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02-07-2017, 02:34 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Silverdale
Posts: 43
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Bike rack with spare on back
I've seen mixed reviews on bike racks, especially ones mounted to the 4" square bumper in the back. I have a spare tire back there which limits my options even further. I got 3 bikes to take on our camping trips and am trying hard to coming up with a viable solution.
Right now my idea is to lay them down in the bed forward of the fifth wheel hitch, below the height of the bed. I don't like this, as it takes up bed room for other things.
I saw this one on Amazon, which has mixed reviews:
https://www.amazon.com/Allen-Sports-.../dp/B000ELSSWW
What are you guys doing with your bikes?
__________________
2016 Hideout 298BHDS 5er
2016 F-350 King Ranch SRW CC LB FX4
6.7L Powerstroke Turbo Diesel
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02-07-2017, 05:32 PM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,995
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I'd urge you to do some reading on here about the "fragile rear bumper" before you start spending money for additional "stuff" to hang off the bumper. The bike rack you linked on Amazon fits over the spare tire and is supported by the spare tire mount. Stromberg Carlsen manufacturers many of these racks and they recommend not installing anything but a trailer tire on them. They specifically warn against using the rack for a tire/wheel such as a PU spare because of the excessive weight. You can read the discussion in the FAQ section at etrailer.com.
Additionally, Dyers RV sells several models of "bumper mount spare tire rack". Each of them is listed in the specifications as "Maximum weight 100 pounds". So, adding the type of bike carrier you've identified would definitely overload the OEM tire carrier.
__________________
John
2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
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02-07-2017, 09:00 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: MA
Posts: 3,153
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If you can weld something to the frame and attach a hitch, that might work. Having 3 bikes where you cannot see them would make me nervous.
We do not have bikes so I have never come up with anything myself.
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2013 Premier 31BHPR
2014 F350 6.2L
Soon to be just DW and I
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02-08-2017, 01:30 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: SE Michigan
Posts: 1,659
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Your best bet would be to have a hitch receiver welded and/or fabricated to the frame rails below the rear bumper. That's what I did as a local welding show reinforced the install with some angle iron. Looks like a factory option. This is the one I had fabricated. The receiver head tucks up under the bumper almost like a hidden hitch. Wouldnt doubt it would hold several hundred lbs of cargo. My 4 bike carrier has plenty of space behind it to accommodate the bumper spare. We don't full time so no worries of theft.
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2017 Keystone Bullet 308BHS in Saddle.
2017 RAM 2500 Laramie Mega Cab 4x4 Hemi 6.4L
2008 GMC Yukon XL Denali (SOLD)
Hensley SwiftArrow Control Hitch with 1000 lb Spring Bars
Me, DW, (3) little DS's, and 1 rambunctious Boston Terrier
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02-08-2017, 04:10 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Eastern GTA
Posts: 195
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A few options:
- weld a hitch to the frame of your 5er
- find a way to put them inside
- get a hitch for the front of your truck
- mount horizontal crossbars over the truck cab.
Some creative folks have also custom made a receiver to weld to the top of their pin box.
__________________
2023 Rockwood Signature 8262RBS
2016 Ford F-250 XLT SuperCrew, 6.2L, 4x4, 6'9" bed, 3.73
2019 Rockwood Signature 8290BS (2019-2023)
2011 Rockwood Signature 8293SS (2014-2018)
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02-08-2017, 03:44 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Southeastern Connectiut
Posts: 1,306
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+1 for ITAT!
Put a mount on front of your truck. Worked great for me .... way back when, (Kids and grandkids all grown). If you can't find a direct mount bike rack, put a front tow hitch on P.U. and mount to that.
Good luck,
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Pull Toy
Steve & Jan, Ava & Emma (Mini Schnauzers):
2016 F350 Lariat 4X4 Powerstroke CC/SB "PULLTOY V"
2013 Alpine 3535RE "MAGIC CARPET IV"
Proud Navy Vet!
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02-09-2017, 03:43 AM
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#7
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Chicopee
Posts: 97
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I purchased a 2" receiver for the front of my truck that mounts to the frame. I use an Allen receiver mount bike rack and love the set up. As others have mentioned I would NOT mount anything on the 4" bumper unless it is reinforced.
__________________
2015 Passport 2810BH
2015 Ram 1500 5.7 Hemi
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02-09-2017, 05:50 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Saint Louis
Posts: 235
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Safety Struts
I plan to get some SafetyStruts before camping season. It looks like a promising way to secure the bumper.
https://mount-n-lock.com/all-product...bumper-failure
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2012 Ford Expedition EL Limited
2014 Passport 2510RB
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02-09-2017, 11:33 PM
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#9
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Silverdale
Posts: 43
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lawdog130
I purchased a 2" receiver for the front of my truck that mounts to the frame. I use an Allen receiver mount bike rack and love the set up. As others have mentioned I would NOT mount anything on the 4" bumper unless it is reinforced.
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How much did that cost? Does it look weird? How is it turning/parking etc? I worry about making my truck longer in the front, but this seems like the most viable option.
__________________
2016 Hideout 298BHDS 5er
2016 F-350 King Ranch SRW CC LB FX4
6.7L Powerstroke Turbo Diesel
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02-10-2017, 04:34 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Liberty, Texas
Posts: 5,034
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Curt Mfg. makes several different models. I put one on my Ram. So far I've carried only 1 bicycle on my Swagman rack. Be aware the wind will push the bicycles toward the truck. I need to address that issue soon.
Amazon has much better prices.
http://www.curtmfg.com/Category/11/F...ount%20Hitches
__________________
2018 Ram 3500 Laramie CC DRW LWB 4X4 Cummins Aisin 3.73
Reese Goosebox 20K
2018 Heartland Landmark 365 Oshkosh
2008 Bigfoot 25C9.4 LB Cabover
2023 CanAm Defender SXS
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02-11-2017, 08:44 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Rainier, Oregon but my heart is still in Arizona and my wife's heart is in Oregon.
Posts: 232
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Check out this: safetystruts.com also there is a rvtravel video on youtube dealing with this item and available at amazon.com as well. No experience with this item maybe someone else has experience with this item. Happy RV'ing.
__________________
Larry/Sharon Ellison
U.S. Navy Retired
Retired from Armstrong World Industries
Retired Period, But Not From Life
2007 Toyota Tundra
2017 Keystone Hideout 22KBSWE
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02-11-2017, 07:27 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 4,222
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You might consider placing them on the front of the 5er. Great location as you can keep an eye on them in the rear view mirror.
I had this receiver fabricated out of a couple scrap pieces of 4"X6"X1/4" angle iron, and a store bought 2" receiver tube.
__________________
Russ & Paula and Belle the Beagle.
2016 Ram Laramie 3500 DRW 14,000# GVWR (New TV)
2005 Copper Canyon 293 FWSLS 32’ GVWR 12,360
Visit and enjoy Oregon State Parks
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02-11-2017, 08:18 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Green Valley, AZ
Posts: 782
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rhagfo
You might consider placing them on the front of the 5er. Great location as you can keep an eye on them in the rear view mirror.
I had this receiver fabricated out of a couple scrap pieces of 4"X6"X1/4" angle iron, and a store bought 2" receiver tube.
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This is what I did for two bikes and it worked great.You think it might interfere with turning and hitting the truck but they never get close and plenty of room for up to four bikes. No bouncing around like the back of a fiver.
__________________
Earl
2007 33.5' Arctic Fox Fifth Wheel used for full-timing for several years--now sold
2011 Hideout 23RKSWE that we now use for poking around local parks
2007 Chevy 3/4 ton diesel with Prodigy Brake Control
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02-13-2017, 02:38 AM
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#14
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Chicopee
Posts: 97
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jmart273
How much did that cost? Does it look weird? How is it turning/parking etc? I worry about making my truck longer in the front, but this seems like the most viable option.
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I got mine at e-trailer for less than $150. I believe it is made by Draw-Tite. It bolts directly to the frame with supplied hardware. No drilling for mine as it uses existing holes in the frame. Took me about 1/2 hour to install. It is barely noticeable when the rack isn't installed. Also no issues with driving with it. It took a few trips to get used to seeing the bikes bouncing out front though.
__________________
2015 Passport 2810BH
2015 Ram 1500 5.7 Hemi
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02-13-2017, 01:03 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 4,222
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lawdog130
I purchased a 2" receiver for the front of my truck that mounts to the frame. I use an Allen receiver mount bike rack and love the set up. As others have mentioned I would NOT mount anything on the 4" bumper unless it is reinforced.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jmart273
How much did that cost? Does it look weird? How is it turning/parking etc? I worry about making my truck longer in the front, but this seems like the most viable option.
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I would think twice about hanging bikes off the front. Way too easy to have damaged by others.
__________________
Russ & Paula and Belle the Beagle.
2016 Ram Laramie 3500 DRW 14,000# GVWR (New TV)
2005 Copper Canyon 293 FWSLS 32’ GVWR 12,360
Visit and enjoy Oregon State Parks
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02-14-2017, 09:33 PM
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#16
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Chicopee
Posts: 97
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rhagfo
I would think twice about hanging bikes off the front. Way too easy to have damaged by others.
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I put the bikes on the rack for the trip and take them off at the campsite. Just curious as to why you think the bikes are more vulnerable on the front vs. the rear. I have been doing this for years and never had an issue.
__________________
2015 Passport 2810BH
2015 Ram 1500 5.7 Hemi
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02-15-2017, 07:21 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 4,222
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lawdog130
I put the bikes on the rack for the trip and take them off at the campsite. Just curious as to why you think the bikes are more vulnerable on the front vs. the rear. I have been doing this for years and never had an issue.
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People backing to them while in a parking, you also have the issue of blocking lights and turn signals.
__________________
Russ & Paula and Belle the Beagle.
2016 Ram Laramie 3500 DRW 14,000# GVWR (New TV)
2005 Copper Canyon 293 FWSLS 32’ GVWR 12,360
Visit and enjoy Oregon State Parks
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02-15-2017, 08:31 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Baton Rouge, La
Posts: 127
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I also carry bikes on the front. High quality carrier and some seat time to get used to it.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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05-22-2017, 06:47 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Oswego
Posts: 604
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LarrySharon
Check out this: safetystruts.com also there is a rvtravel video on youtube dealing with this item and available at amazon.com as well. No experience with this item maybe someone else has experience with this item. Happy RV'ing.
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Getting info on the safety struts.
This is how our bumper is mounted. Looks like a decent mounting method. Box frame welded to the RV frame and rear bumper welded to the box frame. Top picture.
On my last RV I mounted a Curt hitch to the box frame. It worked well - but it is heavy and I cut some of the steel off so I could mount it closer to the bumper. I did it after the warranty had expired. Bottom 2 pictures.
__________________
RV - 2017 Avalanche 320RS
TV - 2011 Chevy Silverado 3500HD LTZ CCLB Duramax SRW 4X4
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05-22-2017, 07:28 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Oswego
Posts: 604
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Received some information on a newly designed safety strut for use on my rear bumper. If I used it I might mount 4 of them. One on each side of the bumper attachment to the box frame. The weak link may still be the thickness of the steel used for the bumper. It would only be used for a bike rack/platform I used on our last RV. Tow Tuff TTF-2762KR Steel Cargo Carrier with Bike Rack
New design top and old design bottom.
After giving it more thought:
I will install a front hitch on my truck - Curt 31023.
Truck can handle the weight better than the trailer and I can see the load in front.
Purchased a Swagman XC Cross-Country 2-Bike Hitch Mount Rack - will take up less room than the bike rack shown.
__________________
RV - 2017 Avalanche 320RS
TV - 2011 Chevy Silverado 3500HD LTZ CCLB Duramax SRW 4X4
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