Hello all
Just planning on getting my setup together before camping season is here. I am looking for a bike rack to take our 2 E-Bikes (51lbs each) camping with us. I have a bed cover on the back of my TV (2015 F150) that we'd prefer to leave on whenever possible so the bikes can't go back there. After reading these forums, mounting a rack on the back bumper of our TT is out of the question so that leaves me with 2 options (that I see).
1) Mount a Curt or Reese receiver to the front of my truck and just get a bike rack rated for ebikes. I've looked at the hitches and they gon't look too hard to install. Pros - after the hitch is mounted, I can store the rack easily and attach it to the truck in a matter of seconds. Lower to the ground so eay to lift the bikes. Adds weight to the front tires and not added to the tongue weight of the trailer. Cons - Can't cover the bikes while traveling (block too much airflow to the radiator). Bikes take the brunt of road debris (these are new ebikes we got for Christmas and GF loves to keep her things looking new)
2) Get an a-frame bike rack that mounts to the front of the trailer. From the research I've done, I like the Avrika system, but that's just preliminary. Pros - Once mounted it doesn't need to come off. Bikes are behind the truck therefor protected. Mounted in an area that shouldn't effect gas milage too much. Able to cover the bikes if desired. Cons - Difficult to lift the biks up over the battery/propane, etc. Puts 150 additional LBs on the tongue weight. - ths is what I'm thinking here -
https://www.rvupgradestore.com/Arvik...t-p/7002AF.htm
What have others done WRT taking their bikes camping? Any thoguhts on which is the better way to go? Thanks!!!