We wanted to be able to take bicycles with us during our travels. However,
@ScubaGuy didn't feel comfortable with them on the back of the Ford Explorer. We tried it that way, but we couldn't see the bikes in the rear view camera, or the mirrors. We occasionally caught a glimpse of them while turning a corner.
After a ton of research on bike racks, including this great thread below which discusses several different set-ups that others have found successful, we have found what works best for us!
Hitch-mounted bike rack, pulling a toad (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=22623.0)
We chose the Saris Freedom 2 Platform Bike Rack. It allows us to carry just about any bike easily, including bikes with fenders and bikes without a cross bar. It is super easy to load and unload the bikes, and was one of the most reasonably priced platform racks on the market. Made in America, and it has a lifetime guarantee. It gets great reviews, and we also paid $50 less than retail - thank you Ebay. ^.^d
We tow with a Roadmaster Sterling tow bar. We needed a way to add a second hitch receiver for the bike rack. We found several that would have worked, however, they were all rated for 4,000 lbs. Our Explorer is somewhere in the 5,400 lbs. range. Then, thanks to the above thread, we found the Roadmaster Dual Hitch Receiver Adapter (https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/Roadmaster/RM-077-4.html). We initially purchased the 2" version, but it didn't give us enough clearance for the tow bar when the bike rack was in place. We returned it, and bought the 4" version, and voila - everything fit. The tow bar seems to have it's full range of motion, and can be put in the storage position without hitting the bike rack. We tried to install the hitch adapter upside down with a 4" rise, instead of the 4" drop, but this prevented us from being able to open the engine compartment door at all. With the dual hitch adapter installed as a 4" drop, we can easily open the engine compartment door with the hitch adapter and bike rack in place. With the motorhone at ride height and the truck hooked up, everything lines up quite well. I don't think dragging it on the pavement would be an issue, but only time will. :D Because the distance between the motorhome and the toad is now about 8" longer, we did lenghten the wires and relocate the plug onto the hitch adapter, using a mounting bracket and stainless steel bolts. We also replaced our safety cables with longer ones, but we might have gone
too long. The jury is still out on that.
We are on our maiden voyage today with our new setup - everything appears solid, and we are happy campers. b^.^d
Here is what we used:
Saris Freedom 2 Platform Bike Rack (https://www.amazon.com/Saris-Freedom-Bike-Tray-Hitch/dp/B00DMMCIMQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1468788119&sr=8-1&keywords=saris+freedom+2)
Roadmaster Dual Hitch Receiver Adapter (https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/Roadmaster/RM-077-4.html)
Roadmaster EZ Hook Safety Cables - 76" long (https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/Roadmaster/RM-655-76.html)
TrailerMate mounting bracket (https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/TrailerMate/TM76471.html)
These are some pictures that show how it all came together.
These pictures show the engine door clearance, and the relocated trailer wiring plug.
Here is the Saris Freedom 2 in action. :D :D :D
Looks like a good rig. Only thing I don't like about that setup is the bikes get filthy, especially if you are driving through rain. Have you considered some type of cover to protect them?
We also liked this bike rack, because in less than 5 minutes, we can take the bikes off the rack, put the rack on the back of the Explorer, and put the bikes back on, if we want to go somewhere with our bikes. We prefer the bikes out of the way on the back of the motorhome, because we open the back of the Explorer much more frequently than we ride our bicycles. :giggle:
Your post came faster than our new Amazon Prime bike covers. ;) Good suggestion! ^.^d
The bikes will get dirty no matter where you put them. The problem with almost every full bike cover is that the covers block visibility of the tail lights. Be sure you check that out before keeping them. Our Jeep is narrower than your explorer and the obscuring of the tail lights is even worse. That is one of the main reasons we added an extra set of tail/turn/stop lights up higher on the back of the coach. We usually just use the really classy brown Camp Walmart bike seat covers. We get new ones every time we stop. We have travelled 30,000 miles with our bikes. They get dirty - we clean them up as needed. Lube and oil as needed. Dirty or not they work just about the same. I guess we will have to shine em up for Michigan. Wait till you see our new front wheels (November)
🚲 🚲
We are lazy and have two electric bigger bikes
Same coach. Same roadmaster dual hitch. Bigger Thule rack. Two 62 points pound bikes.
Three thousand miles so far, have a cover for when parked,
Hard to lift the bikes that far up for me. But it works great.
Our Toyota has a 1 1/4" on it so I have to reduce the 2" to the 1 1/4" to relocate the bikes.
Got a lot of looks with the convertible behind the coach and the electric bikes on its back.
I, as Bob, have 2 electric bikes. Thinking of taking them to Alaska again next year, but am a little concerned about the dynamic load on that long lever arm, and the ability to check the FT oil. Still waffling around about it.
The Thule rack has a swing down ability, hit the release and it pivots to around 45 degrees away from the coach.
Have not been able to source the euro lights that are on the rack here in the USA.
Bottom edge in euro has plug in lights on the rack.
Shows in the manual.
But would be hidden behind tow car.
Are the electric bikes y'all are talking about the new ones with the electric motor in the front wheel?
I'm considering buying a couple of those.
Any user feedback from forefummers?
Thanks,
Trent
These are new, in pre-production, shipping in November 2016.
GeoOrbital Wheel | Make your bike electric in 60 seconds by GeoOrbital... (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1266381423/geoorbital-wheel-make-your-bike-electric-in-60-sec)
20 mph, 50 miles. And the batteries will charge your iPhone.
I test drove a prodeco . Very cool bikes. I was concerned that the weight of two of them would exceed the capacity of most racks. I'll have to reconsider.
The Thule rack is rated to hold the prodeco outlaws we have and has worked great hauling two around.
The prodecos are fairly powerfull at 750 watts and has a 12 amp hour 48 volt li-ion battery.
That's the legal limit for the bike trails here now. 1hp.
Goes 28mph so wear a helmet to be legal over 20mph. 20-25 mile range if not pedaling a lot and running in the high teens for mph.
Really well made and engineered. Not your regular bike. Rock solid.
That does not mean it cannot be improved.