Transporting bikes inside a travel trailer

[Running_Bell]

We've been to FW through the years in everything from a class A to a Class C to tents to now a 22' Trail-lite Hybrid.... We absolutely love the feel of a hybrid... nice compact when towing...but still sleeps 5-6 when open... it's only 3200 lbs dry and a piece of cake for our Suburban 2500 which makes us feel safe when traveling through the Blue Ridge. Our problem for this is mounting our bike rack. Our future goal is to change our the trailer bumper for one with a hitch so we can add our bike rack... this means changing around things that we haven't had a chance to do yet and we won't have time to do before our FW trip in 2 weeks and we really wanted to bring our bikes. So... we are going to store bikes inside the camper for this trip. We have 3 bikes.. 2 adults and 1 jr. size. If any of you have done this... what did you do to make sure the bikes didn't scratch anything or move around too much inside the camper while traveling? I thought about wrapping them in blankets.... but not sure the best way to secure them... any advice??

 

[SinceDay1]

Hey Running, we have a fifth wheel and we haul our bikes, 3 adult size townies, in side, I have old quilts I wrap the 2 on the outside touching anything, i.e. cabinets or couches/chairs, then I get them in place and slide in the slide out and they are fine, never had an issue with it. We fold the 2 quilts and store them under the bed. I had looked at bike racks in the past, but this works better and keeps the out of the weather on the way to and from. I hope this helps!!

Richard

 

[SoccerDad]

Our hybrid camper has a U-shaped dinette that folds down for travel. I put a tarp on top of the dinette cushions, a blanket on top of the tarp, and then lay the bikes on their sides on top of the blanket. For the most part the weight of the bikes keeps them in place, but I also use a couple bungee cords to prevent shifting.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[Running_Bell]

Great... some really good ideas. Thanks for the help.

 

[North of Mouse]

We've been to FW through the years in everything from a class A to a Class C to tents to now a 22' Trail-lite Hybrid.... We absolutely love the feel of a hybrid... nice compact when towing...but still sleeps 5-6 when open... it's only 3200 lbs dry and a piece of cake for our Suburban 2500 which makes us feel safe when traveling through the Blue Ridge. Our problem for this is mounting our bike rack. Our future goal is to change our the trailer bumper for one with a hitch so we can add our bike rack... this means changing around things that we haven't had a chance to do yet and we won't have time to do before our FW trip in 2 weeks and we really wanted to bring our bikes. So... we are going to store bikes inside the camper for this trip. We have 3 bikes.. 2 adults and 1 jr. size. If any of you have done this... what did you do to make sure the bikes didn't scratch anything or move around too much inside the camper while traveling? I thought about wrapping them in blankets.... but not sure the best way to secure them... any advice??

Yes, we did put our bikes in our trailer one time. We put comforters between them, and sort of wedged them together so they would not move.

Our problem was, we always have at least one night on the road, and they were flat in the way, so we don't do that anymore.

We tow an SUV with our MH now and put the bikes in the back - keeps them safe and clean. My dh built a rack to attach the frames to so they stay upright. The seats and front wheels come off - works great in our situation.

If you don't stop overnight on the way to your destination, then carrying the bikes that way will do great. Have a great trip!

 

[bama_ed]

it's only 3200 lbs dry and a piece of cake for our Suburban 2500 which makes us feel safe when traveling through the Blue Ridge.

You do know that the Suburban/Silverado/Avalanche family can handle a front hitch receiver so when you look out the front window the spokes would be in your field of view. It's a little unconventional, I admit, but it works.

Although if I could get the bikes inside the trailer I would go that route.

Bama Ed

 

[Running_Bell]

funny you should mention that Bama_ed.... my DH said the same thing and we do have a hitch on the front.... I kept brushing him off because I assumed the bikes would be completely blocking his view to drive ... um, I guess I'll have to tell him he was right.... He said he has already tested it and only a small portion of the bikes block the view, the spokes like you said..... but I think we both feel more comfortable with them in the trailer too. Thanks for all of the advice.

 

[NMK62303]

We have always put some assortment of bikes in our camper (first a TT now a 5th wheel) and just pad and go. Our adult bikes ride on our master bed padded with pillows beneath, lying on an old blanket we store beneath the bed. Kids bikes stand up in their bunk area or the kitchen with pillows, towels, whatever if takes to pad them. Enjoy your trip to the fort!!