Hitch Bike rack - Event Date: 07 Oct 2012 - 21 Oct 2012

We have a bike rack (for up to 3 bikes) that can go on the TV hitch or where the spare tire is.  When towing, the spare tire goes under the dinette and the bikes go where the spare tire is.  With 1 or 2 bikes it's ok, but with 3 the sway was very noticeable, and this was on a relatively short (3 hrs) and flat tow to Cape Cod.

That would save room for sure.  I'll have to look into that since I mounted my 5W solar trickle charger to the jack post.  I also moved the spare to the hitch end of the pod by mounting it next to the propane tank parallel to the pod.  I could move the pole mount for the solar panel to the upright portion of the spare tire mount.  Thanks

I own a very expensive mountain bike. I also have a large collection of bike racks.
 I first tried a spare tire mounted rack.  With the bike on the rack I could bounce the bike quite a vertical distance...enough to be worried about the dynamic weight on the rear hitch.  The weight of the tire, rack and bike greatly increases when the rear of the Pod is bouncing on a 'roller-coaster' road.
I then removed the spare into the pickup TV and removed the tire rack. I replaced the tire rack with a bike rack.  This solved the weight problem. But then I realized that the mountain bike was now my rear bumper. 
I then went to the Pod's tongue...I have a carrier that can be bolted across two beams.  But since I dry camp quite often, I carry two batteries and two propane tanks.  There was not enough room to install a carrier. The Pod's curved front prohibited putting the bike forward of the batteries. The same with the carrier just to the rear of the propane tanks.
I ended up as several others did...storing the bike inside the Pod.  I have an aluminum c-channel which I use on the floor (but not attached to the floor) to keep the tires from sliding.  I use a couple of bungee cords to hold the bike upright.  It has traveled over some really bumpy roads without moving or damaging the Pod's interior.
In addition, the bike is secure from being stolen by a thief with a large bolt cutter.

For what it's worth, we purchased the bike rack made for the pod. Factoring into our decision was weight distribution and sway. Also, we were told using a different one might void any warranty if it were to cause any damage. It cost a little more, but peace of mind is worth it. I wouldn't want anything to happen to Francois!

I put the FR endorsed bike rack on the front of my FJ Cruiser for a trip down to the SC coast a few weeks ago.  It traveled fine and the view wasn't blocked bad at all, but at night the headlights were blocked and reflected back at me. Not horribly, but certainly annoyingly.  For the trip back I put the bikes on the back of the pod and put the pod's spare on the front of the FJ.  Much better.

TT