How to Reduce Cargo Rack Movement

[Cyoul8r]

For those of you that have the rear cargo rack ... how do you keep it from moving up and down while traveling. When I lower it for use and pin it in the down position it still has about 2 to 3 inches of play at the very rear end. I'm hauling my 2 Honda 2000is and the weight for the most part will keep it level, but not so when hitting a bump or a dip in the road. I thought about putting a bolt through it and the subframe at the front but would rather not drill there. I've already drilled through the rack and holding bracket to keep it steady while in the upright position and that works fine. Any suggestions? Thanks.

[BigTJohn]

2" seems like a lot of movement. Mine (Columbus 320 RS moves a little when I try to pick up the end of the rack but nowhere 2". Try mounting the rack "upside down" to see if that reduces the movement factor. I have seen some racks mounts in what I see as upside down but the still serve the purpose. Worth a try.

[Davidceder]

I have a 32RCTS-6 (in storage so no access) but I do not think mine has that much play. My pins are really tight through the holes, are yours? I just did a bunch of work on my rack by adding a railing around the entire rack so I can secure things better and it was tight. Please let us know what you find. Are larger diameter pins a possibility?

[Cyoul8r]

No the pins are not real tight and that seems to be where the movement is coming from. The factory drilled holes seem to be larger than necessary. This amplies the amount of overall play I get at the rear of the rack. That's why I am thinking of bolting it down. The hitch pins are 3/4" but the holes are 13/16". I don't hink they make that size of pin. Maybe I could find a 1/16" sleeve to fit over the pin.

[TURBS]

If you use ratchet straps then use your ratchet straps to tie down your gennies but also include your bumper in the straping process.


TURBS
Sabre owners united!

[Davidceder]

My pins are good and tight. A sleeve is a good idea or maybe drill out the holes to the next size pin, if there is one. You might be able to lift the rack with the pins in and jam a piece of wire or something through the hole and than release the weight. It should hold tight. Sort of jury rigged but until you get a solid fix, might do.

Good luck.

[Cajun Po-Boy]

Pins got to be tight to keep play out of rack...my pins on the Sabre are really snug...even after almost 2 years of many camping trips.

[Cyoul8r]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Could one of you measure the width of your hitch pin and the hole diameter for me. I think I've got a mismatch of some kind. Thanks.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by Cajun Po-Boy

Pins got to be tight to keep play out of rack...my pins on the Sabre are really snug...even after almost 2 years of many camping trips.

X2

TURBS
Sabre owners united!

[SimchaSabre]

"Thanks for all the suggestions. Could one of you measure the width of your hitch pin and the hole diameter for me. I think I've got a mismatch of some kind. "


Mine are also very tight with no observed movement. When ours is lowered there are 2 "bumper" pads that bottom out on the square bumper with very little flexing.

I plan on doing some work on it tomorrow so if I can get to the back thru the snow I'll take some measurements for you.

[Cobrafan]

There is actually a bracket that bolts around the hitch with u bolts and has a plate that pushes up or down, can't remember, to take all of the slack out of the up and down as well as side to side movement. Bought at some RV store. Used to carry my Honda generators and was concerned with the movement. Fixed it right up.

[Cajun Po-Boy]

Here's how tight pin should be in your cargo rack...

[Cyoul8r]

I see in Cajun Po-Boy's pictures (thanks for the pictures) that there is one pin and one bolt. Is this the way it came from the factory? Mine has two pins on each side. No bolts. Maybe that's the problem with the excessive play.

[Cajun Po-Boy]

One pin on each side...came from factory as u see in the pic...

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by Cyoul8r

I see in Cajun Po-Boy's pictures (thanks for the pictures) that there is one pin and one bolt. Is this the way it came from the factory? Mine has two pins on each side. No bolts. Maybe that's the problem with the excessive play.

Can you take pictures of your setup? And/or video of the movement that you're seeing?

[BigTJohn]

Cajunpoboys uses the bolts for the pivot points and the pins to lock. The rubber pads (I have those) help to take the minimal slack out of the setup. . The rubber pads contact the bumper and prestress the rack just a bit and seems to take the slack out. All I have for pics right now but can get more detailed this wknd if needed.

[fivermann]

When you carry bikes on this cargo rack, what so you personally use to keep your bikes tied down securely? Your bike wheels fit in those slats well? Suggestions? Thanks! I ordered the cargo rack for hauling my bikes on the Columbus 320RS but haven't taken delivery yet.

[slide5r4fun]

Here's a pic of how we secure our bikes. Our Sabre is a 2012 so our bike rack is a little different than the newer models. Instead of trays to set the bike tire in, ours had slots the wheels fit into. We had to make some mods to get the wheels to fit properly. We also added several eye bolts to the frame of the rack. We bought some handlebar straps from a motorcycle shop and use those along with ratchet straps to secure the bikes to the rack. Takes about 10 minutes to get them set, but they don't move during travel.

[slide5r4fun]

Here's another pic of our bikes strapped to the rack.

[fivermann]

Thanks for the pics!