I'm finally convinced

Rugged Brown · 08-15-2011, 07:18 PM

I'm finally convinced that the 4 " rear bumper on my Flagstaff Fiver is nothing more than a sewer hose holder. I initially bucked the trend and connected a bike rack to it. After travelling 3000 kms, I almost lost my bikes twice and the constant shaking and rubbing nearly cracked the rear window and gouged the aluminium trim and rubbed the black paint. I since filed, sanded and painted it. Because of this, I also removed the spare tire and will now carry it in the truck bed along with the bikes, if I even decide to take them. the bikes gotdamaged as well just shaking to pieces back there. Live and learn.

TURBS · 08-15-2011, 07:25 PM

deja vu !
installed a bike rack on my 832bhss 2006 tt the kind that goes into a receiver hitch and has a long square tube bent in various angles to support up to 4 bikes. and 60 miles later I had 3 perfectly round holes in the back of my tt where the bike handle bars went thru from bouncing.
I was not happy.
i have an actual bike rack installed on my new 32 bhok-6 from the factory ive yet to use it for bikes .. i think cooler storage is all that it will see . not tempting fate again !

Ovair · 08-15-2011, 07:27 PM

I would tend to agree. The bumpers on most campers aren't very sturdy. A colleague of mine had to have his bumper welded to repair the tear in it caused by his bikes.
Thin sheet metal folded into a box and tack welded at the seam. Yup, not much more than a hose holder.

**bikendan** · 08-15-2011, 10:02 PM

this should be a sticky we can refer people to, when they ask can they bolt a bike rack to their cheesy bumper!

TURBS · 08-15-2011, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikendan

this should be a sticky we can refer people to, when they ask can they bolt a bike rack to their cheesy bumper!

x2 to the sticky

NO YOU CANNOT STICK A BIKE RACK TO A RV BUMPER WITH OUT MODIFICATIONS AND REINFORCEMENTS !

Triguy · 08-16-2011, 10:21 AM

x3 on the sticky!!

I know better but am always tempted when talking with various campers at CGs we visit who tell me their bumper/bike rack set up is great ... no problems ... not an issue.

Some of these are on trailers that are obviously sturdier than mine, but others are on my exact model or on a Roo.

Thanks for telling it like it is Rugged Brown!

tking01_2000 · 08-16-2011, 12:23 PM

No issues with mine !

trudinator · 08-17-2011, 03:09 PM

The only thing we use our bumper for is to hold out wet rugs for the trip home. They're not designed or built to be used as anything more than a sewer hose receptacle.

fivecodys · 08-17-2011, 06:26 PM

I've been hauling 2 bikes on my bumper for the last two years.
Did I miss something?

Bill

Rugged Brown · 08-17-2011, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fivecodys

I've been hauling 2 bikes on my bumper for the last two years.
Did I miss something?

Bill

Don't worry. Some day the light will come on for you too.

tking01_2000 · 08-17-2011, 07:07 PM

Of do check it on the tripst and no issues to new this is like a towing question every one has a opinion

**Herk7769** · 08-17-2011, 07:34 PM

I knew I was in trouble my fist trip south with a bike rack on my bumper (the kind that wraps around the spare tire carrier. You can see it in this photo.

The rubber end caps kept working lose and it took me the entire trip to figure out that the bikes were twisting that thin metal box tube and allowing the rubber caps to work out. Since we stopped every night and I hammered the caps back in it was about GA that I actually lost one.

I nursed the bike rack back home and threw that bike mount away.

I put one on the nose of the truck this time and it worked great. It did cost me about 1 MPG and about 5 degrees hotter trans fluid though.

DW hurt her knee and the bikes are in the shed for good now.

**bikendan** · 08-18-2011, 01:00 AM

not all rear bumpers are built the same. almost all ultra-lite trailers/5th wheels have flimsy bumpers. to save weight.
motorhomes and 5th wheels with heavy duty frames usually have much stronger bumpers.
plus travel trailers don't have shocks, so the bouncing is a key contributor to bumper failure.

**Herk7769** · 08-18-2011, 05:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikendan

not all rear bumpers are built the same. almost all ultra-lite trailers/5th wheels have flimsy bumpers. to save weight.
motorhomes and 5th wheels with heavy duty frames usually have much stronger bumpers.
plus travel trailers don't have shocks, so the bouncing is a key contributor to bumper failure.

Very true.

Pkdennis0504 · 08-19-2011, 12:25 PM

I guess we got lucky. Our Cherokee Grey Wolf 25rb came with a platform on the rear bumper that folds down to hold bikes, xtra gear, etc. I didn't realize that camper rear numbers are most often barely useful!

TURBS · 08-19-2011, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pkdennis0504

I guess we got lucky. Our Cherokee Grey Wolf 25rb came with a platform on the rear bumper that folds down to hold bikes, xtra gear, etc. I didn't realize that camper rear numbers are most often barely useful!

They platform style is far better than most other bike carriers.
Way less flex

Dakota EV · 08-19-2011, 01:35 PM

I was thinking about attaching a bike rack to rear bumper on our TT but then I checked with the factory rep and found out that they do not recommend it on our TT. So I have installed a front receiver on my TV instead. This will also give me a place to haul the generator when we need to take it with us.

Happy Camping,

fivecodys · 08-19-2011, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rugged Brown

Don't worry. Some day the light will come on for you too.

What's that supposed to mean?
I've been doing it for three years with no broken welds.
I am only carrying 2 bikes.

Bill

Jorman · 08-19-2011, 04:14 PM

What about a rack on the ladder? I've been reluctant fearing that the ladder couldn't take it.

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