Sometimes you just don’t have enough room in your RV to accommodate all of your cargo. But this is all essential stuff you need to bring with you on your trip, so what exactly can you do with it? How can you bring all of the items you need with you without having to sacrifice anything from your cargo?
An RV bumper rack is the perfect solution. These racks can be attached to the bumper of your RV, which you can then attach all of your excess cargo to. But how can you choose the best RV bumper rack for your needs?
That’s where we come in. We’ve done all the research for you and reviewed hundreds of RV bumper racks to find the best of the best. So you can rest assured that the products we’ve reviewed in more detail below will be perfect for your next trip.
OUR TOP PICK
The MaxxHaul 70107 hitch mount compact cargo carrier easily earns our spot of top pick. This particular cargo carrier comes in at a more budget friendly price than some competitive models. So if you’re not looking to spend hundreds of dollars, this will be perfect for your needs. The cargo carrier also features a more compact design to suit smaller RVs.
This particular cargo carrier comes with an impressive weight capacity of up to 500 pounds. This should give you more than enough capacity for all of your cargo. The basket measures 53 (W) x 19 (D) x 5 (H) inches, giving you plenty of space for all your essentials.
You won’t have to worry about this cargo carrier letting you down. It features a solid heavy duty steel construction for added peace of mind. The steel has also been completed with a black powder coated finish to give it added durability. This helps to protect the metal from the elements.
Pros
- Large weight capacity - can support up to 500 pounds
- Compact design - won’t take up a lot of room on the back of your RV
- Budget friendly - more affordable than some of the competitive products on the market
Cons
- Powder coating - might scratch easily during assembly
EDITORS CHOICE
Looking for an upgrade on the 70107 model? Then the MaxxHaul 70108 hitch mount aluminum cargo carrier with high side rails will be the perfect fit for your RV. This particular RV bumper rack features a basket style that will give you more than enough space for your extra baggage.
What’s really great about this RV bumper rack is that it is lightweight, sturdy, and comes with an impressive weight capacity of up to 500 pounds. It will be super easy to install on your vehicle, as it comes with a 2 inch x 2 inch hitch shaft which can fit standard class IV and class III receivers.
Another handy feature of this model is that it comes with additional reflector lenses and red colored corners. This will give your vehicle extra visibility, especially when you’re driving at night.
Pros
- Large weight capacity - can support up to 500 pounds
- Durable - features both aluminum and heavy duty steel to create a sturdy cargo carrier
- Safety features - comes with additional reflective lenses for added visibility
Cons
- Pricey - pricier than some competitive models
BEST VALUE
The ARKSEN folding cargo carrier luggage basket is one of the top of the range models. This particular RV bumper rack is available on its own, or with additional accessories to make your camping experience even easier. It is also available with a cargo bag, net, stabilizer, and straps.
This particular cargo carrier can fit a wide variety of vehicles. It can easily fit any 2 inch hitch opening, and comes with a large weight capacity of up to 500 pounds. It features a mesh surface that can help prevent any smaller items from falling through while you’re driving.
One of the best features about this particular model is that it can be folded up when it’s not in use. So you won’t have an empty RV bumper rack sticking out when you’re out on the road after your trip.
This model is highly durable and features a heavy duty steel frame which has been powder coated for added durability.
Pros
- Foldable design - can be folded up against your RV when not in use
- Large weight capacity - can support up to 500 pounds
- Mesh basket - prevents any smaller items from falling out
Cons
- Expensive - one of the priciest options we reviewed
RUNNER UP
The MaxxHaul 70422 hitch mount compact aluminum cargo carrier is another premium choice if you’re looking for a high quality RV bumper rack. This particular model has been designed to last you for many years to come. It features a durable construction that gives you an impressive weight capacity of up to 500 pounds.
This particular model features raised side rails to help keep your cargo in place while you’re driving along. This also gives you the option of tying your cargo down to ensure it stays put.
Another great factor of this particular cargo carrier is that it comes with built-in reflectors. This will give your RV extra visibility when you’re out on the road.
Pros
- Durable - made using high quality materials for a solid construction
- Raised side rails - helps to keep your cargo where it needs to be
- Large weight capacity - can support up to 500 pounds
Cons
- Pricey - one of the pricier options available
RUNNER UP
Another great budget pick is the ECOTRIC universal RV square bumper mounting racks. These particular racks come in at a much more affordable price. You will get two of the racks so that you can properly secure your cargo to your bumper.
These particular mounting racks are capable of supporting up to 200 pounds of weight.
You will be able to secure these mounting racks to an RV bumper that is 4 inches in diameter.
Pros
- Budget friendly - one of the more affordable options
- Weight capacity - can support up to 200 pounds
- Hardware - includes all the necessary hardware
Cons
- Instructions - no instructions included with the mounting racks for installation
RV Bumper Rack Buying Guide
Trying to find the best RV bumper rack for your needs can be tricky. There are several different styles to choose from, and at such vastly different price points. If this is your first time buying an RV bumper rack it may feel like an overwhelming experience. How can you choose the best RV bumper rack for your needs?
While it may be tempting to opt for the first RV bumper rack that you stumble across, you should hold fire on that thought. There are a couple of key factors you will need to consider first. Luckily for you, we’ve put all of those essential factors together in this helpful buyer’s guide!
Take a look at everything you need to know about RV bumper racks below, or skip ahead to the frequently asked questions.
Weight Capacity
The most important factor to consider when it comes to choosing an RV bumper rack is the weight capacity. The larger the weight capacity, the more cargo you can store in your cargo rack.
However, it will also be important to know what the specific weight capacity of your RV’s bumper is. You won’t want to add 500 pounds’ worth of weight to your RV bumper rack if the bumper can’t support this load.
Ultimately, the larger the weight capacity that you opt for when you choose your new RV bumper rack, the better. Even if your RV bumper can only accommodate 300 pounds worth of weight, you can rest assured that your RV bumper rack won’t let you down.
Compatibility
There’s no point in buying the best RV bumper rack that money can buy if it isn’t compatible with your particular RV.
Take a look at how the RV bumper rack is secured to the bumper of your vehicle. Is there a minimum or maximum hitching shaft that’s needed in place? Do you screw the bumper rack to your bumper, or does it need to be slotted around the circumference of the bumper?
It will be important to ensure that your preferred RV bumper rack is suitable for use with your vehicle.
Easy to Install
One of the most important factors to consider is of course how easy your chosen RV bumper rack will be to install on your vehicle. You won’t want to opt for an RV bumper rack that will be super difficult to install. This will just make your life harder.
Another key feature to consider is whether your preferred RV bumper rack comes with all of the hardware you need to install it. This will save you from having to spend more money on things like screws or hex keys.
Size
Once you’ve got all the basics covered, you should think about the dimensions of your chosen RV bumper rack. How big a cargo rack do you need for your vehicle? This will help you find the best RV bumper rack for your needs.
The size of your RV bumper rack will likely be dictated by the cargo that you’re hoping to use it for. If you have a lot of things you want to bring with you, then you will likely need to choose a larger rack. It will also be important to check what the weight of your luggage will be as well as the weight capacity of the bumper rack.
Safety Features
Another factor to consider is what additional safety features come with the RV bumper rack. This will be sticking out from the back of your vehicle as you drive. So you will ideally need a rack that comes with plenty of reflective lights so that vehicles driving behind you will be able to easily see that there’s an extra distance that needs to be accounted for on the road.
This extra visibility will be essential, especially if you’re driving at night.
Durable
You will of course want to choose an RV bumper rack that is highly durable. These types of bumper racks will be able to last you for much longer.
Take a look at the materials used in the construction process. Has it been manufactured using heavy duty steel? Has this been powder coated to make the cargo rack even more durable and resistant to the elements? All of these factors will culminate in how durable the RV bumper rack is.
RV Bumper Rack - FAQ's
What is the best RV bumper rack?
The best RV bumper racks are:
- MaxxHaul 70107 Hitch Mount Compact Cargo Carrier
- MaxxHaul 70108 Hitch Mount Aluminum Cargo Carrier With High Side Rails
- ARKSEN Folding Cargo Carrier Luggage Basket
- MaxxHaul 70422 Hitch Mount Compact Aluminum Cargo Carrier
- ECOTRIC Universal RV Square Bumper Mounting Racks
How much weight can an RV bumper hold?
It’s all well and good choosing an RV bumper rack that comes with a large weight capacity of 500 pounds, but that will be no good to you if your RV’s bumper can’t support that much weight.
The vast majority of RV bumpers won’t be able to support more than 300 pounds’ worth of added weight. If in doubt, you should use this as a general rule of thumb. It will be best to check out the manual of your RV to see what the manufacturer has stated as the bumper’s weight capacity.