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06-08-2014, 04:11 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Clermont, FL
Posts: 35
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Bike Rack Suggestion
I have a 17BH Viking... any recommendations for bike racks? Can I put a bike rack on the back bumper near the spare tire? Thanks for your suggestions. I know I can call the dealer, but I like your real world advice best.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 3.
__________________
--Vic, Clermont, FL
2013 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT w/ e2
2014 Coachman Viking 17BH
Nights Out YTD - 17 (6 Trips)
Travel Companions - DW, DS (5) & DS (1)
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06-08-2014, 04:18 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Idaho
Posts: 9,839
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My lite came with a spare tire and mount on the bumper, I removed both and put the bike rack on, I am not suggesting you do the same nor do I recommend you have both on the bumper.
Do you know of any factory stickers on the bumper or near it with a warning or weight rating?
__________________
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
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06-08-2014, 04:40 PM
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#3
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Clermont, FL
Posts: 35
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It does have a spare tire on the bumper... and five baby wren. I didn't see any weight stickers on the bumper. I briefly stood on it just to see how it was attached - it appears to be welded directly to the frame. I'd prefer something on the back as opposed to the front to avoid the extra tongue weight. But, I certainly understand that those front racks over the propane tank look the best in terms of durability. We have a 600 mile trip next month and I'm trying to find a better spot than in the back of the van.
__________________
--Vic, Clermont, FL
2013 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT w/ e2
2014 Coachman Viking 17BH
Nights Out YTD - 17 (6 Trips)
Travel Companions - DW, DS (5) & DS (1)
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06-08-2014, 04:45 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Idaho
Posts: 9,839
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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
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06-08-2014, 04:52 PM
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#5
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Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Goodyear, Arizona
Posts: 33,758
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please do a search on this topic as there is another similar thread about the same thing just a few threads from yours.
the physics of the spare tire on a bouncing trailer's bumper, is very different than the physics of a loaded bike rack on the bumper.
__________________
Dan-Retired California Firefighter/EMT
Shawn-Musician/Entrepreneur/Wine Expert
and Zoe the Wonder Dog(R.I.P.) 
2016 PrimeTime TracerAIR 255, pushing a 2014 Ford F150 SCREW XTR 4x4 3.5 Ecoboost w/Max Tow Package
4pt Equal-i-zer WDH and 1828lbs of payload capacity
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06-09-2014, 06:58 AM
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#6
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Clermont, FL
Posts: 35
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Roof rack is the answer. I forgot about that, especially since I have the Stow N Go bars on the roof.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 3.
__________________
--Vic, Clermont, FL
2013 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT w/ e2
2014 Coachman Viking 17BH
Nights Out YTD - 17 (6 Trips)
Travel Companions - DW, DS (5) & DS (1)
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06-09-2014, 07:03 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Idaho
Posts: 9,839
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Quote:
Originally Posted by VicD
Roof rack is the answer. I forgot about that, especially since I have the Stow N Go bars on the roof.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 3.
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More than one way to pack a bike or two.
__________________
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
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06-09-2014, 07:49 AM
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#8
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Mod free 5er
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 24,702
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Quote:
Originally Posted by VicD
Roof rack is the answer. I forgot about that, especially since I have the Stow N Go bars on the roof.
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Smart move, DO NOT PUT ANY NON FACTORY ITEM ON THE BACK BUMPER regardless of what anyone says they've done. Too many catastrophes for the one or two that got away with it. It's like playing Russian roulette with your bumper, bikes etc.
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06-09-2014, 08:03 AM
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#9
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Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 34,507
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My thoughts
TURBS
"Sabre owners united"
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06-10-2014, 02:28 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 174
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Might have to rethink mine after all these posts. My bumper says I can put 150 lbs off it, nervous now.
kids think tt stands for tan turd. 
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07-17-2014, 06:48 AM
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#11
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Ohio
Posts: 28
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Just bought a 2015 Coachmen Chaparral Signature fifth wheel that came with a Lippert Tailgate System fold down slotted rack. It seems to be unusable as a bike rack which it is advertised to be. When the bicycle tires go down in the slots, the sprocket is resting on the middle bars. This would result in ruined bikes. Called Lippert--they couldn't find any info on it. This comes standard on all the new signature chapparal. Anyone have any ideas??
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07-19-2014, 02:39 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Ontario
Posts: 131
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We have that notice on our bumper also and since it's a new trailer we don't want to void the warranty. After watching a fifth wheel go up a nearby street which has a slight grade but relatively smooth, and his bumper mounted bikes were bouncing and flexing the mount backward, we are more than happy just to stick our bikes in the truck and pack around them.
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07-19-2014, 02:42 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Idaho
Posts: 9,839
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LindyLu
Just bought a 2015 Coachmen Chaparral Signature fifth wheel that came with a Lippert Tailgate System fold down slotted rack. It seems to be unusable as a bike rack which it is advertised to be. When the bicycle tires go down in the slots, the sprocket is resting on the middle bars. This would result in ruined bikes. Called Lippert--they couldn't find any info on it. This comes standard on all the new signature chapparal. Anyone have any ideas??
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Would you mind posting a couple of pictures?
__________________
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
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07-19-2014, 03:20 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 10,907
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Quote:
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flexing the mount backward
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A certain amount of flexing is supposed to happen. If it was too brittle, it would break off immediately. The Boeing 787 wing flexes something like 12 FEET.
__________________
1988 Coleman Sequoia - popup (1987-2009) - outlasted 3 Dodge Grand Caravans!
2012 Roo19 - hybrid (2012-2015)
2016 Mini Lite 2503S - tt (2015 - ???)
2011 Traverse LT, 3.6L, FWD
2009 Silverado 1500 Ext Cab, 5.3L, 4x4, 3.73
2016 Silverado 2500HD Dbl Cab, 6.0L 4x4, 4.10
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07-19-2014, 06:22 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 710
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My Surveyor has a similar factory installed swing down bike rack except the floor is constructed with steel grate. I bought bike carriers that bolt to the floor and work quite well. Don't know if you could adapt them to your rack but i thought I'd let you know. Good luck.
Here's the link on ebay;
Stromberg Carlson Bike Carrier Use with Cargo Carrier CC 100 | eBay
The only down side is that you can't swing the rack back up with them attached as the carriers hit the back of the RV. I just leave it down all the time since when ever we travel, the bikes go with us anyway.
__________________
Heartland Big Country 3150RL
2013 Ford SD F250 4x4 SC; 6.2
Reese 18K Elite w/slider - Rockford, Michigan
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