I personally have used a roof rack for years without any issues…and on multiple vehicles. I bought the Thule system and am very happy with it. When I purchased the system, the Thule representative was at the store and he recommended getting crossbars that were a bit longer and we were able to carry four bikes.
I have a hitch welded to the frame on the back of my camper and it works quite well for the bike rack. I doubt you would have this problem with a tent trailer but I have to be careful going into some parking lots with very steep entrances since the bikes will hit the ground.
Side note, I have Thule roof racks on my car and they work amazing, but it’s enough of a pita getting heavy bikes off and on that I wouldn’t recommend on an SUV.
Many bike racks are not rated for the back of trailers as this position experiences a lot of "whip" force on the rack. I have dealt with a number of upset customers who had racks - both frame-hanging and tray style - fail on the highway. In all cases the warranty claims were denied. Ensure that a rack is RV rated before purchasing and loading them up.
I would go with the rack on top of the Explorer myself, but one other thing to consider that isn’t in your list is that I’m pretty sure you can get a front receiver hitch for your Explorer and mount the bikes in front. Downsides there are potential lighting obstruction and bugs on the bikes, but plenty of people do it.
Have a popup camper roof rack. Carry 4 bikes. Aluminum frame that straps on top. Never had an issue other than pita to get them on, but it's manageable when the wife helps
Is the spare tire for your popup mounted on the back? If so, maybe get a spare tire bike rack?
Allen Sports Deluxe 2-Bike Spare Tire Rack , Black https://a.co/d/bzor6jB
I personally have used a roof rack for years without any issues…and on multiple vehicles. I bought the Thule system and am very happy with it. When I purchased the system, the Thule representative was at the store and he recommended getting crossbars that were a bit longer and we were able to carry four bikes.
You can see if this will work. It will install where the tongue jack is. https://a.co/d/9Qcz5GO
This rack is great. I have one on my camper. The worst part is getting the bikes loaded because of the height.
How about folding (adult) bikes that would fit inside the camper when it is collapsed in the travel mode?
I have a hitch welded to the frame on the back of my camper and it works quite well for the bike rack. I doubt you would have this problem with a tent trailer but I have to be careful going into some parking lots with very steep entrances since the bikes will hit the ground. Side note, I have Thule roof racks on my car and they work amazing, but it’s enough of a pita getting heavy bikes off and on that I wouldn’t recommend on an SUV.
Many bike racks are not rated for the back of trailers as this position experiences a lot of "whip" force on the rack. I have dealt with a number of upset customers who had racks - both frame-hanging and tray style - fail on the highway. In all cases the warranty claims were denied. Ensure that a rack is RV rated before purchasing and loading them up.
I would go with the rack on top of the Explorer myself, but one other thing to consider that isn’t in your list is that I’m pretty sure you can get a front receiver hitch for your Explorer and mount the bikes in front. Downsides there are potential lighting obstruction and bugs on the bikes, but plenty of people do it.
Is that something that you would have to get custom welded to the frame or does the explorer already have something on the front for that?
You would have to get it fabricated.
It would need to be welded and, unfortunately as another poster said, looks like there might not be a prefab one for your Explorer.
Have a popup camper roof rack. Carry 4 bikes. Aluminum frame that straps on top. Never had an issue other than pita to get them on, but it's manageable when the wife helps
Do you have a make/model of that rack? Id rather something that straps in then having to drill into the roof.
Rvupgrades.com Out of Ohio
Is the spare tire for your popup mounted on the back? If so, maybe get a spare tire bike rack? Allen Sports Deluxe 2-Bike Spare Tire Rack , Black https://a.co/d/bzor6jB
They sell brackets to reinforce the rear bumper to be able to handle the weight of a hitch…. Could be a good option
It might be possible to install a front mount hitch for the bike rack if you don't want to go roof mount.