Bumper capacity

grandpalee · 09-05-2019, 10:03 AM

I have a Rockwood 2018 Mimi light #2504
Want to put a bike rack on the back bumper two bikes,
Wanted to know if this is safe?
Was told by were we bought it would be to much weight on the bumper ?
Any thoughts or suggestions ?
Thanks [emoji4]

**ependydad** · 09-05-2019, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Was told by were we bought it would be to much weight on the bumper ?

Didn't like their answer, so you came here?

I have 2 different friends who slapped bike hitches on the bumpers of rigs (don't recall brands) and both drug them down the highway after a few trips.

I wouldn't do it.

**bikendan** · 09-05-2019, 10:24 AM

Your TT has an ultralight frame and a weakly welded bumper.
Unless you have a receiver welded and braced to the frame and bumper, the bumper welds could fail.
But doing such a mod may void the frame warranty, if it's a new TT.
Rockwood used to put a warning sticker on the bumper.

s1njin · 09-05-2019, 10:29 AM

Try adding a pair of these:

Bumper Bracket

5picker · 09-05-2019, 10:34 AM

This is a discussion that comes up here almost every week.

LOTS of prior discussion on this.

Many of the ultra/mini lites DO NOT have a bumper capable of supporting the weight of anything other than a sewer hose.

Many have beefed up the bumper with the supports mentioned or have added bracing to the frame area.

It really depends on YOUR particular model and we are not there to look at it so we are simply passing along suggestions and experiences of others in similar situations.

Any photos you could share of the bumper gauge/thickness or how it is attached to the frame/rear supports?

s1njin · 09-05-2019, 10:41 AM

On that note, my MiniLite has the spare tire mounted to the bumper, which is welded to the frame. I believe they've been like this awhile, so I would hope the bumper wouldn't fall off just from the spare.

It HAS however kept me from putting my BumperQ on the back. Which sorta pisses me off a little as the mounts I linked above would interfere with the swing arm of my BumperQ.

I really REALLY like my BumperQ ....

Bills BumperQ

007matman · 09-05-2019, 10:43 AM

Saw the results of someone doing this on the interstate just a month or two ago.

Carbon fiber bike shrapnel in the road (hardly recognizable as it had been ran over a couple of times already. Several miles up the road an RV with a couple standing beside it with the bumper bent and dragging on the road.. bike rack still attached but broken.

I'm going to bet the bike was probably worth big bucks. I'd be sick. Not worth it.

A32Deuce · 09-05-2019, 12:55 PM

They have a mount that goes over the propane tanks. I think that would be better and you can keep an eye on them!

**bikendan** · 09-05-2019, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A32Deuce

They have a mount that goes over the propane tanks. I think that would be better and you can keep an eye on them!

If I didn't have a ball mount bike rack, on my truck's bumper, I'd go with an A-frame mount system.
My bikes are too valuable to risk them on the trailers bumper.

007matman · 09-05-2019, 01:17 PM

I don't see anything in your profile about your tow vehicle. What do you have?

Otherwise, if that isn't an option I'd look at the rack others have mentioned that mount on the A-FRAME up front.

How many bikes you need to haul?

aeblank · 09-05-2019, 02:10 PM

https://i.imgur.com/amf0yhV.jpg?1

A step stool might be needed though.

tomkatb · 09-05-2019, 02:36 PM

You know they make front receiver hitches for trucks. Bolt on.

Plenty of capacity.

rockfordroo · 09-05-2019, 09:58 PM

grandpaylee:

As mentioned, the bumpers as built are too weak for bike racks. The Safety Struts seem to be OK. Haven't seen a single posting of a problem with them. (Some people buy 4 and put two each side of the frame.)

See post #12 here for the beefed up receiver I had welded onto my Mini Lite 2503S. (Post #2 is the one I had on my Roo 19). A good weld shop can do it for $300-400.

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...-107358-2.html

I'm on my 5th season with no issues. I have a Thule 990XT platform rack. Note that most racks will say "not for use on travel trailers," but I have not had any issues with mine (it's probably 10 years old at this point).

Here's a pic of it on my Mini Lite:

Click image for larger version

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I added LED tail/brake/turn signal lights to it so I can cover the bikes (which tends to hide the TT's lights).

I know Swagman makes an RV qualified rack - check etrailer.com.

TitanMike · 09-06-2019, 10:43 AM

Another factor to be considered is the weight of the bikes. Some bikes can weigh 20# and others 50-60# (like an e-bike with fat tires).

It may be possible to add reinforcement like the struts to make the bumper strong enough but consider whether the frame itself is strong enough to support the extra weight. Too much weight and one might just end up with a kink starting at the rear spring mount on the frame.

**bikendan** · 09-06-2019, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TitanMike

Another factor to be considered is the weight of the bikes. Some bikes can weigh 20# and others 50-60# (like an e-bike with fat tires).

It may be possible to add reinforcement like the struts to make the bumper strong enough but consider whether the frame itself is strong enough to support the extra weight. Too much weight and one might just end up with a kink starting at the rear spring mount on the frame.

And remember that most trailers dont have shocks, like Motorhomes do. So once the bouncing weight of the bikes start flexing the rack back and down, the forces on the bumper can weaken the welds.

TitanMike · 09-06-2019, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikendan

And remember that most trailers dont have shocks, like Motorhomes do. So once the bouncing weight of the bikes start flexing the rack back and down, the forces on the bumper can weaken the welds.

My MicroLite has torsion axles and I don't seem to notice as much bounce as my old TT that had leaf springs.

Like I said, I don't NOTICE as much, not to say that it's not there.

Having watched a few bikes on bike racks using "Hitch Mounts" on all kinds of vehicles, there's a lot of "bounce" in the rack itself. If I were to hang bikes on the back or ANY vehicle I'd make sure I had a method of securing them that prevents the movement back and forth of the bike which then leads to flex in the rack.

Years of hauling dirt bikes taught me the perils of letting them move excessively.

A32Deuce · 09-06-2019, 02:39 PM

I have a hitch rack that mounts the bikes which you tie/clamp to the rack then put a bag cover over them. Nothing moves then.

**Herk7769** · 09-06-2019, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grandpalee

I have a Rockwood 2018 Mimi light #2504
Want to put a bike rack on the back bumper two bikes,
Wanted to know if this is safe?
Was told by were we bought it would be to much weight on the bumper ?
Any thoughts or suggestions ?
Thanks [emoji4]

You were told correctly. Mini-lites have ultra low weight frames and flimsy bumpers that tend to crack at the welds due to twisting when add-ons such as bike racks are added.