Bicycle Rack for a Windjammer?

[Lloydg]

Closing that gap sounds like a good way to correct the bouncing I was told about. Wish I could have mentioned that to the camper I was talking with, but I've left.

[Jammer3025]

Originally Posted by Capt. Mike

Jammer3025,

Here's another front-end rack that requires no cutting or drilling, and supposedly attaches and comes off very easily.

Bodiak Hitches

I looked at this, and I'm also looking at folding bikes from Camping World, that I could carry inside our RV or in the pickup with our tonneau cover in place.

Bodiak Emailed me back today, and said they haven't got one to fit the 2014 Ram 2500 yet. They need to take some measurements first.

[rockfordroo]

It didn't look like they covered most 1/2 tons, either, just 2500 and 3500, except for the Ford F150. It did say the Dodge 1500 "is coming." Seems like there a lot more 1500's around, you'd think they would have started with them.

[Jammer3025]

It's all good. It gives me time to contemplate my decision. In the mean time were heading to 7 feathers RV park/casino in Canyonville,OR. just to get away for awhile, and I'm going to throw the bikes in the back of the truck.

[Lloydg]

Don't hit the lab with the bikes when you "throw" them in the back!

[Jammer3025]

Naw the big boy will be riding inside the cab this trip. It's 100 degrees up there this week. Us fat boys need our A/C Ha Ha!

[hokiecampers]

If you have room in the truck bed, you might want to look at a Thule Bed Rider. It is simple to use, works well although front bike wheel needs to be removed.

[Vern]

I will further complicate your decision, but with an offer to simplify your life. I use a Dakine pickup pad, which I found on Amazon:

Amazon.com : Dakine Pickup Pad - Large Camo L : Sports & Outdoors

Costs less, takes less time, and the bikes ride like a dream. If you have room at the tailgate of your truck, this is the ticket. (Thule also makes a similar product, which I have also seen on Amazon)

Here is a video, but it doesn't show much:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfHbE60EoNA

My pad is just black (not pretty like the one in the video, and I don't have the shirt, since horizontal stripes are bad for me, but I digress). My pad is 3 years old and does not have the tie down straps for each bike. I don't go off-road with the bikes, but they literally never shift or move in transit. I've had 6 bikes on my full-sized tailgate (by the way, there are large and small sizes of these tailgate pads). I recommend this without hesitation.

[Jammer3025]

Finally got the Curt hitch installed, and it was a bear to do for an old geezer and his Dw. Put the new bike rack on also. Here's some pictures.

[Capt. Mike]

Jammer3025,

How does having the bikes up front work for you? I'm still contemplating the Bodiak hitch for my Silverado. Since we last "talked" I bought two folding bikes from Camping World so they could ride inside the trailer, then returned them. I'm too big for 20" wheels and the DW said with the smaller tires, it felt unstable to her...kind of like a car with a very short wheelbase handles differently.

So, we're back to thinking "front bike rack."

What's your experience been with your new rack?

Mike

[Jammer3025]

I just installed it today Mike, so I can't give you a fair evaluation. I have high hopes though. One nice thing about this bike rack, is that the 2" receiver is installed with a tapered bolt. This prevents the rack from bouncing around within the receiver hitch. I'll let you know soon how it works. I want to know also before I get underway.

[Jammer3025]

Sorry to hear the folding bikes didn't work out.

[rockfordroo]

One nice thing about this bike rack, is that the 2" receiver is installed with a tapered bolt. This prevents the rack from bouncing around within the receiver hitch.

My Thule rack has a nut inside the part of the rack that slides into the receiver and uses a "pinch bolt" hitch pin. It has threads and you tighten it down with a wrench.

It's kind of like this one: Anti-Rattle Hitch Pin for 2" Trailer Hitches Lets Go Aero Hitch Accessories SHP2061, except the nut and hitch bolt (and a lock for it) came with the rack.

Not sure I understand how a "tapered bolt" works.

[Jammer3025]

It's the same thing your talking about on yours. You need a wrench like yours.

[Jammer3025]

I take that back. Mine is nothing like the link you posted. The bolt has a slight taper to hit, and it tightens up the receiver the further it goes in, and then you tighten it down with a wrench. There is no movement at all once tightened down.

[rockfordroo]

I'd like to see a pic of that pin, as I'm still not getting it. Seems like if it's tapered, it would tighten up on the hole in the receiver first, and the part of the hitch that goes into the receiver would not be tight (assuming both holes are the same size). If the hole in the receiver was a little bigger, it would seem it would get tight to the hole in the hitch and then rattle around in the hole in the receiver. Is there a nut on the opposite side of the receiver or is it inside the hitch somehow?

[Jammer3025]

Here it is. Not really sure how it gets so tight in the receiver, but it is.

[Jammer3025]

From looking at this threaded pin, it doesn't do anything as far as tightening down the rack to the inside wall of the receiver hitch, but it does however tighten the main main inside bar to the inside wall of the adjustable receiver size so that there is no movement within the rack's internal parts. The 2'' receiver end is a tight fit, and once installed it does not move. It works, thats all I can say. I really like this rack .

As far as the Curt hidden frame mounted receiver, it's a nice piece as well. It was very hard to install. The Bodiak company does not make a hitch for my truck. It would have been my first choice since it just slips over the front mounted tow hooks on my truck. Oh well. The Curt hitch however can handle a straight pull of 9,000 lbs, and a 5,000 lb tongue weight, so I could use it for precision trailer parking if needed. The Bodiak model can't do that. All in all I got a really nice heavy duty setup that should work great for someone that will be full timing.

[rockfordroo]

Your pic is even more confusing, but if it works, that's what's important.

I don't understand what the two L-shaped pieces are.

[Jammer3025]

They are removable to change the hitch size from 2" to 1-1/4"