We have switched vehicles and we need to move from a SideWinder to something else. I think the DraftMaster is the best choice. We have a van with a continental kit for a spare on the back. Anyone have experience if an extension is needed to not interfere with the tire?

Is there another rack I may not be familiar with?



FWIW - I am selling the SideWinder local in Tampa (Downtown) if anyone is interested. Too heavy and expensive for shipping.

I''ve never used our draftmaster with a spare tire like that. But I have used it on two different SUV's with both the standard receiver connection arm and the extended connection arm.


Just on a regular SUV, it works better(more door clearance) with the extended arm.


I would bet you need at least the extended connection arm.


You can measure and see where the rack would end up. Just eyeballing, I'm betting it will clear the spare with the extended connection arm.


ATOC is just a two man show I believe. The guy who owns it is very helpful, so I'd give him a call


If the extended arm (which adds 7.5") isn't long enough, I'm pretty sure he can fabricate a longer one for you.

and just curios, what rack do you use for the Orange Lamoborgini?

this may give you some idea of how far out it extends with the extended connector arm

Yeah, I saw this while searching as well. I guess I need to measure from the hitch to the end of the tire to see if 7.5" will clear it.

The Lambo is my neighbor's....he's a bit of a show-off.

That is a great looking vehicle. I'd love to know how you are using it and did you do any customization on the inside.

Hi Paul,

It is actually one of these:
Roadtrek Agile...

We live downtown Tampa and are fortunate it fits into our condo garage space. it is our only vehicle as we both have jobs in-town and I have a small motorcycle for hopping around town.



She wants to travel the US when we retire in about a year plus and know we will need a few mini trips to practice. Went to Miami last weekend for a tennis tournament and are going to the Keys in June.....why I am trying to pick a rack as that will be good to get around Key West.

This idea comes up every once in a while...

During our recent 4 month winter trip in a motorhome, I was frequently trying to dream up a somewhat secure storage option for our bikes... 2 singles and a tandem. We almost bought a Draftmaster while out on that trip, but the idea of leaving some $25k worth of bikes hanging off the back of the RV, even if wrapped in a tarp and good cable lock, did not appeal to me. There are many hitch mounted platforms available that can support up to 500lbs, so why not attach a small plastic or metal garden shed (or chest) to the platform and put the bikes in that, then lock it?

Something like this one (but bigger): https://letsgoaero.com/aerfoil-black-box/

At 72" long, it's not quite the length needed for a tandem with rear wheel installed, but they do have the right idea regarding mounting a bike inside it. Carries up to 300lbs and has a built in adjustable slide out to set it to various depths.

I like where your head is on this. I've thought about options to transport bikes/tandems that would be out of the elements. I usually come up with the following:

* Cargo van with the bikes inside (does not leave much room as a proper RV)
* Full size pickup with long bed and topper (Long bed would be required to fit more than one tandem with the front wheel off)
* Pull behind trailer - this seems like a good option, but you're pulling a trailer

Bottom line is that I have not figured it out.

Sweet bike, love that it is unique. We are now 62 and have been talking about van options to do some traveling. We were trying to figure out of to have the bike inside. I've been thinking on how to do that with some sort of holder we both the wheels off. If the bed or raised area was build right you could have some sort of tray that could slide out for the bike. My only problem is the wife won't travel with out a bathroom and shower. Looks like you might have that covered. :-)

We are just a couple years younger and her dram is to cover the US. Yes, bath, kitchen etc all in this unit but need a bike option outside for sure. The van is under 20' so is really not that different from a drive-ability standpoint as a large pick-up.