Manufacturers: Come Clean

Rugged Brown · 03-08-2012, 08:20 PM

To all the corporate members on this forum. Give it to me straight. Is it possible to manufacture a light weight fiver or TT that can carry bikes on the rear bumper.

kalik282 · 03-08-2012, 08:27 PM

Just subscribed to this thread, and anxiously waiting the responses.

John

Triguy · 03-08-2012, 08:35 PM

Brown, I've got to give you credit for trying.

I'll bet real money no one from FR takes you up and answers your question - no matter how good the question is.

Oil and water just don't mix.

TURBS · 03-08-2012, 09:13 PM

Brown, my unit came with a bike rack/platform that has a rated
Capacity of 450 lbs.
I think its a much better deal than a receiver tube and a standard
Bike rack setup.
the weight is distributed over both frame members and the bumper.
I have yet to use it for anything but coolers full of beer but I do like it.
Best of all it was factory equipped and has a 450lb rating

Rugged Brown · 03-09-2012, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by f1100turbo

Brown, my unit came with a bike rack/platform that has a rated
Capacity of 450 lbs.
I think its a much better deal than a receiver tube and a standard
Bike rack setup.
the weight is distributed over both frame members and the bumper.
I have yet to use it for anything but coolers full of beer but I do like it.
Best of all it was factory equipped and has a 450lb rating

Is your camper a light weight?

SaskCampers · 03-09-2012, 11:16 AM

Unloaded Vehicle Weight 9,572 lbs. (4,342 kg)

GVWR 12,032 lbs. (5,458 kg)

Cargo Carrying Capacity 2,410 lbs. (1,093 kg)

Exterior Length 34' 4" (10.5 m)

For sure no light weight unit.

TURBS · 03-09-2012, 11:22 AM

Never stated it was. Was just saying or meaning the light weights could benefit I believe
From the system used on mine. Sorry for the confusion

The flat style cargo carrier is much better than the bicycle
Carrier most commonly used with a receiver tube mounted to
The bumper.
Lower cog
Weight distributed over two frame rails and the entire bumper

MtnGuy · 03-09-2012, 11:33 AM

At the Richmond RV show, we looked at a Wildwood that had the rear cargo rack......I think it was a Wildwood 241QB. On the website, it lists that as an X-Lite, and the rack is listed in options as a "Back Pack Rear Storage Rack".

TURBS · 03-09-2012, 12:13 PM

Didn't give a weight rating thou huh?

MtnGuy · 03-09-2012, 12:15 PM

Turbo, I remember seeing a weight rating sticker on the cargo rack, but I can't remember what it was.

Triguy · 03-09-2012, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by f1100turbo

Didn't give a weight rating thou huh?

125lbs as posted by another owner.

TURBS · 03-09-2012, 12:23 PM

wow only 125 hmmmm

Dave_Monica · 03-09-2012, 12:24 PM

I was looking on-line a couple of months ago at 2012 Rockwood 8280WS with the Diamond Package. The photos showed a flip-down rack mounted off brackets on the frame in front of the bumper. The spare tire was mounted underneath I believe. Of course I can't find that ad now.

Has anyone else seen this and have more information?

Dave

Wildcat Chris · 03-09-2012, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rugged Brown

To all the corporate members on this forum. Give it to me straight. Is it possible to manufacture a light weight fiver or TT that can carry bikes on the rear bumper.

I know you're looking for a fairly simple and straight forward answer to your question, but your question itself is not simple. What is a "light weight fiver or TT" in your estimation? It seems there's plenty of debate on weights here all the time -- light weight is a subjective term in the RV industry. It's also relative to what you're comparing it to (or what tow vehicle you have). Also, by "carry bikes on the rear bumper," what maximum weight capacity are you looking for?

More info is needed in order for any "manufacturer" to "come clean."

Also, your thread title seems to imply there's some secret anti-bike rack society in the RV industry. I really don't think there is (but then again, I missed the last meeting).

TURBS · 03-09-2012, 01:06 PM

I think he wants to know why on light weight branded trailers no
Manufacture makes frame/bumpers to hold up to the stress
Of bike racks and bikes

Rugged Brown · 03-09-2012, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wildcat Chris

I know you're looking for a fairly simple and straight forward answer to your question, but your question itself is not simple. What is a "light weight fiver or TT" in your estimation? It seems there's plenty of debate on weights here all the time -- light weight is a subjective term in the RV industry. It's also relative to what you're comparing it to (or what tow vehicle you have). Also, by "carry bikes on the rear bumper," what maximum weight capacity are you looking for?

More info is needed in order for any "manufacturer" to "come clean."

Also, your thread title seems to imply there's some secret anti-bike rack society in the RV industry. I really don't think there is (but then again, I missed the last meeting).

1)Yes, I am looking for a simply answer.

2)The term " lighweight " has been defined and used by manufacturers along with other terms such as "Xtralite",, Half Tone towable" , "Superlite" etc., so that's a question best left to the manufacturers to answer.

3)As for the meeting, I'm sure you attended many. With the current configuration and weight restrictions of the rear bumper, the weight of a single bike rack and bicycle will void the frame warranty. This is the meeting that I missed.

So my question remains simple and all I'll request, is a simple answer.

Rugged Brown · 03-09-2012, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by f1100turbo

I think he wants to know why on light weight branded trailers no
Manufacture makes frame/bumpers to hold up to the stress
Of bike racks and bikes

Thanks for paraphrasing.

Wildcat Chris · 03-09-2012, 01:27 PM

I was trying to keep the discussion light and friendly, but there's still the 2 questions that remain:

1. What is a "light weight fiver or TT" in your estimation? Please define. What is the maximum dry weight? Hitch weight? Cargo capacity?

2. What is maximum weight carrying capacity are you looking for on the bumper?

Triguy · 03-09-2012, 01:50 PM

Hi Chris, I got that you were trying to be friendly. Not sure why he reacted like that.

I think its appreciated that you are trying.

But, I am not sure that bogging down into a discussion to determine the definition of "light weight" is needed here. You will never get a consensus, as you have alluded to in your first post. Your guess is as good as any of ours as to what is considered light weight. I see that Wildcat has an "extralite" line. You could use the lightest one from there if you need to.

Or, if you want, I'll bite and throw out some weights for you that are more in-line with what "I think" the public would consider to be the max for "Light Weight" in a travel trailer:

What is the maximum dry weight? 5,000lbs
Hitch weight? 650lbs
Cargo capacity? 1,500lbs
What is maximum weight carrying capacity are you looking for on the bumper? 250lbs - this is the weight in bikes that my Yakima bike rack can support.

crocus · 03-09-2012, 02:48 PM

Hi Chris,
It seems most light-weight fifth wheels are under 10,000 lbs GVWR.
Mine is classed as a lightweight, and comes under that limit. The dry weight is in the 7600 lb range.
I took one look at the I-beam frame at the back of the camper, and it didn't look heavy enough to hold the camper, let alone any added weight.
Do your Wildcats use a heavier I-beam?

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