bike rack for 1940 rockwood pup

Ringbill · 01-19-2015, 04:39 PM

I know it's been beaten around, and many have suggested roof racks and the life but why not a back bumper rack for 3 bicycles? I notice the support poles for the rear bed rest on this, and the bed is rated for at least 400 lbs. I would add a couple of metal supports from the frame to the bumper and bolt those on...no need for welding. I figure the 3 bikes plus the rack is no more than a hundred pounds. No warranty issues, past that. In practical terms won't this work? My wife's TV, a toy highlander, can't really carry the three bikes. Those roof racks are expensive and I don't want to drill into the roof. Anybody successfully uses this method? In particular for this rockwood 1940 freedom pup. Thank you!

Ringbill · 01-19-2015, 05:18 PM

I looked at the Swagman XP 3 bike rack with an extended ball mount as another possibility. Anybody successfully towed a 1940 freedom pup or similar sized pup with this bike rack?

**bikendan** · 01-19-2015, 05:43 PM

I don't think you get the difference in physics.
unless you jump up and down on your popup bed, it isn't a good comparison.
your popup has no shocks and those bikes will be bouncing up and down.
their weights will pull back and down on the rack and the bumper.

those pole supports are made for a static load.
and if your frame is still under warranty, this kind of mod will void it.
but if you don't care about the warranty or it's expired, then have a receiver welded and braced to the frame.

i think only Swagman has a rack that's approved for RV use. all the others will not warranty theirs for this kind of usage.

Ringbill · 01-19-2015, 07:10 PM

Thank you, I guess the swagman is the way to go...the slightly longer ball mount might even improve the trailering with the Toy highlander, and the weight is on the mount rather than on the trailer tongue!

Underthedog · 01-20-2015, 09:15 AM

I suspect you will find the weight of the rig will be higher, unless you have ultralight bikes.

I did this with a Coleman Utah, adding a receiver hitch with additional bracing welded on to mount a 4 bike rack.
2 bikes was the max before it upset the overall weight distribution to make it not reasonable to tow. It was also a big hit to the max weight limit on the trailer.

It was a good trailer to us. We replaced it recently after running it all over the lower 48.

labcamper · 02-15-2015, 01:51 PM

We have a 2006 1940 ltd and I was looking at a receiver for the bumper for two bicycles.
i have a Thule bike rack. Would that setup be too much for the popup?
How about a front mount receiver for the tv?
Thanks all.

Ringbill · 02-16-2015, 08:11 AM

Check out the Swagman XP. This fit on the hitch mount. You will probably have to get an extended (min. 10") bar. This avoids the drilling on the roof or adding weight to the trailer; the rear bumper is weak and not intended for this use.

labcamper · 02-16-2015, 05:17 PM

Right. I just went out and measured...3" x 1.5"
And it was 14 degrees out there.
So the 4SQUARE SafetyStruts will not work..
Gonna go with a front receiver.

Ringbill · 02-16-2015, 09:12 PM

Sorry about the cold, it is 68F now and my wife considers that chilly.

The other option I was informed about here, is the tailgate pad type bike rest (Dakine, Yakima, others). This will work on my GMC 2004 Sierra pickup and maybe on your truck in warm weather.
If you do go with the front receiver type bike rack, let us know how it goes. I have not looked into those but it is also a viable option for me. For my wife's Toy Highlander, looks like the Swagman is the only option.

rockfordroo · 02-16-2015, 09:29 PM

I had a Reese hitch, similar to this Swagman:

Swagman XP - Folding 4 Bike Towing Rack for 2" Trailer Hitches Swagman Hitch Bike Racks S64975

I pulled a 1988 Coleman Sequoia with it for about 6 years, with 2 adult and 2 teen bikes on it. Worked great. VERY tight turns can be problem if your bike wheels hang below the A-frame, although I didn't have this problem if I loaded the adult bikes on first (i.e., closest to the tow vehicle).

IMHO, I think it's the best option for a pup. You can still haul your bikes somewhere away from the campground without having to do anything with the rack. Load a bit more of your stuff to the back of the pup to offset the increase in tongue weight.