Bumper mounted bike rack on a 5'er

[bka4tcu]

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?

[golfmedik]

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.

[TURBS]

I would not !

Hello I am a recovering bike rack installer ......... $500.00 worth of damage to camper nightmare !

[wfmdfm]

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?

[Herk7769]

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.

[golfmedik]

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!!

[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!

[Herk7769]

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.

[JJnLilly]

Removed the tire and replaced it with a bike rack. Bikes and rack weigh less than the tire so go figure.

[mike06081969]

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.

[Rugged Brown]

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.

[PHS79]

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.

[Rugged Brown]

or you could use a setup like this.

[Herk7769]

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.

[Helmsey]

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.

[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

[3 Happy Campers]

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.

[Capt. Mike]

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

[bikendan]

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.

[rockwood06]

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.