Ultimate Guide To Motorhome ebike Racks
Author: Your RV Good Guide Date Posted: 12 April 2023
Exploring New Zealand by ebike is a favourite pastime of many motorhome travellers. From wine trails to extreme mountain biking, there’s a cycling adventure to suit every age, ability, and interest.
If you’ve been thinking about taking your ebikes with you on your next motorhoming road trip, you’ll first need to consider how to transport them. You may have questions such as ‘do ebikes need special racks?’, or ‘what bike rack is best for ebikes?’. Good questions! In this helpful guide, we’ll answer those questions and share everything else you need to know about ebike racks, including:
- What is an ebike?
- Benefits of an ebike
- Why you need a proper ebike rack for your motorhome
- The difference between an ebike rack and a regular bike rack
- How to decide which ebike rack is best for your motorhome
- How to install a new ebike rack on your motorhome
- The range of ebike racks at RV Super Centre:
What is an ebike
Ebike stands for electric bike. These battery-powered bikes give you the option of assistance from a motor when you want it. That makes them ideal for hilly terrain, to ease the effort of long rides, or just to cruise when the mood takes you.
Ebike popularity has risen sharply in recent years. In the US, ebikes are outstripping sales of electric cars. In fact, they are the fastest-growing sector of the electric vehicle economy in America. Here in New Zealand, ebikes are quickly becoming the ‘new black’ too. And it’s easy to see why. Let’s take a look at some of the big benefits of using an ebike.
Benefits of an ebike
Some may think that cruising along on an ebike is ‘cheating’. But the truth is, ebikes are a great way to keep you mobile, active, and healthy.
Mobility
ebikes can be a great option for those who haven’t exercised for a while, or who have mobility issues. Riding a traditional bike may not be enjoyable when you’re experiencing joint or muscle pain. But the extra benefit of powered assistance makes it a breeze to tackle hills, rough terrain, or to travel longer distances. It means you can pedal when it suits you and enjoy a powered boost when you need it.
Exploration
ebikes take the legwork out of exploring large areas or travelling long trails and tracks. New Zealand has some incredible cycleways and trails to explore. Many are surrounded by stunning landscapes and views that can only be accessed by bike or on foot. And because some of our trails stretch for great distances, an ebike means you can go a bit faster, travel further, and see more.
In small towns, you can park up your motorhome and easily explore the streets and laneways. Having an ebike also means you can leave your motorhome at the campground and ride to the shops if you need supplies.
Fitness
Yes, an ebike does reduce the physical effort you need to ride. In saying that, it’s still great exercise. And often the reduced effort is made up for by spending more time moving. That’s especially good if you’re on a long motorhome trip where you’re sitting a lot of the time. Being able to get out and peddle on your ebike from time to time can be a welcome change and great for your fitness.
Why you need a proper ebike rack for your motorhome
Ensuring your ebike/s are safe and secure as you travel is paramount.
Safety
Because of their extra weight, loading and unloading ebikes from a rack can be hazardous if you don’t have a rack that is fit for purpose. And of course, the last thing you want is to risk your ebikes coming off the rack as you travel, causing an accident. If you use a bike rack that isn’t able to hold the weight of your bikes, that’s a very real possibility.
Prevent damage
In most cases, ebikes are a pricey investment. And that means that any damage can result in expensive repairs. Because of this, the stakes are higher and your ebike needs to be extra secure to prevent damage. Not only that, but you also don’t want to risk scratching your motorhome.
Convenience
Ebikes are also large in most cases, so internal storage isn’t really a practical (or safe) option. Having your bikes securely stored on a suitable rack makes it straightforward and convenient to access them easily.
Security
Although unlikely, you don’t want to risk an opportunistic thief stealing your beloved ebike as you travel about. Using the correct bike rack for your ebikes will make it easy to keep them secure. While some ebike racks include locks, for others you may need to purchase a separate locking device.
The difference between an ebike rack and a regular bike rack
One of the key differences between a traditional bike and an ebike is the weight. While a standard adult road bike can weigh around 8kg, an adult e-bike can weigh 23kg or more. This is because an ebike needs to accommodate a motor, battery and display unit, which of course add weight to the bike. They also tend to be built with more heavy-duty materials.
With that in mind, an ebike rack is designed to support this extra weight. Some ebike racks are motorised, which makes it much easier to lift and lower your bikes. The rack motor is powered by your motorhome’s 12V battery.
How to decide which ebike rack is best for your motorhome
There are three key factors to consider when it comes to choosing the right ebike rack for your motorhome. These include:
How many ebikes you own
Riding ebikes is a fun activity for couples, families, and groups. That could mean that you need to transport two or more ebikes on your motorhome travels. When you’re looking for an ebike rack, be sure to check how many bikes it is capable of carrying.
The type of ebike you have
Not all ebikes are created equal. Some may be heavier than others, while some are particularly large. Our ebike racks at RV Super Centre support nearly all ebikes, but it’s well worth knowing the weight and size of your ebike to get the perfect fit.
The size and shape of your motorhome
The type of motorhome or campervan you have is a key factor in determining which bike rack is right for you. There are several different options for attaching an ebike rack to your vehicle. For example, some bike racks are designed to be permanently mounted to your motorhome’s rear wall, while others fit to a tow ball.
Whether you’re travelling by caravan, motorhome, or campervan, RV Super Centre has bike racks to fit every type of RV. And if you’re not sure which bike rack is right for you, the friendly team at RV Super Centre are more than happy to help talk you through the best options.
How to install a new ebike rack on your motorhome
If you’re using an ebike rack that attaches to a tow ball such as a Quick Fit Bike Rack, you’ll be able to set your rack up easily.
However, if you would like to attach a permanent ebike rack to the back of your motorhome or caravan, it’s best to get this done professionally. This will involve mounting the brackets onto the wall of your motorhome. That’s not something you want to do yourself and risk getting wrong.
The best place to have your ebike rack installed is at your local RV Super Centre.
Each of our branches in Auckland, Christchurch, and Queenstown has a dedicated service centre. We specialise in motorhome modifications and refurbishments. This includes installing Thule bike racks, Fiamma bike racks, caravan bike racks and more.
The range of ebike racks at RV Super Centre
RV Super Centre has a range of trusted, quality ebike racks to choose from. Some of our popular models include:
Thule bike racks
The Thule Elite G2 bike rack is ideal for ebikes with a maximum load capacity of 60 kg. Some of the great features include:
- A manual lockable platform to prevent bikes from moving during transit.
- Adjustable wheel holders to fit almost any bike.
- A carrier that can be extended for up to four bikes (within 60 kg total load capacity).
- Robust, stable, and solid construction with a total weight of only 9.5 kg.
Fiamma bike racks
The Fiamma Carry Bike Lift 77E for ebikes is one of the strongest bike carriers available. Some of the great features include:
- 60 kg load capacity.
- An easy-to-use winch mechanism for easy loading and unloading.
- Double-reinforced carrier rails.
- Capacity for two electric bikes.
Caravan bike racks
Travelling by caravan? No problem. RV Super Centre has caravan bike racks too. The Fiamma Carry Bike Caravan XL A Pro 200 E-Bike allows you to utilise your caravan’s A-Frame to transport and store 2 Bikes, including e-Bikes.
Features include:
- Load capacity of up to 50 kg
- Holds 2 electric ebikes
- A tilting function that allows full access to the caravan’s storage space.
- A quick lock and folding mechanism to prevent your bikes from moving during transport.
Van bike racks
Because vans are smaller than motorhomes and usually have rear-opening doors, they need a particular size of van bike rack to fit. A good option if your van has a tow ball is the Coast RV Quick Fit Bike Rack. Some of the great features include:
- A patented connector that makes it easy to fit onto most vehicle tow bars.
- A clever tilt mechanism that allows you to access your van doors.
- The ability to fit two ebikes.
- Load capacity of up to 60 kg.
- Flexible lockable and removable Quick Fit frame holders.
Ready to buy a bike rack for your ebike?
Now that you know what to look for in an ebike rack, it could be time to load up and hit the trails.
If you’re ready to buy a bike rack for your ebike but still have questions, don’t hesitate to contact the team at your local RV Super Centre. We’re always happy to help. We also stock bike rack accessories including rails, locks, assist ramps, and bike covers.
