Bumper mount bike rack

[Jarsway]

Looking for a little advise on a bumper mount bike rack.
I have a 2015 solaire 267bhsk, I have installed
A 2" swagman bolt on bumper mount hitch, and I am
Using a Yakima 4 place bike rack. I noticed
The welds on the bumper to Frame are starting to crack
And I have only loaded with two bikes so far. The question
Is do I need to reinforce the bumper to the frame
To use this set up? Thanks

[Rugged Brown]

Search your very topic and find the numerous posts on why NOT to use a bumper mounted bike rack. I think you answered your own question with cracks by mounting just two bikes. How many did you intend to mount. Sit back now and listen to the music while you read the posts.

[Jarsway]

Originally Posted by Rugged Brown

Search your very topic and find the numerous posts on why NOT to use a bumper mounted bike rack. I think you answered your own question with cracks by mounting just two bikes. How many did you intend to mount. Sit back now and listen to the music while you read the posts.

Just joined, after I posted I starting searching
And I see that it appears i wasted too much
Money on the bike rack and looks like I will
Have to come up with another solution to carry
Four bikes..

[bikendan]

PLEASE post pics of this for the disbelieving masses!

a number of us constantly warn those with ultralight trailers, who want to do this.

the only way to do this with any trailer, is to have a 2" receiver welded AND braced to the frame.
the problem is that, if it's a new trailer, doing this will void the frame's warranty.
some don't care about this and have it done.

personally, my bikes are too expensive to put somewhere that i can't see them.
i always advise members to look at a roof rack system, a front hitch system, a tongue-mounted system or just put them in the trailer.
i carry mine on a bumber mounted rack that is elevated to clear the jack and batteries.

[B and B]

Thule on top of the truck. Just came back from 6,000km trip with 2 bikes on top. I have a Rocky Mountain 29er and agree worth too much on the back of the trailer. I mounted a rack on my bumper and took it off before even travelling with it. Unsafe for sure.

[ependydad]

Inside for me. Lay them on their sides on the dinette with waterproof sheets protecting each layer. Never a knick or scratch.

[Jarsway]

The dealer told me it would work and I had my doubts.
So I started with only two bikes on trips less then 75 miles.
I inspected the bumper each time and by the third small trip
Is when I had someone try to move the rack around while I looked
At the welds, and sure enough damage had started. They are extremely small
So not picture worthy, but evident enough that he rack is being removed.
Roof rack is not an option since we use it for a kayak rack. So as someone posted looks like dinette is the best option for the two larger bikes
And bed of the truck for the two kids bikes. Thanks for all
The input...

[gmacklem]

I have a truck with a rack on the bed for kayaks and have just been throwing my bikes (2 of them) in the bed of the truck. After reading your post I did a quick search and found this, which looks interesting. There were lots of other options as well. I would like to get my bikes standing up rather than laying on top of each other. I also don't want to move them in and out of the camper.

Truck Bicycle Rack - Transport Up To 4 Bicycles

[gasman6674]

You could mount a reciever on the front of your truck and then use your existing carrier. Depending on your truck most of them are a fairly easy bolt on.

[Weezer]

This thread, IMO, should be made a sticky.

Jarsway, there are two pictures within the bike stowage threads that show great options for inside the RV placement. One is a picture of the fork mount adapted to the side of the Island Kitchen cabinet. The other shows THREE bikes stored with the fork mounts on the reinforced bench seats (cushions removed) of the banquette.

Some members have posted pictures with warning stickers from the factory on their RVs, plainly stating that modifications there will void the fame warranty. I truly wish FR would do that on ALL of their RVs with lightweight bumpers/frames....a BIG sticker, equal in size to the license plate, even.

Glad you caught yours early. Bikes coming off and crashing into the windshield of a family traveling behind you would be tragic, *then* there is the damage to your RV and bikes.

[TURBS]

This.


I'd sure like to see pics of said cracks!


I concur with the sticky!

TURBS


"Sabre owners united"

[Weezer]

Originally Posted by gasman6674

You could mount a reciever on the front of your truck and then use your existing carrier. Depending on your truck most of them are a fairly easy bolt on.

DH and I were discussing this "front of the vehicle bike mounts" the other day. Is that legal? Around here, if a cop is really *looking* for a reason to pull you over, they can write you up for one of those little scent trees you hang on your rear view mirror, or more commonly around these parts; Mardi Gras beads. "visual obstruction" is the violation they cite.

On the front mounts, how far above the hood level do the bikes ride?

[gasman6674]

Originally Posted by Weezer

DH and I were discussing this "front of the vehicle bike mounts" the other day. Is that legal? Around here, if a cop is really *looking* for a reason to pull you over, they can write you up for one of those little scent trees you hang on your rear view mirror, or more commonly around these parts; Mardi Gras beads. "visual obstruction" is the violation they cite.

On the front mounts, how far above the hood level do the bikes ride?

It depends on the bike rack, Man if they are that picky I would check with LAHJ (local auth having jusidiction) Maybe some current or retired law enforcement could chime in

[dcheatwood]

Yep. I have a 2" bolt on hitch still in the box because I can't use it. But, doggone it, I got a good deal on it. Lol.

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