Thor Forums

[Jim Jacobs]

We use a Yakama HoldUp for 2 e-bikes. One is a RAD City step-through, the other is an eLux Newport. We take the batteries out which makes the bikes under 60 lb. each and also makes it easier to lift the bikes onto the rack, one of us on the front tire, one on the back. Because the eLux has a much longer wheel base, we had to modify the innermost lower support by drilling a 5/16" hole all the way through the support channel and putting in a stainless bolt with washers and a lock nut. The support does have adjustable slots, but they weren't long enough. This allowed us to have the eLux centered on the toad, only hanging over about 3" on both sides. The RAD City is much shorter and fits easily without hanging over.

We were going to get the eLux Tahoe with super fat tires for my wife because the ride was so smooth. However, the 4" tires didn't fit into the Yakima carrier, so we went with the Newport model instead which has the same 2.3" width as the RAD. The big advantage of the 4" tires is the ability to use them on sand, but we don't plan to go riding along the beach so getting the Newport model was no great sacrifice.

We would have used a 2" receiver for the Yakima, but that wasn't an option for us, so the bike rack is in a 1 1/4" receiver on our Scion xB which we tow with our Thor 29.2 ACE. Although in the weight range of 120 lbs listed by Yakima, because of the smaller hitch size, we also use 2 ratchet flat straps from supports inside the car, crisscrossed to the lower outside support on the bike rack. When we use the Yakima rack with our Chrysler minivan, we connect the straps to the roof rack, but the Scion doesn't have any but it does have rear seat belt connectors which are a good anchor point. Since the straps are flat, they fit well with the doors closed. This prevents the rack from twisting back and forth going down the road so there is less wear on the receiver hitch. In fact, the ride is quite stable. The principle problem is that the bikes obscure the tail lights (and to some degree the towed license plate). So far, we've not been stopped, but then we've only been out during the day. To make it safer, our next project is to install a 4-way flat trailer connector on the Scion which we will run to a set of trailer lights which we will mount on the bike rack such that when it's in the down (i.e. in the carrying) position, the lights can be clearly seen from the rear. This will be for night running and brake lights.

The bikes are relatively new (2019 models), and we haven't yet encountered rain, but the electronics are exposed to the elements when the batteries are removed (i.e. being carried in the RV so we can be charging them). We need to come up with a waterproof covering for the battery holders. It does not appear to be a difficult problem for the eLux as the battery is mounted in a flat carrier over the rear wheel. The RAD, on the other hand, poses an interesting problem because the pins which slide into the battery point up at the bottom of a well on the main down stem. Rain water will happily sit in that well and there does not appear to be a drain hole. Further, we take the seats and attached tubes out of the frames for security when traveling since they are only secured with a hand clamp. This, however, leaves the tubes exposed so that rain would happily fill the frame with water. The eLux has a drain hole at the bottom of the frame. The RAD does not appear to have one. The simple solution is to place a small, waterproof bag over the top of the tube and secure it with a strong rubber band. I plan to ask RAD if they have any suggestions for securing their bikes against water damage while towing. Their manual says the bikes, while not waterproof, are weather resistant and can survive a rain storm while being carried, though they need to be dried out and maintenance will be increased to avoid rust, corrosion, etc. I have contacted RAD about the proper method of preventing water damage during towing and am awaiting their response.

I will note, by the way, that the electric bikes are a "gas" to ride. They're more fun than the proverbial barrel of monkeys. If you haven't tried one, you really should and I recommend getting one with both a throttle and pedal assist. The throttle allows you to just twist and take off. The bike quickly stabilizes itself. Then you begin pedaling and the assist kicks in. In the blink of an eye, you're up to 10 mph and scooting right along.

Yesterday, for example, we drove to the Dismal Swamp state park in Virginia. They built a new Rt.17 highway and decided to leave 8 miles of the old highway along the swamp canal which connects to the Intercoastal Waterway. We packed some sandwiches and flew through the 16 miles with ease, averaging 12 mph without breaking a sweat. We could have gone faster (and many times further) on the old paved highway (from which cars are now excluded), but we were enjoying the lovely day and the cool breeze beneath the towering trees. We stopped at a rest area and fell into conversation with some 45+ year olds on 3 sailboats that were tied up to a wharf. They admired our bikes but said they didn't want to try them as it might make them envious of the bikes they had which are small on account of the limited space on the boats. They're each taking off 4 to 6 years to roam around the world to see the sights and they had only just met earlier that day. We talked about how they were doing, via the water, what we're doing via the land using a RV. Interesting similarities.