Bike Racks

[jgtrupe]

2006 Roo 233.

Need to transport 4 bikes (trailer weight and tow vehicle capacity not an issue).

Wondering if I can mount a hitch receiver in the Roo's bumper (Curt RV bumper 2"trailer hitch receiver) and add a trailer hitch bike rack (like a Swagman 4-Bike carrier).

Anyone know the specs for tongue weight / carrying capacity for the bumper of a 2006 Roo?

Other ideas for carrying bikes or toys??
(Hauling them inside the trailer doesn't thrill the wife... Roof racks for the Roo???)

Thanks!
-John-

[FreedomTracker]

John,
Lots of threads on FRF that discuss this... Most don't recommend. Will void your FR warranty and possibly damage TT frame/fiberglass.
Suggest do a search and read the numerous posts on this subject.

I once considered it too b/c I had previously done this will a PUP. Ended up putting the bikes in the bed of TV.

If after doing your research you still want to add receiver, suggest you visit a welding shop with lots of experience with building hitches that can custom build. This is not something you want off the rack.

Good luck!

[donn]

For several years we carried 4 bikes inside our trailer. Bought a nice chrome bike rack, the kind you see on the street only smaller and placed all of our bikes in the aisle. worked great.

[fz_sledhead]

Aside from the bumper/frame issues, be sure that your bike rack is OK on the back of a trailer. I have a 4 place Swagman and despite its significant construction, it explicitly states that it is not for use on the back for a trailer.

The amount of bouncing and there for strain back there is immense, especially on a a 4 place where the bikes are hang 2+ feet out.

I still think that with 4 bikes they either go on/in the TV or on the trailer (in a rack) is your best bet.

[bikendan]

there are literally thousands of posts about NOT doing what you want.
the bumper and the welds, on ultra-lite frames, like the Roo has, are thin and will fail, due to the flexing and bouncing the bikes will cause.
there are no shocks on travel trailers, therefore all the bouncing will pull back and down on the bumper.

but since you don't have to worry about the frame's warranty, since it's expired, you can have a welding shop, weld and brace a receiver to the bumper AND the frame.
and buy the beefiest bike rack you can find, that will handle holding the bikes out and stand the physics it'll be subjected to.

can't you put the bikes on a roof rack, where you can see them? makes more sense than putting them where you can't see them until you see them in the rear mirror, bouncing down the road.
a roof rack will be cheaper, safer and usable for other purposes.

[jgtrupe]

Thanks for the replies.

Looks like I will have to convince the wife to have the bikes inside the trailer.

Any ideas on removable bike racks for indoor transport?

Thanks again.

-John-

[biken201]

I'm not sure if you can make it out from this picture (and I don't know what kind of TV you have), but we solved the bike issue by putting lockable fork mounts on the side rails of the pickup bed. The bed itself has a folding/locking cover that secures our "stuff," and I put the bikes (attached to the mounts) on top of the bed cover. The bikes are exposed to the elements, but it works for what we do and where we go. I'll try to post a closer picture when I get a chance (darn work takes up so much of my time!).

[biken201]

Here you go...

[MtnGuy]

I don't see where the OP mentions his TV.

For many SUVs, roof racks are already in place, and make an excellent way to carry bikes.

As biken201 mentioned, putting fork mounts on the siderails ( or bed front) can work .

I wanted to keep the bikes out of the bed, so I mount mine suspended above the bed.

Carrying the bikes on the TV allows you to already have the bikes at the ready if you need to drive somewhere to leave on your bikes, instead of unloading them from the trailer to the TV.

[Canuck_Doug]

I recently added an Arvika A frame mounted carrier and posted http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ack-23345.html here in the Roo section. Check it out.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Canuck_Doug

I recently added an Arvika A frame mounted carrier and posted http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ack-23345.html here in the Roo section. Check it out.

very difficult to find dealers in the U.S. and it's a very expensive setup.

[fz_sledhead]

John,

Here's a link to one of my earlier posts on the subject, including what we do to carry the bikes inside, along with a link to the rack that we use.

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...tml#post200062

Brian

[miatared]

Originally Posted by bikendan

very difficult to find dealers in the U.S. and it's a very expensive setup.

You are right - expensive, but it's a specialty product, low sales volume, it explains the price.

When you think about it, look at all bike racks from Yakima, Thule, etc. They are all very expensive, be it for skis, kayaks, snowboards and bicycles....

I made my own. If you are like me, with a friend who's good with metal, you can make it too. Could easily be adapted for 4 bikes.

[g_brouwer]

this is the bike mod, i just completed. With the current set up, i can carry six bikes. i ended up cutting off the stock bumper and reinstalled with a 4" x 2" tubing. I prefer the set up in the front as im able to see the bikes while in transit. the entire mod cost me $500 plus the cost of the bike racks (which i already owned)

[flaggerjohn]

We carried 4 bikes on the bumper of our 2007 Roo and that lasted about 4 years. After last years vacation, my son noticed that the welds were all cracked on our rear bumper. Can't find a decent trustworthy welder right now so this trip, we're just removing wheels and storing bikes in the back of our tow vehicle.