Bike Carrier for Camper

generals84 · 05-21-2013, 04:46 PM

I have a new forest river 'premier' model camper and would like to use the bumper to hold a bike rack. It seems fairly strong however the size 3" high x 1.25" deep doesn't match up with most bumper attachments or adapters which are generally 4' x 4" .
I can either put an adapter on the bumper and install my hitch bike rack that I already own or put a tray type bike rack that also attaches to the bumper.
I looked at the pro rac which is installed on the front and the bike rests on the camper but a little pricey.
Does anybody know where I can find the capacity for the bumper ? or have any other ideas ?
thanks !

Rugged Brown · 05-21-2013, 05:05 PM

You'll find that the consensus here will be a resounding no. Just do a search for bike racks and spend the evening reading.

TURBS · 05-21-2013, 05:11 PM

You'll get a resounding no from me.
Been there done that ! Ruined the back of my camper.

Turbs

OldCoot · 05-21-2013, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by generals84

I have a new forest river 'premier' model camper and would like to use the bumper to hold a bike rack. It seems fairly strong however the size 3" high x 1.25" deep doesn't match up with most bumper attachments or adapters which are generally 4' x 4" .
I can either put an adapter on the bumper and install my hitch bike rack that I already own or put a tray type bike rack that also attaches to the bumper.
I looked at the pro rac which is installed on the front and the bike rests on the camper but a little pricey.
Does anybody know where I can find the capacity for the bumper ? or have any other ideas ?
thanks !

If you have a 3 pc welded I beam frame, don't even think about it, you'll end up donating the bicycles, rack and possibly the bumper to some highway cleanup crew and possibly cause an accident.

**Herk7769** · 05-21-2013, 05:53 PM

A picture is worth a thousand words:

Find an alternate method. There are several great ideas here; just search on "Bike Rack" in the green search box.

HONDAMAN174 · 05-21-2013, 07:46 PM

Here's a thought. Try this from harbor freight:

http://www.harborfreight.com/catalog...t?q=Dual+hitch

And get a hitch mounted rack to go in the top spot.

**Herk7769** · 05-21-2013, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HONDAMAN174

Here's a thought. Try this from harbor freight:

Search results for: 'Dual hitch'

And get a hitch mounted rack to go in the top spot.

Some of those extensions have towing limit reductions of their own. Make sure you read all the specs before you plunk down your money and find out you can't use it with your camper.

Heldapay · 05-21-2013, 08:35 PM

After reading all the negatives about a bumper mount bike rack, I am inclined to carry our bikes inside our camper. My DH insists that what we have installed on our 5th wheel is adequate but I would like to have the opinions of you guys. Attached are pictures of the receiver that is on our trailer. The spare tire is mounted underneath near the front. We will be carrying 3 to 4 bikes.

HONDAMAN174 · 05-21-2013, 08:47 PM

Herk is right about that adapter's limits. They state that it is only rated for 4000 lbs. I did not use it because I felt it was too close to the weight limit. I thought it my be a viable option for you but you would have to decide with your weights.

I did however use the adapter for the receiver I installed on the back of my popup. (Please keep the boo's and hissing to a minimum) a friend of mine who builds race cars made more or less a second bumper out of .080 steel welded to the frame in three spots. I will take pics of his handy work and post later. The receiver then welded to this new bumper and to frame at two spots. So I use a bike rack and basket back there but I have not put more than 75 lbs in it because of the tongue weight it removes.

wneise · 05-21-2013, 08:51 PM

I have heard that some manufactures install reinforced bumpers and not the ones made out it folded sheet metal like you commonly see. Just not FR. I am trying to find a shop that will replace the stock "hose holder" with such a piece.

**Herk7769** · 05-21-2013, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heldapay

After reading all the negatives about a bumper mount bike rack, I am inclined to carry our bikes inside our camper. My DH insists that what we have installed on our 5th wheel is adequate but I would like to have the opinions of you guys. Attached are pictures of the receiver that is on our trailer. The spare tire is mounted underneath near the front. We will be carrying 3 to 4 bikes.

If he insists that it is adequate, you might try an experiment.

Have him (or you with a video camera mounted to the dash and drive behind the camper on a bumpy road with the bikes on.

If they appear solid with no (or VERY limited) vertical movement you might be OK. My money, however, is on a phone call with a lot of screaming to pull over.

LKicklight · 05-21-2013, 09:13 PM

This is the one I found at Camping World..we are only carring two very light adult bikes, figure both together weigh around 50 pounds...like this design and it should work really well..Price is around a hundred bucks..not bad either:could not get this to load photo..
Item #25898...

Heldapay · 05-21-2013, 09:30 PM

Thanks Herk! That's a great idea. We will be taking it out this weekend for a test run with the new Mor/Ryde pin box so we can kill two birds with one stone.

LKicklight · 05-21-2013, 09:43 PM

Used the Attachment command as usual..will try another photo to test whether or not it is the photo are puter acting up:
must be the camping world photo..anyway, you do get a chance to see our other camper/houseboat...wish we could float it to Goshen...we think it is very special and one of a kind!

brianjames · 05-21-2013, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by generals84

I have a new forest river 'premier' model camper and would like to use the bumper to hold a bike rack. It seems fairly strong however the size 3" high x 1.25" deep doesn't match up with most bumper attachments or adapters which are generally 4' x 4" .
I can either put an adapter on the bumper and install my hitch bike rack that I already own or put a tray type bike rack that also attaches to the bumper.
I looked at the pro rac which is installed on the front and the bike rests on the camper but a little pricey.
Does anybody know where I can find the capacity for the bumper ? or have any other ideas ?
thanks !

Arvika - Home

LKicklight · 05-22-2013, 05:39 AM

I am checking out the bumper mounted carrier that I saw in there catalog...depends on how much your bikes weigh..mine together are around 50 lbs.#25898...

Quote:

Originally Posted by generals84

I have a new forest river 'premier' model camper and would like to use the bumper to hold a bike rack. It seems fairly strong however the size 3" high x 1.25" deep doesn't match up with most bumper attachments or adapters which are generally 4' x 4" .
I can either put an adapter on the bumper and install my hitch bike rack that I already own or put a tray type bike rack that also attaches to the bumper.
I looked at the pro rac which is installed on the front and the bike rests on the camper but a little pricey.
Does anybody know where I can find the capacity for the bumper ? or have any other ideas ?
thanks !

**Herk7769** · 05-22-2013, 06:00 AM

https://www.google.com/search?q=bump...iverforums.com

There are several posts about the weight limit (150 pounds seems the most often quoted number) and what they all have in common is the "within 6 inches of the bumper).

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ting-6327.html

(Someone once posted a photo of a sticker on their camper's bumper with the weight limit, and I have been looking for it for a while now. If YOU have a sticker on your bumper I would like to see a picture of it.)

The bumper is designed for the spare tire carrier and that is it. Warranty void; if more than that is added. Some here will tell you that even THAT is too much.

As you go away from the bumper, due to leverage, the amount of weight that the bumper supports drops drastically.

To have the same amount of torque (and remember the torque in not constant due to bouncing - which makes it worse due to inertia) you would need to find out how much stress was on the welds and metal using the 150# within 6 inches number and then measure the distance to the last bike. Then solve for maximum weight the bikes and carrier can weigh.

Most likely only a carbon fiber bike rack will meet that requirement.

Obviously, it is your call what you do. Just don't expect much sympathy from the State Trooper as you explain the debris on the highway.

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...gth-16380.html

From the Palamino Web site FAQ:

Q-Can I install a hitch to the rear bumper or frame of my Palomino RV product?
The bumpers/frames of Palomino RV products were not designed to accommodate this type of accessory installation.

http://www.sunlineclub.com/forums/f7...mper-7771.html

The Sunline club web site bumper is rated at 100 pounds for a spare tire.
No accessories without frame modifications.

http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/75...e-aware-2.html

**Herk7769** · 05-22-2013, 06:46 AM

How to solve the weak frame problem with Ultra-lite Campers:

prof_fate · 05-22-2013, 07:43 AM

Thule or yakima rack and put the bikes on top of your TV for when you have the camper attached.

Some have converted their dining table area into bike racks.

If you have a pickup you can mount them in the truck bed.
All of these pretty much assume you have quick release hub on the front wheel.

a hitch mount bike rack is then used when you use the bikes without the camper attached.

I got lucky - my camper came with a rear rack for bikes or what have you.

wneise · 05-22-2013, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prof_fate

Thule or yakima rack and put the bikes on top of your TV for when you have the camper attached.

If you have a pickup you can mount them in the truck bed.
All of these pretty much assume you have quick release hub on the front wheel.

Those of us with 5ers don't have those options.

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