|
|
09-10-2015, 03:48 PM
|
#1
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: IN
Posts: 200
|
Should we take this off our bumper?
When we bought our camper in January, it was the first one we ever owned. We were so glad to see that it had a bike rack on the bumper and we were told the previous owners would go on mountain biking trips with their bikes. Well, from what we have read on the forum about not using bike racks on the bumper, we decided it's not worth the chance of the bikes or bumper falling off so we are not going to use it. Is it a good idea to take it off because of the weight of it or to just leave it on?
__________________
2011 MicroLite 23LB
2012 Ram 1500 Crew Cab
|
|
|
09-10-2015, 03:56 PM
|
#2
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Everett, Washington
Posts: 170
|
That little bit of weight will not affect anything, I would just leave it, maybe you can make a towel drying rack with it. If you dont like the looks of it then take it off. Or you could reinforce your bumper and use it for your bikes. You will get alot of opinions here about bikes on a bumper.......
__________________
Mike, Lisa and Jake
2002 Ford F250 CC 7.3
2013 Wildcat Sterling 32RL
|
|
|
09-10-2015, 03:59 PM
|
#3
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Baton Rouge, La.
Posts: 677
|
I would either sell or discard it so that down the road you are not tempted to use it.
__________________
Danny & Darlene
2002 Silverado 1500HD
2014 Rockwood 2703WS 'Emerald Pkg'
Days camped 2015=42 2014=48 2013=41 2012=47 2011=18
|
|
|
09-10-2015, 04:01 PM
|
#4
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Clarksville Va.
Posts: 10,422
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by zinger60
When we bought our camper in January, it was the first one we ever owned. We were so glad to see that it had a bike rack on the bumper and we were told the previous owners would go on mountain biking trips with their bikes. Well, from what we have read on the forum about not using bike racks on the bumper, we decided it's not worth the chance of the bikes or bumper falling off so we are not going to use it. Is it a good idea to take it off because of the weight of it or to just leave it on? Attachment 88298Attachment 88299
|
As long as the bikes do not weight more then the spare tire it will be find as long as you can tie them down enough to stop any bounce....
__________________
Coachmen M/H
Concord
2018 / 300 DSC
|
|
|
09-11-2015, 11:44 AM
|
#5
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 14
|
Been there...
Quote:
Originally Posted by zinger60
When we bought our camper in January, it was the first one we ever owned. We were so glad to see that it had a bike rack on the bumper and we were told the previous owners would go on mountain biking trips with their bikes. Well, from what we have read on the forum about not using bike racks on the bumper, we decided it's not worth the chance of the bikes or bumper falling off so we are not going to use it. Is it a good idea to take it off because of the weight of it or to just leave it on? Attachment 88298Attachment 88299
|
I put one on my 2005 Starcraft Antiqua, on the way home from a trip with 2 bikes on it and when I pulled in the drive way the whole bumper was 1/2 torn away from the chassis of the camper. The weight of the bikes hanging off the back bouncing almost lost the bumper and the bikes not to mention might of killed someone driving behind. After that I reinforced the bumper with extra steel and welded it all back, also used ratchet straps to try to keep the bikes from bouncing to much.
|
|
|
09-11-2015, 11:59 AM
|
#6
|
Georgia Rally Coordinator
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: GA
Posts: 24,350
|
As long as you are not going to use then leave it. Not bothering anything and like said maybe make a removable towel rack. Later RJD
__________________
2020 Shasta Phoenix SPF 27RKSS (sold)
2018 Dodge Ram 2500 6.4 3:73 gearing. Traded 2015 Chevy 2500 6.0, 4:10
Traded 2015 30WRLIKS V-Lite
Days camped 2019 62
Days camped 2020 49 days camped 2021-74 2022-40 days 2023 5 days
|
|
|
09-11-2015, 12:09 PM
|
#7
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Forest Grove, Oregon
Posts: 602
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by zinger60
When we bought our camper in January, it was the first one we ever owned. We were so glad to see that it had a bike rack on the bumper and we were told the previous owners would go on mountain biking trips with their bikes. Well, from what we have read on the forum about not using bike racks on the bumper, we decided it's not worth the chance of the bikes or bumper falling off so we are not going to use it. Is it a good idea to take it off because of the weight of it or to just leave it on? Attachment 88298Attachment 88299
|
If you don't plan on adding bike racks or anything, you can take it off. But it won't hurt to leave it on.
I am assuming the previous owner kept the bike rack and left the hitch on?
But for me, I usually put my wdh on there when not in use while at campground or storing, rather than on the truck, to save my shins and knees... (or the wraith of DW when she hits her on it)
__________________
98 Chevy Silverado C3500 crewcab, 454 cu in & 2013 Salem Cruise-Lite 181BHXL
FRF and FROG member
Days camped in 2012 (3), 2013 (3), 2014 (6) Days camped in 2015-18, 0 Days so far
Days camped in 2019, (8)
This Space for Rent
|
|
|
09-12-2015, 09:56 AM
|
#8
|
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 925
|
I took my spare tire and rack off and added a platform I can set my generator on. FR told me they don't recommend it because of vibration. My platform is welded solid and will not move. the tire carrier bounced all over, yet they put it on the bumper that way! Hows that make sense?
As long as you can fasten it solis so it doesn't bounce around I think you should be fine.
Jim
__________________
07 Dodge 1500 crew cab with 20" wheels, 08 Forest River Rockwood Signature Ultra-lite 8280SS
"The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man."
George Bernard Shaw
|
|
|
09-12-2015, 10:06 AM
|
#9
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Clarksville Va.
Posts: 10,422
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by oldtool2
I took my spare tire and rack off and added a platform I can set my generator on. FR told me they don't recommend it because of vibration. My platform is welded solid and will not move. the tire carrier bounced all over, yet they put it on the bumper that way! Hows that make sense?
As long as you can fasten it solis so it doesn't bounce around I think you should be fine.
Jim
|
As I stated before Gey from Canada has a bike rake in stalled already for 4 years, I think he even has the same trailer that you do. He showed me how it was done and has not had a problem yet and he has full size bikes. If he can do it I don't know why others can't. I just took my spear off to cover my bumper with chrome. Put that all back on and it weights alot more then a bike. I didn't see any spear on his, so I would leave it. I agree with you....
__________________
Coachmen M/H
Concord
2018 / 300 DSC
|
|
|
09-12-2015, 02:32 PM
|
#10
|
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 1,016
|
I pulled off the grill plus bracket and the spare tire plus bracket that weight 133 lbs and the grill bounce twice as much as bike rack and installed a 76 lbs bike rack and that including bikes. I purchased mine from Camping World and it has 59 reviews and rated 5 star rating Just the spare tire and not including the bracket weight 68lbs. The grill and spare tire come installed from Forest River...
__________________
2017 Fleetwood Discovery LXE 40D Diesel Pusher 41 foot. CC 5740
2017 Solitude 310GK-R Pick Up Oct 24th.
2016 GMC Denali 1 ton Cargo Capacity 3722 lbs
Sold 2016 Keystone Montana 3711FL
Sold - 2015 Crusader 315RST 5th Wheel -
2015 Ford F350 SRW Cargo Capacity 3744
|
|
|
09-12-2015, 02:36 PM
|
#11
|
Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 10,446
|
It seems like it harmless to me so I would leave it.
__________________
Great choice for "Living within my means" and camping for one...
Formerly owned 2011 Salem Cruise Lite 20RBXL & 2011 Toyota Tundra Dbl Cab
|
|
|
09-12-2015, 03:04 PM
|
#12
|
Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Goodyear, Arizona
Posts: 33,598
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by CWSWine
I pulled off the grill plus bracket and the spare tire plus bracket that weight 133 lbs and the grill bounce twice as much as bike rack and installed a 76 lbs bike rack and that including bikes. I purchased mine from Camping World and it has 59 reviews and rated 5 star rating Just the spare tire and not including the bracket weight 68lbs. The grill and spare tire come installed from Forest River...
|
your Crusader is NOT a trailer with an ultralight frame, the OP's is.
big difference.
__________________
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
|
|
|
09-12-2015, 04:20 PM
|
#13
|
Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,499
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Night Stone
But for me, I usually put my wdh on there when not in use while at campground or storing, rather than on the truck, to save my shins and knees... (or the wraith of DW when she hits her on it)
|
Great idea! 👍
__________________
2018 Forester 3011 DS
|
|
|
09-12-2015, 05:24 PM
|
#14
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 155
|
I have the exact same hitch coupler on my tt rear bumper.
I removed the spare tire and installed a 4 ft carrier basket from Harbor Freight.
For the last 4 years it's carried my waste water tank (Empty of course)-and a medium sized cooler (only 1/2 full of beer).
Never a problem.
__________________
2013 Palomino 30ft. of Pure Bliss at 5400#-and then we have this 14 ft.Sea Eagle that I tote around for my wife and son.Michigan State Parks are The Best !:thumbsup
|
|
|
09-12-2015, 06:05 PM
|
#15
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Kansas
Posts: 343
|
On a post from mtcyclist titled:Not happy with Micro Lite. A dealer installed a bike rack on his Micro Lite 23FB and he has problems with the frame/welds. Quit a few people blasted him... Now most are saying it's OK on this 2011 MicroLite 23LB... What am I missing here? actually it doesn't matter, because nothing will ever get put on my rear bumper, but I am curious??? curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought him back.
__________________
2015 Rockwood Windjammer 3029W Diamond Package
2014 RAM 2500 Laramie Longhorn 4 x 4
6.4 Hemi 410 HP, 410 Rear Axle
|
|
|
09-12-2015, 06:27 PM
|
#16
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: BoCoMo
Posts: 2,784
|
Do you know a welder. Beef up the welds and (imo) it should be fine.
__________________
Brother Les
2013 Forest River Salem Hemisphere SBT312QBUD
2001 CrewCab F-250 7.3 PowerStroke Diesel
SuperChip, BTS transmission, 6.0 Trans Cooler
|
|
|
09-12-2015, 06:30 PM
|
#17
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Baton Rouge, La.
Posts: 677
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brother Les
Do you know a welder. Beef up the welds and (imo) it should be fine.
|
You can only put so much weld on 'tin foil'.
__________________
Danny & Darlene
2002 Silverado 1500HD
2014 Rockwood 2703WS 'Emerald Pkg'
Days camped 2015=42 2014=48 2013=41 2012=47 2011=18
|
|
|
09-12-2015, 07:34 PM
|
#18
|
ARLO
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: N Chili, NY
Posts: 908
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by MMattox
That little bit of weight will not affect anything, I would just leave it, maybe you can make a towel drying rack with it. If you dont like the looks of it then take it off. Or you could reinforce your bumper and use it for your bikes. You will get alot of opinions here about bikes on a bumper.......
|
Friends lost the bumper and bikes on their Sunnybrook and had to have the bumper re-welded. I would remove it.
|
|
|
09-13-2015, 08:44 AM
|
#19
|
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 925
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by CWSWine
Just the spare tire and not including the bracket weight 68lbs. The grill and spare tire come installed from Forest River...
|
I know it is. When I was talking to the technician he said that forest River was worried about vibration on the bumper causing damage to the frame. I told him nothing bounces around more than that spare tire carrier does. It 's only held in place by a couple of bolts and it is impossible to tighten them up enough to keep it from bouncing.
Jim
__________________
07 Dodge 1500 crew cab with 20" wheels, 08 Forest River Rockwood Signature Ultra-lite 8280SS
"The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man."
George Bernard Shaw
|
|
|
09-13-2015, 08:52 AM
|
#20
|
Who Dares, Wins
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Chester County, PA
Posts: 7,063
|
I would not remove it because I am guessing it may have damaged the finish under the hitch or at least put some rust stains on it and would bug me. With that said, I would not use it. I did lie the idea of using it for storing the WD hitch once at the CG or the home base.
__________________
Pat, Jen, Heather & Sapphire, the head mouser.
2015 Chevy HD D-Max
2022 Impression 315MB
|
|
|
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|