Need solution to carry two fat-tire e-bikes above bed using RetraxPro XR.

[InSearchOfLight]

I have the RetraxPro XR tonneau cover. I am looking for bike racks that will mount to the RetraxPro XR (using the T-slot rails) and handle the width of fat-tire e-bikes (the tires are 4" wide). I have two of these bikes, and they each weigh approximately 77lbs.

There are many standard bike options, but these fat tires are wide.

I came across this video, so something like this might work if it would handle the width of the tires.

Does anyone have recommendations?

Thanks!

The photo is for illustration.

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[GlueStick]

I recommend 1UP-USA products. While I don't have this same setup, I do have their hitch mount rack and love it.

Here's a link to their roof rack that should work for this setup:

https://1up-usa.com/product/super-duty-roof-rack

 

[InSearchOfLight]

I recommend 1UP-USA products. While I don't have this same setup, I do have their hitch mount rack and love it.

Here's a link to their roof rack that should work for this setup:

https://1up-usa.com/product/super-duty-roof-rack

Thanks! I emailed them last night but haven't heard back from them yet. Thanks for the info!

 

[2Lazy2P]

We have two Rad Rover 5’s and they weigh 70lbs each. I don’t know how I would get these up on the rack so we use a hitch-mount bike carrier from Hollywood Racks.

 

[InSearchOfLight]

We have two Rad Rover 5’s and they weigh 70lbs each. I don’t know how I would get these up on the rack so we use a hitch-mount bike carrier from Hollywood Racks.

That is a bit of an issue, but I can't use a hitch mount because I will usually be pulling a travel trailer when transporting these bikes. I am also looking into options to reinforce the rear bumper of the TT so I can have a hitch receiver installed. Thanks for the info.

 

[Fordstream]

Not a solution but some additional information as I was looking for the similar setup and did not find it. I ended up swapping out one of our heavier ebikes for a Trek Dual Sport which comes in around 40 lbs. My setup is Yakima Skyline bars and adapter for T track and High Road bike racks. They supposedly will accept up to 4-inch wide tire and they state limit is 45 lb on road and less than 30 lbs off road. Each of my bikes are around 40 lbs and I was off road for many, many miles with no issues at all and I'm very pleased overall. I'm going to try it out with a 55 lb bike and see how things look. The only real movement I noticed during my trip is flex in the rack, not the bike carrier and it did not affect anything. I also seem to remember that the Retrax cover track had some low weight limit, maybe 100 lbs or so.

 

[Calson]

There are bike racks made specifically for use on travel trailers and RVs and kinder to the back. I had two very heavy e-bikes with 4" fat tires and use a modified 1UP rack and a folding motorcycle ramp to get the bikes up and down from the rack.

My approach is different in that I have always put a cap on my trucks. The bikes ride inside the bed of the truck and I do not need to lift them nearly as much and they are 100% protected from thieves and road grime. I put a 3/8 inch OSB board between the fender wells and the tailgate and use this mount to lock their front fork in place. What I like about this mount is that it will work with any diameter of axle bolt and any width fork so I can use it with my mountain bikes as well as my road e-bikes.

Too easy to steal a bike mounted on the outside of a vehicle and e-bike insurance is also very expensive at around $500 per bike per year.

 

[InSearchOfLight]

Not a solution but some additional information as I was looking for the similar setup and did not find it. I ended up swapping out one of our heavier ebikes for a Trek Dual Sport which comes in around 40 lbs. My setup is Yakima Skyline bars and adapter for T track and High Road bike racks. They supposedly will accept up to 4-inch wide tire and they state limit is 45 lb on road and less than 30 lbs off road. Each of my bikes are around 40 lbs and I was off road for many, many miles with no issues at all and I'm very pleased overall. I'm going to try it out with a 55 lb bike and see how things look. The only real movement I noticed during my trip is flex in the rack, not the bike carrier and it did not affect anything. I also seem to remember that the Retrax cover track had some low weight limit, maybe 100 lbs or so.

Looks like a nice & clean setup; thanks for the additional info.

 

[InSearchOfLight]

There are bike racks made specifically for use on travel trailers and RVs and kinder to the back. I had two very heavy e-bikes with 4" fat tires and use a modified 1UP rack and a folding motorcycle ramp to get the bikes up and down from the rack.

My approach is different in that I have always put a cap on my trucks. The bikes ride inside the bed of the truck and I do not need to lift them nearly as much and they are 100% protected from thieves and road grime. I put a 3/8 inch OSB board between the fender wells and the tailgate and use this mount to lock their front fork in place. What I like about this mount is that it will work with any diameter of axle bolt and any width fork so I can use it with my mountain bikes as well as my road e-bikes.

Too easy to steal a bike mounted on the outside of a vehicle and e-bike insurance is also very expensive at around $500 per bike per year.

Right on. I like the lock; I may look into that if I need to purchase fork mounts.

 

[PaulGrun]

Seventy-seven pounds?!? Each? Yikes! That means each e-bike weighs more than TWICE what our tandem weighs! For two riders that's more than four times.
Guess I'm way out of touch with modern e-bike technology.
NOT disparaging anybody's two wheel conveyance choices by any means, just astonished to learn how much fat tire e-bikes weigh.

 

[somecatchyphrase]

You are probably going to need a robust set of crossbars. I have the Yakima HD bars and can do pullups off them so they will probably be fine for your bikes. On top of those crossbars consider looking at the Kuat brand products. I have their hitch bike carrier and have used it to transport my two fat bikes (4in+ tires) thousands of miles with no issues. They also have roof rack options which may be where you want to search. As another user noted: be cautious of the weight rating of your bed cover.

https://kuat.com/collections/roof-p...8dZ9SSWPLEns3x7gvJ1k3ebdtnhYv454aAo1uEALw_wcB

 

[InSearchOfLight]

You are probably going to need a robust set of crossbars. I have the Yakima HD bars and can do pullups off them so they will probably be fine for your bikes. On top of those crossbars consider looking at the Kuat brand products. I have their hitch bike carrier and have used it to transport my two fat bikes (4in+ tires) thousands of miles with no issues. They also have roof rack options which may be where you want to search. As another user noted: be cautious of the weight rating of your bed cover.

https://kuat.com/collections/roof-p...8dZ9SSWPLEns3x7gvJ1k3ebdtnhYv454aAo1uEALw_wcB

I will check out the Yakima HD. Yesterday, I was in a truck accessory store, and they told me about Kuat. I liked what they had to offer, especially this product.

But when I got home, I realized they wouldn't work because my e-bikes have fenders that cover too much of the wheel.

So, I'm still searching. It looks like I might end up with some type of heavy-duty rack system with a thru-axle fork mount for added stability.

I still need to contact a local trailer supply company that was recommended to me about the possibility of adding a custom rear hitch receiver for the travel trailer.

Thanks for the info; much appreciated.

 

[somecatchyphrase]

I will check out the Yakima HD. Yesterday, I was in a truck accessory store, and they told me about Kuat. I liked what they had to offer, especially this product.

But when I got home, I realized they wouldn't work because my e-bikes have fenders that cover too much of the wheel.

So, I'm still searching. It looks like I might end up with some type of heavy-duty rack system with a thru-axle fork mount for added stability.

I still need to contact a local trailer supply company that was recommended to me about the possibility of adding a custom rear hitch receiver for the travel trailer.

Thanks for the info; much appreciated.

I have a front rack on my fatbike and that also interferes with the arm not being able to rest against the front fork. My workaround is that I still use the arm, albeit not in the ideal position, I get it as high on the tire as I can before hitting the rack, and then I use an additional tie down around the base of the tire/wheel to the rack itself, and a bungie around the front wheel rack and attach to the rack. Been using this setup for many many trips and never had any issues. Just something to consider if all of the other rack options don't cut it for you.

 

[InSearchOfLight]

I have a front rack on my fatbike and that also interferes with the arm not being able to rest against the front fork. My workaround is that I still use the arm, albeit not in the ideal position, I get it as high on the tire as I can before hitting the rack, and then I use an additional tie down around the base of the tire/wheel to the rack itself, and a bungie around the front wheel rack and attach to the rack. Been using this setup for many many trips and never had any issues. Just something to consider if all of the other rack options don't cut it for you.

I wondered if I could do something like that with the Kuat, but I would have to order it first and then deal with returning it if it didn't work. They didn't have the particular unit in stock at the truck shop... Still searching!

 

[InSearchOfLight]

I ended up going with Yakima JetStream bars and Kuat Piston SR racks. The complete setup was less than the cost I was quoted to have a hitch receiver welded to my travel trailer. There is a little wobble, but I am within the weight limits of the bars and racks, so I think (hope) it'll be fine.

I mounted the racks towards the edge, thinking there would be less stress on the crossbars if mounted near the towers. However, after looking at it in person (and in the second pic), I am wondering if being closer to the edge of the truck will cause more stress on the components due to more lateral movement when driving on rough roads (versus having both racks closer to the center of the vehicle).

Do any of you physics/engineering-minded folks have any thoughts on this?

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