RV Ladder Bicycle Racks

[DOWva]

Wanting to carry 2 bikes with us on our 2 month across country rv trip. I understand they have bike racks that hook up to the rear roof ladder, does that cause any problems and is it safe. My ladder says it holds 300 lbs obviously the bikes do not weigh that much. Any experiences?

[JimMach1]

IMO I wouldn’t 300 pound is stationary not bouncing down the road depending on your rear bumper they make racks for them.

[Branden_Rodgers]

I had a 2 bike ladder rack for our 5er. I’ll be honest, I wasn’t very confident with the sturdy ness of the ladder when you go over uneven overpasses. These campers are long and the shock load with bicycles that’s put on the ladder is definitely over 300# when the campers bouncing down the road. I did a ton of research on the square tube bumper style mounts, and quickly determined the back bumpers are not designed to hold that weight either. So I went with a weld on rv hitch. Welded it directly to my frame, then bought an Rv specific bike rack. Works fantastic and eases my mind while bouncing down the street!

[ctbruce]

Mr. Rodgers has nailed this one succinctly.

[sourdough]

I would suggest doing what Branden_Rodgers suggested. The ladder on your trailer won't stand up to the constant pounding of 2 bikes back there. It says it has a 300 lb. rating; based on everything I've seen with ladders that must be for one time use....then dispose. Mine says that as well and has never seen anyone approaching 300 on it, but after every single use it seem like it wants to come off the wall. YMMV

[micar]

Used one for yr's with two adult Mountain bikes. No issues or concerns, just strap em down well so they don't bounce too much

[66joej]

When Keystone built my TT they were so certain the ladder was useless they didn't even put one on.:lol::lol::lol:

[rhagfo]

Instead of welding a receiver on the back of the 5er have a reciver built for the pin box of your 5er! Bikes won’t be beaten to death on the bac and in your view at all times!

[tech740]

What rhagfo said. I put 4 on mine and works great!

[rhagfo]

What rhagfo said. I put 4 on mine and works great!

So I didn't have access to my pictures earlier.

https://i.imgur.com/XK7R3DO.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/E7oPM99.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/4tQRvX0.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/BUlygfO.jpg

[datasponge]

That is brilliant!

[fjr vfr]

What's on your bumper now, spare tire? I have mine on the rear bumper and moved my tire off it. Like some say the bumpers aren't very strong, but they are strong enough for a couple bikes as long as they are mounted solid and not jiggling around. This is what we have.

https://www.etrailer.com/RV-and-Camper-Bike-Racks/Swagman/S64663.html
This is the second trailer we've used it on and never an issue.


As for the ladder, I think I'd be ok with one bike, maybe two if they're expensive, meaning very light weight bikes. I plan on carrying my step ladder on my ladder.

[flybouy]

Ladder storage? No problem! :lol:
17736

[66joej]

Not sure but that looks like Aunt Edna's legs sticking out back (National Lampoon's Vacation).:lol:

[sourdough]

Not sure but that looks like Aunt Edna's legs sticking out back (National Lampoon's Vacation).:lol:


Yep, I think so! Looks like she's barely hanging on, to a.....flower pot? Bucket of tomatoes?? Hope she can hang in there.

[flybouy]

At least there's no empty dog leash tied to the bumper!

[travelin texans]

In my opinion there's 2 VERY poor places to store/carry anything on a rv;
#1 the ladder, they are barely stout enough to climb up!
#2 the bumper, they were designed to hold a sewer hose & nothing more! If it's already got the spare mounted to it its already over loaded.

[saltyturtle]

We carried 2 bikes on the ladder on a 2005 Everest that we had. After about 2 years 2 of the ladder mounting brackets had broken off from the bouncing. I would never do it again.

[Dave W]

I wont climb the ladder on our Montana - amd in the grand scheme of the current US population, am a 200 pound 'lightweight', Our last 5er had some visual access to the ladder mount through the tailligt hole in the back cap. That was simply some screws through the fiberglass with absolutely no backing plates, That SOB's ladder was a bunch sturdier then what Keystone supplies.

Anything hung on that ladder or even that puny bumper does not remain a static load but changes to a dynamic in that it changes many times (bumps, acceleration, stopping) and adds a significant added weight stress . There are formulas that will tell you how many pounds that those bike can end up vs their, i.e. 30 pounds can reach under road conditions.

[KSH]

Well... i use to zip tie bikes to the ladder on the rvs i rented when i went to burning man. Would i do it again now, probably not. But everything held up. I once had 4 of them on there.. it was over 15 years ago and i know better now.

[travelin texans]

Well... i use to zip tie bikes to the ladder on the rvs i rented when i went to burning man. Would i do it again now, probably not. But everything held up. I once had 4 of them on there.. it was over 15 years ago and i know better now.

If I were to attach bikes to a ladder, that's exactly how I'd want to do it, on someone else's rv.

[Jacketsbum]

So I didn't have access to my pictures earlier.

https://i.imgur.com/XK7R3DO.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/E7oPM99.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/4tQRvX0.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/BUlygfO.jpg
So that looks pretty sweet! Ever had a problem on a sharp turn?

[tech740]

So that looks pretty sweet! Ever had a problem on a sharp turn?



I haven’t. When you turn they swing to the side. They are not an issue at all.

[rhagfo]

So that looks pretty sweet! Ever had a problem on a sharp turn?

Never bike set inside the turn radius! I believe I read about one guy did four bikes on a short bed.

[tech740]

I do 4 on a short bed ram. I will post a pic Monday when we leave and have 4 on there.

[1adam12]

I installed a receiver under the front bumper of my Ram 3500. The bike rack was a drop down type where the bikes weren’t dangling on a straight bar. This allowed for a secure fit, no obstruction of view while driving and the ability to see them at all times.

[Sunnysidebeach]

I called Keystone, and asked about cross country trip with bikes and spare tire on the rear bumper, and Keystone stated up to 300 Lbs dead weight is fine on the rear bumper.

Bikes and spare tire, is well within the limit.

[baybum10]

I had used the ladder rack when I towed from NJ to Florida Keys and back. The bike rack almost rubbed completely through the ladder rung. Caught it just in time. I won't use it again.

[larryflew]

No bikes but heavy 7 foot fiberglass step ladder has bounced it's way from MN to AZ and back 7 times and ladder is still fine. 2011 Alpine.

[johnlewis]

We tried (2) 35# bikes on a rack bolted to the ladder, but it didn't seem sturdy enough for me (even without the front tires). We have a LWB Ram 3500 dually, so there was room to lay the bikes in the truck bed in front of the hitch. I remove front tires, sandwich the bikes between a tarp, lay the front tires on top, use a "spiderweb" bungy to hold it all down. I like ragfo's design - makes it even easier to stow the bikes.

[Brantlaker]

That is the same setup I used on my Cougar . I removed the spare and installed a BW under body mount

[tech740]

Here is the pics with 4 bikes, they are no where near the cab and turning just swings them out of the way.

[travelin texans]

Here is the pics with 4 bikes, they are no where near the cab and turning just swings them out of the way.

MUCH better than the ladder or the bumper!

[rhagfo]

here is the pics with 4 bikes, they are no where near the cab and turning just swings them out of the way.

much better than the ladder or the bumper!

so much better!!!

[tech740]

I love it. Works flawlessly. My only gripe is I have to be in the bed of the truck to load and unload the bikes. It is still worth it in my opinion.