|
|
01-23-2013, 07:47 PM
|
#1
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 28
|
Bumper mounted bike rack on a 5'er
Ughh! We have tried several methods to carry the bikes to the CG since we got the 5'er and after borrowing a receiver hitch rack, it looks to be the best solution. My question is, am I overloading the bumper? I have a spare tire and a bolt on receiver hitch already on the bumper. I have been looking at a swagman platform bike rack as that style looks more sturdy than the others and accommodates the bike frame more easily. We only carry two bikes.
What would you do?
|
|
|
01-23-2013, 07:53 PM
|
#2
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Auburn, GA
Posts: 966
|
I made a receiver and placed in on the pin box. I have a long bed, but several have made similar ones for short beds too. I have about $50 in the receiver and $149 in the rack I bought from Loading Ramps, Hauling, Transport, & Skateboard Ramp Superstore - Discount Ramps.com . Here are a couple of pics.
Hope this gives you an idea. I've done write ups on here and rv.net in the 5er sections. Do a search and you will find lots of variations and ideas. Happy camping.
__________________
2012 Sandpiper 365SAQ weighing @ 15k, Onan, 2nd air, slide toppers, TST
2013 F350 6.7L Lariat 4x4 CC DRW,Viair 1007, Ride-Rites, Edge CTS, B&W
2001 Chevy 3500CC DRW 4x4, 8.1L, 4.10 gears w/ Detroit TrueTrac
2001 Ford Excursion Limited 4x4 7.3L,V/B Spring Mod, ProComps, Hellwig Swaybar, & other 'Necessities'
|
|
|
01-23-2013, 07:54 PM
|
#3
|
Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 34,507
|
I would not !
Hello I am a recovering bike rack installer ......... $500.00 worth of damage to camper nightmare !
|
|
|
01-23-2013, 08:01 PM
|
#4
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Middleboro, MA
Posts: 302
|
Do a search of this site and you will have a full night reading about not doing it.
golfmedik Why the double receiver set up?
__________________
2011 Flagstaff 8528RKWS
2015 Toyota Tundra
|
|
|
01-23-2013, 08:09 PM
|
#5
|
Site Team - Lou
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: South Eastern PA
Posts: 23,269
|
Maybe 100 or so recent threads on this.
I think the "No" to "Pro" on the bike rack mounted directly to the bumper question runs about 26,000 to none on this forum.
However, there are a few who MAY have solved this problem with frame modifications (That DEFINITELY will void your frame warranty - so I would wait before doing it). There are a few who think the frame mounts have shifted the flex and crack problem from the bumper to the camper's frame just aft of the axle mount welds.
I am sure they will share their modifications if you ask.
__________________
Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
|
|
|
01-23-2013, 08:10 PM
|
#6
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Auburn, GA
Posts: 966
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by wfmdfm
golfmedik[/URL] Why the double receiver set up?
|
I initially had a hanging bike rack in mind. Actually I have one, then bought the platform rack because of it being a little more stable. When I went to use the two together, it was too close for comfort to my toolbox on my truck. I couldn't get into it all the way either. I like being able to reach my fire extinguisher quickly.
So, I then went back an added another $14 receiver tube from Harbor Freight with the extra height added by 2"x 1/2" plate from Tractor Supply. With the truck and trailer in a line, now I can access my toolbox and it gives me several more inches of clearance over it as well. Bottom line, I just didn't want to remake it!!
__________________
2012 Sandpiper 365SAQ weighing @ 15k, Onan, 2nd air, slide toppers, TST
2013 F350 6.7L Lariat 4x4 CC DRW,Viair 1007, Ride-Rites, Edge CTS, B&W
2001 Chevy 3500CC DRW 4x4, 8.1L, 4.10 gears w/ Detroit TrueTrac
2001 Ford Excursion Limited 4x4 7.3L,V/B Spring Mod, ProComps, Hellwig Swaybar, & other 'Necessities'
|
|
|
01-23-2013, 08:16 PM
|
#7
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 28
|
Thanks for the info. I thought this would be the response, as it was my first thought not to put anything too heavy back there, the spare tire makes me a little nervous as it is.
Now time to figure out a way to SAFELY carry them, maybe a roof rack on the truck or a receiver hitch on the front!
|
|
|
01-23-2013, 08:20 PM
|
#8
|
Site Team - Lou
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: South Eastern PA
Posts: 23,269
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by bka4tcu
Thanks for the info. I thought this would be the response, as it was my first thought not to put anything too heavy back there, the spare tire makes me a little nervous as it is.
Now time to figure out a way to SAFELY carry them, maybe a roof rack on the truck or a receiver hitch on the front!
|
Yes, big time. That tire bounces quite a bit; but they say the bumper is spec'ed to handle JUST that and NOTHING else.
__________________
Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
|
|
|
01-23-2013, 08:41 PM
|
#9
|
Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 43
|
Removed the tire and replaced it with a bike rack. Bikes and rack weigh less than the tire so go figure.
|
|
|
01-23-2013, 09:01 PM
|
#10
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 247
|
I've used a bumper mounted receiver with a four-bike Swagman for two years. I pulled the camper from Tennessee to Pennsylvania without any problems, although you will want to be sure your bumper is welded to the frame and not riveted. There is enough flex in the bumper that you have to keep a close check on your bumper end caps to make sure they don't come off. I will probably do something different for this camping season, but so far I've pulled it quite a bit with four bikes without any sign of visible fatigue at the welds. In my opinion, there are better ways to do it. Either a frame-mounted receiver, or something like what is shown above, would be an improvement over mounting your bike rack directly to the bumper.
__________________
Mike in Tennessee
Former 2 time FR owner
2007 Crossroads Cruiser 30QB Fifth Wheel
2008 F-250 Lariat 4x4 6.4 Powerstroke
Firestone Ride-Rites w/cab control
|
|
|
01-23-2013, 09:13 PM
|
#11
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,106
|
Don't use the bumper. Not enough strength for the spare , let along a couple of bikes and a bike rack. This is what I did late last fall. Haven't tested it yet , but it looks good.
__________________
Terry/Bernadette Lily the Yorkie 2019 Dodge Ram Sport 1500 2019 FR Vibe 28RL
|
|
|
01-23-2013, 09:15 PM
|
#12
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 416
|
Either reinforce the bumper along with the bumper to frame mounts or mount a receiver hitch to the back of your camper. On our old Kodiak hybrid I had the bumper and the mounts reinforced, we carried 2 bikes like that for 3 years and never had any problems. My dad had a frame mounted receiver hitch on their "old" Jayco and also their new Open Range.
With that said, on our Grey Wolf I use one of the bumper mount receivers. I have not modified anything frame or bumper wise, but our Grey Wolf has a factory mounted rack on the rear that when down the weight rests on the bumper and the rack is rated at 250lbs. If the bumper can handle the rack weighing 250lbs while going down the road it should be more than up to the challenge of 2 bikes and a rack that weigh about 50lbs total.
__________________
TT-2013 Passport 3220BH
TV-2004 F150 FX4, not exactly stock...
nights camped:
with 2001 Kodiak K215: 2010-10, 2011-12
with 2012 Grey Wolf 26BH: 2012-19, 2013-24, 2014-11, 2015-6
with 2013 Passport: 2015-13, 2016-15 booked
|
|
|
01-23-2013, 09:18 PM
|
#13
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,106
|
or you could use a setup like this.
__________________
Terry/Bernadette Lily the Yorkie 2019 Dodge Ram Sport 1500 2019 FR Vibe 28RL
|
|
|
01-23-2013, 09:30 PM
|
#14
|
Site Team - Lou
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: South Eastern PA
Posts: 23,269
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by JJnLilly
Removed the tire and replaced it with a bike rack. Bikes and rack weigh less than the tire so go figure.
|
The reason the tire works and the bike rack does not is the location of the load from the center of the bumper. The tire's weight is located within 10 inches of the bumper centerline and the twisting torque is much less for the weight.
A bike rack puts less weight on the bumper than the tire, but it is located much further away. That twisting moment magnifies the force on the bumper. It is also located closer to the frame welds. The bumper mount receiver needs to be close to the center to keep the bikes form overhanging the sides of the camper (the worst place for that twisting force).
I discovered the twist before I lost my bumper because I could not keep my bumper caps in. They kept coming loose or falling off as the square bumper deformed.
__________________
Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
|
|
|
01-24-2013, 12:01 PM
|
#15
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Knoxville, TN
Posts: 848
|
I am putting together a Yakima setup for the roof of the truck that will hold our bikes and other assorted things that might fit up there. Might look into a roof setup if you haven't already.
__________________
2015 Chevy 3500HD
2013 Sandpiper 365SAQ
|
|
|
01-24-2013, 12:25 PM
|
#16
|
Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 4,327
|
We've probably scared the OP and he hasn't been back.
His original post doesn't indicate what 5W he has. There's a big difference in the frame/bumper of a light-weight compared to a regular 5W.
Dave
__________________
Nights camped in 2013 - 55, 2014 - 105, 2015 - 63
|
|
|
01-24-2013, 03:00 PM
|
#17
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: PA
Posts: 330
|
People are always looking to the rear when the front of the tow vehicle works just fine if not better.
I installed a receiver on the front of my Silverado for about $190 & 30 mins of time. No drilling required.
Works great for canoe rack, bike rack or one of those flat cargo racks.
Has a 500 lb weight limit.
You just have to remember when turning that you have an extra 2+ feet in front of you.
__________________
Dave, Judy & Daisy May
Perkasie, PA
2010 Sierra 356RL
2011 Silverado 2500 4WD, LT, Ext Cab, LB
Duramax 6.6L V8 Turbo Diesel
Allison 1000 6-Speed Automatic Transmission
|
|
|
01-24-2013, 04:48 PM
|
#18
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Franklin County, MO
Posts: 2,652
|
We use a Swagman rack that hangs off of the rear ladder. It holds two bikes, and they hang north-south rather than east-west on the rack. Available at Overstock.com for $55.
Swagman RV Ladder Bike Rack | Overstock.com
__________________
Mike and Yvonne
and Sophie, the little white dog
2017 Columbus 320RSC
2021 Chevy Silverado 3500HD DRW 4X4 Duramax
“It's not how old you are, it's how you are old.” ― Jules Renard
"It's not the years...it's the mileage." - Indiana Jones
|
|
|
01-24-2013, 09:43 PM
|
#19
|
Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Goodyear, Arizona
Posts: 33,835
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave_Monica
We've probably scared the OP and he hasn't been back.
His original post doesn't indicate what 5W he has. There's a big difference in the frame/bumper of a light-weight compared to a regular 5W.
Dave
|
Ditto! whether it's an ultra-light fiver or not, will make a 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
|
|
|
01-24-2013, 10:09 PM
|
#20
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,260
|
Check the weight limit for the rear bumber, from what I remember Rockwood only haves a 150 lbs weight limit and that is not to acceed 6" inch out and away from the bumber. A bike rack that hold 4-26" standard bikes could weigh 35 lbs each could take you to the limit and one other thing, you have to add the weight of the bike rack and as mention before when they start bouncing that is a lot of stress, and if you add a bike rack to the rear bumber find a way to add safety cables, you will be held respondable for damage to other peoples property if they come off.
|
|
|
|
|
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 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|