Bike rack options?

[kaferman]

Have a windjammer 3006w, with the spare mounted to rear bumper. Looking for suggestions ad pics if available in what others have used for bike racks. Would like to carry 2 bikes, and not relocate the spare. Thanks in advance!

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by kaferman

Have a windjammer 3006w, with the spare mounted to rear bumper. Looking for suggestions ad pics if available in what others have used for bike racks. Would like to carry 2 bikes, and not relocate the spare. Thanks in advance!

Do a search on "bike rack" you'll find more than u wanted to know including not installing one.

[Herk7769]

Since you have a travel trailer you have more options than us 5th wheel buys. I do caution you however to forget you ever heard of mounting a bike rack on your rear bumper.

Some folks have had great success with bike racks over the tongue, on the nose of the truck, and in, or on, the bed of the truck.

Many have tried the bumper mount only to have arrived at their camp site with no bumper, no bikes, and no spare tire.

[lindy]

Herk; I can see by the pic you show that the bumper was just flush welded to the frame. Not wanting to start anything but was wondering, My bumper is actually recessed into the to the top 2/3's of the frame member so that the bumper is actually setting on the lower 1/3 of the frame, then welded across the bottom, up the side, and then across the top of the bumper, it's actually welded on 3 sides of the bumper to frame point. To me this seems more then secure enough welds. I've used a bike rack on the back of an older trl with no issues, bearing in mind that I secure the bikes in such a manner that they're not flopping all over on the rack causing stress on the bumper or mounts. I've tried hauling the bikes inside the trl but am scratching and tearing things up doing this.

[Herk7769]

Your bumper sounds like it is much different than the majority here.

My bumper is welded like the ones below. Due to some GREAT advice here, my bumper does NOT have cracks like the photos.

[bikendan]

Herk's close-up pics of the bumper welds, are pretty standard bumper and welds on most ultra-lite trailers.
if you've got something different, i'd like to see pics of it.

bottom line is that neither the frame manufacturer nor FR and other RV manufacturers, will warranty any mods or additional weight to the bumper or rear of ultra-lite trailers.
plus what many owners don't realize is that their trailers has NO shocks. thus the trailer bounces down the road, putting extreme stresses on the rack and bumper, since the bikes are held out and away from the back of the trailer.

now, regular 5th wheels and motorhomes are a different story. they aren't built on ultra-lite frames.

lindy, why can't you put the bikes in the Dakota's bed?
and the OP doesn't list what tow vehicle they have, so can't offer alternatives without knowing.

as an avid bicyclist, there's no way i'd put my bikes where i can't see them. there are much better alternatives.

[Rugged Brown]

Originally Posted by herk7769

Your bumper sounds like it is much different than the majority here.

My bumper is welded like the ones below. Due to some GREAT advice here, my bumper does NOT have cracks like the photos.

if you look real close at the second picture, you can actually see me in the reflection .. Unfortuantely, I did not have a smile when these pictures were take. And to add to misery, this was the result of a spare tire mount only.

[tentcamper1]

It sounds like mine- here are a few pic's.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by Rugged Brown

if you look real close at the second picture, you can actually see me in the reflection .. Unfortuantely, I did not have a smile when these pictures were take. And to add to misery, this was the result of a spare tire mount only.

Once again, thank you for sharing.

[Rugged Brown]

Originally Posted by herk7769

Once again, thank you for sharing.

No need for thanks Herk. i'm just pointing out the weakness of the bumpers and a warning to fellow RVers that these bumpers can't even take the weight of the spare tire, let alone bike racks and bikes.

[tentcamper1]

I agree- I would not trust the welds or the material. I travel with mine in the truck bed.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by tentcamper1

I agree- I would not trust the welds or the material. I travel with mine in the truck bed.

I certainly like the way yours is mounted better than mine.

[tbiker99]

this is how I did mine:
http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...unt-23801.html

[mrclean1010]

T Biker, what is the name of the wheel mount you used inside your trailer to connect the front tire to he aluminum frame? Would love to do this in mine. Thanks.

[tbiker99]

Originally Posted by mrclean1010

T Biker, what is the name of the wheel mount you used inside your trailer to connect the front tire to he aluminum frame? Would love to do this in mine. Thanks.

Yakima blockhead...I found mine on Ebay, but they can be found at almost any bike shop. Thule makes a similar mount would work just as well.

Yakima Racks & Carriers › Shop › Bike › Truck Bed › BlockHead

[7s6m7i6c]

I like the inside mount idea too. I tried the rear bumper mount as well with two adult bikes and one child bike and I found that it really made the TT sway considerably more. It just didn't seem worth the added anxiety. On to plan B...

[MtnGuy]

Originally Posted by bikendan

Herk's close-up pics of the bumper welds, are pretty standard bumper and welds on most ultra-lite trailers.
if you've got something different, i'd like to see pics of it.

Dan, my Surveyor came with an extra "C" channel welded on the inside of the I beam. Still don't carry my bikes back there, but I do carry 2 battery boxes for my chock blocks.

[doosterhouse]

Here is how I went with this. I had them on back of TT till I noticed welds splitting. Then thought of putting a front hitch on truck. Then I remembered the time I had to almost kiss a tree with my truck to back in to the state park campground spot. (Lots of trees) So I went for the roof of the truck. I have room for my fifth bike up there when he gets out of training wheels. Overall it works well for us. You just have to have lite weight bikes! Just loaded up for 4th of July trip to Half Moon Bay State Beach!

[pwb01]

Originally Posted by kaferman

Have a windjammer 3006w, with the spare mounted to rear bumper. Looking for suggestions ad pics if available in what others have used for bike racks. Would like to carry 2 bikes, and not relocate the spare. Thanks in advance!

I too have been searching for a bike rack and found one. For $40 at Camping World I bought one that holds two bikes vertically and mounts on the roof access ladder. The ladder's good for 300#, Perfect! It takes 5 minutes to load or unload the bikes and seems very sturdy. It takes seconds to install or remove the rack, just hang it on a rung, The only thing I do for a better fit is swing the handle bars 90 degrees.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by pwb01

I too have been searching for a bike rack and found one. For $40 at Camping World I bought one that holds two bikes vertically and mounts on the roof access ladder. The ladder's good for 300#, Perfect! It takes 5 minutes to load or unload the bikes and seems very sturdy. It takes seconds to install or remove the rack, just hang it on a rung, The only thing I do for a better fit is swing the handle bars 90 degrees.

If I were a betting man, I would wager you will have problems. The ladder may be good for 300#, but that is for climbing only, not the constant vibration caused by the road and being exaggerated by the bikes.

Hopefully your setup will not break and leave the bikes on the road and possibly causing a bad mishap for some poor unsuspecting family.

Best place to haul bikes is in the bed of the truck, on top of the tv or on inside the trailer. End of sermon, will get off my soapbox.