I would like to put a bike rack (one that holds 2 bikes), on the back of our 2014 Tracer 230FBS travel trailer. Was going to have the dealer put a 2" receiver on it,(as it is brand new, and we've not picked it up yet), but the dealer says he won't do it, as it voids the warranty.
I think I have seen other campers with a hitch/receiver on the back, but if it will void the warranty, I don't think I want to do it. What alternatives do I have???
I have seen some people mount a bike rack on the front of their truck. It is not a bad idea as they are always visible to the driver and front seat passenger. I am assuming you would have to come off the frame somehow, but not sure on the specifics.
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Ron and Elizabeth
2014 Rockwood 8285-IKWS
2006 Ford F250 6.0 Diesel 4x4
There's a lot of discussions throughout the forums on bike carriers and you'll see several different options suggested. From what I recall (posted in no particular order)
1) Put the bikes in the TT.
2) Put the bikes in the bed of the truck.
3) Mount to the front of the truck.
4) Mount that goes over the propane bottles.
5) Mount that clamps to rear bumper (tends to unadvised.)
6) Mount to rear ladder (tends to be unadvised)
7) Put a hitch on anyways and forget about warranty (tends to be unadvised.)
We go with #1, but out TT has a bike door specifically for that option. Most don't.
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I just had a 2" receiver installed on the front of my truck for this exact purpose. I used a platform in the 2" receiver on the back of our Class C and carried bicycles all over the place. But as you say, it is a no-no on the back of most trailers.
The platform goes on the front of the truck and sits low enough to not block my view. I did add fiberglass poles on each front corner so I know how far the platform sticks out.
I am very happy with this soultion. As my wife is physically challenged, she has a tricycle. It was a major hassle to get it in the bed of the truck, over the 5th wheel hitch and tied down. Now I just roll it onto the platform and tie it down.
Just last week, one of the guys on another posting turned us on to this front receiver hitch from Bodiak. It's really cool and looks like its made in good ole USA. Check it out. Bodiak Hitches
__________________ North Carolina born and bred
2010 Sandpiper 345RET
2011 2500 Duramax Silverado
2001 Centurion Elite Bowrider direct drive
"Old water skier"
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I would like to put a bike rack (one that holds 2 bikes), on the back of our 2014 Tracer 230FBS travel trailer. Was going to have the dealer put a 2" receiver on it,(as it is brand new, and we've not picked it up yet), but the dealer says he won't do it, as it voids the warranty.
I think I have seen other campers with a hitch/receiver on the back, but if it will void the warranty, I don't think I want to do it. What alternatives do I have???
What do you tow your Tracer with?
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Heartland Big Country 3150RL
2013 Ford SD F250 4x4 SC; 6.2
Reese 18K Elite w/slider - Rockford, Michigan
There are plenty of dealers that will install a reciever hitch. Ive welded them on and so long as you weld it correctly and tie into the frame correctly they work good. I also would never advise hanging four bikes off of one. I tend to only hang two and put the third in the truck or the camper. It would only void your warranty if the modification itself led to a failure. There are laws against voiding the warranty for installing something comepletely un-realted.
I would never ever trust a bolt on hitch. The bumper itself is not strong enough to handle the twisting.
Take a good look at the bumper on the trailer, I'd bet it is only 16 gage steel.
Not gonna hold for long, do pick another option.
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2016 F350 6.7L LB CC Reese 28K 2014 Chaparral Lite 266sab
"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." 2014 19 days camping 2015 17 days camping201620 days camping
There are plenty of dealers that will install a reciever hitch. Ive welded them on and so long as you weld it correctly and tie into the frame correctly they work good. I also would never advise hanging four bikes off of one. I tend to only hang two and put the third in the truck or the camper. It would only void your warranty if the modification itself led to a failure. There are laws against voiding the warranty for installing something comepletely un-realted.
I would never ever trust a bolt on hitch. The bumper itself is not strong enough to handle the twisting.
I've been doing a lot of research. Apparently, it is not good at all to hang a bike rack on the back of our new Tracer 230FBS camper. Of all the bike racks I looked at, 2 options seem to be the best.
The first is the Bodiak hitch, which slips over the existing tow hooks on the front of our 2014 Silverado 2500HD Crew Cab pickup. The only thing is that I'm not sure if I like the thought of going down the road with 2 bikes in front of the truck - seems as though it would block the headlights?
The other option that I really liked was the Curt Clamp-on Bike Rack. It clamps to the actual 2" hitch bar (so, between the truck & the camper)on the hitch, itself. It would add a little to the hitch weight, but the Tracer is a pretty lite camper anyway and with the 2500HD, I don't think it would be a problem.
I would like to hear from anybody that has used the Curt Clamp-on Bike Rack, to see how they like it?
Prior to installing a two bike frame carrier, we checked our bumper for any information and/or warning, did not find any. Our spare tire and wheel are already mounted and this bike rack attach's with two large u-bolts to the bumper behind the spare tire which is mounted in the same manner. The bikes together weigh like forty pounds, both are light weights. Also, just for the safety factor had three gussett plates welded on from the coach frame to the bumper. Figure that combination is probably over kill, will have to wait and see.
Plus we purchased a big bag to cover the bikes when in transit. Considered mounting bikes on front of tow vehicle, but the feed back we received made sense when you consider the bikes are out there in the rain, bugs, sand and rocks, anyone of these can ruin a good bike especially one that you have some bucks invested in.
Thanks for the information on how others address this issue....we are just before leaving ouit on our 12k mile excursion to Alaska/Canada from Chatsworth, GA.
I have seen some people mount a bike rack on the front of their truck. It is not a bad idea as they are always visible to the driver and front seat passenger. I am assuming you would have to come off the frame somehow, but not sure on the specifics.
This is how we roll...I mounted a receiver hitch on the front of our pick up. Nice to be able to keep an eye on them going down the road.
Can anyone explain why a bike rack on the back bumper is a "no-no," but a spare tire seems to be OK. I've carried a tandem on the back bumper of most of my RVs. The bike rack is the kind that comes in two separate pieces that hold the wheels. The TT spare goes in the truck. The weight is not significantly different and the stress is spread more broadly over the bumper. It strikes me as safer than a spare tire, but perhaps I'm courting disaster.
Can anyone explain why a bike rack on the back bumper is a "no-no," but a spare tire seems to be OK. I've carried a tandem on the back bumper of most of my RVs. The bike rack is the kind that comes in two separate pieces that hold the wheels. The TT spare goes in the truck. The weight is not significantly different and the stress is spread more broadly over the bumper. It strikes me as safer than a spare tire, but perhaps I'm courting disaster.
[QUOTE=LKicklight;601740]Prior to installing a two bike frame carrier, we checked our bumper for any information and/or warning, did not find any.
Rockwood didn't place any sticker ON my bumper either, but....they slyly placed one inside my pantry door warning of voiding my warranty for anything being attached to the bumper.
Bike rack for our camper?
I've been doing a lot of research. Apparently, it is not good at all to hang a bike rack on the back of our new Tracer 230FBS camper. Of all the bike racks I looked at, 2 options seem to be the best.
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