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02-07-2010, 08:42 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 13
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Bike Rack Options
Hello Everyone..
I only belong to one other forum and that is for Honda GL 1800 riders. I have found that to be very helpful and informative. I am from Illinois but we are now in Florida for the winter (it better get warm soon)
We just purchased a new Raptor Toy Hauler 3602RL and I was looking into a bicycle rack for our 2 mountain bikes so I could get them out of the trailer. Most of the racks I have seen use a
Standard tube hitch mounted on the rear. The ladder hitch does not seem to be a good idea due to the extra stress applied to the ladder. Lots of racks use the standard 4” square bumper as an attachment point, which as you all know is not part of a toy hauler. The hitch pin rack would seem to cut down the turning radius. Has anyone had any experience with other options that could possibly use the flat rear bumper or even the surface of the garage door?
I did try the search option but had no joy
Thanks in advance
Dick
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02-07-2010, 07:46 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Alabama
Posts: 863
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Have you seen this: http://www.rvstuffusa.com/bikerackan...rvbythule.html The bike rack for 3 bikes looks like what your after, it's a bit pricey but hey, there's a down side to everything!
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2005 Springdale 249BH FW
2008 Toyota Tundra Crewmax 5.7L
Tow package
Timbrens
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02-07-2010, 08:03 PM
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#3
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: just north of Indy
Posts: 37
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I can't see how a hitch mounted bike rack ON your trailer would affect turning. I will only say as a reminder, IF your bikes are good ones I sure would not hang them by the wheels. that tends to make them go outa round.
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04 Cougar 285 EFS towed with 03 Sierra Denali,Quadrasteer,AWD,6L @325 hp,410 axil 17" t/w 106k miles ALL fluids synthetic. Winter Texan
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02-08-2010, 05:28 AM
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#4
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Flyguy
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Yes, I did see that one but the large toy hauler door in the back is a problem. On the 3602RL there is only a half wide door but I would have to remove the entire rack every time I wanted to take the motorcycle out. If they made one half that size if might work. I will have to call them to see if they could modify that one.
Thanks for the tip
Dick
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02-08-2010, 05:44 AM
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#5
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Steersall4
I can't see how a hitch mounted bike rack ON your trailer would affect turning. I will only say as a reminder, IF your bikes are good ones I sure would not hang them by the wheels. that tends to make them go outa round.
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As I stated in my post I have a fifth wheel and the hitch pin is the one that goes onto the truck bed. I checked into it and if you have an extra 2 feet or so between your trailer and the back of the cab it might work. There are just too many potential problems. I will most likely end up with the bikes in with my motorcycle. It's too bad that someone does not make a rack that would fit vertically on the right side of the door.
Thanks for the reply
Dick
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02-09-2010, 12:25 AM
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#6
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Permanent User Ban
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 60
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Don't know what kind of truck you have, but could you mount a carrier on the front of your truck? It would take some fabricating- making some kind of receiver to attach to the truck rails, but I wouldn't think it would add much weight. And hopefully you could get them low enough so they wouldn't obstruct your view or headlites. Not too many more options left.
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02-09-2010, 05:47 AM
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#7
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MightyMike
Don't know what kind of truck you have, but could you mount a carrier on the front of your truck? It would take some fabricating- making some kind of receiver to attach to the truck rails, but I wouldn't think it would add much weight. And hopefully you could get them low enough so they wouldn't obstruct your view or headlites. Not too many more options left.
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My wife had mentioned that yesterday and your right it may be the only option left.
Dick
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02-09-2010, 06:33 AM
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#8
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: just north of Indy
Posts: 37
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He's right and I have seen that done to the front of a truck and yes I have seen them way up ontop of the 5th wheel hitch. There that could be a problem if you have one of the shorter beds than the long bed.
On other thing I had not thought of till I wanted to haul 2 "GIRLS" Bikes while down Tx for the winter and NOT Have my hitch out. Hang girls bikes from a hitch mounted carrier? I ended up buying 2 removable bars they make to go across a girsl bike. means more equip along but is an answer for that.
fortunatly My 04 Cougar has a pull out bike rack. the back bumper and spare pull out around 3 ft. and there are pins to keep it there. WCS? when turning in to the park where we are, just enough incline in off the street that my door side rear jack dragged on the cement and bent the thing UN-usable. yes it was UP. SOooo I had to buy a new one! teh back jacks are mounted to the bike rack.
I am sure you will find a suitable method.
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04 Cougar 285 EFS towed with 03 Sierra Denali,Quadrasteer,AWD,6L @325 hp,410 axil 17" t/w 106k miles ALL fluids synthetic. Winter Texan
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02-09-2010, 07:48 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Bessemer, Alabama
Posts: 323
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BigD
My wife had mentioned that yesterday and your right it may be the only option left.
Dick
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Not sure what make your truck is but I bought a front mount hitch for mine so that I can just slide my bike rack into the receiver. They make these hitches for mounting winches to the front but they use a standard 2" receiver so you can put anything you want on it as long as its a 2''. Only thing is you gotta make sure you dont obstruct your headlights if you travel at night. My rack blocks a lot of the light from my headlights but we do not travel at night. Not a problem for us. Hope this helps. I felt like it was the best option for me. http://www.hitchesonline.com/front_m...iver_hitch.htm
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2013 F150 XLT Supercrew EcoBoost
'08 Passport 280BH
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03-11-2010, 10:42 AM
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#10
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Terrydactile
Not sure what make your truck is but I bought a front mount hitch for mine so that I can just slide my bike rack into the receiver. They make these hitches for mounting winches to the front but they use a standard 2" receiver so you can put anything you want on it as long as its a 2''. Only thing is you gotta make sure you dont obstruct your headlights if you travel at night. My rack blocks a lot of the light from my headlights but we do not travel at night. Not a problem for us. Hope this helps. I felt like it was the best option for me. http://www.hitchesonline.com/front_m...iver_hitch.htm
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What a great idea. That's the answer! I ordered one today
Thanks
Dick
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03-11-2010, 01:51 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Bessemer, Alabama
Posts: 323
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Your welcome!!!
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2013 F150 XLT Supercrew EcoBoost
'08 Passport 280BH
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02-28-2012, 05:19 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 199
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Over roof rack
My Uncle had a fifth wheel, He had a rack made so he could put his atv over the roof of his dually chev crew cab 2 wd, I guess if there is a will theres a way, I think he made it out of stainless steel tube.
2011 Sprinter 297RET
2008 Ford 250 Super Duty Crew Cab 4x4 V10
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02-28-2012, 02:56 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: canada
Posts: 102
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whats the matter with the ladder bike holder? I thought that was a great idea. Anyone using this for there bikes?
Any problems?
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02-28-2012, 05:42 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Dacula, GA
Posts: 620
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Bike Rack Ladder
Been there, done that on most options. Presently using the ladder rack. No problem with the ladder or the bike moving. The "problem" is that a man's bike fits the rack really well. The struggle comes in finding a way to secure a medium sized bike OR a ladies bike. These racks are designed for a bike to hang over the triangle in the frame to make it travel safely. Well, the spacing for a medium sized bike is TOO WIDE and it will not fit. A ladies bike has no triangle frame so they will not fit either.
I placed my men's bike on the rack. Took the front wheel off one medium sized bike and laid the bike (wrapped) in the bed of the truck, forward of the fifth wheel hook up. Left my wife's bike home. Figured I could buy one for $50 on Craigslist. DID NOT WORK OUT. Went to Walmart and for $90, bought a 24" frame ladies bike. Will need to disassemble it to get it back home.
I looked at those CW folding bikes. Could not imagine dragging that thing in and out every night and morning....ugh....
No easy solutions. Nothing seems to be perfect.
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02-29-2012, 03:25 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Pearl River, La.
Posts: 198
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Where did you get your ladder rack?
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2011 Toyota Tundra - (MGM) Mean Green Machine
2012 Cougar HC 291RLS - Cajun Riviera
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03-01-2012, 08:50 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: canada
Posts: 102
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cw has them, online
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03-02-2012, 10:55 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: calif
Posts: 193
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I got a ladder rack at CW put my bike on then the DW's on did not use there straps.
I used ratchet straps you can get them nice and tight went from California to
Arizona never moved.
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2500HD Chev 6.0
2011 326MKS Cougar
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03-02-2012, 11:25 AM
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#18
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Cape May County, NJ
Posts: 49
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I mounted mine on the front of my truck, New Jersey to Florida and back no problems and I can keep an eye on them al the time. It is a Curt Hitch that I bought from E-Trailer.
Mike
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2011 Cougar 318SAB
2011 Silverado HD 2500 Duramax
16K Superglide
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03-02-2012, 10:35 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Southern Oregon
Posts: 118
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The one thing that many don't think about when they start mounting things on the front of their trucks such as bike racks and spare tires is the lack of air flow for the engine.
The typical late model pickup has no less than 4 heat exchangers behind the grille, radiator, A/C condenser, trans cooler, engine oil cooler, charge air cooler on a diesel. With the increased aerodynamics of todays vehicles, air flow is critical when their isn't much to begin with. It may not be an issue driving around town, but add 10-15K lbs of weight, a hot day, and a good grade and you can do some real long term damage. Even if its something as small as a couple of bikes hanging off the front.
Jason
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'11.5 (EDITED) 3500 CCLB 4x4 (EDITED) 6.7 HO, auto, DPF and EGR deleted by (EDITED) , Mini Maxx, 5" exhaust,
'12 (EDITED) 324RLB- 3 bedroom, 1 1/2 bath
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