Bike Rack Question

[tlc]

We purchased a new Columbus 320RS...We had our first trip Easter. We love the RV, but were wondering if anyone has tried the bike rack. Our 26" standard bikes don't fit correctly between the slots. Even though we thought we had the bikes stable and secure with straps. We almost lost them on a busy interstate....very scary.

Thanks for your help!

[Herk7769]

No idea what to say. Photos of the problem would help.

[TURBS]

Its like the rack on my sabre 450lb static rating
I think I have a pic in my profile Lou.
No I have not used it for bikes!
I call it my beer cooler rack.

[TURBS]

Pic 3 in my sabre album

[h20ski]

I had the same problem with the bike rack so I decided to mod it after almost losing my bikes. Take a look the link.

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...mod-21005.html

Haven't reied it yet. Will try it out next weekend and will let you know how it goes. I will post some more pics when I get the camper out of the barn and put the bike back on it with some better lighting.

[hotrodj125]

We used our bike rack for the first time last weekend. Carried 3 26" bikes and had no problems with our 320rs.

[redfinaddict]

Hotrod, would love to see some pics of how you secured your bikes.

[hotrodj125]

ya know, a picture probably wouldn't help much, cause each time i put the "4" bikes on the rack its is different, but i use about TEN bungee cords to tie them all together and down to the rack and against the upright bar, 2 trips out and back with no problem...............

[J J]

Glad I am not the only one with bike rack opportunities.

What I have done was get some 4" square u-bolts and bolt the rear tire to the rack support. The front tires fit down into the rack, as h2soki's pictures indicate. I use individual tie down straps on each handle bar as you would a motorcycle on a trailer. I then take a bungie cord and pull both bikes back to the vertical rack support, to ensure they do not contact the back of the 5 wheel and damage fiberglass.

I have never had a serious problem, but one of the straps have come loose. Net result, both bikes were pulled tight to the vertical rack support.

Also, did add protective covering to the u-bolts so the bike rims are not scratched up........

I did think of cutting the rack as h2soki did, but decided against it when I found the u-bolts.........

[sabre5er]

I had the same problem with our bike rack with the wheel distance. I bolted fork mounts or fork blocks to the bike frame.
They work real well, hold the bikes solid. Only need one bungee cord to hold down the back tire. Don't really need the upright bar support at all.

[h20ski]

That looks great. I had thought about that but then I would have had to replace te front axles onthe 2 bikes. Decided not to go that way.