Bike racks on the TT bumper (this one is different... honest!)

[Restcure]

Until I took a closer look at the bumper on our 2012 Rockwood 2701SS, I was among those who had vowed never to carry bikes back there. But take a closer look I did, and I was surprised at what I found... the I-beam is notched around the bottom of the bumper and welded there too.



I'm a fan of the 4SQUARE Safety Struts and I contacted them for their take on the mount. To my surprise and to their credit they didn't push the product on me, suggesting instead that I contact the manufacturer. I'll do that.

In the meantime, anyone have real world experience carrying a load with this type of mount?

[ace911]

I have the 2306 with the same exact style bumper. I purchased the 4square brackets and have a Thule 4 bike carrier mounted on a Curt bumper/clamp on style hitch.I also still have my spare tire mounted on the bumper. You can do it this way, BUT there is an extreme amount of stress put on the bumper and the bike rack. Going over bumps, the bikes get pretty beat up. I have put foam blocks and bungee cords on them to try to keep them from bouncing around so much. It can be done, but I think the up front trailer tongue mounts are a better location. (I didn't go that route because I would need a ladder every time I have to mount and dismount the bikes.) There are also other issues with having the weight back there and reducing tongue weight, trailer sway etc. In my case, my tongue weight in within spec, so Im not worried about it.Hope this helps.

[rockfordroo]

My Roo 19 was built like that. However, I was not aware of it until after I had my dealer install a beefed up receiver. I also had never heard of Safety Struts then. But knowing what I know now, if I had it to do over again, I think I'd still go with the Safety Struts; seems like pretty cheap and easy insurance.

My Mini Lite isn't built that way; I had a similar beefed up receiver put on it. I've also moved my spare tire under the rig:

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ite-91088.html

[Restcure]

Originally Posted by ace911

I have the 2306 with the same exact style bumper. I purchased the 4square brackets and have a Thule 4 bike carrier mounted on a Curt bumper/clamp on style hitch.I also still have my spare tire mounted on the bumper. You can do it this way, BUT there is an extreme amount of stress put on the bumper and the bike rack. Going over bumps, the bikes get pretty beat up. I have put foam blocks and bungee cords on them to try to keep them from bouncing around so much. It can be done, but I think the up front trailer tongue mounts are a better location. (I didn't go that route because I would need a ladder every time I have to mount and dismount the bikes.) There are also other issues with having the weight back there and reducing tongue weight, trailer sway etc. In my case, my tongue weight in within spec, so Im not worried about it.Hope this helps.

I should point out that our bike rack is of the style where the weight of the bikes is supported by the wheels...



So I am not too worried about the the bikes themselves bouncing, but rather the rack and bikes as a single unit. I have an anti-rattle hitch clamp that would help further.

We have the attachments for the trailer's a-frame but using them would involve swapping the positions of the propane tanks and battery box - something I haven't ruled out.

Thanks for the info!

Originally Posted by rockfordroo

My Roo 19 was built like that. However, I was not aware of it until after I had my dealer install a beefed up receiver. I also had never heard of Safety Struts then. But knowing what I know now, if I had it to do over again, I think I'd still go with the Safety Struts; seems like pretty cheap and easy insurance.

My Mini Lite isn't built that way; I had a similar beefed up receiver put on it. I've also moved my spare tire under the rig:

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ite-91088.html

I agree that the safety struts are cheap insurance and if we decide to carry the bikes on the bumper we'll get a pair.

Heck, even if we DON'T carry bikes... I just ordered a set.

[Flybob]

A closer look will also show that the "I beam" is a manufactured I beam found on lite units and does not have the same strength as a true drawn I beam found on heavier units.

[Joe-Barb]

We have a Rockwood 2608ws and I beefed up the rear bumper with. angle iron welded to bumper and strapped to ibeams then with bolt on hitch carry 2 connverted mountain bikes to electric which weigh 80lbs each and have carried then on that rear bumper for the last 4 years and over 30,000 miles without any problems. Just saying it works for us. Good luck in what you decide to do.

2013 ram 2500 mega cab 4x4 hemi
2013 Rockwood 2608ws
Retired Msgt USAF

[benchmarks]

Originally Posted by Restcure

I should point out that our bike rack is of the style where the weight of the bikes is supported by the wheels...



So I am not too worried about the the bikes themselves bouncing, but rather the rack and bikes as a single unit. I have an anti-rattle hitch clamp that would help further.

We have the attachments for the trailer's a-frame but using them would involve swapping the positions of the propane tanks and battery box - something I haven't ruled out.

Thanks for the info!



I agree that the safety struts are cheap insurance and if we decide to carry the bikes on the bumper we'll get a pair.

Heck, even if we DON'T carry bikes... I just ordered a set.

Where did you get this front of truck hook-up for the bikes? What is the product and what kind of work is involved for mounting it. Nice!

[Restcure]

Originally Posted by benchmarks

Where did you get this front of truck hook-up for the bikes? What is the product and what kind of work is involved for mounting it. Nice!

Ah... that is the bike rack - It's made here in Canada by a company called Arvika. It used to sit on the front of our TT:



We tried the same with the Rockwood when we bought it last year:




The placement is not ideal; the location of the supports makes it difficult to remove the battery, and the rock guard on our front window can't be opened unless the upper rack is removed.

When we bought the bike rack we also bought a hitch adapter:



So we decided to try a front receiver on our truck:




We're not crazy about the arrangement with bikes, though. Dawn's worried about visibility while driving and campground maneuverability and I find myself wondering if the bikes are blocking airflow from the radiators and intercooler:








So we're looking into the rear bumper now. And although we may end up carrying something back there after we reinforce it, I'm not sure it will be the bikes. They might end up back on the trailer's A-frame, but I'd want to swap the propane tanks and battery positions first.

[rockfordroo]

Restcure: I had beefed up receivers installed on both my Roo 19 and my Mini Lite 2503S. See post #2 for the Roo and post #12 for the Mini Lite here:

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

I carry 2 bikes on a Thule TH990XT platform rack:

https://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Bike-...e/TH990XT.html

On the Roo:


On the Mini Lite:


I added lights to it because when I cover the bikes, it blocks the tail lights:

[Restcure]

Originally Posted by rockfordroo

Restcure: I had beefed up receivers installed on both my Roo 19 and my Mini Lite 2503S. See post #2 for the Roo and post #12 for the Mini Lite here:

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

I carry 2 bikes on a Thule TH990XT platform rack:

https://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Bike-...e/TH990XT.html

On the Roo:
Attachment 142211

On the Mini Lite:
Attachment 142213

I added lights to it because when I cover the bikes, it blocks the tail lights:
Attachment 142212

Thanks 'Roo... the previous owner of our trailer had some sort of reinforcement welded under the from, apparently for cargo. Not sure how it's supposed to work, though...

[allenb12]

Speaking from experience. It was not the frame or welds the failed. The metal they use for the bumper and is very thin. The vibration induced causes the bumper metal to fail and tears out of the bumper leaving the welds behind.

[rockfordroo]

Originally Posted by Restcure

Thanks 'Roo... the previous owner of our trailer had some sort of reinforcement welded under the from, apparently for cargo. Not sure how it's supposed to work, though...

That almost looks like the guy had something that slid into those square tubes from the side.

[Restcure]

Sure does... still haven't figured out what!

In any case my 4SQUARE SafetyStruts arrived today. Already running into some installation issues but I'll start a new thread for that.

[slider in CT]

What was important to me was pulling into a campground late.
Lowering the bikes down, so the bunk could open, WITHOUT having to take the bikes off right away...and keep them all locked on.

[mogman]

WE used to have a 29ft Surveyor TT. It had the spare mounted on the bumper and I was scared it would break the metal not the welds. Ours had a ladder on the back, so we put a bike rack on it and put 2 bikes up there,without any problems. The rack tranferred to our Class A and we still use it.
For a TT I would recommend a front hitch on your truck, a bed or rear hitch mount on the truck or a front tongue mount on the TT.
There is nothing that creates more amusement for the non RV public than seeing a TT dragging bikes on the street behind it!! I was in Savannah Ga and was suitably entertained!!

[Restcure]

Originally Posted by slider in CT

What was important to me was pulling into a campground late.
Lowering the bikes down, so the bunk could open, WITHOUT having to take the bikes off right away...and keep them all locked on.

Nice!

[Restcure]

Originally Posted by mogman

...It had the spare mounted on the bumper and I was scared it would break the metal not the welds.

I've heard the conventional wisdom about never mounting bike racks on the back; when I checked the thickness of the bumper steel I was confident that it was up to the task. We'll be watching this very carefully and have already conducted the first test. I easily weigh double what the bikes do and my weight is not distributed across the rails as they would be.

Note that the suspension is bouncing, but the bumper is not flexing or twisting.

[hybridlife]

I just did this very same mod to my 21SS. I was slightly hesitant but once I found the safety struts I felt very comfortable putting a couple bikes on the back. I bought the model without the holes and drilled my own where they were needed. Had to buy longer bolts too, wanted to make sure I got all the way through the frame. Yours looks good.

m

Originally Posted by Restcure

I've heard the conventional wisdom about never mounting bike racks on the back; when I checked the thickness of the bumper steel I was confident that it was up to the task. We'll be watching this very carefully and have already conducted the first test. I easily weigh double what the bikes do and my weight is not distributed across the rails as they would be.

Note that the suspension is bouncing, but the bumper is not flexing or twisting.

[HostileJava]

A little off topic, but another option is above the truck bed if you don't have a cap. I like your solution currently. I hope it works out for you.

Not sure how many you carry, but I can easily fit 3 across the bed of my truck and it's a small bed.

[Restcure]

Originally Posted by HostileJava

A little off topic, but another option is above the truck bed if you don't have a cap. I like your solution currently. I hope it works out for you.

Not sure how many you carry, but I can easily fit 3 across the bed of my truck and it's a small bed.

Great solution... if not for those pesky kayaks!