Cougar bike rack

[Slim]

I have been searching through all the info on here about the slide out bike rack but still need some help. Looking to carry 4 bikes on the stock cougar slide out bike rack. Looking for some advice on making sure these travel well. Looks to be a tight fit with 4 bikes. Thank you in advanced for any help. (tx)

[Festus2]

slim -
Fitting 4 bikes on the slide out rack will be a challenge. The post that is used to secure the bikes isn't great and is quite loose itself. If you haven't removed the spare tire, I would take it off and find another place to store it. That will give you a bit more room and take some weight off the slide out rack.

If you are going to be taking 4 bikes with you on a regular basis, I would forget about using the slide out rack and weld a receiver hitch to the RV's frame and buy a proper bike rack that will accommodate 4 bikes and that will fit into the receiver hitch. There are some good ones on the market (Swagman to name one), have a built in locking system and hold the bikes securely.

Using that rack results in having to use multiple tie downs and/or bungee cords and takes forever to set up. Fiddling around trying to get the bikes to fit is annoying and the tight space results in scratched bikes. In summary, it is more of a nuisance. We've tried it with two bikes and it's an exercise in frustration. Get a hitch, weld it on the frame and buy a good rack.

[Slim]

I thought 4 bikes looked a little tight. I have also removed the spare tire.

[bsmith0404]

Agree with mounting a receiver hitch and getting a good rack. After going through several different types of racks, getting frustrated with their design, removing pedals and turning handlebars to make the bikes fi,t and having the racks bend and almost losing the bikes, I finally broke down and bought a tray rack. The links below are just two examples. I have a 4 bike tray for the receiver on the camper and a 2 bike tray for a receiver on the front of my truck. The tray racks are more expensive, but they hold up and you can load 4 bikes in about 5 mins. I'll never own a different style again.

http://www.bikerackshops.com/vehicle_racks/hitch_bike_racks/tray_hitch_racks/quad_4/

http://www.bikerackshops.com/vehicle_racks/hitch_bike_racks/tray_hitch_racks/stickup_2_bike/

[superdog404]

I am wondering if I can't use this rack on the stock Cougar rear rack
http://www.amazon.com/Racor-PBS-2R-Two-Bike-Floor-Stand/dp/B000077CPJ
I read here about the rack needing bracing since it will move about 6 inches up and down. I did that and tested it with a couple Honda 2000's at I think it is 49 pounds each. I have the spare tire still on the bumper. I went on a short camping trip of about 100 miles and everything rode fine. I checked the welds etc. and all are well. The usual I have no association with Amazon.

[gcracker]

Well I just bought a new 2014 330rbk and on our first trip of about 200 highway miles from myrtle beach to NC both of the support brackets bent. This was with only three bikes loaded. . I am not very happy and it is definitely a design flaw for everyone to look out for. http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/22/nyryje3u.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/22/duzygena.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/22/aja2arap.jpg

[byrdr1]

you were lucky the weld did not brake.
randy

[Hoojs12840]

Gcracker. I have the same 5thwheel. Did your spare come off on its own like mine? Are you having the dealer fix it?

[Jadocs]

Hey guys I'm new to the forum, but I can suggest a great bike rack that will safely carry 4 bikes no problem. You will have to mount a 2" receiver, but the rack itself is bullet proof. It is designed by 1UP USA. It is rated for 50lbs per bike when carrying 4. That's a total of 200lbs. Here is a pic of the rack on the back of my truck.



56535654

[gcracker]

Gcracker. I have the same 5thwheel. Did your spare come off on its own like mine? Are you having the dealer fix it?

if you are asking about the spare tire cover, yes it blew off about 50 miles into the trip. I have not talked to my local dealer yet, I bought the camper in Myrtle Beach and just got home to NY yesterday. I will be requesting that they fix the rack and replace the tire cover.

[Campnfireman]

Wow! I have the same camper. That will definitely be something I watch on our trip down to myrtle beach in a couple weeks.

[concours]

If you take a look under Modifications and upgrades I posted some pictures of the reinforcement that I did to our rear bumper I think it was titled Rear Bumper that will not fall off. I didn't see any concern with the slide out brackets on ours but I think that will get an upgrade also.:)