Bike rack

[Capebreton]

Hey folks,

I have a 2013 Cougar 28RBS I would like to add a bike rack this year. Anyone have one on theirs and would recommend one that is the best bang for the buck? Thanks for reading ~ Kirk

[JRTJH]

Do a forum search for "bike rack" and you'll find enough information already posted to keep you occupied for hours.

[PT RV`er]

I have this one on my bumper and it`s very handy. I can take the rack off and store it inside when not in use and all that's left outside are the two mounts on either side of the spare tire. Works great if all you have is 2 bikes.

http://www.etrailer.com/RV-and-Motor...an/S80500.html

[Festus2]

While this type of bike rack may be handy, I wouldn't recommend that it be used because the bumper is just not "beefy" enough. There have been enough reported incidents of people who have discovered cracking near welds to warrant having a bike rack that is mounted to the frame - not the bumper.
Again, if you were to search the forum, you can find threads/posts that describe what others have done to have a receiver hitch either bolted or welded to the RV frame.
A bike rack that is clamped directly onto the bumper presents too much of a safety issue that I would be very wary of carrying any bikes this way. Don't forget that the bikes are subject to a lot of bouncing around back there - most of which you cannot see - and the additional stress created by that on the bumper is a potential accident in the making.

[PT RV`er]

I did have my bumper welded with a little more beef just because of the weak welds from the manufacture. I`ve had the same one on my old Dutchman without a problem, so I don`t really foresee any problems on my Passport.

[gearhead]

You may be surprised how soft the bumper is. I took my spare off and stored it in a trailer bay to save weight on the bumper. Then bolted a receiver on the bumper. Tightening the bolts enough to snug up the receiver egged the bumper so much I couldn't get the sewer hose in or out. I worked on it with some 1" x 4" wood and C-clamps to get it somewhat square again. I put ONE very lightweight aluminum bicycle on it and towed from Houston to Ohio with no problems. Not sure I will do it again though.

[Capebreton]

thanks for the replies. I will search the forums as suggested.

[Sduff]

I had my dealer install ($450) another receiver to the back. It is welded on and if legal (and it is in MO) could pull another trailer.

[So Cal CPA]

Originally Posted by Capebreton

Hey folks,

I have a 2013 Cougar 28RBS I would like to add a bike rack this year. Anyone have one on theirs and would recommend one that is the best bang for the buck? Thanks for reading ~ Kirk

I have the same camper and while I haven't used this feature yet don't we have a built in bike rack on the slide out rear bumper?

[jsmith948]

Originally Posted by So Cal CPA

I have the same camper and while I haven't used this feature yet don't we have a built in bike rack on the slide out rear bumper?

When our slide-out bumper is extended, there is 4" to 6" inches of vertical movement! I would not travel with the spare wheel on the extended bumper and, before I carried bikes there, I would look at modifying the sliding mechanism to eliminate, or at least reduce, the amount of movement. The way it is now it would loook like a diving board back there!
It's a good idea - but, IMHO, poorly engineered and built

[So Cal CPA]

Originally Posted by jsmith948

When our slide-out bumper is extended, there is 4" to 6" inches of vertical movement! I would not travel with the spare wheel on the extended bumper and, before I carried bikes there, I would look at modifying the sliding mechanism to eliminate, or at least reduce, the amount of movement. The way it is now it would loook like a diving board back there!
It's a good idea - but, IMHO, poorly engineered and built

hmmm. I'll have to check mine and report back.

[Grumpy13]

If you have a solid bumper, There is a hitch mount bike rack at The Home Depot for $35.00 and it says it will hold 4 bikes. It is designed to mount to a
receiver hitch.

[bsmith0404]

Originally Posted by Grumpy13

If you have a solid bumper, There is a hitch mount bike rack at The Home Depot for $35.00 and it says it will hold 4 bikes. It is designed to mount to a
receiver hitch.

I wouldn't use one of those racks. I had a similar 4 bike rack from a box store and almost lost all of the bikes on a trip to Yellowstone. Stopped for lunch and found that the rack had bent down, bikes almost dragging on the ground. I later upgraded to a heavy duty bike rack from Cabelas. That rack looked to be very sturdy with a large main tube, guess what...it bent as well. I finally got a reciever tray hitch from a local bike shop, they can also be found on line, mine are made by Yakima. They are expensive, about $300, but worth it if you don't want to drag your bikes down the road. BTW, our bikes are expensive ($1000 street bikes) that weigh about half as much as a standard box store bikes. No way the racks would have held the heavier bikes. You can get the tray racks for up to 4 bikes. I also have a front receiver on my truck where I carry two more.