Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 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?Click image for larger version

Name:	ImageUploadedByForest River Forums1441918062.530730.jpg
Views:	496
Size:	105.7 KB
ID:	88298Click image for larger version

Name:	ImageUploadedByForest River Forums1441918086.628759.jpg
Views:	501
Size:	93.2 KB
ID:	88299
__________________
2011 MicroLite 23LB
2012 Ram 1500 Crew Cab
zinger60 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 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
MMattox is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-10-2015, 03:59 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
dannyabear's Avatar
 
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
dannyabear is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-10-2015, 04:01 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
Witch Doctor's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Clarksville Va.
Posts: 10,422
Quote:
Originally Posted by zinger60 View Post
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

Witch Doctor is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-11-2015, 11:44 AM   #5
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 14
Been there...

Quote:
Originally Posted by zinger60 View Post
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.
daga13 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-11-2015, 11:59 AM   #6
Georgia Rally Coordinator
 
aceinspp's Avatar
 
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
aceinspp is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-11-2015, 12:09 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
Night Stone's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Forest Grove, Oregon
Posts: 602
Quote:
Originally Posted by zinger60 View Post
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
Night Stone is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 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
oldtool2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2015, 10:06 AM   #9
Senior Member
 
Witch Doctor's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Clarksville Va.
Posts: 10,422
Quote:
Originally Posted by oldtool2 View Post
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

Witch Doctor is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2015, 02:32 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
CWSWine's Avatar
 
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
CWSWine is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2015, 02:36 PM   #11
Site Team
 
Terier's Avatar
 
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
Terier is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2015, 03:04 PM   #12
Site Team
 
bikendan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Goodyear, Arizona
Posts: 33,598
Quote:
Originally Posted by CWSWine View Post
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
bikendan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2015, 04:20 PM   #13
Site Team
 
dcheatwood's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,499
Quote:
Originally Posted by Night Stone View Post

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

dcheatwood is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2015, 05:24 PM   #14
Senior Member
 
Boss Hoss's Avatar
 
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
Boss Hoss is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2015, 06:05 PM   #15
Senior Member
 
gashog's Avatar
 
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
gashog is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2015, 06:27 PM   #16
Senior Member
 
Brother Les's Avatar
 
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
Brother Les is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2015, 06:30 PM   #17
Senior Member
 
dannyabear's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Baton Rouge, La.
Posts: 677
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brother Les View Post
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
dannyabear is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2015, 07:34 PM   #18
ARLO
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: N Chili, NY
Posts: 908
Quote:
Originally Posted by MMattox View Post
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.
rlocicero is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-13-2015, 08:44 AM   #19
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 925
Quote:
Originally Posted by CWSWine View Post
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
oldtool2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-13-2015, 08:52 AM   #20
Who Dares, Wins
 
doc73's Avatar
 
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
doc73 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Forest River, Inc. or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:37 AM.