Take e-bikes with you in the camper: this is how you do it!

Getting a newspaper in the morning, a quick errand or a nice tour in the area: the bicycle – and increasingly: e-bikes are camper accessory number 1. But how do you take those heavy bikes with you on holiday? That can be done in different ways.

The e-bike has now almost replaced the regular bicycle in the camper world. No wonder, because the electric pedal assistance makes it much easier for Dutch calves to navigate mountainous landscapes and you can easily double the range during a trip in the area. With a modern e-bike, a range of 80 kilometers is no problem.

Weight

The average e-bike easily weighs 26-28 kilos: considerably more than a sports bike without a battery and a mid-motor. So you have to take this into account when you buy a bicycle carrier - not all carriers are suitable for such a heavy weight. Fortunately, most manufacturers have special versions for e-bikes, with a higher load capacity: 60 kilos is not unusual. Together with the weight of such a carrier plus two electric bicycles, you can easily take an additional 70 to 110 kilos of luggage with you. Below we look at the different options.

Towbar or garage

If the camper is already equipped with a tow bar, you can use a carrier that is also suitable for passenger cars. The camper garage is even more convenient. Many campers with single beds or a height-adjustable queen bed have such a garage under those beds. The bicycles are protected against rain and theft. Make sure that your garage is high enough, otherwise you will have to remove the front wheel first. Bicycle carriers for the garage usually come with two gutters on the garage floor and a bracket to secure the bicycles. The more expensive systems have an extendable rail, making it very easy to load the e-bikes. You can prevent lifting with a special ramp. Handy: a socket in the garage, plus an inverter. This way you can charge the bikes along the way.

Back wall or chassis

Another option is a bicycle carrier on the back wall of the camper. Installing this is a job for the brand dealer: he knows where the trusses are hidden in the rear wall. However, the best solution for heavy e-bikes is a bicycle carrier that is attached to the back of the camper chassis. The carrying capacity is greatest there, up to 160-170 kilos. With a special carrier at that location you can even take a scooter or light motorcycle with you. To prevent lifting, order a ramp and there are also bicycle carriers that are equipped with a lift, electric or manual, with a crank.

For the bus camper

Bus camper manufacturers promote the possibility of transporting bicycles indoors, but that means that you always have to convert the bed. And inside you can hardly reach your holiday belongings. You'll get tired of that quickly. If you buy a bicycle carrier, you want to be able to open both rear doors without first removing the bicycles - plus carrier! – having to remove. There are bicycle carriers that are attached to one of the rear doors. However, for two heavy e-bikes it is better to opt for a hinged carrier on the chassis or one that is screwed onto the existing door hinges. The carrier can swing out completely so that both doors can open. You can prevent lifting with a ramp and here too there are special carriers with a lift, so you don't have to lift heavy.

Trailer

For campers for whom the loading capacity is already an issue and who want to take several bicycles with them on holiday, or even a touring motorcycle: they can opt for a trailer. Traditionally, the (motor) bicycles are positioned in the direction of travel, but especially for campers there are compactly stored trailers where the bicycles, motorcycle, scooter or a combination thereof are placed in the transverse direction. You can also store a lockable luggage box on such a trailer.

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