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RideIQ Transport Planner

Find places your bikes could travel.

Choose the vehicle, towing situation, number of bikes and bike type. RideIQ will show the common setup we would discuss first, then explain the checks and compromises that still matter.

Build your transport setup

This is guidance, not an automatic fitment approval. Start with the vehicle.

1 Choose your vehicle
2 Are you towing?
3 How many bikes?
4 What are you carrying?

Your common starting point

The illustration updates automatically with the selected combination.

Layouts to discuss for this selection

The planner removes unsuitable placements as the bike type changes.

A common workshop starting pointThe image changes with every selectionFinal fitment still depends on measured weights, ratings and access

The best answer may be a split setup.

Four, five or six bikes do not always belong on one rack—especially while towing. Depending on bike weight, available space and how the vehicle is used after the caravan is parked, we may recommend a high-capacity ReVert on a non-towing vehicle or split the load between towing-friendly positions.

Compare transport positions

Lets talk through why we may suggest a particular mounting style.

Select a position to see why we might use it, what we check and where it can become impractical.

Vehicle roof

Useful when rear access must remain clear

    Common workshop scenarios

    How we think through real combinations.

    These examples are not universal prescriptions. They show why a split setup often produces a more practical and durable result.

    Scenario 01

    Family of four

    Four mixed bikes, SUV and caravan.

    Scenario 02

    Two e-bikes

    Heavy bikes, touring caravan and limited lifting ability.

    Scenario 03

    Ute towing

    Two mountain bikes and a roller-shutter tub.

    Scenario 04

    Carbon road bikes

    Light, delicate bikes on a long trip.

    Scenario 05

    Campervan

    Two bikes with limited external mounting options.

    Scenario 06

    Large motorhome

    Rear overhang and two lightweight bikes.

    Scenario 07

    Five or six bikes

    High-capacity family or group transport without a caravan.

    The RideIQ workshop checklist

    The questions behind every recommendation.

    Bike + rack weightWe use actual weights, including batteries, rack adaptors and accessories.
    OverhangDistance behind the axle changes leverage and movement.
    StructureBumper bars, chassis extensions and mounting points are not all equal.
    AccessBoots, toolboxes, hatches and tailgates still need to work.
    Loading heightA technically possible roof setup may be impractical for the rider.
    Bike spacingThree bikes may fit by weight but clash because of bars, pedals and frames.
    Future bikesWe consider whether a lighter bike may later be replaced by an e-bike.
    Manufacturer guidanceVehicle, caravan and rack ratings all need to align.
    Bike rack questions

    What customers ask us most often.

    Can I carry e-bikes on the rear of a caravan?

    Sometimes, but it is never assumed. We check the actual bike and rack weight, the rack’s highway rating, the caravan structure, the rear overhang and the manufacturer guidance. For many setups, the caravan front or ute tub is a better starting point.

    Why not just use the rack’s maximum weight rating?

    The rack rating does not automatically approve the vehicle or caravan attachment point. The mounting structure, connection, overhang, road movement and local manufacturer limits also matter.

    How many bikes can go on the rear of a caravan?

    NextBike generally treats two bikes as the practical upper limit for most caravan rear discussions. Even then, bike type, total weight, rack construction and caravan structure must be assessed case by case.

    Can I put three bikes on the caravan drawbar?

    It may be possible, but space is often the limiting factor before weight. We check handlebar and pedal clearance, toolbox and boot access, drawbar dimensions, bike weights and towball download.

    What is the best option for a ute towing a caravan?

    Often the ute itself provides the most flexible solution: roof racks on the cab, crossbars above the tub or fork mounts inside the tub. These keep the towbar free and allow the bikes to remain with the ute after the caravan is parked.

    Can bikes be carried inside a van?

    Yes. A fork-mount spreader bar can secure bikes inside some vans, provided there is enough interior room and a suitable anchoring method. This protects bikes from weather and avoids roof loading height.

    Why do you recommend e-bike-rated racks for light bikes on motorhomes?

    Large motorhomes can have substantial rear overhang. A stronger, highway-rated rack provides more construction margin for the repeated movement at the rear, even when the bike load is relatively light.

    RideIQ · Rear Overhang Demonstration

    Start with the bikes. Then see what the road does.

    A rack and two bikes can look perfectly calm while parked. At the rear of a caravan, the distance from the axle lets bumps, dips, corrugations and pitching act through a long lever. Greater speed, movement and overhang increase the demand, while loose joints or flexible mounting structures can magnify fatigue.

    Important: this is a simplified illustration using an assumed road-load multiplier. It is not a structural calculation, approval or certified load rating.
    Needs a conversation

    Two e-bikes at the caravan rear.

    Moving the rack close to the van helps reduce the rack’s own extension, but it does not remove the caravan’s long rear overhang or the mass of two e-bikes.

    • Two e-bikes plus the rack can create a substantial combined rear load.
    • The load remains a long distance behind the caravan axle centre.
    • Road movement repeatedly cycles the rack, hitch or bumper and caravan structure.
    • A rack being rated for the bike weight does not automatically approve the caravan installation.
    • Our first discussion is usually a lower-demand position: caravan front, ute tub or tow vehicle.
    Next · add the bump and leverage
    Illustrative result

    A bump changes the load quickly

    The rack and bikes are shown moving because the rear assembly must react to repeated vertical acceleration as well as the parked weight.

    Assumed multiplier2.5×
    Equivalent vertical load188 kgf
    Illustrative moment7.4 kN·m

    Now add the road movement.

    Set the combined weight of the rack and bikes—not bike weight alone—then compare the parked load with a bump or repeated rough-road movement. The same mass can behave very differently when it is four metres behind the axle.

    Distance creates leverage.

    The same rear load becomes more demanding further behind the axle. Rear movement is generally greater than at the tow vehicle.

    The whole structure reacts.

    The rack, joints, bumper or hitch and caravan structure all share the movement. We normally discuss no more than two bikes and assess e-bikes very carefully.

    We build in margin.

    We generally prefer highway-rated, e-bike-rated rack construction at caravan and motorhome rears, even for light bikes. Manufacturer approval and real dimensions remain essential.

    Bring us the whole setup.

    Tell us about the vehicle, caravan, bikes, riders and travel plans. We will work through the practical limits and recommend a transport solution—not simply a rack.

    Talk to the NextBike team
    Stage 5 · RideIQ Knowledge Centre

    How our workshop thinks.

    A product catalogue can tell you what a rack is rated to carry. It cannot tell you whether that rack, those bikes, that vehicle and that caravan work well together. This section explains the questions we ask before recommending a transport solution.

    We do not recommend bike racks. We recommend transport solutions.

    Every installation is assessed case by case. Bike weight, rack weight, loading height, structural ratings, overhang, access and the way the combination will be used all change the answer. The goal is not simply to attach a rack. It is to create a system the customer can load, live with and trust.

    Transport method guides
    Vehicle mounted

    Vehicle roof

    A strong option for light and manageable bikes when the user can comfortably load at roof height.

    • Keeps the towbar free
    • Often suits road and delicate bikes
    • Heavy e-bikes and tall vehicles need careful thought
    Vehicle mounted

    Ute tub

    Often one of the most practical towing solutions because the bikes stay on the vehicle while the towbar remains available.

    • Lower loading height than many roofs
    • Can use tub racks or internal fork mounts
    • Toolbox lids and roller shutters affect the design
    • Tailgate pads are an option, but paint, panel and carbon-frame contact need careful consideration
    Vehicle mounted

    Towbar or hitch

    Easy loading and strong rack choices when the vehicle is not towing. Boot access and total towball load still need checking.

    • Usually easier for heavier bikes
    • May tilt or swing for rear access
    • Not available when the hitch is already towing
    High capacity · non-towing

    Thule ReVert 4 / 6

    Our preferred common starting point from four bikes upward on a suitable SUV, ute or van. The vertical wheel-basket design is well resolved and can carry suitable lighter e-bikes.

    • Four-bike: 100 kg total, 25 kg per bike
    • Six-bike: 113 kg total, 25 kg per bike
    • An unloaded ReVert 4 may travel in an approved caravan-rear receiver while bikes are carried elsewhere
    • Heavy rack; test the Dual TiltAssist operation
    Caravan mounted

    Caravan front / A-frame

    Can be a useful lower position, especially for heavier bikes, but drawbar space and towball download are central.

    • Check gas bottles, toolbox and coupling access
    • Confirm vehicle boot clearance through turns
    • Bike and rack weight affect towball load
    Caravan mounted

    Caravan rear

    The rear is exposed to greater movement and leverage. We prefer stronger, highway-rated rack construction and conservative bike numbers.

    • Usually discuss no more than two bikes
    • E-bikes are not our default recommendation here
    • Structure and overhang must be assessed
    Van

    Internal spreader bar

    A fork-lock or spreader-bar system can secure bikes low inside the van where space and internal fitout allow.

    • Protects bikes from weather
    • Needs enough internal floor length
    • Must be secured to a suitable internal structure
    Van

    Rear strap-on system

    May suit a compatible rear door or tailgate when there is no spoiler and the vehicle is designed for that rack style.

    • Vehicle compatibility is essential
    • Door operation and glass clearance matter
    • Not a universal van solution
    Motorhome

    Rear hitch only

    For larger motorhomes, our pathway is a rear hitch or towball-mounted rack with highway-rated, e-bike-rated construction.

    • No roof or internal spreader-bar pathway
    • Long rear overhang raises dynamic demands
    • Use stronger rack construction even for light bikes
    Workshop case studies

    There is rarely one place for every bike.

    These examples are not prescriptions. They show how splitting a load and asking better questions can turn an awkward setup into a practical transport plan.

    Family towing with three bikes

    SUV · caravan · mixed adult and kids bikes
    01
    Vehicle1 light bike on roof
    Caravan front2 bikes if space allows
    CheckBoot and drawbar clearance

    Trying to place all three bikes on the caravan rear concentrates the load at the most dynamic location. A split arrangement may make access, spacing and structure easier to manage.

    Workshop question: are the bikes light enough to load overhead, and can the A-frame still be used safely through a full turn?

    Ranger towing with two e-bikes

    Ute · caravan · toolbox or roller shutter
    02
    Preferred startTub-mounted system
    AlternativeCaravan front
    Avoid firstVehicle roof

    The tub often gives a lower loading height and leaves the caravan free. The exact system depends on whether the tub has a flat-top toolbox, top-opening toolbox, canopy or roller shutter.

    Workshop question: can both bikes remain on the ute after the caravan is unhitched at camp?

    Van carrying road bikes

    Van · no caravan · delicate bikes
    03
    InsideFork-lock spreader bar
    RearCompatible strap-on rack
    CheckSpoiler and door design

    Roof height often makes external roof carrying impractical. Internal fork mounts can protect the bikes, while a rear system depends heavily on the specific door and body design.

    Workshop question: how much internal living or luggage space can be given to the bikes?

    Motorhome with two bikes

    Large motorhome · long rear overhang
    04
    LocationRear hitch or towball
    RackHighway and e-bike rated
    CheckChassis extension

    Even light bikes sit a long way behind the rear axle. The rack and mounting structure need to be selected for that environment, not merely for the combined bike weight.

    Workshop question: what does the motorhome manufacturer permit at the rear mounting point?
    Myths and workshop reality

    The number on the sticker is not the whole answer.

    Ratings matter, but they describe particular components under particular conditions. A safe, practical system depends on the complete chain from bike to rack to mounting point to vehicle or caravan.

    Myth 01

    “The bumper says 100 kg, so 40 kg of rack and bikes is easy.”

    The mounting point, distance behind the axle, rack extension and repeated road movement all matter. A static capacity alone does not describe the whole installation.

    Myth 02

    “If the rack is e-bike rated, it will work anywhere.”

    An e-bike rating can indicate stronger rack construction, but the vehicle or caravan mounting structure and intended road environment still need to be suitable.

    Myth 03

    “A light carbon bike is easy to carry.”

    Low weight helps, but carbon bikes may need careful clamping and support. Frame shape, wheelbase and contact points can matter more than the scale reading.

    Myth 04

    “Three bikes should go together because the rack has three trays.”

    Handlebar, pedal and frame spacing can make three very different bikes difficult to arrange. Sometimes splitting the load creates the better everyday solution.

    Myth 05

    “Roof carrying is always safest because it is on the car.”

    Roof systems can be excellent, but vehicle height, bike weight, roof ratings and the customer’s ability to lift the bike all need to work in real life.

    Myth 06

    “The rear of the caravan is the obvious place.”

    It is visually convenient, but often the most dynamic location. Long overhang and repeated movement are why we approach caravan-rear systems conservatively.

    Can e-bikes go on the back of a caravan?

    Sometimes, but it is not our automatic starting point. E-bikes increase the bike load, and the rear of a caravan is already a demanding location because it sits behind the axle and moves repeatedly over the road. We normally prefer to explore the tow vehicle, ute tub or caravan front before concentrating heavy bikes at the rear.

    Where a caravan-rear system is considered, we look for a suitable mounting structure and stronger rack construction. We also assess the combined mass of the rack and bikes, not just the bike capacity printed on the rack.

    What is the best way to carry bikes on a ute while towing?

    A tub-mounted solution is often a strong starting point. It can keep the towbar free, reduce loading height and allow the bikes to remain on the ute after the caravan is unhitched. Flat-top toolboxes may accept crossbars and bike carriers, while top-opening toolboxes usually need a different approach.

    Other possibilities include roof-mounted carriers on the cab or an internal fork-lock bar in the tub. A tailgate pad can suit some mountain-bike trips, but it is not always our preferred option: repeated contact can scuff paint or create small dents, and the firmer rear suspension common to many utes can transmit more impact into a carbon or e-carbon mountain-bike frame. The right answer depends on toolbox operation, canopy or roller-shutter design, bike size and how much tub space must remain usable.

    Why is a caravan rear different from a vehicle towbar?

    A rack on a vehicle towbar is generally closer to the rear axle and mounted to a structure designed around towing loads. A rack on a caravan may sit much further behind the caravan axle. That longer distance can increase leverage and movement at the mounting point.

    This is why a rack that works well on a car does not automatically become suitable for a caravan rear. The rack manufacturer’s permitted use, the caravan structure and the completed installation all need to align.

    Why might NextBike split bikes across two locations?

    Splitting the load can improve spacing, access and loading height. It can also avoid putting every bike at the most demanding mounting point. One light bike on a vehicle roof and two bikes at the caravan front may be more practical than forcing three bikes onto one rear rack.

    The aim is not to create the fewest racks. It is to create the transport system that works best for the customer’s whole combination.

    Frequently asked questions

    Bike transport questions, answered.

    These answers provide a workshop starting point. Final suitability still depends on the actual bikes, rack, vehicle, caravan and manufacturer guidance.

    We normally treat two bikes as the practical discussion limit for a caravan rear, and we often look for ways to split a larger family load. The correct number can be lower depending on bike weight, rack mass, mounting structure and overhang.
    It may be technically possible with the correct ratings, but it is rarely our first recommendation. The lifting height, bike mass and repeatability of loading matter. We normally explore a lower position such as a ute tub, suitable hitch rack or caravan front.
    Common pathways include an internal fork-lock or spreader-bar system, a towball or hitch rack, or a compatible rear strap-on rack. Roof systems are often impractical because of height. Rear strap-on suitability depends on door design, spoiler clearance and vehicle compatibility.
    For a larger motorhome, our planner keeps the pathway to a rear hitch or towball-mounted rack using highway-rated, e-bike-rated construction. The long distance behind the rear axle is why we take a conservative approach even with lighter bikes.
    A flat-top toolbox may support crossbars and bike carriers above it. A top-opening toolbox needs to remain accessible, so a platform or travel-rack style system may be more appropriate. Roller shutters, canopies and internal tub space also change the options.
    No. A well-fitted pad can be quick for suitable mountain bikes, but grit and repeated movement can scuff paint or contribute to small panel dents. A ute’s firmer rear suspension can also transmit sharper impacts through the bike, so we are cautious with carbon and e-carbon mountain-bike frames. Bike spacing, tailgate shape and every contact point need checking.
    They need a system that supports the bike without inappropriate frame pressure. Wheel-hold, fork-mount and carefully selected frame-support systems may all be considered depending on the bike. The bike manufacturer’s guidance should also be respected.
    Yes. The road movement, distance behind the axle and permitted use can be very different. A rack should only be used in an environment approved by its manufacturer and on a suitable mounting structure.
    A system that only just fits today may become obsolete when a child moves to a larger bike or an e-bike is added. Building in sensible capacity can avoid replacing the entire setup later.

    Bring us the whole problem.

    Tell us about the vehicle, caravan, toolbox, bikes and the way you travel. We will help design the transport solution rather than simply point to a rack.

    Talk to NextBike