E-Bike Mount

[kfp673]

Hello All- We have a 2018 outback that came with the rear mounted cargo rack. The rack is frame welded and is listed as having a 200lb capacity. To date we have used it to bring all sorts of items, but now I'm looking to use it for our 2 e-bikes. We have the Lectric XP2.0's with 3" fat tires so my thought was to find some sort of wheel chock for both the front and rear tire of each bike, bolt it to the cargo rack, and then ratchet strap the bikes down. Any thoughts? Anyone have or see better solutions for hauling heavy (60 ish LB's) bikes? I have a cap on the truck bed so we have been folding them and hauling them that way but it's really a pain to pack around and we would much prefer them loaded to the camper. Thanks in advance!

 

[workinonit]

It sounds as though you want to haul the bikes and other items. Not sure what those are but a bike rack like this would haul the bikes and some other things strapped down.

https://www.vevor.com/hitch-motorcy...ip7O9KEgHFn1id9ggn2qXVJMh_5bpnKAaAgqLEALw_wcB

 

[Canonman]

In short, DON'T do it
We had the cargo rack on our Cougar and tried on a couple of trips to carry our standard bikes on it. Had a heck of a time keeping them secure or even upright. It was a disaster waiting to happen.
E bikes are a pretty healthy investment, certainly worth a few bucks to carry them as safely and securely as possible.
After buying our E bikes, we installed a 2" receiver hitch attached to the frame. Then bought a bike rack specifically rated for E bikes. Hollywood racks make a good one as do Thule, Yakima and Kuat.
The back of the travel trailer bounces and moves like crazy. You need the most secure system possible. IMHO this is not a place to skimp.

 

[NH_Bulldog]

I would use EXTREME caution if you intend to add an E-Bike rack to the back of your trailer. I go by the rule of thumb that nothing hangs off the back of my fifth wheel that I would miss if it wasn't there when I reached my destination.

Although Hollywood Racks makes a good hitch receiver rack, they (and almost any other rack manufacturer) specifically state that it CANNOT be used on the rear of a travel trailer or fifth wheel. "IF" you can find a rack that is approved for RV use, you need to read the fine print, because the the term "RV" is used to define a motorhome, not a travel trailer.

From Hollywood Racks:

"Any trailer or trailered vehicle (including 5th wheel type) has a slight side to side motion that's very low frequency (1 to 1-1/2 times per second) that fatigues the steel from which the racks are manufactured. The fatigue first happens at a molecular level, but eventually (several thousands of cycles later) a visible crack will appear. Once the crack has formed, it will enlarge, finally to the point where the rack drops off the vehicle and the rack (and bikes) impact the roadway. This is also a dangerous situation for whoever may be following the trailer on the highway. We have seen 100+ incidents where the consumers/end user has not taken this advice and suffered disastrous results. We've even had phone calls from consumers who said they read that advice (do not use on a trailer) and ignored it, only to discover a tragic end result. So . . . don't do it. If you insist on doing it regardless of the above, please use some other companies’ rack."

 

[workinonit]

I'm certainly not a molecular engineer if there is such a thing but why in the heck would lateral motion fatigue steel when vertical motion doesn't? If what they say is true then we are all in deep poop with the frames on our RVs.

I just say whatever to this stuff. I built a rack for my RV and carry 2 LP tanks, my genset and dog fence on it. That said I do have 3 receiver hitches on mine so it's not dangling off the back on a piece of 2" tubing. I'll let y'all know when I start getting lateral stress cracks.

 

[sourdough]

I would use EXTREME caution if you intend to add an E-Bike rack to the back of your trailer. I go by the rule of thumb that nothing hangs off the back of my fifth wheel that I would miss if it wasn't there when I reached my destination.

Although Hollywood Racks makes a good hitch receiver rack, they (and almost any other rack manufacturer) specifically state that it CANNOT be used on the rear of a travel trailer or fifth wheel. "IF" you can find a rack that is approved for RV use, you need to read the fine print, because the the term "RV" is used to define a motorhome, not a travel trailer.

From Hollywood Racks:

"Any trailer or trailered vehicle (including 5th wheel type) has a slight side to side motion that's very low frequency (1 to 1-1/2 times per second) that fatigues the steel from which the racks are manufactured. The fatigue first happens at a molecular level, but eventually (several thousands of cycles later) a visible crack will appear. Once the crack has formed, it will enlarge, finally to the point where the rack drops off the vehicle and the rack (and bikes) impact the roadway. This is also a dangerous situation for whoever may be following the trailer on the highway. We have seen 100+ incidents where the consumers/end user has not taken this advice and suffered disastrous results. We've even had phone calls from consumers who said they read that advice (do not use on a trailer) and ignored it, only to discover a tragic end result. So . . . don't do it. If you insist on doing it regardless of the above, please use some other companies’ rack."

I bought an "RV" rated Hollywood rack for our ebikes (never used it though - it was bought to transport the bides around on the truck once the destination was reached). In that process I talked directly with Hollywood's management and there was no problem with our 5th wheel. Their website and advertisement for their RV carrier specifically states it will work on a 5th wheel but not a bumper pull. I am attaching that link below;

https://hollywoodracks.com/collections/ebike-racks/products/rv-rider

The OP's trailer is a bumper pull so this and other racks are not going to work. Trying to adapt those built in cargo trays to carry bikes is an accident (and lawsuit) waiting to happen. I would not consider it.

 

[daywood]

I would use EXTREME caution if you intend to add an E-Bike rack to the back of your trailer. I go by the rule of thumb that nothing hangs off the back of my fifth wheel that I would miss if it wasn't there when I reached my destination.

Although Hollywood Racks makes a good hitch receiver rack, they (and almost any other rack manufacturer) specifically state that it CANNOT be used on the rear of a travel trailer or fifth wheel. "IF" you can find a rack that is approved for RV use, you need to read the fine print, because the the term "RV" is used to define a motorhome, not a travel trailer.

From Hollywood Racks:

"Any trailer or trailered vehicle (including 5th wheel type) has a slight side to side motion that's very low frequency (1 to 1-1/2 times per second) that fatigues the steel from which the racks are manufactured. The fatigue first happens at a molecular level, but eventually (several thousands of cycles later) a visible crack will appear. Once the crack has formed, it will enlarge, finally to the point where the rack drops off the vehicle and the rack (and bikes) impact the roadway. This is also a dangerous situation for whoever may be following the trailer on the highway. We have seen 100+ incidents where the consumers/end user has not taken this advice and suffered disastrous results. We've even had phone calls from consumers who said they read that advice (do not use on a trailer) and ignored it, only to discover a tragic end result. So . . . don't do it. If you insist on doing it regardless of the above, please use some other companies’ rack."

I want to say it’s baffling to me that after developing that deep of an understanding of the problem and what causes it, they wouldn’t reinforce or otherwise re-engineer their rack, for instance, using a metal formula less susceptible “at a molecular level” to the harmonics they observed, at least in whichever area the cracks have formed. And maybe while they are at it, engineer it so the weight of the rack doesn’t eat up so much of the 200-pound hitch capacity or require a winch to lift into place. Something that heavy should be durable enough to mount on the back of a tank headed into battle.

But I think that either their lawyers said that the trailer segment is too risky to invest in or their bean counters said it’s too small. But most people are left with the rear receiver on the trailer as the only, or only practical, place to carry bikes. Just look at how many trailers on the road have bikes hanging off the back. I wonder if the rack manufacturers aren’t going to provide better assurance, frequent close inspections of your bike rack would be a good idea, and perhaps use a cable to tether the bikes and rack to the bumper, a la the safety chains working as a failsafe for your trailer hitch.

 

[NH_Bulldog]

The best engineered idea I have ever seen for a bike rack is on an Airstream where the actual trailer frame extended far enough off the back that you could probably load a motorcycle on it. It even had support bars from the uprights back to the trailer body holding everything rigid. It looked pretty darn stout!

I only use the receiver hitch on my Cougar for a MorRyde Hitch-Mounted trailer stabilizer setup to prevent movement when parked and setup in a campground or RV park. I can fit 3 adult mountain bikes in the bed of my truck (even though I have a 5th wheel) so that is where I carry mine.

 

[LHaven]

I'm certainly not a molecular engineer if there is such a thing but why in the heck would lateral motion fatigue steel when vertical motion doesn't?

Presumably it would, if trailers exhibited the same constant periodic sine wave motion vertically that they do horizontally. Apparently they don't.

 

[jasin1]

View attachment 48431I have a ebike rated rack that goes in my hitch reciever but i purchased that for my beach cruiser bikes with the thought that i’d use it when i eventually purchased e-bikes..it works great for the beach cruisers but after purchasing two Lectric brand e-bikes for around $1000 each i decided i didn’t want to worry about them falling off the back or getting stolen or getting wet from driving in the rain…i do have a cover but going down the road at 60 mph in a rainstorm will drive road water up under the cover….lithium battery’s and water don’t mix well…also e-bikes are a lot heavier then standard bikes and it’s putting the ebike rated rack at the very extreme of its design,no different imo then lighter peddle bikes on a cheap rack.

I purchased two large plastic totes with a handle and two wheels from Home depot or lowe’s and store each bike folded in its own tote…They go inside the trailer and fit right thru the door.

They stay spotless because they are always inside so no mess…we use them stacked as a coffeee table with a tablecloth over or if it’s a clean paved campsite wil leave the totes covered outside….i never have to worry about them getting stolen along the way to our destination and that also gives me room to carry regular bikes on the hitch if we want to because at the beach it’s convenient to have the beach cruisers to ride down to the beach with a towel and the e-bikes for longer exploring…sometimes my wife doesn’t feel like dealing with the ebike or worrying about how to lock it up if she feels like a quick little bike ride.

Yes it’s a little time consuming folding them in the totes but no more of a pain then securing them to the bike rack and strapping down and putting the cover on and this way i never worry about them getting stolen or damaged…at the campground they get covered and a motorcycle chain lock to the landing gear under the front of the fifth wheel

 

[jasin1]

Presumably it would, if trailers exhibited the same constant periodic sine wave motion vertically that they do horizontally. Apparently they don't.

I’m thinking that there is a slight difference in air pressure Running down either side of the trailer that creates a wing effect ( flipped on its side ) one wing tip attached to the tow vehicle…. This creates that movement or oscillation. Could that be what you see exaggerated when a trailer goes all over the road when you have trailer sway?

The up and down motion is less pronounced because it’s dictated by road conditions and the tires and suspension dampen it

The bike racks are mainly built strong for up and down motion and the incredible leverage force in play when going over bumpy roads

Fifth wheels are less likely to have that sway because of being pulled from over the axle of the tow vehicle

 

[jasin1]

I want to say it’s baffling to me that after developing that deep of an understanding of the problem and what causes it, they wouldn’t reinforce or otherwise re-engineer their rack, for instance, using a metal formula less susceptible “at a molecular level” to the harmonics they observed, at least in whichever area the cracks have formed. And maybe while they are at it, engineer it so the weight of the rack doesn’t eat up so much of the 200-pound hitch capacity or require a winch to lift into place. Something that heavy should be durable enough to mount on the back of a tank headed into battle.

But I think that either their lawyers said that the trailer segment is too risky to invest in or their bean counters said it’s too small. But most people are left with the rear receiver on the trailer as the only, or only practical, place to carry bikes. Just look at how many trailers on the road have bikes hanging off the back. I wonder if the rack manufacturers aren’t going to provide better assurance, frequent close inspections of your bike rack would be a good idea, and perhaps use a cable to tether the bikes and rack to the bumper, a la the safety chains working as a failsafe for your trailer hitch.

probably be better if they designed a reciever hitch that incorporates two or maybe three reciever tubes that attaches to the bike rack in multiple locations instead of one balanced in the middle

 

[workinonit]

That's exactly how I built mine. It has 3, the center one and then I made two others that bolt on to the cross hitch so that I could "tune" them to all fit. I figure I could put a car on my rack if it were big enough.

 

[jasin1]

That's exactly how I built mine. It has 3, the center one and then I made two others that bolt on to the cross hitch so that I could "tune" them to all fit. I figure I could put a car on my rack if it were big enough.

Sounds nice….you should post a picture if you get a chance

 

[workinonit]

I found a couple. The first time I've had my pics sideways. Sorry.

 

[NH_Bulldog]

Nice set-up. I found that if you post pictures from a "smartphone" (I use an iPhone), that unless the photos are square, they always go sideways. It doesn't happen when I upload from a computer, just the iPhone.

 

[Canonman]

I'm wondering how this "vibration" issue is affected by adding a "Hitch Tightener, Anti-Rattle Clamp or Heavy Duty Hitch Stabilizer" multiple names for the same device, to minimize this problem?
I use one of these plus the rack has a threaded bolt instead of a pin that minimizes vibration at the hitch as well. With both installed, I get no wiggle or rattle at all.

 

[JRTJH]

I want to say it’s baffling to me that after developing that deep of an understanding of the problem and what causes it, they wouldn’t reinforce or otherwise re-engineer their rack....

You're making an assumption that they actually want to market that segment of the consumer group. Looking at the situation from a different perspective, if the company is filling all their sales/growth/profit goals with the current product which is intended for and engineered for a different purpose, and they don't see the long term investment as beneficial to their corporate goals, then why would they want to invest any money in improving a product that isn't intended for the purpose for which it is designed...

It's sort of like people buying an F150 to tow a Fuzion toy hauler. Should the buyer purchase the proper truck to tow or is it Ford's responsibility to engineer a better, more capable F150 ?????

When a manufacturer says a product isn't suitable for a purpose, it's up to the buyer to find something else that meets their need. It's not the manufacturer's responsibility to "rebuild their product to meet a purpose for which it was never intended....

That said, if the manufacturer wants to enter that new market, great, but it's not their "responsibility to build a better mousetrap" just because people are using their product for a different purpose.....

YMMV

 

[daywood]

You're making an assumption that they actually want to market that segment of the consumer group. Looking at the situation from a different perspective, if the company is filling all their sales/growth/profit goals with the current product which is intended for and engineered for a different purpose, and they don't see the long term investment as beneficial to their corporate goals, then why would they want to invest any money in improving a product that isn't intended for the purpose for which it is designed...

It's sort of like people buying an F150 to tow a Fuzion toy hauler. Should the buyer purchase the proper truck to tow or is it Ford's responsibility to engineer a better, more capable F150 ?????

When a manufacturer says a product isn't suitable for a purpose, it's up to the buyer to find something else that meets their need. It's not the manufacturer's responsibility to "rebuild their product to meet a purpose for which it was never intended....

That said, if the manufacturer wants to enter that new market, great, but it's not their "responsibility to build a better mousetrap" just because people are using their product for a different purpose.....

YMMV

Yeah. Sorry if it got lost in my comments, but I agree that they’ve made a business decision to not solve the problems to serve this market and it’s their right to do so. And to protect themselves legally, it’s smart of them to warn people of the risk to use the racks on trailers because they are apparently seeing evidence that warning to void the warranty hasn’t been enough of a deterrent.

But until there’s a better solution, people are going to keep using them. Maybe the bike rack industry should try to convince RV manufacturers to not put a receiver on the back of trailers. Because now for most people it’s, I’ve got bikes, a bike rack, and a receiver on the back of my trailer. Sorted.

 

[JRTJH]

Yeah. Sorry if it got lost in my comments, but I agree that they’ve made a business decision to not solve the problems to serve this market and it’s their right to do so. And to protect themselves legally, it’s smart of them to warn people of the risk to use the racks on trailers because they are apparently seeing evidence that warning to void the warranty hasn’t been enough of a deterrent.

But until there’s a better solution, people are going to keep using them. Maybe the bike rack industry should try to convince RV manufacturers to not put a receiver on the back of trailers. Because now for most people it’s, I’ve got bikes, a bike rack, and a receiver on the back of my trailer. Sorted.

Yep, us humans tend to take things into our own hands when we fabricate a solution that seems to work for us even if it might be dangerous, foolish, ill-conceived or goes against the manufacturer's limitations.... Think "Half Ton Cougar and "Half ton truck".... We create most of our own problems and then wonder why things fail or break at the most inopportune times... LOL