Useful Tips and Tricks to Transport Bikes When Travelling by Motorhome

Last Updated on 30 September 2023 by Cycloscope

Some people don’t think that bicycles and motorhomes are a good match, but they’re wrong. Some Useful Tips and Tricks to Transport Bikes When Travelling by Motorhome

Traveling in your motorhome can be an extraordinary experience and a great adventure. The sense of freedom and excitement while driving through unknown or picturesque lands is unmistakable. Moreover, there are plenty of ways how you can make this experience even better.

One of those ways is taking bikes along with you. Some people don’t think that bicycles and motorhomes are a good match, but they’re wrong. Also, if you’ve heard that transportation can be problematic, you can forget about that too.

It doesn’t matter whether you intend to stay in an exclusive camping site or the wild, taking bikes with you is always a good idea. You can use them as a form of activity, and even additional means of transportation if needed.

But, if you intend to travel with your bikes, you need to know basic rules and a few useful tips to safely transport them.

Choose the Bike-Friendly Motorhome

Before you even consider transporting bikes, you need to make sure that your motorhome is well-adjusted for bicycle transportation. That’s especially important if you’re at the beginning of your motorhome owning journey. And more specifically, before it.

You need to make sure that the motorhome you want fits all your needs. In this case, check whether it’s bike-friendly.

Fortunately, it’s not difficult to find a campervan like that, you’ll easily find the one that suits your bike transportation requirements.

Ensure that the motorhome you’re looking for has a special bicycle rack or allows you to install one quickly. Also, if you want to transport your bikes inside your campervan, see whether it is spacious enough for you to fit the bikes in.

Checking your motorhome before the purchase can save you a lot of trouble in the future. If you’re not buying, but just renting an RV for a trip, you should get in touch with the rental company and ask them.

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Ways to Transport Bikes

So you’re ready for your trip, you got all the campervan essentials set up, and nice and clean bikes ready to be carried along.

Now it’s time to find out how to properly transport your pedal powered fun-machines. The most commonly used ways are getting a rack or cargo hold.

There are, of course, many other ways you can transport your bikes via campervan. For example, if it has a ladder, you can attach your bikes to it with a special ladder mounted bike rack.

You can also transport them inside your motorhome, but in that case, you have to make sure that you have enough space to do so. What’s more, the problem occurs when your bikes are dirty, but you still need to transport them.

But let’s focus on the most common, and probably the easiest way, which is getting a bike rack.

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Bike Racks for Your Motorhome

Investing in bike racks will save you a lot of trouble. With them, transporting your bike from point A to B is a piece of cake. There are a few types of racks you can choose from. The most common ones are rear racks and roof racks.

The usual spot for motorhome bike racks is the rear wall. It’s practical, easy to install, and besides, it looks aesthetically pleasing. Make sure you choose frames that are made from the best materials and are top-quality. You don’t want to lose your bikes on a highway, do you?

The second place where you can attach your racks is the roof of your motorhome. They’re easy to install as well, but you can question their practicality. Why? Well, your motorhome itself is high. Adding an extra height in the form of bikes can make your vehicle ill-fitted for some places.

Keep in mind that if you want to attach bike racks to your home, you have to obey the law and specific regulations. Here’s what you need to remember:

• Brake lights must be visible
• You must be able to see everything clearly
• Do not exceed the maximum load of your motorhome
• Check the local law if you’re leaving the UK
• Make sure bikes don’t stick out
• The rear number has to be visible

Tips for Transporting Your Bikes

Now that you know the best way to transport your bikes, and how you should do it to remain safe on the road. It’s high time to learn a few useful tips to make sure that you and your bikes will be satisfied.

First of all, invest in some accessories that will help you secure your bicycles, like unique covers to protect your bikes from water and dirt. If you don’t want to spend too much money on them, you can always use plastic bags, but for better protection, an investment is recommendable.

Also, to make sure no one is going to steal the bikes when you stop, consider buying a special lock for your racks. If you’re traveling with someone, you can also keep a look-out, but the lock is probably less problematic.

Secondly, to keep not only your bikes protected, but other drivers as well, you should regularly make a stop and check the fixtures on your bicycle carrier. Tighten it if needed so that you won’t be causing hazards on the road.

Thirdly, always keep spare parts for your racks with you when traveling. Why? You never know what may happen, and it’s better to be safe than sorry. Also, keep in mind that usually, you can get spare parts exclusively from the racks manufacturer.

Conclusion

To sum it all up, combining travailing by motorhome with bike excursions is one of the best ways of spending your vacation time. What’s more, transportation of your bike is a piece of cake, and all you need to do is to stick to some basic rules and laws.

Also, remember that the tips given above are just examples. There are many more sites and blogs where you can find useful information about transporting your bikes when traveling by motorhome. Or information about motorhomes and traveling by them.

So what are you waiting for? Get your motorhome, your bikes, check all the information you require and drive. The adventure awaits.