If you already use a tow ball mount style bike rack on your vehicle, the Coast RV Travel Rack Pro gives you a practical way to use that same rack on your RV drawbar.
Instead of needing one bike rack for the back of your car and another mounted to your caravan, the Travel Rack Pro is designed to let you fit a compatible tow ball style bike rack to the front drawbar area of your caravan or RV.
In this guide, we walk through what comes in the box, the tools used for installation and the key fitment checks shown in the Travel Rack Pro installation video.
What is the Coast RV Travel Rack Pro?
The Coast RV Travel Rack Pro is a drawbar mounted accessory designed to accept a compatible tow ball mount style bike rack.
It provides a mounting point on the RV drawbar, helping customers make better use of a bike rack they may already own for their tow vehicle. This can reduce the need to purchase and store a second bike rack for the caravan.
The Travel Rack Pro can be set up with the bike rack facing forward or backward, depending on the size and style of the rack and the available clearance around gas bottles, toolboxes or other drawbar mounted accessories.
What comes in the box?
The Travel Rack Pro kit includes the main crossmember, vertical adjustable mast, U bolts, two J pins, two R clips, U bolt mounting blocks and plastic covers for tidying the installation.
A tow ball is also required and is sold separately.
Before starting, check that all parts are present and that your drawbar has enough suitable space for installation.
Tools used for installation
The installation shown in the video uses side cutters for unpacking, a 7/8 spanner, an adjustable shifter, a Phillips head screwdriver and a mallet.
A hacksaw or angle grinder may also be used if you choose to trim excess U bolt length after installation.
Always use suitable tools and follow the supplied product instructions when fitting the Travel Rack Pro.
Choosing the mounting position
Before fitting the main crossmember, choose the mounting position carefully.
You need to consider the size of your bike rack, whether the rack will face forward or backward, and whether it will clear surrounding items such as gas bottles, toolboxes or other accessories on the drawbar.
The aim is to create a setup that allows the bike rack to sit securely without interfering with other parts of the caravan or RV.
Installing the crossmember
Once the position has been chosen, fit the main crossmember to the drawbar using the supplied U bolts and mounting blocks.
The video shows the correct hardware order on the U bolts. Start with the flat washer, then the spring washer, then the standard nut, followed by the locking nut.
When installing the U bolts, make sure they do not interfere with the handbrake cable. This is an important safety check. The handbrake cable must remain free to move and must not be trapped or restricted by the bracket or mounting hardware.
After the U bolts are tightened, any excess U bolt length can be trimmed if required. The optional plastic covers can then be fitted to tidy the installation.
Installing the adjustable mast
Once the crossmember is fitted, install the vertical adjustable mast.
Before inserting the mast, back off the locking bolt as far as it will go without removing it completely. Then choose the desired height and orientation based on your bike rack setup.
The tow ball mount can face forward or backward, depending on the size and style of the bike rack and the clearance required around gas bottles, toolboxes or other accessories.
Once you have chosen the height and direction, tighten the locking bolt with an adjustable shifter.
Fitting the tow ball
The tow ball fits into the top of the mast.
The first fit may feel tight due to the powder coated finish, so a mallet may help seat it correctly. Take care not to damage the finish or hardware during installation.
The tow ball is sold separately, so make sure you have a compatible tow ball available before starting the installation.
Adding the bike rack
The video shows the Coast to Coast Quick Fit XF2 bike rack fitted to the Travel Rack Pro. This is a traditional tow ball mount style bike rack, also available in a three bike format.
In the example shown, the rack is positioned to face backward so it clears over the top of the gas bottles. Depending on your setup, the rack may also be rotated 180 degrees to face forward.
Clearance is the key consideration. Always check that the bike rack, bikes and Travel Rack Pro do not interfere with the tow vehicle, gas bottles, toolbox, handbrake cable or other drawbar components.
Important fitment and safety checks
Before travelling, confirm that all hardware has been tightened correctly and that the bike rack is secure.
Check that the Travel Rack Pro does not obstruct the handbrake cable, gas bottle access, toolbox access or any other important caravan components.
You should also confirm that your bike rack is compatible with this type of setup and that your overall load remains within the relevant limits for the caravan, rack and accessories being used.
Always follow the supplied instructions and check local towing, loading and safety requirements before travelling.
Find the right setup for your RV
The Coast RV Travel Rack Pro is designed to help RV owners make better use of a compatible tow ball mount style bike rack by fitting it to the caravan drawbar.
It can be a practical option for riders who want to carry bikes while travelling without needing separate racks for the tow vehicle and the caravan.
Browse the Coast RV Travel Rack Pro or speak with your local Coast RV stockist to confirm the right setup for your caravan, camper or RV.
