If you’re planning on hitching up your caravan near a popular biking trail, or next to some breathtaking views that are only accessible by foot (or bike!), then a caravan bike rack should be your next purchase.
Cycling is a great way to explore new places whilst caravanning and to enjoy days out without the car, and a bike rack is well-worth the effort it takes to install and maintain one. They prevent damage to your bikes and caravan, give you somewhere to store them when you arrive, and give you extra storage space to play with when packing up your vehicle, so check out our guide to transporting your bikes safely and securely with the right rack for you!
Choosing the right caravan bike rack
The right bike rack for your caravan or motorhome will mostly depend upon how many bikes you want to bring with you on your journeys and how heavy this total weight will be. Unlike most caravan fixtures, you won’t need to choose a rack that is specifically manufactured for your brand of caravan, and you can just go ahead and choose the rack that you prefer.
To help you make your choice, ask yourself the following questions:
● How many bikes do I want to bring with me? Both the Thule Sport and Thule Elite rack can hold 2 bikes, but the Elite has a load capacity of 10kg more than the Sport, making it the best choice for e-bikes.
● How secure does the rack need to be? Both options have a lockable platform to stop the bikes from shifting around during journeys, and the Elite G2 Standard comes with lockable bike arms that make it easier to mount and secure the bikes.
● Do I want an adjustable rack? - The easy-to-adjust rails on both racks help you find the best position for your bikes, and the Thule Elite wheel holders can also be adjusted, which means you can secure bikes of all sizes, including kids' bikes and mountain bikes.
Need a little extra help deciding on the right option for you? Get in touch with our team today.
Installing a new rack
In the UK, a caravan bike rack must be securely attached to your caravan without blocking the number plate or lights and must never exceed the maximum weight limit specified for both your mounting rail and bike rack.
Below is our guide to installing a new rack in line with these requirements, but remember that these rules may differ in other countries, so always check the requirements for any area that you are traveling to before setting off.
- Find out the maximum weight limit: Make sure you find out the maximum weight limit for your chosen rack and take care to never exceed it, as this will impact the weight distribution and handling of your caravan.
- Check for mounting rails: Find out if your caravan has a compatible mounting rail, as Thule mounting rails are now standard on new Swift caravans and motorhomes, and the Thule Sport G2 Standard also fits all pre-installed fixation points and rails.
- Install mounting rails or brackets: Most caravans have these pre-installed fixing points, but if yours doesn’t, please get in touch with us to discuss which rails, brackets, and fixing bars are suitable for your installation.
- Secure the rack: Securely install the rack to the rails with enough space around it to stop it from hitting the bodywork or getting in the way whilst you’re maneuvering the vehicle.
- Mount the bikes: Load your bikes onto the new rack and secure them in place using the provided rails, holders and bike arms. Check that they won’t shift around or fall off during your journeys, and conduct a final check on the total weight that they add to make sure it doesn’t impact the vehicles’ weight distribution.
Maintaining the caravan bike rack
After you’ve taken your bikes on a few caravan holidays, it’s time to give the bike rack a quick inspection to check that everything is safe and secure.
● Check that all the rails and attachments are still firmly in place and able to secure the bikes.
● Check the locks are still working smoothly by locking and unlocking them a few times a year to prevent them from seizing up.
● Invest in a protective cover for your bikes to protect them from dirt and rain whilst on the road and to stop the rack from becoming damaged by the weather.
● And as always, don’t load more than 2 bikes onto the rack at any given time, even for just one short journey.
The Thule caravan bike rack range
We’ve recently updated our range to include the Thule Elite and the Thule Sport G2 Standard rear wall racks, suitable for motorhomes and caravans, so check them out today in our ‘New Arrivals’ section.
Happy travels!