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11-09-2021, 01:42 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2021
Posts: 8
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Location of wall studs?
Hi all,
I'm planning on mounting a Fiamma back rack to the rear wall of my Forester 2551 DSLE.
I'd like to try to hit the studs, if possible, so I don't stress the fiberglass outer wall of the coach.
Anyone have idea where I can find any construction diagrams or blueprints? Do you think a stud finder would work?
I'm hoping one of you had a similar reason to drill into your coach and has some useful info you can share.
Thanks,
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Frank K
Coconut Creek, FL
2020 Forester 2551 DSLE
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11-09-2021, 02:00 PM
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#2
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: California
Posts: 98
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I can share that on some cool mornings when the conditions are right, I am able to see the location of the framing elements based on how the moisture on the surface of the coach forms.
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2015 Sunseeker 2500TS
Magnum 3000VA Hybrid Inverter w/AGS, Relion Lithium w/Victron BMV-712, 600W 24V Solar, 5 Star tune, Hellwig Bars, Safe-T-Plus, Sumo springs, On-board SSD PLEX server, MOFI cellular router, Full HD video distribution w/Apple TV's...
IBEW Local 551 Foreman
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11-09-2021, 06:45 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 4,330
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As mentioned above, on a cool morning when there is condensation on the exterior walls, you’ll be able to see where the wall framing is. I don’t know if you have those weather conditions in Florida, but I witnessed it on my motorhome just last week.
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2020 Sunseeker 2440DS on 2019 Ford E-450, Trekker cap, Topaz paint
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11-09-2021, 07:03 PM
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#4
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2021
Posts: 8
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Thanks for the info. Quick update:
I spoke with a rep from Forest River and he absolutely did NOT recommend hanging the bike rack from the rear wall, as it was not engineered for the continuous load, especially over bumps or rougher roads. It could crack the gel coat, and would definitely NOT be covered under any warranty I might have left.
I ended up canceling my order for the Fiamma bike rack.
I came up with a cheaper, more convenient solution in the meantime. I’m going to install a hitch receiver on the front of my rig and just use the hitch bike rack I already have.
I don’t know why I didn’t think of that sooner.
Again, thanks for the advice!
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11-09-2021, 07:08 PM
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#5
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Kanadian Kamper
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Southern Ontario
Posts: 8,129
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FrankKrar
Thanks for the info. Quick update:
I spoke with a rep from Forest River and he absolutely did NOT recommend hanging the bike rack from the rear wall, as it was not engineered for the continuous load, especially over bumps or rougher roads. It could crack the gel coat, and would definitely NOT be covered under any warranty I might have left.
I ended up canceling my order for the Fiamma bike rack.
I came up with a cheaper, more convenient solution in the meantime. I’m going to install a hitch receiver on the front of my rig and just use the hitch bike rack I already have.
I don’t know why I didn’t think of that sooner.
Again, thanks for the advice!
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Because you’re choosing to install a hitch receiver on the front of your vehicle, I’m assuming you have something prohibiting you from using the 2” receiver hitch on the rear of your Forester.
Am I correct?
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Ken and Terry
2018 Sunseeker 2430S-CD, nicely modified and carried by a 2017 Ford E450 Sport
Former Georgetown 330TS owner for 10 years with more mods than I can count, pushed by our 2017 GMC Terrain
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11-09-2021, 09:01 PM
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#6
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2021
Posts: 8
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That’s right. I have a hitch-mounted swing out cargo box on the back and in the future I plan on bringing a dinghy, so I needed a different option for the bikes.
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Frank K
Coconut Creek, FL
2020 Forester 2551 DSLE
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11-09-2021, 09:14 PM
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#7
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Kanadian Kamper
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Southern Ontario
Posts: 8,129
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FrankKrar
That’s right. I have a hitch-mounted swing out cargo box on the back and in the future I plan on bringing a dinghy, so I needed a different option for the bikes.
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Hitch-mounted swing out cargo box.
I have no idea what you mean.
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Ken and Terry
2018 Sunseeker 2430S-CD, nicely modified and carried by a 2017 Ford E450 Sport
Former Georgetown 330TS owner for 10 years with more mods than I can count, pushed by our 2017 GMC Terrain
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11-10-2021, 02:26 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Mono, ON Canada
Posts: 104
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I originally used a 2-bike hitch mounted rack on the back of my 3011DS but I was concerned about how much it bounced on rough roads, no matter how much I tightened it up and fastened bungy cords to the ends. Also, I could not use it when I was pulling my toad. I replaced it with a Swagman 2-bike RV Bumper Rack that fastens on the rear bumper. It is rock-solid and easier to load. I can still use my hitch mounted tow bar for pulling my Wrangler with the bikes mounted. I purchased it from Amazon Canada but I don't see it on the U.S. site. It looks like there is at least one similar product but it is cheaper than the Swagman so it might be a flimsy knockoff. The Swagman appears to be very well built and works perfectly.
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2020 F.R. Forester 3011DS (2018 E-450 Chassis) (32')
Toad:2018 Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited
2011 Keystone Montana 3455SA (38') with F350 diesel
2004 ALFA Leisure Gold Diesel Pusher (41')
1990 Elite (27' C Class, not on rental fleet)
1984 Elite (25' C Class on GO Vacations rental fleet)
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11-10-2021, 04:42 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 200
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Remember the studs such as they are are just 1x2 and I wouldn’t hang anything more than a small picture frame from that.
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11-10-2021, 06:02 PM
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#10
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2021
Posts: 8
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Yup, that’s basically what the Forest River rep said as well. I have a front mounted DrawTite hitch receiver being delivered on Monday.
This is the one I’m getting if anyone else has the E-450 chassis.
Reese 65053 Front Mount Receiver with 2" Square Receiver opening https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001E8GVAA...ing=UTF8&psc=1
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11-12-2021, 05:59 PM
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#11
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 25
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I put a hitch receiver on my dinghy and use a hitch mounted bike rack.
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2018 Forester 3011DS
TOAD: 2019 Ford Fiesta
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11-12-2021, 07:58 PM
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#12
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Junior Member
Join Date: May 2020
Posts: 10
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I ended up going with a front mount for my bikes too. Glad I did!
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11-14-2021, 09:16 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,331
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Looks great. Nice job.
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11-25-2021, 07:19 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2020
Posts: 173
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If you have a metal frame borrow a pinpointer from a metal detectorist. If wood, use a studfinder.
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11-25-2021, 07:50 PM
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#15
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Canada
Posts: 97
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lvoorhees
I ended up going with a front mount for my bikes too. Glad I did!
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I don’t have a front mounting, so I’m not speaking from experience, but would that not be a huge distraction looking at those bikes in front of you all the time? As well would they not get really dirty from road grime and bugs, causing you to put a cover on and distract even more.
Just saying!
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11-25-2021, 07:56 PM
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#16
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 29
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Celticrider
I don’t have a front mounting, so I’m not speaking from experience, but would that not be a huge distraction looking at those bikes in front of you all the time? As well would they not get really dirty from road grime and bugs, causing you to put a cover on and distract even more.
Just saying!
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And you really don’t want to put a cover on them or you will seriously reduce the air flow to the engine potentially causing an overheating issue.
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11-26-2021, 05:26 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 241
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kenandterry
Hitch-mounted swing out cargo box.
I have no idea what you mean.
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Where did you get that? Looking for solutions for a generator for my 5th wheel.
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11-29-2021, 12:02 PM
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#18
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Gruber
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Renton, WA
Posts: 19
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I have a 2018 Forester 2291 and often tow a ski boat. I mounted a front tow hitch for my Kuhl bike rack. We have 2 ebikes we usually take with us. I lower the seats and lower one of the bikes handle bars to reduce the distraction factor. Bugs have not been an issue. The hitch is easy to install and very stable with the 90# of bikes on the rack. When not towing the boat the bikes go on the back.
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Gruber
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