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We have been looking to find a way to transport our two e-bikes that weigh 77 pounds each while we are pulling our Aliner Family Expedition. Does anyone have any suggestions??
?
Thanks,
Nate and Karon
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Hi:
Do the
e-bikes fold? Can they stand up in the camper with the roof
down? 154 pounds would be a bit much on front or back, perhaps
one each??
We carry our
30 gallon gray water tank inside without problems. (dry)
Carl.
On 7/30/2024 3:47 PM, Nate and Karon
Beaston via groups.io wrote:
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Show quoted text
We have been looking to find a way to transport our two
e-bikes that weigh 77 pounds each while we are pulling our
Aliner Family Expedition. Does anyone have any suggestions??
?
Thanks,
Nate and Karon
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I don't think you can do it in a reasonable manner.? With that much weight, one or both bikes have to go inside the trailer.? I tried putting just one light regular bike inside, and it's just too much hassle, and you risk tearing up and denting your cabinets and furniture moving the bike to the storage location.? And you'd be doing this with a bike 2X as heavy as what I tried.
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Are you able to put the bikes in the back of the TW (may work if you have a medium to large SUV or pickup truck)?? I have also seen TVs with a hitch installed on the front of the vehicle, to which you can then insert a bicycle rack and load your bicycles on the front of the vehicle.? This solution is less than ideal because it may inhibit your view of the roadway, plus your bikes will take the brunt of impacts from bugs and any road debris kicked up by the vehicle ahead of you.? You can cover the bikes with a strong bike cover, but it must be fastened tightly lest it blow off during transport.
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What's your tow vehicle.? You may be able to get a front mounted rack. -- Don DeRyke Sunrise, Florida 2009 Classic, 2020 Ford Escape, 2.0 liter EcoBoost, AWD.? Previous TV 2015 Ford Escape 1.6 liter EcoBoost engine.
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I purchased this for my Expedition,?https://www.racksforcars.com/Arvika/.? I had to also use an equalizer hitch, since my Trek ebikes were a little heavy.??
Works great, it takes my wife and I to put the bikes on. The only downside is that you have to be careful with your turns, especially when backing up.??
I am happy with it. Terry Sullivan
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We? couldn't even find a reliable way to carry regular bikes.? So we bought a Ford Maverick pickup truck with the 4k tow package installed from the factory (tows 4000 lbs, comes with brake controller and 7 way and 4 flat electric connection.)? The bed is short, but we found that you can buy a bike pad that covers the tailgate, and you hook the front wheel of the bikes over the tailgate.? Can probably do 4 bikes that way.? Our previous tow vehicle was a Subaru Outback and we were kind of pushing the limits in hilly terrain.? With the pickup and racks, we can bring bikes and kayaks AND tow our Aliner.?
?
I know this is not a real solution for most people, but if you are thinking about a different tow vehicle in the future.? It's fairly reasonably priced, compared to other trucks.
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It was $4000 for the tow package? -- Don DeRyke Sunrise, Florida 2009 Classic, 2020 Ford Escape, 2.0 liter EcoBoost, AWD.? Previous TV 2015 Ford Escape 1.6 liter EcoBoost engine.
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Thanks for all of the replies. We tow with a GMC 1500 that has a cap. We were thinking of putting a front hitch on and put the bikes up front but I don't think I can find a cover that wouldn't be blown to pieces. Terry's set up with the Arvika rack seems to be a good solution to our situation. We do some long cross country trips with our camper and we were wandering how this Arvika rack holds up and how well it carries the bikes.
?
Thanks again everyone,?
?
Nate and Karon?
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Don: I think she means that the Ford Tow Package is rated at 4000 pounds¡ ? Question for Peggy: Is your new Maverick a hybrid?? What engine does it have? ? Dave ? ¡¡¡¡¡¡. ? It was $4000 for the tow package?
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We took ours on a two month tour. It performed great.? We added some more straps to hold the bike tires down to keep them shaking in the wind.
Our bikes are heavy and it handled them well? ?as I mentioned the only drawbacks is that you can't take any extreme turns and it takes my wife and I to put them on.
We have hard sides dormers and they can go up with the bikes on.
Our TV is a Ridgeline and we do use an equalizer hitch to handle the extra load on the back of the TV?
We will be using it next summer for a trip to Alaska. Terry Sullivan
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If you think you want the Arvika, take one of your ebikes and hold it above the propane tanks and battery on your trailer, and see if that weight is manageable to you.? Also take note of how far above the roof of the trailer the bikes will be.? It looks like it extends the bike up into the wind stream above the vehicle, so that will cut your mpg a bit, and rain will be wind driven into seals.
?
They say bikes, and even ebikes, can handle splashing water, but the say don't use pressure water to wash a bike.? ?Also, I've been riding ebikes with friends splashing through shallow streams, and I've seen motors cut out due to water ingress.? This was on top of the line ebikes.??
?
The other thing you should check is if the weight is ok.? The total weight of your bikes plus the arvika rack is 209 lbs.? I'd call aliner and ask if putting that weight up front is acceptable.??
?
If you've got a truck with a cap on the back, I just get some fork mounts, bolt them to a board, put that in the back of your truck, and mount the bikes on it.? Then all your problems with water, dirt, bug spatter, potential thieves , weight capacity, and mpg loss just don't occur.? If you need more room room for storage in the truck along with the bikes, you can take the pedals off.? That's hard the first time you do it, but easy if you do it frequently and the pedal threads don't have time to bind.
?
On Fri, Aug 2, 2024 at 03:48 AM, Nate and Karon Beaston wrote:
Thanks for all of the replies. We tow with a GMC 1500 that has a cap. We were thinking of putting a front hitch on and put the bikes up front but I don't think I can find a cover that wouldn't be blown to pieces. Terry's set up with the Arvika rack seems to be a good solution to our situation. We do some long cross country trips with our camper and we were wandering how this Arvika rack holds up and how well it carries the bikes.
?
Thanks again everyone,?
?
Nate and Karon?
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If you choose to with a rack & the mount is in the weather then a cover is adviseable.
I use this one and hauled through winter storms in the mountains - no issues for my ebike.?
Team Obsidian | Outdoor Storage Waterproof Cover for 1,2, or 3 Bikes, Bike Cover, Ebike Accessories, Bicycle Cover, Outdoor Bike Storage, Electric Bike Cover Waterproof Outdoor | 210D, 300D, 600D
There are a lot of cover options to keep your bike out of the weather if your on an exposed rack
Happy camping
On Fri, Aug 2, 2024 at 10:33 AM, Steve T <srtimm@...> wrote: If you think you want the Arvika, take one of your ebikes and hold it above the propane tanks and battery on your trailer, and see if that weight is manageable to you.? Also take note of how far above the roof of the trailer the bikes will be.? It looks like it extends the bike up into the wind stream above the vehicle, so that will cut your mpg a bit, and rain will be wind driven into seals.
?
They say bikes, and even ebikes, can handle splashing water, but the say don't use pressure water to wash a bike.? ?Also, I've been riding ebikes with friends splashing through shallow streams, and I've seen motors cut out due to water ingress.? This was on top of the line ebikes.??
?
The other thing you should check is if the weight is ok.? The total weight of your bikes plus the arvika rack is 209 lbs.? I'd call aliner and ask if putting that weight up front is acceptable.??
?
If you've got a truck with a cap on the back, I just get some fork mounts, bolt them to a board, put that in the back of your truck, and mount the bikes on it.? Then all your problems with water, dirt, bug spatter, potential thieves , weight capacity, and mpg loss just don't occur.? If you need more room room for storage in the truck along with the bikes, you can take the pedals off.? That's hard the first time you do it, but easy if you do it frequently and the pedal threads don't have time to bind.
?
On Fri, Aug 2, 2024 at 03:48 AM, Nate and Karon Beaston wrote:
Thanks for all of the replies. We tow with a GMC 1500 that has a cap. We were thinking of putting a front hitch on and put the bikes up front but I don't think I can find a cover that wouldn't be blown to pieces. Terry's set up with the Arvika rack seems to be a good solution to our situation. We do some long cross country trips with our camper and we were wandering how this Arvika rack holds up and how well it carries the bikes.
?
Thanks again everyone,?
?
Nate and Karon?
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Bike covers on trailers are hard to get right. If they flap in the wind, they tend to? tear, and eventually shred.? And it's hard to keep them from flapping.
?
In the reviews of the Team Obsidian bike cover, there are lots of 1 star reviews that complain about tearing, so they are not immune from this problem.
?
One important point in the reviews:? Team Obsidian would not warranty covers sold on Amazon.? So buy them from the Team Obsidian website instead.
?
?
On Fri, Aug 2, 2024 at 11:04 AM, dan smartt wrote:
If you choose to with a rack & the mount is in the weather then a cover is adviseable.
?
I use this one and hauled through winter storms in the mountains - no issues for my ebike.?
?
Team Obsidian | Outdoor Storage Waterproof Cover for 1,2, or 3 Bikes, Bike Cover, Ebike Accessories, Bicycle Cover, Outdoor Bike Storage, Electric Bike Cover Waterproof Outdoor | 210D, 300D, 600D
?
There are a lot of cover options to keep your bike out of the weather if your on an exposed rack
?
Happy camping
Dan S
On Fri, Aug 2, 2024 at 10:33 AM, Steve T
<srtimm@...> wrote:
If you think you want the Arvika, take one of your ebikes and hold it above the propane tanks and battery on your trailer, and see if that weight is manageable to you.? Also take note of how far above the roof of the trailer the bikes will be.? It looks like it extends the bike up into the wind stream above the vehicle, so that will cut your mpg a bit, and rain will be wind driven into seals.
?
They say bikes, and even ebikes, can handle splashing water, but the say don't use pressure water to wash a bike.? ?Also, I've been riding ebikes with friends splashing through shallow streams, and I've seen motors cut out due to water ingress.? This was on top of the line ebikes.??
?
The other thing you should check is if the weight is ok.? The total weight of your bikes plus the arvika rack is 209 lbs.? I'd call aliner and ask if putting that weight up front is acceptable.??
?
If you've got a truck with a cap on the back, I just get some fork mounts, bolt them to a board, put that in the back of your truck, and mount the bikes on it.? Then all your problems with water, dirt, bug spatter, potential thieves , weight capacity, and mpg loss just don't occur.? If you need more room room for storage in the truck along with the bikes, you can take the pedals off.? That's hard the first time you do it, but easy if you do it frequently and the pedal threads don't have time to bind.
?
On Fri, Aug 2, 2024 at 03:48 AM, Nate and Karon Beaston wrote:
Thanks for all of the replies. We tow with a GMC 1500 that has a cap. We were thinking of putting a front hitch on and put the bikes up front but I don't think I can find a cover that wouldn't be blown to pieces. Terry's set up with the Arvika rack seems to be a good solution to our situation. We do some long cross country trips with our camper and we were wandering how this Arvika rack holds up and how well it carries the bikes.
?
Thanks again everyone,?
?
Nate and Karon?
|
FYI. The hybrid Maverick does not support 4k tow package. it support towing 2000 lbs only and has the 2.5 Liter engine.
On Friday, August 2, 2024 at 09:14:37 AM EDT, Terry Sullivan <sllvn42@...> wrote:
We took ours on a two month tour. It performed great.? We added some more straps to hold the bike tires down to keep them shaking in the wind.
Our bikes are heavy and it handled them well? ?as I mentioned the only drawbacks is that you can't take any extreme turns and it takes my wife and I to put them on.
We have hard sides dormers and they can go up with the bikes on.
Our TV is a Ridgeline and we do use an equalizer hitch to handle the extra load on the back of the TV?
We will be using it next summer for a trip to Alaska. Terry Sullivan
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I don't have this cover concern, but I have an idea.? I don't know how I came by them, but I have several long lengths of 1/4 or 3/8 bungee cord with no ends.? I have been using them routinely for oddball things.? I just wrap them around and tie a knot.
I think having a long length, you could just wrap the bikes like crazy and eliminate most of the cover flapping. -- Don DeRyke Sunrise, Florida 2009 Classic, 2020 Ford Escape, 2.0 liter EcoBoost, AWD.? Previous TV 2015 Ford Escape 1.6 liter EcoBoost engine.
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When using the cover, I also use a couple of bungee cords to secure the cover. I've had the cover for 2 years with no issues.
Happy camping
On Sat, Aug 3, 2024 at 7:07 AM, Don DeRyke via groups.io <DERYKED@...> wrote: I don't have this cover concern, but I have an idea.? I don't know how I came by them, but I have several long lengths of 1/4 or 3/8 bungee cord with no ends.? I have been using them routinely for oddball things.? I just wrap them around and tie a knot.
I think having a long length, you could just wrap the bikes like crazy and eliminate most of the cover flapping. -- Don DeRyke Sunrise, Florida 2009 Classic, 2020 Ford Escape, 2.0 liter EcoBoost, AWD.? Previous TV 2015 Ford Escape 1.6 liter EcoBoost engine.
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Hi Gang:
When I've
used a tarp on my pickup I put a bungee net over it. That takes
the stress off the tarp edges and still keeps the load covered.
The bungee
nets are a pain to keep untangled, but worth it. Store it in a
bag, the hooks will grab everything.
Carl.
On 8/3/2024 10:06 AM, Don DeRyke via
groups.io wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
I don't have this cover
concern, but I have an idea.? I don't know how I came by them,
but I have several long lengths of 1/4 or 3/8 bungee cord with
no ends.? I have been using them routinely for oddball
things.? I just wrap them around and tie a knot.
I think having a long length,
you could just wrap the bikes like crazy and eliminate most of
the cover flapping.
--
Don DeRyke
Sunrise, Florida
2009 Classic, 2020 Ford Escape, 2.0 liter EcoBoost, AWD.?
Previous TV 2015 Ford Escape 1.6 liter EcoBoost engine.
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The non-hybrid Maverick uses the 2.0 liter ecoboost engine but with a turbo for 250 hp and is available with either the 2k or 4K tow packages (as well as FWD or 4WD). I towed my 2000 Classic from AZ to OR with a 160hp 1995 Ford Ranger so I know the 250hp Maverick with the 2k tow package will also handle it, while getting better mpg and having a full crew cab instead of only 2 doors and only jump seats in the rear. ?
FYI. The hybrid Maverick does not support 4k tow package. it support towing 2000 lbs only and has the 2.5 Liter engine.
On Friday, August 2, 2024 at 09:14:37 AM EDT, Terry Sullivan < sllvn42@...> wrote:
We took ours on a two month tour. It performed great.? We added some more straps to hold the bike tires down to keep them shaking in the wind.
Our bikes are heavy and it handled them well? ?as I mentioned the only drawbacks is that you can't take any extreme turns and it takes my wife and I to put them on.
We have hard sides dormers and they can go up with the bikes on.
Our TV is a Ridgeline and we do use an equalizer hitch to handle the extra load on the back of the TV?
We will be using it next summer for a trip to Alaska. Terry Sullivan
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I pulled my Classic with a 1.6 L turbo Ford Escape.? No available tow package for that year.? I was actually towing over the 2000 limit.? I never had a problem until I went up a 4 mile series of switchbacks in NC.? At 3 miles, the car's safety features shut us down until the transmission cooled.
Our 2020 Escape came with factory tow, which includes an extra oil cooler for the tranny.? 3500 pound capacity.? No issues since.? The fluid has never exceeded the normal temperature range since.? -- Don DeRyke Sunrise, Florida 2009 Classic, 2020 Ford Escape, 2.0 liter EcoBoost, AWD.? Previous TV 2015 Ford Escape 1.6 liter EcoBoost engine.
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Carl
Don DeRyke