Crusader 294 Rear Bumper Strength

[xcopper]

Has anyone used a spare tire bike rack or added a bumper receiver adapter and then used a receiver hitch bike rack? As many do, I am looking for a safe way to bring along 2 bikes. Total weight of bikes and rack would be approx. 100 lbs. I would rather not add a front receiver to the tow rig. But that will remain an option. Please chime in with thoughts, and/or real life experience.

[Samaka]

I made a hitch receiver for the bumper on my 285RST and bolted it around the bumper.
Most people on here will tell you not to do it as it will void warranty.
I shipped my camper to Australia and apparently this automatically voided my warranty so it didn't worry me.
I did check the way the bar was welded to the frame and could see it was strong enough.

[Samaka]

Sorry. I meant 295RST.

[ghiotom]

I've used a bumper receiver hitch and a hitch mounted bike rack on my Crusader 335BH and have had no issues. At times I've used 3 bikes, sometimes 2. I check all the welds regularly.I put myself (190 LBS.) on the back of the rack and jumped up and down and felt comfortable that it could carry the weight of 2 or 3 bikes safely even with the bouncing. Most others will tell you not to do it, in fact, the bike rack itself may tell you not to use it on a trailer. The type of bumper you have and how it's attached to the frame is very important.

[xcopper]

With the receiver, is there a spare tire attached to the bumper as well ? The bumper on this 294 seems moderately substantial, more so than some that are soley there as hose storage. Of course, I do not think it stout enough for towing.

[WEMig]

I've beefed mine up with 4" angle bracing the bumper and welded to the frame, professionally done. I was hesitant to hang anything off of it before I did this, just from the posts I've heard on this site. I pull a trailer with a golf cart on it now.

[xcopper]

Originally Posted by WEMig

I've beefed mine up with 4" angle bracing the bumper and welded to the frame, professionally done. I was hesitant to hang anything off of it before I did this, just from the posts I've heard on this site. I pull a trailer with a golf cart on it now.

I am assuming, which has gotten me in trouble, that since a spare tire came attached to the bumper that it has some engineered carrying ability. Would attaching the receiver hitch adapter and bike rack exceed any weight limits the factory bumper might have ?

[WEMig]

Originally Posted by xcopper

I am assuming, which has gotten me in trouble, that since a spare tire came attached to the bumper that it has some engineered carrying ability. Would attaching the receiver hitch adapter and bike rack exceed any weight limits the factory bumper might have ?

I would make that same assumption. In the first year, I exited a parking lot which the angle caused the spare tire to hit the road. In my opinion, the spare hanging from the bumper of a Crusader is to low. I removed it and now carry my spare in the front compartment. It fits snugly behind the front jack rod in that compartment.

You may get additional feedback on this forum that will advise that these bumpers will fail. I didn't give it a chance.

[Fred H.]

I also have looked at how the bumper is welded to the frame. In my opinion I believe the bumper is ok to use a bike rack. However....I removed the spare tire and stored it in the front compartment. I won't take a chance on adding the extra weight of a bike carrier plus the weight of bikes plus the weight of a spare tire.

Just take the tire bracket and tire off and replace with your bike carrier. Weight should be a swap with no problem.

I'm just going to be sure they won't bounce too much to strike the back of the rig.

[Fred H.]

While at the Rally, I noticed many 5th. wheel's with their spare tires mounted underneath.
I looked at how they were mounted to the frame. Seems that one should be able to contact the manufactures of those 5th. wheel's and possibly order a spare tire carrier. Then mount it under the Crusader and all problems solved about bumper tire racks.

[WEMig]

Originally Posted by Fred H.

While at the Rally, I noticed many 5th. wheel's with their spare tires mounted underneath.
I looked at how they were mounted to the frame. Seems that one should be able to contact the manufactures of those 5th. wheel's and possibly order a spare tire carrier. Then mount it under the Crusader and all problems solved about bumper tire racks.

I've looked into that before. There are several manufacturers that offer the spare tire mount for mounting underneath the camper to include Lippert. Doesn't seem to be that difficult to do on your own.

[keepaeyeonit]

Here is another option for your bikes. Happy camping

[cwc510117]

I put 4 bikes on my 335 I also had the spare tire on the back but threw it under the bed after our 1st flat tire as I was always worried about about the weight.


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[marni]

Originally Posted by xcopper

Has anyone used a spare tire bike rack or added a bumper receiver adapter and then used a receiver hitch bike rack? As many do, I am looking for a safe way to bring along 2 bikes. Total weight of bikes and rack would be approx. 100 lbs. I would rather not add a front receiver to the tow rig. But that will remain an option. Please chime in with thoughts, and/or real life experience.

Had the same question of using a receiver hitch bike rack. Asked the tech at the RV dealership. Was told the hitch as welded would not support a rack as welded from the factory. Would have to incorporate the receiver hitch into the main frame of the trailer due to the amount of bounce a bike rack would generate. This gets costly I guess . Would like to hear any other solutions.

[CWSWine]

I removed my spare tire and mount and the Grill and Mount from my back bumper that weight 133 lbs that was installed by the factory. I put my bike rack and two bikes that weigh 76 lbs on the back bumper. People tell me the bikes jumps up and down and will cause the frame to crack, walls and cabinets to separate but so far so good. That grill mounted on the folding swing arm bounce a lot more than bike does and the grill weights as much as one of bikes. I put my spare in my basement but plan on getting a tire rack installed under the 5er.

[Fred H.]

keepaeyeonit;
I don't think the set up of a bike rack on the king pin hitch would work. I know it won't with my set up as I have a short box PU, 6.5ft. without a slider hitch. I would assume the bikes would hit the cab on a sharp turn backing up.

[xcopper]

Thanks to all who have given their thoughts on the rear bike rack issue. It seems, to me, that placing the bikes on the rear bumper upon any kind of a bike rack is a role of the dice at best. Unless you have the bumper strengthened in some manner. Even then, some say the bounce and the out-of-sight worry causes great concern. Right or wrong I think I will opt for a front receiver and carry carry the bikes in front. May not be real pretty but at least it will be me running over the bikes rather than some unsuspecting citizen.
Hope some of you are out west and will make it to Cannon Beach.

[keepaeyeonit]

Originally Posted by Fred H.

keepaeyeonit;
I don't think the set up of a bike rack on the king pin hitch would work. I know it won't with my set up as I have a short box PU, 6.5ft. without a slider hitch. I would assume the bikes would hit the cab on a sharp turn backing up.

Thanks I forgot to mention it only works with a long bed truck.

[Night Stone]

Cannon Beach is nice, loved the campground but walk to the beach is like a mile. If you ever goto a restaurant called Driftwood, try the salmon, pricy dish but very tasty worth every bite.

[irishrv]

Canon beach in September. That is a real jewel.


2014 295rst champ te
2009 2500hd GMC d/a