Alert WARNING: Using a bike cover while on a bike rack while driving can KILL someone

[JRS]

Wow! Good thing nothing no one was hurt. Thule 2 here and it's a pretty good rack. It's usually attached to our rig. We use a grill cover on ours and also like 5 bunge cords it to keep it tight.

 

[SherryB]

Thanks for the reminders Neal! I just got my new e-bike and a new rack (1up). I made sure it was rated for being behind a motorhome and so far have not had any issues. 1up states can't be used with bikes that have fenders but as long as they are not overly long fenders, it's fine. They have the bars that push up against the tires (the main "holders"), a velcro strap for each tire and a locking bar that goes through a tire and locks to the rack on the other side. Besides their supplied items, I also use a ratchet strap to secure the bike to the rack. I don't use my cover when transporting because it blocks my cars brake lights and also the license plate.

A side note, while in the campground I secure the bike with several cables (need to get the stronger [expensive] bike chains that can't be easily cut). I also have two movement alarms on the bike I activate. As for the cables, they easily go up around the front slide-out arms and I also found I can put a cable through the front tire rim.

Motion alarms I use:
Fosmon Anti Theft Burglar Alarm w/remote - $18.99 on Amazon - This one I have attached to the frame
Kryptonite K004776 Locks - $46.99 on Amazon - This one locks on to disc brake

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[MapNerd]

Today I went and ordered a Leer 180XS fiberglass bed cap so that I could get rid of the bike rack and keep them sheltered when driving through rain. For the kids bikes I probably wouldn’t care as they end up with a new bike every few years as they grow out of them, but last year I got MapWife a lovely all aluminum Priority Coast which has held up wonderfully against the elements. Now it’s time for me to trade in the Schwinn for something fun - a Canyon Spectral 5 or maybe a Spectral CF 9, haven’t decided.

All this money spent on bikes, and the major pain our Yakima bike rack has been, a shell with a bike rack in the bed just made the most sense to me.

So I started looking into truck bed bike racks this evening (I’ll probably go with the Advantage SportRack 4) but I happened across the Thule Insta-Gator and it made
me think of @Neal. If I recall correctly @Neal you pull a Colorado. Just a thought but it seemed an elegant little solution and I would think your bike cover would be a non-issue then. Of course, I expect you might also have a tonneau cover to keep all those Amazon boxes dry, but if you went down the a Fiberglass shell road with me, well being able to stack things vertically, you’d have

 

[Neal]

Thanks @MapNerd but yes, I have a lockable tonneau cover as the back is full of RVF SWAG!!! My bike is just a middle of the road MTB but I do try to take care of it, I really like the Trek Marlin 7. It will survive, if not then I'll get another, not that expensive.

 

[Jack L]

I'm glad I just stumbled on this post. I just ordered a bike rack and will be carrying three light weight road bikes on it.
I went back and forth trying to decide whether to cover them or not and finally decided not to just thinking of what could happen, and you just solidified it for me not to
I have a Tacoma with a cap on the back and here where we snow bird I normally keep two bikes in the back where they are completely protected. However my wife just bought a new road bike and when we head home in early April the back will be full to the brim with gear and luggage. I was going to use a roof top rack to carry two bikes and two kayaks, but there is no way I can fit the third bike up there -Hence the hitch mounted bike rack for all three bikes.

Thanks for the warning !

Jack L

 

[Calsun]

If the pickup truck had a cap there would not have been a problem. No idea why someone would leave a cover over bikes while driving - what exactly is the point?

 

[Buly]

On our first trip around the country, we had Thule 2 bike rack on the back of the Honda CRV. I bought one of the more expensive covers (over $100) and it looked good. Until our first stop in a big city. We drove the toad to the local DunkinDonuts for coffee. For some reason I had to step behind the car at the parking lot. Than I realized that people behind me can not see my brake or turning lights. If someone had rear ended us, or we had an accident, I would’ve been charged for obstructing the lights. I took the cover off right there and later sold it for $25 brand new in the bag at a garage sale ?.

 

[kmessinger]

Hello, my name is Darwin Neal. Today I asked myself a question I often wondered if I'd ever ask myself: "Where did my bike go?"

Today I left Vegas northbound for an absolutely spectacular drive. On I-15N taking in the amazing views of snowcovered mountains and driving through old stomping grounds I used to fly A-10's when I was stationed at Nellis AFB. Knowing I was heading for snow country I put the bike cover on my rack which I've used many times. I've often wondered if it was acceptable as it sure had to resist a lot of wind force but I have a hefty bike rack (Kuat NV 2.0) after selling my much more flimsy Yakima rack. My yakima rack had one of the plastic holder at the top shear so I was done with that early on, very very impressed with the Kuat and even after this story that sentiment remains because I am a dumbass.

Very fortunate my Ventana has a rear looking camera to help monitor the toad and traffic coming up from behind. I had just done a crosscheck paying careful note to the bike as on my way to southern TX I had another bike incident where the rear wheel detached from the frame (clamp came loose) and the bike was leaning aft 30-45 degrees. Moments later after verifying all was good with my bike I asked that bone chilling question "where did my bike go". I noticed people were avoiding me like the plague but no one signaled me of an issue, I'm sure it had just happened.

I immediately pulled over to find the bike barely hanging on connected by the plastic strap that secures the rear wheel. The front bar (u-hook) sheared off at the connection. Had this bike separated it could have killed someone. IT COULD HAVE KILLED SOMEONE! My life would have changed forever having to deal with that as well as whomever I caused harm to in the process.

I secured the bike to the inner mount and drove on. Shook up and was stunned for quite a bit of time from this situation. I am sharing my story as I've done with every other one so YOU CAN LEARN FROM THIS TOO as I know others use bike covers on their bikes too and you CANNOT!

Before I went off attacking Kuat I did a search of their web site. It is there, as included below, that NO, you cannot use a bike cover for this very reason. Maybe someone with a brain would have checked this prior to using a cover???

The bike sustained minor damage as I believe I caught this soon. I will need to replace the handlebar and one brake. Sadly I need this bike for an upcoming campground as I won't be near places I frequent but I think I can ride it. Fortunately plenty of bike places in AZ so I'll try to get it repaired or see if I can get the parts myself.

One other note: As my bike is not of great value (around $800 + accessories) and as I often remove it from the rack at the campground I rarely secure it with the built in lock cable. This lock cable can save a life. It would have prevented the bike from separating from the toad as the only thing holding this in place was a plastic ratchet strap down. I will now ALWAYS use the bike lock cable integrated into the bike rack.

Before I leave you with this here is a secondary question that I don't know the answer to. Which insurance IF ANY would cover this situation if property or life were affected by the bike? The toad is being towed so I don't know that the toad insurance would cover this situation. As this is not part of the RV I'm not sure the RV insurance would cover this? This is an interesting situation that would be even more legal fees trying to figure out who is responsible to cover the damage.

Please learn from this terrible day that ended up with no one hurt by the grace of God. I'm still razzled just thinking about this.

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I can replace the one broken arm of the rack for $158. Don't really need it but I will likely order the part when back in stock.

"I noticed people were avoiding me like the plague but no one signaled me of an issue," Now that is up setting. They were probably too busy taking videos of the sparks! What is wrong with people these days!

I am getting a new B with an electronic rear view mirror. Haven't had one in 12 years and I worry what I might see!

 

[B&T RVers]

Neil thanks for the write-up And so glad you averted a bad situation. I am/was (not sure now) going to use a bike cover as well, but was concerned that the lights on my Jeep would be blocked. So my plan was was to get a dual hitch receiver and carry the bikes with a cover behind the Ventana instead of my Jeep. I wonder if the wind drag would be different and safer. the bikes are high end road bikes and I like them protected, but I certain it do not want to cause a dangerous situation for the cars behind me.

Thoughts out there?

 

[Golfnut]

Hello, my name is Darwin Neal. Today I asked myself a question I often wondered if I'd ever ask myself: "Where did my bike go?"

Today I left Vegas northbound for an absolutely spectacular drive. On I-15N taking in the amazing views of snowcovered mountains and driving through old stomping grounds I used to fly A-10's when I was stationed at Nellis AFB. Knowing I was heading for snow country I put the bike cover on my rack which I've used many times. I've often wondered if it was acceptable as it sure had to resist a lot of wind force but I have a hefty bike rack (Kuat NV 2.0) after selling my much more flimsy Yakima rack. My yakima rack had one of the plastic holder at the top shear so I was done with that early on, very very impressed with the Kuat and even after this story that sentiment remains because I am a dumbass.

Very fortunate my Ventana has a rear looking camera to help monitor the toad and traffic coming up from behind. I had just done a crosscheck paying careful note to the bike as on my way to southern TX I had another bike incident where the rear wheel detached from the frame (clamp came loose) and the bike was leaning aft 30-45 degrees. Moments later after verifying all was good with my bike I asked that bone chilling question "where did my bike go". I noticed people were avoiding me like the plague but no one signaled me of an issue, I'm sure it had just happened.

I immediately pulled over to find the bike barely hanging on connected by the plastic strap that secures the rear wheel. The front bar (u-hook) sheared off at the connection. Had this bike separated it could have killed someone. IT COULD HAVE KILLED SOMEONE! My life would have changed forever having to deal with that as well as whomever I caused harm to in the process.

I secured the bike to the inner mount and drove on. Shook up and was stunned for quite a bit of time from this situation. I am sharing my story as I've done with every other one so YOU CAN LEARN FROM THIS TOO as I know others use bike covers on their bikes too and you CANNOT!

Before I went off attacking Kuat I did a search of their web site. It is there, as included below, that NO, you cannot use a bike cover for this very reason. Maybe someone with a brain would have checked this prior to using a cover???

The bike sustained minor damage as I believe I caught this soon. I will need to replace the handlebar and one brake. Sadly I need this bike for an upcoming campground as I won't be near places I frequent but I think I can ride it. Fortunately plenty of bike places in AZ so I'll try to get it repaired or see if I can get the parts myself.

One other note: As my bike is not of great value (around $800 + accessories) and as I often remove it from the rack at the campground I rarely secure it with the built in lock cable. This lock cable can save a life. It would have prevented the bike from separating from the toad as the only thing holding this in place was a plastic ratchet strap down. I will now ALWAYS use the bike lock cable integrated into the bike rack.

Before I leave you with this here is a secondary question that I don't know the answer to. Which insurance IF ANY would cover this situation if property or life were affected by the bike? The toad is being towed so I don't know that the toad insurance would cover this situation. As this is not part of the RV I'm not sure the RV insurance would cover this? This is an interesting situation that would be even more legal fees trying to figure out who is responsible to cover the damage.

Please learn from this terrible day that ended up with no one hurt by the grace of God. I'm still razzled just thinking about this.

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I can replace the one broken arm of the rack for $158. Don't really need it but I will likely order the part when back in stock.

That sure was close. I carry my electric bike and a electric scooter on a flat carry rack that fits in the hitch. It has 2 rounded steel brackets (one on each side) that comes up and secures over the tire of each bike. I then bungee they together. I use my bike cable lock to lock them to the frame of the carry rack. To keep them from rubbing against the RV or each other I tie it down with a rope. I then cover them and tie it down, so far 2 trips to Florida and back without an incident.