Bike rack for R-Pod
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Reviews and General Information
Forum Discription: Find r-pod reviews and new product announcements here
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1736
Printed Date: 19 May 2024 at 9:51am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Bike rack for R-Pod
Posted By: happyfish
Subject: Bike rack for R-Pod
Date Posted: 17 Apr 2011 at 5:14pm
|
I am looking into getting a bike rack for my r-pod. I know the spare tire hitch is only rated for 150 pounds, but I was thinking that should be plenty to hold a bike rack and two bikes. Has anyone purchased a bike rack for your r-pod? I was looking at getting the swagman XP 3.
Thanks!
|
Replies:
Posted By: jim park
Date Posted: 17 Apr 2011 at 8:28pm
| ive got a thule 2 bike rack on my pod,although just haul one bike,works great weight is a non issue even with two.thules are a little spendy but i have thule racks on my truck to haul a canoe and you can key every thule product the same |
Posted By: tdrace
Date Posted: 17 Apr 2011 at 8:38pm
|
I have a swagman that I use. I have not had any problems. You need to make sure it is rated for a travel trailer. Some bike racks are not. I got mine at Camping World. ------------- tdrace's 2018 180 2010 FORD F150 V-8 equalizer e-2 hitch Sisters on the Fly #1569 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 17 Apr 2011 at 9:50pm
|
You need to be careful with the receiver in the back of the 'pod. Some of them were installed poorly, with someone reporting cracks - in the welds I believe. They had it reinforced. Others here may remember the details better.
------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
|
Posted By: Outbound
Date Posted: 17 Apr 2011 at 10:22pm
|
One of the problems with a rear-mounted bike rack is, what do you do with the spare tire? Something like http://www.toppoprails.com/Traveltrailer.htm - TopPopRails , which mount over the tongue, above the propane tank, is much more appealing to me. But, I'm the only one in the family who's even remotely interested in bicycling, so I came up with a slightly different approach to carry a single bike: I modified a roof-rack carrier to fit on our RPOD's tongue. http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2697186610105331225uSnYxv">  ------------- Craig :: 2009 RP171 towed by a 2017 F150 |
Posted By: Pawpod
Date Posted: 18 Apr 2011 at 1:01am
|
Forest river does sell a bike rack for the RPod. I emailed them and received this reply
I have attached the product information on the bike rack. This is the only one that is approved to install on your r.pod and you cannot carry the tire with the rack. You will need to order directly through Forest River or your selling dealer. From another person who had the hitch fall off causing sever damage and finding out that the bike rack they used voided their warranty coverage for the damage, I figure I'll get it from them through my dealer. Crossing the border they tacked on about $75 which they say they would bring it in with their next trailer order. Another brand rack would only save me about $50 or so . The PDF they sent me was the highlander sports wing. I found etrailer sell it but under a different part number http://www.etrailer.com/tv-demo-highland-sportwing-5801200.aspx - RPod bike rack not sure if it's an exsact match or if forest river will cover you buying it from some else. ------------- Ready to pod around! |
Posted By: jim park
Date Posted: 18 Apr 2011 at 5:40pm
thats pretty slick
|
Posted By: yalilminx
Date Posted: 20 Jun 2016 at 10:53am
We received the highlander bike rack and only tried to use it this weekend. How does anybody fit 2 bikes on it being so close to the rear of the pod? Even with different sized bikes we couldn't get it! Pictures anyone?  ------------- 2015 rpod 176t |
Posted By: ronahue
Date Posted: 20 Jun 2016 at 11:20am
|
I had no problem placing 2 bikes (one women's and one men's) on the Highlander Sportwing however I did have to lower the seat on the men's bike. Sorry no pictures. ------------- Ron & Sharon 2015 R-Pod 179 2022 Nissan Frontier No trees were harmed in the sending of this message but a billion electrons were really agitated |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 20 Jun 2016 at 11:29am
Face them opposite directions. ------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: Espo05
Date Posted: 20 Jun 2016 at 6:16pm
| We are working on the bike rack dilemma as well...after talking to someone at FR, we will not be buying the factory bike rack despite the warranty/not warranty issue. Since we already own a 2 inch receiver Thule bike rack, we are leaning towards getting a 1.25 to 2 in hitch adaptor. Only plan to carry 2 bikes. Adaptor, rack, and two bikes should keep us at 100-125 pounds. The rack has room for 5 bikes, but we'd only be putting two on, to keep it light. Not sure if that is the best option or not...trial and error and hopefully no lose of a bike or two! Or damage to the RPod! We have the 176T, so spare is not on rear receiver but rather in the back compartment of the tent. |
Posted By: ronahue
Date Posted: 20 Jun 2016 at 6:54pm
|
You probably know this but 1 goes inside and 1 goes outside. ------------- Ron & Sharon 2015 R-Pod 179 2022 Nissan Frontier No trees were harmed in the sending of this message but a billion electrons were really agitated |
Posted By: rkleim
Date Posted: 21 Jun 2016 at 7:47am
|
How did using the Thule on the back go? I also have a hitch rack (Yakima) weighs 35 lbs, bikes less than 30 each, so under 100 total. Did it work for you? ------------- - Richard 2015 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk with Factory Tow 2016 FR R-Pod 179 |
Posted By: yalilminx
Date Posted: 21 Jun 2016 at 11:18am
|
We have the 176t as well.
We had a problem trying 1 bike on the inside, 1 outside. Will try facing different directions. Might need to see if i9need a hitch extender?? ------------- 2015 rpod 176t |
Posted By: Don Halas
Date Posted: 22 Jun 2016 at 2:47pm
|
I'm using this:
https://www.rei.com/product/851521/thule-helium-aero-3-bike-hitch-rack Carrying two Trek 820's. Appears to be working well. |
Posted By: Lobstah2
Date Posted: 04 Sep 2016 at 11:40am
|
Don, I just joined the forum and saw your post on the Thule Helium Aero bike rack. I have a 2014 R Pod 172. I just purchased and mounted a Helium Aero 2 bike rack on the Pod using the 1 1/4 spare tire site. I'm not crazy about how far the bikes are held out from the attachment point. It seems as though that feature would create a lot more torque on the little 1 1/4 cross bar under the trailer. I know the spare tire is heavy, but the way it is set up, it is held low & tight to the Pod. I am very curious to hear about you experience with the Helium Aero 3, now that you've had it for a while.
|
Posted By: Don Halas
Date Posted: 04 Sep 2016 at 7:36pm
|
We've only carried the bikes twice, to Virginia. About 900 miles round trip. No issues to report. We'll be doing the trip again in another few weeks. |
Posted By: BetsyRose
Date Posted: 13 Sep 2016 at 8:34am
|
I would be interested in adding a bike rack too. Sounds like one should purchase the bike rack from RPod. But where does one store the spare tire? Thank you, Betsy ------------- Betsy |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 13 Sep 2016 at 9:59am
Betsy, The factory rack or the equivalent Highland Sportwing from Amazon work very well. The tire can be moved to the tongue. There are many methods described in threads on this forum. ------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: Sandybeach
Date Posted: 13 Sep 2016 at 11:57am
|
I bought the swagman last year. WE attached and used it but I found it was not really secure as there was too much swing. so we removed it, use it on our non tow vehicle when we need. I put the tire back on the back and got a roof rack for the tow vehicle. ------------- 2015 Rpod 178 2006 Toyota 4 runner 1 happy husband after 25 yrs of tenting. |