RVer Cruiser or Folding eBike?

[SirReginald]

My wife and I are both 60 and in decent health (some back issues) and are RVers- (Class A towing a Hummer). We were looking at folding bikes and then felt that was probably more work than just getting a cruiser and hauling it. We are looking at a Motan M-430 (we can't find ANY reviews on the bike because they say it is a brand new bike but Motan appears to have a good name). So I am reaching out to RVers to help - should we get a folding bike or not? Any experience with hauling 2 cruiser ebikes? (We thought about the spare tire rack, so we could get into the back of the Hummer- swing gate, but the bikes weight 70 pounds each). Did I ask enough questions- haha.

 

[Art Deco]

My wife and I are both 60 and in decent health (some back issues) and are RVers- (Class A towing a Hummer). We were looking at folding bikes and then felt that was probably more work than just getting a cruiser and hauling it. We are looking at a Motan M-430 (we can't find ANY reviews on the bike because they say it is a brand new bike but Motan appears to have a good name). So I am reaching out to RVers to help - should we get a folding bike or not? Any experience with hauling 2 cruiser ebikes? (We thought about the spare tire rack, so we could get into the back of the Hummer- swing gate, but the bikes weight 70 pounds each). Did I ask enough questions- haha.

Welcome to EBR. To fold or not to fold is a tough question. We have members that do both. I decided against folders b/c of the quality, the weight, and other issues and since we were stuck b/c of Covid, I am glad we did, but YMMV.
This thread is a good start.

When you want to haul with your van

So far I find it very interesting that the local bike shops here in the St. Louis metro area are clueless about what you can use to secure your bikes inside your van. They all seem to tell me that I need to cludge something up to keep the bikes stable. For those looking here is what I have...

electricbikereview.com

 

[AHicks]

We had a Holiday Rambler DP, and pulled a CRV all over creation for a few years a while back, so I know where you are coming from. We had just conventional bikes at the time, and bought the best hitch mounted rear rack we could find for the CRV - and it STILL made me nervous watching it go down the road, even after securing it to the CRV spare tire! There might be something a lot more substantial available for the Hummer.

We used to drop the CRV at the check in booth when arriving at a park, and use that to go back and check out both the campsite they were suggesting, and the path to and from it for adequate height or other obstruction. Easy access to a bike would have made that operation SO much nicer!

Thinking the foldable bikes might work out OK, assuming you are able to lift them. We had some basement compartments that would hold a pair of them pretty easily. Like I said though, that's going to require some some pretty serious grunt getting them in and out!

If the front tires were removed from an e-bike, would that allow you to use the back of the hummer to carry them? I did that a few times with the CRV. Was amazed that thing was actually big enough to allow that!

Best of luck! -Al

 

[MikeDD]

The rack I use on my Jeep Rubicon is a Rocky Mounts Backstage. It swings out to the side so you can open the back of the Jeep. I have also used in on a full sized van so you could access the back of the van. I have carried two e-bikes on it with no problems. You will need a hitch extension to clear the spare tire. This should be purchased from Rocky Mounts and is approved to use with this rack. There are two problems with the rack, it is heavy and the lift height is high especially on a lifted vehicle such as my Jeep. I am 70 and I do not have a problem with lifting my bike, but it weighs around 50 pounds.

 

[Art Deco]

Personally, I bought ebikes to avoid the drama of a three point turn around with a toad, but IDK if one can put a hitchrack on a class A. I drive a class B BTW.

 

[Art Deco]

If no one has mentioned it Bikes Direct carries a 26 inch folder with a Shimano Steps mid drive. If you are interested in Internet Only bikes.

Save Up to 60% Off eBikes LTD QTYS of these 29er eBikes Electric Folding Commute/Adventure/City bikes 2020 Motobecane EF3 Folding eBike with Shimano E5000 / E6010M Electric MidDrive 29er Bladed Fork Mountain eBikes Shimano M6000 Hydraulic Disc Brake

 

[NHbiker20]

We have a Himiway Cruiser and M2S Scout that we carry on the back of our 2018 GMC Acadia SUV which is towed by our Diesel Pusher. The rack we chose is the Hollywood e-bike 2-bike model, and had to also buy the fat tire brackets. After several hundred miles over Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania's version of an Interstate highway we have no problems so far. We use a Formosa brand 2-bike cover, and it has been excellent during rain and dusty driving. Headed to Florida as I write, and the bikes are with us. 1800 miles from now I will try to update my opinions. Have fun.

 

[AHicks]

We have a Himiway Cruiser and M2S Scout that we carry on the back of our 2018 GMC Acadia SUV which is towed by our Diesel Pusher. The rack we chose is the Hollywood e-bike 2-bike model, and had to also buy the fat tire brackets. After several hundred miles over Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania's version of an Interstate highway we have no problems so far. We use a Formosa brand 2-bike cover, and it has been excellent during rain and dusty driving. Headed to Florida as I write, and the bikes are with us. 1800 miles from now I will try to update my opinions. Have fun.

Did you set up an aux. set of lights so traffic behind you could see them with the bike cover in place? That was something I was going to do once I saw how hard it might be to see us in a hard rain for instance. I'm surprised we weren't pulled over and informed of the poor visibility from behind. I actually wish we would have been....

Forgot: Have a nice trip down! We ended up coming down here and staying so often, we looked into buying a place down here. Originally from the Detroit area (burbs), we tripped into a deal, and we've been snowbird since! -Al

 

[NHbiker20]

Did you set up an aux. set of lights so traffic behind you could see them with the bike cover in place? That was something I was going to do once I saw how hard it might be to see us in a hard rain for instance. I'm surprised we weren't pulled over and informed of the poor visibility from behind. I actually wish we would have been....

Forgot: Have a nice trip down! We ended up coming down here and staying so often, we looked into buying a place down here. Originally from the Detroit area (burbs), we tripped into a deal, and we've been snowbird since! -Al

The Formosa brand cover actually has two large see-through panels built-in that allow the toad's taillights to be seen from behind. Works great. Well-built product.

 

[Lantley]

When I was initially looking. I thought I wanted a folder until LBS that sold folders, suggested I buy a folder only if I had no other choice.
Buy a folder would limit my choices and I should focus on a bike that fits my size first. Comfort was more important than folding unless folding was an absolute requirement.
In my case the LBS was right. the bikes that fit me best were not folders. I purchased a step thru and have not looked back.
Nothing wrong with folders if you have no other choice.
But you are limiting your comfort before you even get started.
Buying site unseen off the internet is risky. Too many pitfalls.
But the most basic issue is no test ride!
Internet is great if you know exactly what your getting.
Sort of silly to buy internet when you don't know what your getting!
Buying from the internet is fine if you are familiar with the model you are getting, but it's no bargain if you are buying a mystery bike.

 

[SirReginald]

We have a Himiway Cruiser and M2S Scout that we carry on the back of our 2018 GMC Acadia SUV which is towed by our Diesel Pusher. The rack we chose is the Hollywood e-bike 2-bike model, and had to also buy the fat tire brackets. After several hundred miles over Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania's version of an Interstate highway we have no problems so far. We use a Formosa brand 2-bike cover, and it has been excellent during rain and dusty driving. Headed to Florida as I write, and the bikes are with us. 1800 miles from now I will try to update my opinions. Have fun.

So Denise bought her a Moten M-430 and I was looking at the Himiway Cruiser Step through. What is your impression of it? Thanks. Safe travels.

 

[SirReginald]

The rack I use on my Jeep Rubicon is a Rocky Mounts Backstage. It swings out to the side so you can open the back of the Jeep. I have also used in on a full sized van so you could access the back of the van. I have carried two e-bikes on it with no problems. You will need a hitch extension to clear the spare tire. This should be purchased from Rocky Mounts and is approved to use with this rack. There are two problems with the rack, it is heavy and the lift height is high especially on a lifted vehicle such as my Jeep. I am 70 and I do not have a problem with lifting my bike, but it weighs around 50 pounds.

Wow! I just looked at this rack- this is perfect! Thanks.

 

[NHbiker20]

So Denise bought her a Moten M-430 and I was looking at the Himiway Cruiser Step through. What is your impression of it? Thanks. Safe travels.

I am 6’4”, 290 lbs, and 75 yrs young, and the Cruiser full frame is a great bike for me. The step-thru Cruiser should be equally impressive in performance. I particularly enjoy the front suspension and the ride characteristics of the fat tires after having driven another brand for over 20 miles that had a rigid frame and thinner tires. The Himiway company seems to be getting better established in the US after a poor initial opening regarding customer service and parts. This whole e-bike craze has caught most manufacturers unprepared in my opinion. Have fun.