you.
Then some tow vehicle roof racks also don't require the front wheel to be removed. The front-wheel goes into the looped spaces provided while the back tire sits in another looped space. The front tire has two looped spaces for the front and back of the wheel.
Those looped spaces are what hold the bike in place as you drive. The use of the bike rack will depend on the model design you purchase. Make sure to follow all instructions carefully so as not to damage your camper, vehicle, bike, or fingers.
Can You Put a Hitch on The Back Of a Pop-up Camper?
Yes, this is possible and it is done all the time. The key is to make sure you get the right hitch for the design of your pop-up camper. Your biggest challenge would be to fin done that doesn't interfere with your lift mechanism.
That means going to a bottom mount hitch and there are a few choices available. The other challenge you will face will be the bike racks. Not all of them are rated for rear mounting. You will have to find the right bike racks that can be mounted to the rear of the camper and this may drive up your costs somewhat.
There is also the fact that the spare tire is not the most secure item on a pop-up camper and attaching an over-the-wheel bike rack may not be the best choice you can make. A bumpy road can take both items off the rear bumper if you are not careful.
When selecting this option you need to consider all of these and other issues to make sure your installation is not wasted.
What To Look For In a Bike Rack And Their Advantages
Here are some questions to ask yourself when you begin your search for a good bike rack for a pop-up camper.
1. How many bikes do you want to carry and what type of bike do you own?
2. What accessibility will you need?
3. What is your preference when it comes to mounting the bike rack and bikes?
4. What bike rack models will be compatible with your specific pop-up camper?
Then while you are contemplating those questions and before you talk yourself out of getting a bike rack, think about these advantages of attaching one to your pop up:
1. You can carry up to 4 bikes at one time
2. Most bike racks make loading and unloading simple and easy
3. They are usually strong and durable
4. Those racks that mount out of the way or behind a vehicle, etc., do not add to your fuel consumption or wind resistance issues
5. They can be very affordable if you buy them at the right outlet.
6. They are easy to install, maintain and do not have a lot of wear and tear
There are disadvantages as well and some will be extra holes where you do not want them, add extra weight to your overall weight total, and they can break if the welds are bad.
Some Final Words
In the end, adding a bike rack will be totally up to you and your preferences. Hauling the bikes will be easy, the hard part is deciding which location will be best for your camping and towing situation.
There are a lot of good bike racks for pop-up campers and you just need to figure out which is the best one for your specific model.
