Has anyone used the "Up N Front" receiver?

[Kansas Camper]

We are looking at all of the options for carrying bikes on the front "A" frame of our 23 IKSS. Arvika looks nice but pricy. The Stromberg Carlson only carried 100lbs. What about the "Up n front?" It is also not cheap but has a 225 lbs capacity? Just curious if anyone has one and can comment?

[grege]

Neat idea but not sure if the stability loaded with bikes. Saw another idea where it mounted to 2 sides of the A frame on a camper this weekend. I have a pickup and just use a 2 X 6 board with fork mounts. I'm happy with it.

[drhroo]

Assuming that it needs to be removed when you lower the front bed end? We also have a 23 IKSS and this would be interesting to me if it works. We would only do 2 bikes plus the bike rack. Likely not over 100 lbs. I need to check my WDH, though. They don't list it but it may still be an issue.

[Kansas Camper]

Actually you would be able to leave the vertical bar installed. Would have to remove the bikes and the bike carrier from the receiver and should fit. I have 30.5" from the top of the frame to the bottom side of the bunk. It should have at least 1/2 inch clearance. Tight but doable. They also make a double receiver I am considering. Could put a cargo rack on the other side. Still pondering options. It is only $20 more. They even have a place to mount the spare tire freeing up "weight" available for the back bumper.

[bikendan]

Can't use a double receiver with a WDH.

[Kansas Camper]

No. The vehicle receiver is not double but the vertical portion of the Up N Front has an optional double receiver. Would not impact the WD of trailer.

[urocav2001]

Pictures?


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[Semperfi24]

Im not intimately familiar with the A frame style, but on our Mini Lite we use a "bike bunk". It mounts on the tongue in front of the camper (above the propane tanks). Basically gives you a hitch receiver that is elevated and on the front. Then you just use whichever hitch receiver mounted bike rack you prefer. I will see about posting a pic if I can find one. But, as I said, without familiarity of the A frame style, it may not be functional for your use

[drhroo]

I just watched this youtube video of the Avrika. I can see why it is more expensive. It is a more complex system offering the ability to adjust the fit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_P7u9hk7V88

I like the Avrika idea of being able to fold down the bike rack itself to supposedly allow the bed end to be deployed. But I would need to see that this actually works. I guess the sweet spot would be to adjust it high enough to clear the propane tank cover and low enough so that when the bike hitch is folded you can deploy the bed. If all that works then it would be pretty cool. I could also go with their 2" receiver setup which also looks to be adjustable but I would want to confirm that.

[rockfordroo]

I just watched this youtube video of the Avrika.

He's fortunate that his battery is in front of his propane tanks. I don't believe that would have worked on my Roo 19, with the battery in the back. His tongue appears to be longer, too. Also, with my bunk down, there was only about an inch or two (just enough to open the cover to get to the valves) between the tank cover and the bunk. (I installed a window in my tank cover so I could see what the auto regulator was doing, because you couldn't look down into the top opening with the bunk down.)

[NorSnrub]

I have a Sromburg up front on mine with a 100 lb generator on it works well. You need to replace gas bottle covers with a soft cover or take out rivets and place clips on.

[drhroo]

Originally Posted by rockfordroo

He's fortunate that his battery is in front of his propane tanks. I don't believe that would have worked on my Roo 19, with the battery in the back. His tongue appears to be longer, too. Also, with my bunk down, there was only about an inch or two (just enough to open the cover to get to the valves) between the tank cover and the bunk. (I installed a window in my tank cover so I could see what the auto regulator was doing, because you couldn't look down into the top opening with the bunk down.)

Yep. Even in the video I don't see that the bed could fold down but it may be the angles. I would definitely want to do all the measurements before I went with any of the options. At least the Avrika has some ability to adjust the fit (in/out, height, etc.) but as you say I don't know if it is enough to accommodate both the tanks and the bed. It would be nice to see pictures from someone who has tried it. I need to make a trip over to the trailer this weekend to install my WDH. Maybe I'll take some measurements afterwards as that could impact how I would install any of these options.

[drhroo]

Measured the clearance (height) on our 2016 23IKSS from the top of my tongue jack to the bed when deployed. 8.5". (The cover for the propane tanks is about a 1/2 inch lower so the issue would be the tongue jack.) Now I just need to find out if that is enough clearance with one of these bike rack gizmos fold down or whatever. But at least I have something to work with.

[RooVader]

Holy cow you have 8 inches between the bunk and jack? That seems crazy. Electric or manual? Maybe it is model differences but I bet I don't have more than an inch or two. My dk does seem to angle up as it moves toward the tongue but I assumed this was due to the frame differences.

[drhroo]

Originally Posted by RooVader

Holy cow you have 8 inches between the bunk and jack? That seems crazy. Electric or manual?

Electric. I suspect it is model differences.

[NorSnrub]

It wont work if you have a bed that comes down. It is very high.

[bikendan]

i'd be very interested in this until i found this statement:

Non-Compatible Weight Distribution Systems
Out of the hundreds of Weight Distribution systems out there almost all are compatible with the UP N Front mounting system. The main rule of thumb is that if the WD mounting bracket bolts on rather than clamping on, it isn’t going to be compatible. Below is a short list of known WD mounting systems that are not compatible with the UP N Front base mount. These are ALL good WD systems but just not compatible with UP N Front. All others, the clamp on style, are OK and will not interfere with the install.
Andersen ‘No-Sway’ Weight Distribution Hitch Andersen WD Hitch (ALL)
Blue Ox SwayPro Bolt-On Latch Weight Distributing Hitch (ALL, Clamp on Style is OK)
CURT 17500 TruTrack Trunnion Bar Weight Distribution Hitch with Active Sway Control (Bolt on ONLY, Clamp on Style is OK)
Eaz-Lift by CAMCO Trekker Weight Distributing Hitch with Adaptive Sway Control (ALL, Bent Bar Ready-to-Tow Weight Distributing Hitch Kits are OK)
Equal-i-zer – Equalizer Hitch (ALL)
Fastway Trunnion Weight Distribution Hitch (ALL)
Fastway e2 Series 2-Point Sway Hitch (ALL)
Fastway Round Bar Weight Distribution Hitch (ALL)
Husky 31390 Center Line Head Assembly
Reese Light-Duty Weight Distributing Kit (Single Bar) for A-Frame Trailers (Bolt on ONLY, Clamp on Style is OK)
Reese 66152 Weight Distribution Kit (Bolt on ONLY, Clamp on Style is OK)

pretty much eliminates a lot of good and popular WDHs out there.

[rockfordroo]

pretty much eliminates a lot of good and popular WDHs out there.

I was going to say, "What's left?"

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by rockfordroo

I was going to say, "What's left?"

I know.
And I had to laugh reading the statement preceding the list, "almost all are compatible with the Up n' Front"

[Kansas Camper]

I do not use a weight distribution so that will not impact me. Still deciding between this model and the Arvika. Was hopeful somebody has one they could comment