Navigation
Smaller than a travel trailer but big enough to be a tent. This must be the reason pop-up campers are becoming popular among the masses.
With their popularity and convenience, many adventurous folks who like to bike are finding themselves drawn to pop-up campers. However, bikers will have a little challenge attaching their bike racks to a pop-up camper because the latter attaches itself to the conventional hitch most bike racks use.
Pop-up campers obstruct the bike rack’s access to the trunk area, but this should not keep campers from bringing their bikes along with them. There are several racks designed to bring your bike along for fun while traveling with a pop-up camper.
Read on and find out the best bike racks for your pop-up camper.
Our Top 3 Choice
- Application: 2″ x 2″ trailer hitch receivers
- Carrying capacity: Up to 4 bicycles
- Weight capacity: 120 pounds
- Works with Car, Truck, SUV, Van, Fifth Wheel, Motorhome, Towable Camper
- Limited 1-year warranty
- Application: 1-1/4″ x 1-1/4″ (Class I and II) and 2″ x 2″ trailer hitches
- Carrying capacity: Up to 2 bicycles
- Weight capacity: 70 pounds
- Works with Car, Truck, SUV, Van, Motorhome
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Application: aero, round, square, and factory roof-rack crossbars
- Carrying capacity: 1 bicycle
- Weight capacity: Up to 40 pounds
- Maximum tire width: 3”
- Comes with a limited lifetime warranty
Best Bike Racks For Pop Up Campers
Pop-up campers are turning out to be more common as time goes by. The convenience of being smaller than an RV at a relatively affordable price makes them the easy choice for most campers.
The challenge with using both a pop-up camper and a bike rack is that both are usually attached to the hitch. This begs the question: is there a way to put together your love for biking and your fondness for pop-ups?
The answer is YES! Because of the pop-up camper’s growing popularity, a lot of bike racks have been designed to accommodate bikes during travel without having to share the vehicle’s hitch.
1. Pro – Series Reese Eclipse 4 Bike Rack for 2″ Hitches
Features and Specifications
- Hitch-mounted rack that can haul up to 4 bikes at the back of your vehicle
- Sturdy cradles with rubberized pads as well as heavy-duty hook-and-loop straps secure bikes to the rack
- Integrated with anti-rattle hitch bolt that helps reduce movement of rack in the hitch receiver
- Application: 2″ x 2″ trailer hitch receivers
- Carrying capacity: Up to 4 bicycles
- Weight capacity: 120 pounds
- Works with Car, Truck, SUV, Van, Fifth Wheel, Motorhome, Towable Camper
- Limited 1-year warranty
Approved for use on a motorhome, fifth wheel, and pop-up campers, Reese Eclipse 4 Bike Rack, an economically priced hitch mounted bike rack allows you to get to the rear of your vehicle by lifting a pin to tilt the rack down.
What’s better than it is compatible with pop-up campers? It is designed to work with different types of bikes. Bring a mountain, road, women’s, or even kids’ bike and you won’t even notice they are there.
With Reese Eclipse Bike Rack, the levelness of the bike is attained with a bike adapter bar. While it can still be used without it, one end of the bike may be kicked up a little higher than the other end. This system is designed to pass a cable lock through and around each bike for added security.
- Comes with fasteners that are pre-coated with a thread lock
- Can be assembled and put up in 15 minutes
- Sturdy due to the heavy metal
- Room is not enough between the slanted bar and chain
- Frames are sturdy but poorly weld
2. Swagman XC 2-Bike Rack Platform Style
Features and Specifications
- Can carry up to two bikes
- Mounting design makes it a snug fit with most bikes despite frame sizes
- Wheel hoops add stability for the platform in carrying the bikes
- Application: 1-1/4″ x 1-1/4″ (Class I and II) and 2″ x 2″ trailer hitches
- Carrying capacity: Up to 2 bicycles
- Weight capacity: 70 pounds
- Works with Car, Truck, SUV, Van, Motorhome
- Limited lifetime warranty
A stress-free way to transport your bike, especially when you bring along with you a pop-up camper. This can be used traditionally at the rear hitch or the front of the vehicle if the towing vehicle has a front mount hitch.
Featuring a 4-inch shank rise, it gives you an additional ground clearance whether you mount it in front or at the rear hitch. It is finished with a powder coat making it resistant to rust and corrosion. The same finish also adds up to the overall look of the bike rack.
Another good thing about this bike rack is it being a great space saver when not in use. Just pull the pin to fold it down or put it back to get your bikes standing safe on the platform.
- The rack weighs less than most bike racks at 26 pounds
- Wheel holders are adjustable and ratcheting arms help to seat bikes securely
- Plastic knobs crack when overly tightened down
- Many parts to put together
3. Yakima FrontLoader Wheel Mount Bike Carrier
Features and Specifications
- The design allows you to load your bike without having to remove the front wheel
- Fits any crossbars without the need for an adapter
- Has a built-in, lockable cable that clings to the bike for additional security
- Application: aero, round, square, and factory roof-rack crossbars
- Carrying capacity: 1 bicycle
- Weight capacity: Up to 40 pounds
- Maximum tire width: 3”
- Limited lifetime warranty
Carry one bike up the roof safely and securely with the FrontLoader Roof Bike Rack. The unique mounting system it features grabs the front tire, holds it in place, all by tightening a knob. Worried if it is compatible with your existing roof rack system? You shouldn’t be. Its universal clamping system lets you fit it around your system, whether it’s round, square, aero, or elliptical.
Yakima FrontLoader Roof Bike Rack can provide accommodation for bikes with 10 to 29-inch wheel sizes. That means you can load your off-road bike or your kid’s tiny 2-wheeler.
Being mounted on the roof means, it can best be taken on a road trip when you have your pop-up camper along. It won’t get in the way of attaching the camper.
- Easy installation with almost zero assembly
- Can be used with almost any size of tires
- Handily folds flat when not in use
- Too easy to install and uninstall – even for thieves.
- Have to purchase additional security locks.
4. Curt Clamp-On 3 Bike Rack
Features and Specifications
- Convenient and lightweight bike rack that clamps around your ball mount keeping it still accessible for towing purposes
- Durable and soft plastic cradles rotate to allow fitting of various bike shapes and sizes
- Excellent bike brace provided by dual arms
- Application: 2″ x 2″ ball mounts
- Required 1-1/2″ of space on the shank
- Carrying capacity: up to 3 bicycles
- Weight capacity: Up to 135 pounds
- Bike Rack Weight: 13 pounds
- 1-year limited warranty
Curt Clamp-On 3 Bike Rack is your perfect solution in hauling your bikes while tagging along with your pop-up camper. Simply fastening it around the existing ball mount gets you a bicycle rack that can accommodate up to three bikes. The dual arms that provide support for the bikes are stamped with reflectors for added visibility at night.
The cradles are made of soft plastic that has patterned channels to have room for lines and cables. The sturdy steel construction is coated with a nice black powder finish making it resistant to rust and corrosion.
- Makes use of the dead space above the hitch, between the towing vehicle and the camper
- Has a lockable cable that you can use with a lock you can purchase separately to deter off thieves
- Versatile and folds for easy storage
- Construction is too strong that it is a little hard to release or fold the clamps
- Straps were too hard to put over the bikes
5. Topline 2 Bike Carrier Truck Bed Mounted Expandable Bike Rack
Features and Specifications
- Clamps to bed rails on almost any pickup trucks
- Easy installation can be mounted in minutes
- Carries 2 bikes
- Clamps attach to bike frames up to 1-1/2″ in diameter
- Limited 1-year warranty
Topline 2 Bike Carrier, as the name suggests is a two-bike carrier that allows the bike to stand firmly atop the truck bed. The rubber pads on the inside give a snug fit, as well as protection for frames against scuffs or scratches.
The idea that it allows the bike to be carried at the back of the pickup truck makes it ideal to use with a pop-up camper along. The hitch can solely be used for towing and not for sharing with the bike rack.
- Comes with cable-lock tie-down hooks to prevent theft
- Easy to install and holds bikes rock steady
- May need to drill or cut bed liner
What Bike Rack Is Best for Use With a Pop-up Camper?
Your vehicle’s trailer hitch could very well be employed with the pop-up camper, but it shouldn’t get in the way of bringing a bike on your camping trip. There are several ways to bring along your 2-wheels as you camp in a pop-up. A few pieces of research here and there got me some tips on how to do this.
Types of Bike Racks
- Hitch Mount Bike Rack
- Front Mount Hitch Bike Rack
- Tow Vehicle Roof Bike Rack
- Ball Mount Bike Rack
- Truck Bed Bike Rack
- Camper Roof Rack
Hitch Mount Bike Rack
This type of rack slides into the receiver of a hitch on a car or a truck. A lot of bikers prefer this over roof-mounted bike racks as it eliminates overhead clearance problems and, at the same time, is more aerodynamic.
Hitch mount bike racks are seldom used with pop-up campers since both are attached to the hitch. But, pop-up campers have, over time, made way to do this. If the manufacturer for your camper doesn’t offer this option, you may go with adding a receiver for your pop-up. This can either be attached to the camper bumper or fixed on the camper frame itself.
- May be used on the tow vehicle when the camper is not attached
- Need a trailer hitch to use
Front Mount Hitch Bike Rack
If the rear receiver hitch is taken, another way is to go upfront. Up until now, a lot of motorists have not realized just how useful and functional this part of the vehicle is. Utilizing this part of your car allows you to mount your bike rack as well as a winch, plow, or even a step plate.
Some campers prefer to transport bikes on the front of the vehicle so that their precious two-wheels stay in sight from the driver’s seat. Keep in mind that putting anything in front of the car may obstruct the headlights and block the airflow to the radiator. Make sure your bike doesn’t cause that, or the camping trip may need to be cut short.
- All the extra space at the back can be solely for the pop-up camper
- Can monitor your bikes easily
- Bikes could get in the way of the airflow to the vehicle’s radiator
Roof Bike Rack
One of the most popular methods of transporting bikes is to carry them on top of the roof. These mount racks are convenient for carrying multiple bikes on a trip. It doesn’t matter what kind of bike you bring along; each can have the rack it needs.
The first only thing to take into consideration when using a roof bike rack is the additional height to your vehicle. This could be a challenge especially if you have to travel through underpasses with low vertical clearance.
- Allows bike to be carried on the roof of the tow vehicle, whether or not the pop-up camper is mounted
- Adds up height to the car making it a challenge to pass through tunnels with a low vertical clearance
Towing Bike Rack
Towable carriers can either slide into your hitch or clamp. This goes between the vehicle and the camper by using a bike rack that mounts onto a ball mount. A towing bike rack usually has either an integrated ball mount or a mount around a 2-inch shank.
These bike racks come in different styles. They can have the bike hanging from or standing on a platform and can typically carry 2 to 4 bikes.
- Can be used to carry bikes between the tow vehicle and the pop-up camper
- Utilizes ball mount shank for hauling
- May only be able to carry up to three bikes
Truck Bed Bike Rack
More and more people prefer to take trucks on trips. The space afforded in the back of a truck sells this option to adventurers who need room for their gear. That same space can be converted into the easiest and most secure place to stand your bike during a road trip.
Combined, a truck, a pop-up camper, and a truck bed bike rack can click your outdoor experience up a couple of notches.
- It is as simple as loading your bike on top of your truck bed
- Space that the bike occupies may be used for other items to haul
Tongue Mount Bike Rack
Another way to mount a bike rack onto a camper is with a trailer tongue where you stand the rack at the front of the fifth wheel. This is usually custom-done and requires metal rack works and a lot of know-how.
Also, make sure you don’t exceed the designated maximum tongue weight rating!
- Keeps your 2-wheelers within sight without obstructing the view out your windshield
- It may be hard to find a bike rack and a compatible camper
Camper Roof Bike Rack
Probably the best you can pick from all the options is the camper roof bike rack. Some manufacturers design their pop-up camper with a roof mounting system integrated. This saves you from the hassle of looking for an aftermarket roof rack to add—and it has a very minimal effect on aerodynamics as well.
Having the bikes carried on the pop-up camper reduces wind drag from the 2-wheels since they are at the back of the tow vehicle. Not to mention, it is likewise easier to load and unload your bikes from it since the roof of a pop-up camper is relatively lower than the vehicle.
- Keeps the height of setup low
- Reduces wind drag
- Can still affect aerodynamics a little
Camper Bike Racks
Bike racks for pop-up campers demand more research than most bike racks. The reason is that using them requires pairing multiple components and products to ensure that they are secure and practical.
A lot of times, they need to be mixed and matched to make sure they work well, separately and independently.
- Racks can be mixed and matched to get the most customized piece to work for you
- Having to mix and match it may take a lot of time and effort
What to Consider When Getting a Bike Rack for a Pop-Up Camper
Finding a pop-up camper bike rack could be confusing, but as long as you know which factors to look for, you can land the best item for your needs.
To decide on a bike rack, ask yourself:
Do I have a spare tire at the back of my camper?
If yes, then you are in a good position. Most racks are manufactured to attach onto the back of a spare tire, whether it’s on the back of an SUV or a camper. They are flexible and can be configured in many ways.
Does my camper trailer have a large back bumper?
If so, a bumper hitch receiver can make the back trailer bumper fit to a 2-inch hitch. A bumper bike rack is always a good option to have.
Other than those camper checklists, narrow down your list with the following criterion:
Reliability and Durability
- Racks should feel sturdy, even when loaded with bikes
- The mechanism should be strong enough to hold the bikes in place
- Functionality should never be compromised when holding multiple bikes
Convenience
The simplicity of installation is subjective. It may vary depending on the car make or model as well as the person who is installing it. What we can consider on this part is the difficulty or the ease of loading and unloading bikes from the racks post-installation.
Value
Don’t always go for the name. As long as it features durability, convenience, decreased wind drag, and versatility, it is the item worth paying for.
Weight and Load Capacity
Considering that we are using it on or along with a camper, it mustn’t be too heavy if we’re to avoid wind drag or an increased effect on gas mileage.
Conclusion
Large wheel trays, rubber-padded arms, and well-engineered bike technology are just some of what sells in the bike rack industry. But, at the end of the day, you will still have to choose wisely, depending on the application you will use it with. Your personal choice, spending plan, as well as your desire to hold your bike securely, should always be taken into consideration when deciding which bike rack is best for your pop-up camper.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
✅ How many bikes can I transport on a camper rack?
A: There are many factors on the loading capacity of a bike rack. Take into consideration the bike’s frame and the size of the wheel. While most racks can carry up to 3 bikes, it will still depend on how your bike is built.
✅ Will a bike rack damage my camper or bike?
A: There is always a risk. Anything that holds something can cause minimal wear and tear to the object. More so, some racks require drilling to hold it up the roof of the camper. Pick a high-quality rack that can securely mount down your bike with reduced chances of getting in contact with harmful surfaces.
✅ Are there DIY camper bike rack options?
A: Yes, there are. But, as a bike enthusiast, you wouldn’t want to expose your precious 2-wheelers to DIYs that may just cause them damage. Manufacturers have studied and engineered their products to perfection, so it is highly advisable to check them out first.
Check out our other articles on Storing Bikes in Your Garage, Best RV Bike Racks and Surfboard Bike Racks.