If you’re planning an outdoor trip that will involve taking your bicycles with you, then you may need to consider investing in a caravan bike rack. Having a rack means that you can safely take your bicycles with you wherever you go without having to keep them inside your caravan. There are a number of different bike racks available on the market, the majority of which can be attached to any caravan, depending on its nose weight limit. This blog post will go over some of the best bike rack available for caravans as well as explaining the different things you should consider before purchasing one.
I have looked in to several bike racks that are suitable for using on a caravan. There are various reasons as to why I recommend these bike racks:
| Caravan Name | Rack type | Price | Weight | Size | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiamma Carry Bike XL | A-frame | £131.56 | 5.3kg | L: 128cm H: 78cm | 2 bikes |
| Thule 9708 HangOn | Rear wall mounting | £164.99 | 10.3kg | L: 75cm H: 10cm | 4 bikes |
| Thule Standard Sport G2 | Rear wall mounting | £230.99 | 8.2kg | L: 126cm H: 80cm | 2/3 bikes |
| Fiamma Active E-Bike Carrier | A-frame | £418.99 | 10kg | L: 128cm H: 92cm | 2 electric bikes |
| Thule Smart A-frame Carrier | A-frame | £265.99 | 8.9kg | L: 130cm H: 85cm | 2 bikes |
Now I’ve gone over my recommendations, I’m going to look at each of them in more depth, while also explaining why I’ve made the recommendations above. I’ll also explain the full criteria that I’ve judged these bike racks on.
In the blog post below, I will cover the following:
- Why you may need to consider a bike rack for your caravan
- Things to be aware of when selecting a bike rack
- Five of the best bike racks for caravans
- Conclusion
Why you may need to consider a bike rack for your caravan
For many caravan users, caravanning and cycling are the perfect pair, especially if you want to explore the area around your caravan campsite. Having your bike with you means you can enjoy a scenic bike ride along the countryside. If this is something you would like to do while camping, then buying a bike rack to attach to your caravan could be a really good investment.
Using a bike rack is definitely worth the money and effort. If you store your bikes in your caravan, it may be difficult to secure the bikes properly inside, and as a result, they can move about while the caravan is in motion which can be quite dangerous. This is not an ideal way to store your bikes, especially if you have been using them in the rain and they are covered in mud. This is why having a bike rack for you caravan is something to consider for your next getaway.
Things to be aware of when selecting a bike rack
Although having a bile rack for your caravan is very useful, there are many things that need to be considered before deciding which rack to buy. The main thing to be aware of is how many bikes you need to take with you and how much they weight in total. you then need to see if it is possible to take this many bikes in you caravan by checking the nose weights and weight distribution limits of you caravan. This is important to check before hand as it can be quite dangerous if you exceed this weight limit.
Weight of the bikes
It is important that you carefully consider how many bikes you want to take with you and how heavy they are, as the bike rack you need to buy depends on how many bikes you want it to be able to carry. This being said, it is also important to note that there is only a certain amount of weight you can legally and safely put into a caravan or motorhome. This weight is referred to as the user payload. you can easily check what the user payload for your caravan is by visiting the manufacturers website for your caravan and search for the specific model of your caravan.
Another thing to be aware of is the weight distribution in your caravan. If too much heavy weight is stored in one place in a caravan, it can make your vehicle unstable which can be unsafe. This may be the case if you’re taking four or more bikes with you. If this is the case, then you may need to store the bikes in two places, as loading four bikes onto one bike rack may not be the best idea.
You also need to ensure that you weigh each of your bikes before thinking about how you can transport them and on which type of bike rack. This is especially important if you are using electric bikes as they are typically double the weight of regular bikes. Therefore, with these battery pedal bikes you need to consider the additional weight it comes with. You may even need to consider removing the battery packs and storing them somewhere else in your caravan for better weight distribution, especially if you have multiple E-bikes.
Nose weights
When attaching bikes and bike racks to caravans, you also need to be very careful with adding additional weight onto the back of the vehicle, as every caravan model has a specific nose weight limit depending on the chassis and rear suspension. If your caravan has a large nose weight limit, then loading bikes onto the back of the caravan may not create an issue.
Five of the best bike racks for caravans
One thing to keep in mind when purchasing your bike rack is the different types of bike racks that are available for caravans. Generally, there are two types of caravan bike racks, A-frame bike racks and rear wall mounting bike racks. Below i will discuss the difference between the two so that you can decide which one os better suited to you caravan and your needs.
A-frame bike racks
The types of bike racks are a good option for both single-axle and twin-axle caravans, as long as you don’t exceed the nose weight limit for your vehicle. A-frame bike racks are known for being much more aero dynamic than mounting the bikes on to your caravan. These bike racks are relatively easy to access and usually a lot more easier to attach to your caravan as there is no drilling involved.
Rear wall mounting
mounting a bike rack on to the rear of you caravan is another option, however, it is important to note that if you have water ingress warranty, this may not be the best option for your caravan as drilling holes into the vehicle can invalidate your warranty. it also important to think about the effect on weight distribution this may have, therefore, ensure that you keep you caravan’s weight limit in mind. Rear wall mounting racks is not ideal for the majority of single axle caravans, as it can have a big effect on the vehicle’s balance, which can make driving on the road unsafe.
Fiamma Carry Bike XL
| Bike rack name | Rack type | Price | Weight | Size | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiamma Carry Bike XL | A-frame | £131.56 | 5.3kg | L: 128cm H: 78cm | 2 bikes |
Fiamma is well respected for its technical accessories for recreational vehicles, so it’s no surprise that this bike rack would make in on to the list of the best bike racks for caravans. The Fiamma Carry Bike XL rack can hold around two bikes with a maximum load of 35kg, which is more than enough for two normal bikes. It is important to not that this may not be the best option for E-bikes as they a usually double the weight of regular bikes. Since this is and A-frame bike rack, it requires no drilling and fits all caravans with a standard A frame.
Click here to find this bike rack on Amazon
Thule 9708 HangOn
| Bike rack name | Rack type | Price | Weight | Size | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thule 9708 HangOn | Rear wall mounting | £164.99 | 10.3kg | L: 75cm H: 10cm | 4 bikes |
The Thule 9708 is a strong and flexible rack that can carry up to four bikes. It can be easily mounted with the tool that come included with the rack and requires no pre-adjustment. What makes this rack stand out from some of the others available on the market is its tilt-able attachments. This allows the bikes to stay securely in place, but still enables you to access the boot. Another useful feature of this rack is its compact size which also folds flat for easy storage. Even though it is compact in size, it is still surprisingly strong and can hold a maximum of 4 bikes, with its load capacity of 60 kg.
Click here to find this bike rack on Amazon
Thule Standard Sport G2
| Bike rack name | Rack type | Price | Weight | Size | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thule Standard Sport G2 | Rear wall mounting | £230.99 | 8.2kg | L: 126cm H: 80cm | 2/3 bikes |
This Thule Standard Sport G2 is recommended to fit caravans and motorhomes with a rear vertical wall between 80 and 150cm. The G2 Sport is a lighter version of the G2 Elite and has been specially designed for those who lead an active lifestyle. This bike rack supports two bikes by default but with an optional kit, it can support 3 bikes. One of the most useful features it has, it that it fits all pre-installed fixation points and rails expect for the Hymer caravan models. Another impressive feature is the manual lockable platform which prevents your bikes from moving during transportation while, the rails provide ample of adjustment to optimum support for your bikes. The bike wheel holders can easily be moved into position regardless of what bike you have and the pump buckles can be tension for an extra secure hold.
Click here to find this bike rack on Leisure Outlet
Fiamma Active E-Bike Carrier
| Bike rack name | Rack type | Price | Weight | Size | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiamma Active E-Bike Carrier | A-frame | £418.99 | 10kg | L: 128cm H: 92cm | 2 electric bikes |
The Carry Bike Caravan Active E-Bike Carrier from Fiamma allows for the easy transportation of two electric bikes and supports a total load weight of 60kg. The carrier bike is suitable for caravans and installs on the A-frame. The Active model, which is very well recognised by its new design and improved functionality, provides greater stability and is easy to operate. One of its best features and the reason that it is on this list of recommended bike rack, is because of its hooking system that has be designed for easier access to the storage compartment, even when the bikes are mounted. It has been built for maximum manoeuvrability and sturdiness, while making minimum noise while travelling.
Click here to find this bike rack on Leisure Outlet
Thule Smart A-frame Carrier
| Bike rack name | Rack type | Price | Weight | Size | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thule Smart A-frame Carrier | A-frame | £265.99 | 8.9kg | L: 130cm H: 85cm | 2 bikes |
With its manual locking platform the Caravan Smart Bicycle Carrier from Thule is a well designed A-frame bike carrier that offers support for two bikes. it can hold a maximum load of up to 50kg and is also suitable for E-bikes. This bike rack features Thule’s Adjustable Tilt-Stop System allowing you to tilt the carrier to access your front locker, while also prevents further tilt to avoid damage to your caravan. Keeping your bikes up-right and secure the Caravan Smart has been supplied with two bike frame holders. The frame holders feature soft touch materials to sure when clamped to your bike, no markings are left behind when loading and off-loading.
Click here to find this bike rack on Leisure Outlet
Conclusion
When buying a bike rack for your caravan, it may seem as simple as attaching it to your vehicle and loading your bikes, however as explained above, there are many things you need to be aware of. The amount of bikes you’ll be taking, the nose weight of your caravan, and the type of attachment it has all play a big part in helping you find the right bike rack for you and your caravan.