Rear cargo rack capacity

[brlr2000]

Does anyone know what the weight capacity of the rear fold-down rack is? Also, any recommendations on securing 2 electric bikes? I want to avoid scratching RV and the bicycles.

[sourdough]

Here's a link to a similar conversation about this subject in the last few days. It was about attaching to the bumper but the "fold down rack" isn't much different. Read through and see what you think;

https://www.keystoneforums.com/forum...ighlight=bikes

[jasin1]

Originally Posted by brlr2000

Does anyone know what the weight capacity of the rear fold-down rack is? Also, any recommendations on securing 2 electric bikes? I want to avoid scratching RV and the bicycles.

I’d take the rear cargo rack off and have a receiver hitch professionally welded into the frame…then buy a ebike rated bike carrier..they are expensive and hard to come by ( at least for the last year) .
I have two heavier cruiser bikes and bent one fifth wheel rated rack already.
Also the bike rack should be rated for fifth wheels specifically!
Many rv bike racks are only rated for motor homes where the dynamics of bouncing are much less pronounced…some are only for motor homes and travel trailers…others rated for all three

[Ken / Claudia]

Just realize anything carried on the rear of a towed RV will be jack hammered by every road dip and bump. Some stuff hanging on the back of a RV bounces like a yo-yo. If 1 strap will work use 3. Test it on a driving test with some one following to make sure there is no movement. Check it every time you stop. Me I will not mount/carry added stuff back there. Even the spare has been removed from the bumper.

[brlr2000]

This is the Keystone Factory cargo rack, not an Amazon aftermarket. I just can't find the factory specs. >assuming it's rated at least for 100 lbs. But would be nice to know for sure.

[jfk69]

The factory rack on the back of our rig is rated for 300#. I wouldn’t trust it with half that weight. We’re planning on removing it and having a hitch welded on.

[sourdough]

Did you read the thread I linked? That was talking about using the rear "bumper" but the general takeaway is that anything attached in the back of a trailer is going to be subjected to terrible punishment and, like many things on an RV, they were never engineered for that regardless of what they put on there from the "factory". I've seen many, many of those flat fold down carriers tilted and wobbling with anything and everything on them.

Also, for a couple of years or so it was a fad with Keystone to put those folding bike carriers on the back of some of the RVs.....for a couple of years or so. Just from looking at recent model years they have done away with them (and bumpers) and started using a receiver from what I can tell/have seen. Why? Because neither were built for what folks tried to use them for....they were just too weak and problematic (my assessment).

Reading through the brochures for the models with the folding rack I have seen 225lbs. as the max load. Then again, there's a reason you don't see them anymore and there's a receiver instead.......

[brlr2000]

Thanks for all the input. I've used this carrier for standard bicycles for 3 years.. I've followed the RV in a car for several hundred miles, and saw minimal movement of the bikes. The ebikes are a bit heavier, but way less than half of the capacity, so I think I'll be fine...of course I will check them occasionally. I was just curious if anyone had a simple method of securing 2 at a time without scratching one another.

[travelin texans]

Originally Posted by brlr2000

Thanks for all the input. I've used this carrier for standard bicycles for 3 years.. I've followed the RV in a car for several hundred miles, and saw minimal movement of the bikes. The ebikes are a bit heavier, but way less than half of the capacity, so I think I'll be fine...of course I will check them occasionally. I was just curious if anyone had a simple method of securing 2 at a time without scratching one another.

I'm confused?
In your 1st post you asked if anyone knew the weight capacity of that cargo rack & now you state you've used it for 3 years at 1/2 it's capacity with no problems.
Sounds like you already knew the capacity & it really doesn't matter that it's not really up to the task as long you can find a good way to tie off 2 e bikes without damaging them.
I can only say GOOD LUCK! Get a rearview camera.
Hope your bikes arrive at the same location as you do!

[brlr2000]

Originally Posted by travelin texans

I'm confused?
In your 1st post you asked if anyone knew the weight capacity of that cargo rack & now you state you've used it for 3 years at 1/2 it's capacity with no problems.
Sounds like you already knew the capacity & it really doesn't matter that it's not really up to the task as long you can find a good way to tie off 2 e bikes without damaging them.
I can only say GOOD LUCK! Get a rearview camera.
Hope your bikes arrive at the same location as you do!

Yeah, someone already replied with the weight limit of #300. I used it for standard lightweight bicycles w no problems. Still would like to find a simpler method other than cargo straps... but since it worked well with regular bikes, it may work just as well with the new ebikes.

[CedarCreekWoody]

Originally Posted by jfk69

The factory rack on the back of our rig is rated for 300#. I wouldn’t trust it with half that weight. We’re planning on removing it and having a hitch welded on.

Mine has the same rating, and I share your distrust!

[RickV]

Originally Posted by CedarCreekWoody

Mine has the same rating, and I share your distrust!

Mine came with the receiver hitch it is rated at 350lb. That won't be happening

[notanlines]

Y'all have led this horse to water....

[Ken / Claudia]

I found the best use of those pull out bumpers, which I have 1 and the cargo racks is to store stuff on them at a camp site. A cooler is what I put on mine. But sacking some firewood off the ground is another.

[flybouy]

There are some items or gadgets that seem like a good idea. They end up as sales points and help sell units. Then after the fail they quietly disappear and some new gadget appears. In my opinion the slide out rack on the back falls into that category.

[Mikelff]

Originally Posted by brlr2000

Yeah, someone already replied with the weight limit of #300. I used it for standard lightweight bicycles w no problems. Still would like to find a simpler method other than cargo straps... but since it worked well with regular bikes, it may work just as well with the new ebikes.

I have one on my Monte and the sticker says not to exceed 250 lbs. I tote my ebike on it with no issues. The bike is secured well and I secure the rack to the bumper so it doesn’t bounce. Had my son follow me down some park dirt roads with lots of pot holes. He said it didn’t bounce at all, but the 5er did. Trick is securing both what is on the rack, and the rack itself to the bumper. I use ratchet straps and they work great for me.

[Bandit12]

The factory receiver hitch point on my 2021 27SABWE travel trailer is rated for 300 pounds (I think) and the cargo tray I got from Napa auto parts is rated for 500 pounds. The only thing I carry on that tray is my 100 pound Predator 3500 generator. And I can watch it in the rear view back up camera. I keep it locked with a security cable and a pair of 600 pound ratchet straps. So far, it hasn't gone anywhere except where I wanted it to go.