Transporting E-bikes
 

I have recently purchased an electric bike and have one problem with it, transportation. The family and I like to take our bikes on holiday with us each year and as we take a caravan we are unable to put the bikes on the tow hitch. The kids bike easily fit in the caravan however mine and the wife’s usually go on the roof. As I we have both recently purchased electric bikes (to keep up with the kids) we have no place for them to go as I have been unable to find any roof mounted electric bike carriers.

If anyone has any solutions to this, it would be of immense help.

What is an electric bike carrier? I have transported ebikes in a regular bike carrier all this time without a 'hitch'

The models i have seen online specify that electric bikes should not be used on them because of weight limitations.

I always remove the battery but otherwise I've been fine.

Maybe put the kid's bikes on the roof and the ebikes inside? May have to take wheels off to get a smaller package.
Another option might be a roof carrier for the other stuff you put inside the vehicle; cooler, food supplies, clothes, etc.
Then put all bikes inside.
https://www.target.com/p/reese-roof-...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

Thanks for the replies! Am new to this world of e-bikes. Any more examples of what people use will be of great help

Weight restrictions are usually given using actual numbers instead of vague general statements. Check your specs, weigh your bikes, and remove the battery if necessary and weigh again. Never had a problem with mine, but YMMV.

I just remove the battery from my wife’s bike and place it in the Yakima front loader. That places it under 40#.

Han't your caravan enough space inside to store the bicycles inside during travel?

Most people use platform carriers for their added weight capacity. You have to have a trailer hitch installed on your vehicle.

The 1 1/4" hitch receivers that you can get for most cars are barely sufficient, as far as weight capacity, to hold two regular bikes. A 2" hitch receiver is better, and maybe you can get one for the Caravan.

Also, many platform carriers are only rated for two 35 pound bikes. You want to find one that's rated for two e-bikes, which are usually about 55 pounds with batteries. Owners remove the batteries to get the weight down.

My last big trip, the weight of the rack, two e-bikes, and my luggage sank the back of my car 2-3 inches. The bottom of the hitch scraped the ground when I went into gas stations or over buckled pavement. 2000 miles like that. Bummer.

Yea 2" receiver, and you can even get a trailer , you can lock the door on , but make sure the trailer is securely locked to the car .. security hardened chain..

R&R bands have had trailer + all their gear stolen, because its easy to un hitch the trailer,
Quietly roll it to that other rig close the hitch, & drive off..

E bike rack
 

Hollywood makes a ebike rack that holds 2 70lbs bikes 2” receiver

There are a number of heavier rated bike carriers for e-bikes. You can even get one with a ramp so you dont have to pick the bike up.

I'm using a Nashbar Shadow II which really doesnt have a weight rating for me to be comfortable with, but its adequate AND a bargain.

If the OP has a long enough tongue on the caravan there should be enough room to mount a rack to carry your bikes.

-SP

Hey, at least you can transport them. I go on holidays to remote island countries (Canaries, Majorica) and you are not allowed batteries on an airplane :(

My eBike shop recommended the Kuat NV. He's used it for transporting eBikes between their shops for some years. We've used the NV+add-on to transport 2 eBikes and 2 conventional bikes ... works well. Here's a link Küat Racks

They have a lot of racks, so to save others the time
Sport Rider SE for Electric Bikes holds 2 80 lb. bikes w/ up to 3" tires, $440

Sport Rider SE for Fat Tire Electric Bikes holds 2 80 lb. bikes w/ up to 5" tires, $480.

Vintage Electric recommends the 1up USA Super Duty, good for up to 75 lb. $370-$400 for 1 bike, $530-$610 for 2. (higher prices are for the black anodized instead of plain aluminum). The V.E. bikes other than the new Cruz don't have removable batteries & the Tracker weighs 72 lb.

I just got a single bike one because it folds up against the bumper small enough that the hatchback isn't blocked. No need to tilt or remove, though it looks like an erector set and bumping into it while loading awkward cargo could be injurious.

Here's a regular duty one on an Acura TSX wagon:

https://i.imgur.com/NKWoFjP.jpg