What about this bike rack??

[{tpc}]

Ok so I have still been searching other ways to get some bikes with us on trips. I think I may have come up with a solution thats fairly inexpensive, looks pretty durable, and would allow for 2 bikes. So at the very least I could get the kids bikes with us, or our bikes if it was just us.

Wanted to see all of your opinions. Every review over on the e-trailer site is positive, so I like that. Lets assume payload/tongue weight isn't an issue for this discussion. The rack itself weights like 6 lbs. Bikes weigh 36 and 38 lbs.

So 80 lbs more on the tongue. Now while typing this all up I learned that the capacity of the rack is 60 lbs. So I'd be about 15 lbs over weight. So that leaves me thinking twice about it.

But I thought I would share anyways, because a lot of people have more lightweight types of bikes. My kids bikes are a bit heavier because frankly, I wasn't spending a ton of money on kids bikes that they will destroy anyways.

Well anyways here is the link, would still like comments on it, because I may try it anyways, because at least it keeps the bikes visible to me as we are going down the road.

http://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Bike-Racks/Heininger-Holdings/HE1011.html

[bsmith0404]

My opinion, a bike rack with a 60 lb capacity is pretty week. I wouldn't trust it. We just got back from a trip. Busted a locking pin on ours from the bouncing. Luckily, the locking pin just locks the rack in the up or down position. Even without it, the rack leaned a bit, but still kept the bikes well supported. I'll replace the pin with a grade 8 bolt and check it for wear each trip as well as carry spares. They really do bounce a lot back there, much different than on the back of a car.

This is the link for the 2 bike carrier that we just broke the pin on (little red handle you can see in the pics). It has a 90lb weight capacity and had less than 40lbs loaded on it. That gives you an idea of how much abuse they go through on the back of an RV

http://www.rackattack.com/product-pages/yakima-stickup.asp

[bsmith0404]

Have you considered using a front hitch? This is a link for the one for your truck. I use this to transport our two bikes and put the kids on the receiver on the back of the camper. Works great and I always have a visual of the bikes we spent a ton of money one.

http://www.etrailer.com/fmr-2007_Chevrolet_Tahoe.htm

[robo]

Ok i gonna weigh in here this weekend i was following a 5th wheel with mypassport in tow. The 5er had a bumper mouth rack with 1 20" kids bike on it. Ater seeing it twist the tube bumper like it did i wounld never put on on my passport i am gonna build a headache rack style bick rack for the back of my truck

[bsmith0404]

That is why I mount a receiver hitch to the frame and use receiver style bike racks.

[theeyres]

I've never seen one but it looks good. As long as it clamps really solid and you have the clearance for the clamp it should work just fine. I know it wouldn't work with my Andersen hitch because I don't have that clearance it indicates. I wouldn't worry about bounce at that location.

[{tpc}]

Thanks for the replys. I have thought about a front hitch, but aside from having to cut the bumper to make it fit, I wouldn't want to restrict the airflow to the radiator or trans cooler.

I agree the capacity leaves something to be desired, but there will be much less "bounce" being right behind the truck as opposed to the back bumper of the rv.

If I try it, I will report back as to how it works.

[BirchyBoy]

Is on the roof not an option for you?

[{tpc}]

Is on the roof not an option for you?

It would be if one mount for one bike wasn't $150...

[BirchyBoy]

It would be if one mount for one bike wasn't $150...

Keep an eye on CL or local Play It Again Sports if you have them.

[jsm180]

I tried a Yakima roof mount on my F250, way too much wind noise for me. The clamps interfere with the door gaskets.

[Abnormal]

It would be if one mount for one bike wasn't $150...

you don't have to pay that much. I saw someone selling 4 used thule roof racks for $80 where I live. I find the problem is the height. I have a suburban and getting the bikes up and down is a real workout. i've done it and they are very stable.
I opted for a (used) arvika rack for 3 bikes. there are some good deals to be had online. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_P7u9hk7V88

[{tpc}]

I like the arvika setup. Just not the easiest to find used and get to the states. I'll have to see if there is any room for mounting as well. Right now between the tanks and the battery tray, all the room is taking by the wdh snap up brackets.

[Bushman512000]

have a welding shop install a trailer hitch for You and tell the shop You want to pull a 14foot boat then it will hold the bikes safe and sound reason for a heaver hitch is the bumper on the trailer is not a great thing to trust cheep and know to fail look in other posts You will see the problems of all kinds Bushman

[RavensFan24]

On the Good Sam Forum, someone was talking about how they carry their bikes. They came up with the idea to mount a fork lock on the underside of the wood for the dinette with a strap on the other dinette seat to hold the back wheel. This allowed for both bikes to sit in the area of the dinette (when in bed position). If you travel with bikes a lot this seems to be a pretty good idea.

Here is a screenshot: http://prntscr.com/7g4hwk

I also saw someone do it the opposite way to fit 4 bikes like this: http://prntscr.com/7g4iie

[{tpc}]

Still haven't come up with a solution yet, but since I'm not in any real hurry to get the bikes on, doesn't matter much lol.

I did want to comment that I find a similar rack to the last one I posted (the clamp on over the shank) made by curt for 3 bikes and up to 135 lbs. It actually costs a little bit less, so I may try that one instead. Probably not enough room to fit 3 bikes in the space anyways, but if I could get 2, it solves most issues.

[BusterDave]

This is a very timly topic. I'm also looking for a way to carry bikes and free up space in the truck bed. My initial plan was to use a hitch style rack and install a 2" reciever on the bumper of my 2013 Passport 2650BH.

This is the rack i ordered

http://allensportsusa.com/products/hitch-carriers/deluxe-four-bike-542rr

This is the bumper mount i was looking at

http://www.amazon.com/19100-Travel-Trailer-Bumper-Square/dp/B0007M1ZGE/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1434729003&sr=8-3&keywords=rv+bumper+receiver


I've now got some concern over the bumper being strong enough to support the bike rack. Has anyone used this style setup? I plane to carry 2 bikes on the first trip, but would 4 in the future.

[BusterDave]

After my above post, I did some searching in the forum. That's why I logged on to start with, but got excited when I saw this thead and posted before searching...

Anyway, it seems like there are mixed reviews about using the bolt on bumper reciever. Would still be open to others idea's, but so far my concerns seem to be valid that the bumper is not strong enough for this set up.

[jsm180]

I'm on my first trip with this rack. http://www.swagman.net/product/bumper-rack-2/

It works well and bikes stay put.

[BusterDave]

jsm180 - I did look at that style however I need to carry up to 4 bikes.

Do you have issues with this style being in the way while camping? Some spots we go have a tree or dirt bank behind the trailer that this might hit...

[Festus2]

After my above post, I did some searching in the forum. That's why I logged on to start with, but got excited when I saw this thead and posted before searching...

Anyway, it seems like there are mixed reviews about using the bolt on bumper reciever. Would still be open to others idea's, but so far my concerns seem to be valid that the bumper is not strong enough for this set up.

BusterDave -
If I were you, I'd stick with my plan to go with a 2" receiver type hitch and then install a bike rake that will suit your needs now and in the future.

Your concerns that the bumper is not strong enough are very valid - especially if you plan on carrying 4 bikes later on.

Yes, others have used bumper-mounted bike carriers without any issues. These types of bike racks are an accident waiting to happen IMO. So if you're going to install a bike rack, do it right the first time and then you can put your mind at rest knowing that you've gone the proper and safest route.

[jsm180]

jsm180 - I did look at that style however I need to carry up to 4 bikes.

Do you have issues with this style being in the way while camping? Some spots we go have a tree or dirt bank behind the trailer that this might hit...

Here is the one for 4 bikes. http://www.swagman.net/product/bumper-rack-4/

The rack came in handy this trip for drying dog towels. My 5th is only 30' so an extra 2' isn't an issue for me.