We're taking a 10-day-long car trip this weekend, and bringing along 3 bikes on a rear rack. It's an Allen rack that does not lock to the vehicle nor do the bikes lock to the rack. For most of the trip, we will be staying at motels and of course I want to keep the bikes from being stolen preferably without removing them from the rack and bringing them into the room. I will be checking into whether the motels have any kind of bike rack or bike storage, but thinking about the best alternative if they don't.
My best thought is to get two long cable locks, and when leaving the bikes overnight, run one through all the bikes frames and tires, and the other through the rack and on up to the built-in roof rack. I'm not sure if standard bike cable locks would be long enough, so also considering getting a length of covered chain from a hardware store and using it with a padlock. I'm hoping that would be enough of a theft deterrent. (The bikes are not highly valuable, probably $1200 to replace all 3.) I would remove the locks and cables while we're driving to avoid them rattling around scratching the car and bikes.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I'm going to have to say you should unload and bring the bikes into the room. Be nice, and make sure the tires are clean before they get on the carpet. Just an opinion, but I think the roof rack will be safe enough without being chained to the car. If I'm wrong, I accept no responsibility for the loss.

If you feel safe about the location - you're idea of the chain and lock will probably work. In some locations I've left my $5k of rides on the roof of my car with the standard fork lock and a cable lock with built in lock through the rack and tires.

The chain sounds tough to handle - scratches, etc. what about a cable lock - and running it through the bumper or tow hook?

This is similar to what I use, but mine has the lock integrated into the en

I run it through the tires, frame, and wheels. I also lock the fork down.


But... if you don't feel comfortable - or your insurance won't cover you, or you can't afford to replace the bikes, take em inside, as much a pain as it is...

Don't leave them outside - no matter how well you think they are secured. Thiefs frequently cruise through motel lots looking for things to steal from "lazy" guests.

Take the bikes with you into the room. A thoughtful cycling guest will spread a ground tarp out to keep the carpet from being soiled.

P.S. - ask for 1st floor rooms.

I have a roof rack and I always ask for a first floor room and bring the bikes in.

When I'm going into a restaurant for an hour or so I'll use a cable lock to lock the bikes to the rack (I have mostly old mounts and only one has a lock on the fork mount).

We have a bike rack on the back of our 5th wheel camper. It fits into the hitch. The rack has a locking hitch pin. I have a chain thats in a rubber sleeve and a cable that I use to lock all the bikes togeather. When I stay over night, with the bikes on the rack, I cover it with a blue tarp. When the bikes are off the rack (at the camp ground) I use both cables to secure the bikes to the camper bumper (and use a blue tarp.

I would be a little worried if the bike rack didn't lock to the car. Either get three long cables and lock everything togeather (and park in a well lighted area next to the from desk) as much as possible or take the bikes to your room.