Best RV Bike Racks – Top 10 Rated In 2023 Reviews

Setting out with your RV on a road trip or for a weekend away is always an adventure. Taking our bikes with us is also a big part of the fun. However, this always creates the dilemma of where to keep them during the drive.

You can put them on the inside of your RV, but this can make things a little cramped as well as dangerous if they’re not properly tied down. The sensible solution is, therefore, to put them on the outside.

There are plenty of different options and methods to help you haul your bikes. And, the good news is that these days the best RV bike racks are not only able to cover every eventuality but also don’t need to cost a fortune.

So, let’s take a closer look at 10 of the best options currently available.

10 Best RV Bike Racks You Should Buy Review

1 Swagman TRAVELER XC2 RV Approved Hitch Mount Bike Rack – Best Dual Mount Option RV Bike Rack

Swagman is a well established US company that makes a variety of quality bike racks.

The Swagman TRAVELER XC2 RV Approved Hitch Mount Bike Rack is lightweight and sturdy. It’s made from steel and has a black powder coat finish to protect it from corrosion. The frame and all the components are of high quality and are assured to give long service.

Mounting…

The frame can be mounted on the rear of your RV using either a 2” Class 3 hitch mount receiver or directly onto a continuous 4.5” steel welded RV bumper. The cool thing is that having the dual mounting option means you can also use the 2” hitch mount on your truck, sedan, or SUV.

This bike rack can carry two bikes of any length. It’s able to take bikes with a maximum wheelbase of 52”. There is no minimum wheelbase because you can slide the two-wheel cradles along the frame to get the perfect fit.

Loading…

Loading the bikes is an absolute breeze. You adjust the wheel trays for your bike, which you shouldn’t have to do often, and then lift your bike and drop the wheels into the trays. Then you pull down the padded hook at the end of the arm onto your frame, and you’re done. It’s that simple.

Once the bikes are in position, you can guarantee that they won’t move around. The ratcheted arm keeps a tight hold of the frame, and the wheel trays don’t allow for any movement. Additionally, the frame doesn’t wobble once you’re on the move.

Not for the majority of fat or mountain bikes…

The frame has a capacity of 35lbs per bike and is suitable for wheel diameters between 20” to 29”. Although the 35lbs weight limit is typical for the many bike racks, it, unfortunately, means that some bikes are still going to end up being left behind. The fact is that a lot of cruiser bikes, fat bikes, and mountain bikes will tip the scales over 35lbs.

Our rating: (4.5 / 5)

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2 Swagman Dispatch RV Approved Hitch Mount Bike Rack – Best RV Heavy Weight Bike Rack

This is another high-quality bike rack from Swagman.

Like the Swagman TRAVELER XC2, the Dispatch bike rack can also be mounted to your RV by either its 2” hitch mount receiver or directly on the bumper. This again gives you the versatility of being able to use it on vehicles other than your RV.

Are there any upgrades?

The Swagman Dispatch bike rack has a few upgrades and improvements over the Swagman Traveller XC2. One of the biggest is the increased weight carrying capacity, which is bumped up from 30lbs to 45lbs.

There’s no doubt that a lot of recreational bikes can easily tip past the 35lbs point. Therefore, in the real world, the extra 15lbs allows you to carry just about any bike you want. This includes heavier mountain bikes, cruisers, and even e-bikes.

We can’t emphasize enough how much we appreciate this weight limit.

Another welcome improvement is the redesigned wheel trays, which feature tie-down ratchet straps. This means even less chance of any wobbling or movement during transit.

Extra capacity…

The wheel trays also have a wider range of movement on the frame. The increased range means the ability to haul a broader range of bikes and wheel sizes. To be precise, the Swagman Dispatch can carry any bike with wheels between 16” to 29” and of any width.

Things that remain the same, that we still love, include the solid steel frame and the powerful ratchet arm that hold the bikes in place. Additionally, you can fold down the mast when it is not in use.

It’s a great rack, and the extra cost over the more basic models is entirely justified.

Our rating: (4.8 / 5)

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3 Crooked Creek 6-1/2-foot Wooden Boat Oar with Grip – Best Budget RV Bike Rack

This is a budget, no-nonsense bike rack.

It’s designed to fit on your RVs ladder and can hook on in a matter of seconds. It’s 6’6” long when folded out and can accommodate a wide range of bikes, and it can hold two bikes with a total weight capacity of 60lbs.

The frame has two cradles on each of its two arms. The cradles use a heavy-duty rubber hole and button system to secure your bikes in place. They’re well-padded so that they won’t cause any damage to the paintwork on your frames.

What do we like most?

The cradles and fasteners are some of the best we’ve seen. Some of the rubber straps on other bike racks have questionable longevity. But not so with the straps on the Crooked Creek bike rack. This is all the more impressive given the price-point, and we think this one of the best RV bike racks to buy on a strict budget.

We also like the fact that this is a lightweight rack, so it’s easy to lift into place. Plus, we like that when it’s not in use, the extended arm can fold up and out of the way. These are a couple of useful and excellent features.

Any limitations?

One feature we’re not so happy about concerns the two hooks that fit over your RV’s ladder. The hooks are reasonably robust but might be a little too large for some RV ladders, which can potentially cause a little movement. If this is a case, you should consider packing it out, which should pretty much alleviate the issue.

Another feature we think could be improved upon is the 60lbs maximum weight limit. That’s honestly not a lot for a pair of bikes. We like to see a minimum of 70lbs and, even then, this is still on the low side.

Our rating: (4.2 / 5)

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4 Swagman RV Approved Around the Spare Deluxe Bike Rack – Best Bumper Mount RV Bike Rack

This is an affordable bike rack that still retains all the high build-quality that we’ve come to expect from Swagwan. You get a solid frame that’s powder-coated to protect against corrosion, as the solid base for this bumper mounted bike rack.

It’s suitable for use with RVs that have solid continuous steel welded bumpers between 4 and 4.5 inches. It’s easy to mount with just the use of a single wrench, and the whole job can be done in around five minutes.

Is it secure?

Once in position, you get minimum sway during transit. The only movement you may get could potentially come from the front wheels since these are not secured to the bikes’ frames, or the rack, in any way. We suggest using a strap of some sort to tie the front wheels to either one.

We like that the design allows the rack to fit around the back of the spare wheel. And, when the bike rack is not in use, it’s relatively easy to remove the upper part to store either at home or inside your RV.

This bike rack can only be mounted on a bumper and cannot mount via a hitch mount receiver. We view this as a bit of a negative since it means you can’t use it on another vehicle. However, we’re sure you’ll agree that given its low price, it’s not a deal-breaker.

Ease of use?

The bikes sit in the cradles and are fastened in place using the same rubber strap and button system found on the Swagman Dispatch bike rack. You can secure the straps quickly with just one hand.

One thing we’re not so enthusiastic about is the low weight limit of just 30lbs for each bike. In our opinion, that’s too low and can rule out being able to carry quite a few kinds of different bikes.

Finishing on a positive note, since the bikes are held in the cradle exclusively by their frames, any size of bike, with any size of wheels will fit.

Our rating: (4.3 / 5)

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5 Swagman RV Approved 2-Bike Bumper Rack – Best Value RV Bike Rack

This is another affordable, well-made, and heavy-duty steel RV bike rack. In terms of value, it’s undoubtedly one of the best RV bike racks you can currently buy. This is the least expensive Swagman bike rack on or list and one of the least costly amongst all of the ten we’ve reviewed.

Simple installation…

The Swagman RV Approved 2-Bike Bumper Rack, as the name suggests, can be mounted on the rear of your RVs bumper. It’s suitable for any RV with a solid continuous steel bumper measuring between 4 to 4.5 inches, and it fits easily to your bumper by tightening up just four ‘U’ bolts.

Once installed, it leaves a stable platform with two sets of wheel trays. One advantage of this system is that the rack is very close to the ground, so lifting your bikes onto the frame is easy.

What else makes it stand out?

This bike rack can take just about any size of bikes because the wheel trays can be moved separately either in and out from the center of the vehicle. To do this, you need to loosen, reposition the trays, and then tighten up the bolts. It’s not a quick process, and not something you’re likely to do regularly, but the option is there nevertheless.

When you’re on the move, the rack is rock steady, and there’s no lateral movement. There’s also an upright steel bar at the rear of the rack to provide extra stability for the bikes. It can also serve as a useful post to use additional straps to secure the bikes further. Unfortunately, no securing straps are provided, so you’ll have to source your own.

Our rating: (4.5 / 5)

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6 Quick Products QPRBM2R RV Bumper-Mounted 2-Bike Rack – Best Continuous Bumper Mount RV Bike Rack

This is another bumper mounted bike rack.

This bike rack comes in two separate parts. Each part is made from heavy gauge steel, and they’re both powder-coated, which serves as an anti-corrosive. The quality of the coating is sufficient that they will survive the very worst the weather can throw at them.

Fitting?

The rack is designed to fit on any continuous steel RV bumper that measures 4” to 4.5” wide. It attaches to the bumper via a total of eight bolts. Two bolts attach to each of a series of four ‘U’ clamps.

Because each rack can move towards the inside or outside of the bumper, most sizes of bikes and frames can fit. The only exception to this is fat bikes or bikes with tires over 29” in diameter.

Another limiting factor is the weight…

The rack has a maximum weight capacity of just 60lbs, that’s 30lbs per bike. We say this every time, but it’s worth repeating; we think this is too low. Be warned that you could get caught out with some bikes, so be sure to check before you buy.

More positively…

Loading the rack is a real breeze. But, when you load the rack, be sure to load the heaviest bike first. Plus, load the bike the opposite way around. This will ensure better stability when you’re moving. We also recommend that you use a strap to tie the frames and wheels around the upright steel bar for even better stability.

Our rating: (4.4 / 5)

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7 Surco 501BR Ladder Mounted Bike Rack – Best RV Ladder Mounted Bike Rack

This is a high-quality bike track. It’s made from heavy-duty aluminum and is suitable for two bikes. One great advantage of aluminum is that it’s guaranteed corrosion-free. It’s also highly polished, so it looks pretty cool too.

The Surco 501BR Ladder Mounted Bike Rack has one of the best ladder attachment mechanisms we’ve seen, and it can be fixed to the ladder in just seconds. Plus, even better, it won’t move once it’s being secured.

We appreciate the included straps…

The two bike rack arms have well-padded cradles with rubber straps to secure the bikes in place. The straps can be tightened and deployed single-handed. Additionally, and just as importantly, they’re durable and likely to pass the test of time.

The cradles hold the bikes by the seat tubes. This means that the front wheels will face downwards and rest against your ladder. There are no ties provided to tether the front wheels to the ladder, so common sense dictates that it’s a decent idea to get some so you can.

Let’s finish off with one feature we like and one we dislike.

Starting with the good stuff first, we like that the arms can be folded back against the back of your RV when it’s not in use. They take seconds to adjust and is undoubtedly worth the effort.

Yes, you guessed it…

The feature we don’t like is the 60lbs total weight limit. We’ve moaned about this again and again, and we will continue to do so. A 60lbs weight limit may be all right now, but what happens if you buy a new bike that’s over the weight limit?

In our eyes, it creates a potential problem that shouldn’t be there.

Our rating: (3.5 / 5)

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8 RV Ladder Mount System – Universal RV Ladder Rack for SmartTote2 – Best Multifunctional Single Bike Rack for RV

The RV Ladder Mount System can be used for more than just hauling bikes. You can use it for carrying cases, chairs, or any number of other items. It can even be used for transporting your disposable waste.

But how does it stack up as a bike rack?

Firstly, the sturdy aluminum frame is easy to fit on to your RV’s ladder. It takes less than a couple of minutes. Even better, once in place, it’s there to stay until you decide it’s time to move it. Because it’s a universal rack, it doesn’t have a dedicated bike cradle.

This means that you can’t lock the frame directly on to the rack. Instead, a broad strap is supplied that you use to tie the bike to the frame and the ladder.

The truth is that it’s a reasonably basic system and is far from ideal. However, on the plus side, since the rack is only designed to hold one bike, it actually works quite well. This is because there’s no second bike that could cause contact with the first.

Other good features?

One of the rack’s best features is that the maximum weight limit is a very respectable 50lbs. We like this a lot and wish more manufactures would follow suit. 50lbs is a whole lot of flexibility.

If you’re sure that you only need to take one bike with you on your trip, we think this is one of the best RV bike racks for you. It might be a simple rack, but there’s no doubt that it works. There’s also no doubt that this is one of the more affordable and versatile bike racks on our list.

Our rating: (4.5 / 5)

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9 Hollywood Racks SR1 Spare Tire Rack 2-Bike Spare Tire Mount Rack – Best RV Spare Tire Bike Rack with Straps

The Hollywood Racks SR1 Spare Tire Rack can be fitted around any spare tire, including around the tire of your RV. The kit is suitable for a tire with a maximum width of 12”. And, if you have a tire that’s larger, it’s possible to order a rack to fit.

Installation?

The rack comes pre-assembled, so it’s an easy process to fit onto your RV’s wheel. The great thing is that it can also be used on your SUV or any vehicle with a spare tire at the back. Plus, since it’s so quick and easy to fix, you’ll have no problems switching it between vehicles.

Fortunately, fixing it into position doesn’t require taking off the spare wheel. Also, on most models, it doesn’t interfere with the view from your back up camera.

Durable and sturdy…

The frame and the arms are made from steel, and it has a powder coating to protect it against rust. Overall, it’s a durable and sturdy rack that’s good enough to see you through plenty of bad winters and salt on the road.

The rack can carry two bikes with a maximum capacity of 35lbs per bike. This is on the lower limit of what we prefer, but it’s decent enough. The rack can carry most shapes and sizes of frames. However, for smaller or children’s bikes, you may need to use a top tube adapter. This is not included, but you can purchase one separately for a modest price.

Is it secure?

The cradles and straps are good quality and hold the frames securely. We’re also happy to see an integrated strap to tie down the front and rear wheels. We honestly wish more racks had this feature.

Sadly, one feature we’d like to see that’s lacking is the inclusion of any kind of theft security. You can take the rack off the vehicle or the bikes off the rack in seconds. It’s a common issue that we wish more companies would better address.

Our rating: (4.2 / 5)

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10 Allen Sports 4-Bike Hitch Racks for 2 in. Hitch – Best 4 Bike Rack for RV

This is a great option if you have four bikes.

The Allen Sports rack is suitable for use with any vehicle that has a class II or III 2” hitch receiver. Installing the rack onto your receiver and locking into place takes just seconds. This makes it great for switching around between RVs, SUVs, sedans, and minivans.

Buckle and strap fastening…

The rack has two 22” arms with four cradles sat on top of each arm. The cradles are well padded so they will not damage the paintwork on your bike’s frame, and they use a strap and buckle to hold the frame in place.

One of the disadvantages of the buckle and straps fasteners is that they do take two hands to use. On the other hand, they’re practical and possibly the most durable of all the available options.

On the move, there’s no lateral swing. However, unfortunately, there’s nothing to stop some movement of the bike’s wheels since there’s nothing provided to tie them down, a not uncommon omission.

Any other gripes?

When the bike rack is not in use, it’s possible to fold down the rear mast. In theory, even with bikes on the frame, it is possible to angle down the mast to create easy access to the rear of the vehicle. However, in reality, this is a little trickier than it would first appear and requires at least two people to do the job.

Our rating: (4.6 / 5)

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Best RV Bike Racks Buying Guide

Attachment Methods

Hitch Receiver Racks

Hitch mounted racks are ideal RV bike racks in terms of versatility. They can be used between different vehicles and be switched around in the space of a couple of minutes. Other big pluses include that they don’t sway once they’re attached, and they have models that can hold up to four bikes.

There are plenty of good quality options, but we particularly like the…

Allen Sports 4-Bike Hitch Racks for 2 in. Hitch

It’s a solid choice for those of you that need to transport up to four bikes.

Ladder Mounted Racks

Ladder mounted racks are difficult to load because of how high they sit above the ground. However, once the bikes are mounted, they sit in a neat position tucked in close to the rear of the vehicle.

The cool thing is that when they’re not in use, you can also swing the arms to the sides to create a completely flat profile at the rear. The…

Surco 501BR Ladder Mounted Bike Rack

…is our choice of best ladder mounted bike racks because of the strength of the connectors to the ladder and the quality of the cradles.

Bumper Mounted Racks

Bumper mounted bike racks are an inexpensive but versatile and robust option. The great thing is that the trays can be moved on the bumper to create the perfect position for bikes for just about every size of bike, and this alone makes them a good option.

Another huge plus is that because they’re so close to the ground loading your bikes is easy, another great feature we’re sure you’ll agree. Our favorite choice of RV bumper rack is the…

Swagman RV Approved Around the Spare Deluxe Bike Rack

Wheel Mounted Racks

If you have your spare wheel at the rear and you’re only taking a couple of bikes with you, a wheel mounted rack makes a lot of sense. We like them because they are easy to install, they are affordable, and you can easily switch them around between vehicles.

Another feature we particularly like is the fact that they are relatively low to the ground. This makes taking your bikes on and off the rack much more manageable.

Integrated Straps

It’s a constant niggle that more racks don’t have an integrated strap to tie down the front wheels so as to prevent any movement or potential wheel on wheel contact. Most of the time, it will be down to your good self to take a trip to the hardware store to sort yourself out with a strap.

It’s, therefore, hats off to the…

Hollywood Racks SR1 Spare Tire Rack

…for saving us a trip down to the store! Would all other manufactures of bike racks please take note?

Weight Capacity

Weight can be a real issue. A fat bike and a cruiser bike will typically weigh around 30 to 40 pounds. Whereas a mountain bike will weigh around 30lbs, though this can be much more if it’s kitted out with full suspension.

Since the weight capacity of some racks is just 30lbs, you need to be careful. Make sure to check the weight of your bike and the maximum weight capacity of the rack before you buy it.

If you’re carrying just one bike, and it’s heavy, you should check out the…

Universal RV Ladder Rack for SmartTote2

This has a very healthy 50lbs weight capacity for a single bike.

A tip…

If you’re struggling to stay within the rack’s weight limit, remember that you can always take off the front wheel and keep it inside your RV. It takes seconds and should save a heap of weight and get you within the racks maximum weight capacity.

Got Everything Else You Need for Your RV?

These days, the sky’s the limit in kitting out your RV for comfort and convenience. We recommend checking out our Best Luxe RV Accessories Reviews, the Best RV Mattress Short Queen Reviews, the Best Car Neck Pillows Reviews, and the Best Lumbar Supports for Cars you can buy.

Regular self-catering trips? Don’t miss our Best RV Sofa Beds, the Best RV Kitchen Sinks, the Best RV Washer Dryer Combos, the Best RV Toilets, the Best RV Showerhead reviews, the Best Coffee Maker for RVs, and the Best RV Refrigerators currently available in 2023.

For the latest driver-support technology, head to our Best RV GPS Devices Reviews and our Best Wifi Booster for RV Reviews.

Back to RV bike racks…

So, what are the Best RV Bike Racks?

So, there you have it, 10 of the most excellent RV bike racks currently available. They’re all solid racks, and all can do a great job of carrying your bikes. However, there was one rack that particularly caught our attention. Our top pick is, therefore, the…

Swagman RV Approved Around the Spare Deluxe Bike Rack

We liked this bike rack because it’s easy to mount and can be used with any size of bike. Additionally, it doesn’t sway, and it can fit around a spare tire. The fact that it’s also very affordable helps a lot too!

Enjoy your bikes, and enjoy your rides.