Adding bike rack to TT? Spare tire rack?

racetech · 04-30-2019, 07:58 AM

Has anyone used a bike rack that mounts to the spare tire on their TT? Such as this:
https://www.amazon.com/Allen-Sports-...-1-spons&psc=1

Looking to add something to carry 2 20" bmx kids bikes and this seems to be cheapest option. Not against spending more if anyone has had back luck using these! I have a flat rear bumper on my Passport so no 4x4 bumper and no hitch reciever back there so im looking at these.

**chuckster57** · 04-30-2019, 08:49 AM

Just my thoughts, anything that requires tensioned straps to stay put doesn't belong on the back end of any trailer. The further you go from the axles the more bounce you'll get. If you don't have a camera you might see them tumble down the road, if you do have a camera you might be able to see them shaking the straps.

Tbos · 04-30-2019, 09:47 AM

I’d consider putting them in the bed of the truck.

racetech · 04-30-2019, 10:53 AM

Good point, I actually have thought about arriving somewhere to find rack and bikes all gone. When I get time Im going to look into building a nice bracket to weld onto bumper or even weld in a reciever back there I have the ability just not the time at the moment. Untill then I can throw them in TT and secure them with some bungees.

Canonman · 04-30-2019, 12:24 PM

Best option I've seen is welding a receiver hitch to the TT frame. That way you can get a quality bike rack and keep them properly secured. I found a good deal on a used Yakima 2 bike rack. Been good for 3 seasons with no problems.

FlyingAroundRV · 04-30-2019, 01:16 PM

We considered several racking options for bikes. In the end, we decided to go with folding bikes and put them in the back of the truck. IMO, this has several benefits
1) They are out of sight and secure under the tonneau
2) They are out of the weather during travel
3) They are always with us when we go exploring; no need to take them off a rack and put them in the truck
4) There's no need for the extra expense of a rack on the trailer
Folding bikes are ugly and look dumb to be sure, but they are more practical than the alternative.

busterbrown · 04-30-2019, 09:29 PM

Another option I went with last year was a Stromberg Carlson a-frame reciever hitch that mounts behind the LPG tanks. This product is very sturdy and can hold up to 100 lbs.

The benefit of this rack is the location. Having bikes secured on the front side of the trailer is less violent on the load. My bike rack took a beating on the rear hitch we had welded to the frame. After one season, the bike rack was visually bent due to the stresses on the rear trailer. Now, we use the rear hitch only for the much smaller kids bikes. The a-frame rack is reserved for mom and dads much more expensive aluminum bikes. The same bike rack doesn't wiggle like it did on the rear.

Google search for Stromberg Carlson CC-275 if interested.

Here's pics of the rear receiver hitch installed:
http://www.keystoneforums.com/forums...3&postcount=25

And this is a photo of the Stromberg reciever in action:

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WNY Bullet · 05-01-2019, 01:42 AM

I lower our table and mount them on the dinette. I have fork cleats on the underside of the bench seats, so I just remove cushions and flip boards to access. Attached pictures is from our previous trailer, but we did the same thing on our current one.

Just another option...

GMcKenzie · 05-02-2019, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by busterbrown

Another option I went with last year was a Stromberg Carlson a-frame reciever hitch that mounts behind the LPG tanks. This product is very sturdy and can hold up to 100 lbs.

I built my own similar to this. But there is a mount that goes where the trailer jack goes, so remove the jack, put the mount in place, put the jack back and tighten it up. I saw it at a local dealer where they had it on a lot of trailers.

Called Jack It. Google found https://www.etrailer.com/RV-and-Camp.../LC429756.html

I'd do this on my next trailer.

racetech · 05-02-2019, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GMcKenzie

I built my own similar to this. But there is a mount that goes where the trailer jack goes, so remove the jack, put the mount in place, put the jack back and tighten it up. I saw it at a local dealer where they had it on a lot of trailers.

Called Jack It. Google found https://www.etrailer.com/RV-and-Camp.../LC429756.html

I'd do this on my next trailer.

I like that looks like it functions well and i like that its on the front of trailer.

busterbrown · 05-02-2019, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GMcKenzie

I built my own similar to this. But there is a mount that goes where the trailer jack goes, so remove the jack, put the mount in place, put the jack back and tighten it up. I saw it at a local dealer where they had it on a lot of trailers.

Called Jack It. Google found https://www.etrailer.com/RV-and-Camp.../LC429756.html

I'd do this on my next trailer.

I actually saw this "Jack-it" at a campground a couple of years ago. That's when I started looking at options for myself. What I noticed, the Jack-It has just one mounting point under the tongue jack. It had plenty of flex when a couple of bike where attached.

The Stromberg is mounted on both sides of the a-frame rails. It does NOT move and is extremely robust. You can also use the bike rack of your choice. We have a 4 bike rack with 3 bikes mounted. No problem. No movement.

I was also worried about bikes being so close to the tongue and causing interference with the rear of the truck on tight turns. With the Stromberg, the bikes are positioned farther back.

racetech · 05-03-2019, 11:28 AM

Thanks for the replies. I almost forgot im dealing with a hybrid so I have a bed that folds out of the front and the back. So ill be looking for something easily removeable to clear my bed when its down. May just be easier to figure out a way to secure them inside TT or in bed if I have the room.

Mainer · 05-09-2019, 05:08 PM

I'd be real careful bolting any else to your sewer hose carrier

. The spare tire is about all it is designed to hold besides the hose. Don't think any trailers come with a rear bumper, I know my Bullet doesn't have one.

Flynglfr · 05-13-2019, 08:12 PM

We have the over the spare tire bike racks and never had a problem......well except when you need the spare tire. We were traveling out of Atlanta GA when we had a blow out on a trailer tire. I needed to use the spare and had to take the bikes off which was a little more times consuming than I wanted but other than that, I still use that rack and no problems.

busterbrown · 05-14-2019, 07:25 PM

Another example of why not to use your trailer's bumper for anything more than hose storage:

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As evidenced in this picture, the welds held. It was the thin sheet metal that over-stressed and failed. A member on a Facebook group posted this today.

Laredo Tugger · 05-15-2019, 03:36 AM

After welding added plate to the bumper mounting where it connects to the trailers main frame I-beam, I also bolted and welded Safety Struts to the rear bumper. I have the trailer spare and two bikes on the rear bumper with no problems.
RMc

https://www.amazon.com/Mount-n-Lock-...e%2C168&sr=1-1

Snoking · 10-03-2019, 01:58 PM

I bought a used bar that goes across the front of the bed and has two fork mounts. I see several versions of similar mounts online. We just travel 1750 miles with this setup. Very happy. Get to watch them in the mirror while traveling.

Here is a bar like the one I got on CL. Chris

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Yak...sAAOSw8GJc0LKL

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