Bike rack - Page 2

thegreatoutdoors · 03-10-2014, 01:36 PM

ependydad, I think Im real close to the weight limit, with the storage space full and all. Thanks for the link.

cajun po-boy and herk, thanks for the info and the pic too Herk

**bikendan** · 03-10-2014, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thegreatoutdoors

So that might not be a real good idea also then right? The front truck mount sounds like the best bet, too me. Am i wrong in thinking that I wouldnt want to add more weight to the tongue? And where would I find the front mount receiver?

i would think that your truck should be able to handle an extra 100lbs. of bikes/rack to the tongue weight. but i don't know what your trailer's hitch weight is.

thegreatoutdoors · 03-10-2014, 01:44 PM

Good point Ontario camper. I have 4 bikes also.

thegreatoutdoors · 03-10-2014, 01:49 PM

bikendan, Im not sure what the trailer hitch is either. Im sure Camping World Installed one that would just handle the TT tongue weight(a little over 800lbs I think). Plus a loaded storage compartment, probably has me real close. I guess purchasing a different hitch could also be an option. To say... 1000lb tongue weight.??

foxhead · 03-12-2014, 08:41 AM

I made my own receiver hitch for the front of the trailer and purchased a very good quality bike rack. We carry four bikes on ours.

John

cbvp · 03-12-2014, 09:21 AM

My bumper on the Cherokee looked pretty much like f1100turbo,s 2nd & 3rd pics a couple of years ago. Here's what I did.

Hitch mounted under bumper.

1 1/2" X 3" tubing welded to frame rails and to cross member.

Braces welded in between mounting U bolts.

No signs of cracking for two years of hauling bikes.

C.B.

EnduroRdr · 03-12-2014, 09:35 AM

I had an experence like "Turbo" had (posted at beginning of this thread). I had hauled a dirt bike several times from south Louisiana to Arkansas (about 8 hours drive) and no failure, then on one trip home we took a different route which was a lot bumpier. Hwy 65 heading south bumped us for 6 hours. The rear bumper on my Keystone VR1 was maybe 14 gauge thick metal (this so you can slide the sewer hose inside a 4" square tube).
Problem is like most have posted here, it is barely strong enough to hold a spare tire much less anything heavier. Lucky for us we caught this before it came loose at highway speeds. The only reason it didn't completely fall off was I had originally added a 2" receiver under the bumper (to be able to haul a cargo rack, bike racks, or tandem pull my small utility trailer) and had welded the long hitch extension to the trailer frame. That 2" extension tube in the center of the bumper (which was welded to trailer frame) is what held the bumper from completely pulling loose.
Note: I had also tandem pulled many times without issues Using this same setup (Did that several years and inspected the bumper and never found any cracking). The 2nd trailer was more of a constant weight and didn't have a twisting effect - It was the bouncing and twisting action the bike rack exerted on the square bumper that caused it to start cracking. Therefore I don't recommend hanging a bike rack off the back without adding (welding) additional bracing, or simply replacing that wimpy bumper with something way stronger.
The solution for me was to replace the entire rear bumper with 1/4" wall square tubing. And weld it good (not like the factory did with a wimpy weld!) Now the new problem is that with the thicker wall rear bumper now no longer can hold the sewer hose, so I had to add a PVC pipe under the trailer to store the hose in.

In closing, I would not mount anything over 50 lbs. that may have a twisting effect on that stock thin wall bumper - that includes a bike racks or spare tire without replacing the bumper with something more substantial. Otherwise the stress will tear it loose at some point!

JTHale13 · 03-14-2014, 10:59 AM

Mine came with the metal rack on the rear bumper and I've hauled bikes on it but I'm tempted to take mine off and haul the bikes inside. My main reason is because I store my camper backed up to a fence so I can't lower the rack and load it until I pul the camper out onto the road which then takes longer to be ready to leave but also worried about stress on the bumper even though the rack is factory installed and rated for I think about 250 or 350 pounds.

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JTHale13 · 03-14-2014, 11:02 AM

I've got five kids so I pull with an SUV but if your pulling with a truck I'd suggest making something like a ladder rack to put the bikes on and then you have all your normal storage in the bed under it.

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JTHale13 · 03-14-2014, 11:10 AM

Check out this site for ideas http://www.orsracksdirect.com some of their stuff is kinda pricy though. I think someone could make something for cheaper.

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ironj · 03-14-2014, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thegreatoutdoors

ependydad, I think Im real close to the weight limit, with the storage space full and all. Thanks for the link.

cajun po-boy and herk, thanks for the info and the pic too Herk

geeze man what are you carrying!! lol....your 250 prob has at LEAST 2000lbs payload...

your trailer at max weight should have a tongue weight of 800lbs or so

or do you have kegs and bricks in your front storage,,?..bikes with over tank rack (2bikes) should add about 150lbs (unless they are high end carbon fiber roadies)

i carry a 40gal aux tank in my truck (250lbs+) and a genny and a few other misc junk.....even with my 9600lbs (900lb tongue weight) trailer, i am just BARLY bumping my paylaod max (2100lbs sticker)

and my front storage is full of tools/air compressor/hoses/blocks etc...

im just saying...if your towing with the 14f250 in your sig, i think youd be more than fine with a cple bikes on the front....may have to adjust your wdh a little........

Crabbyguy · 03-14-2014, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herk7769

You may be better off with the bikes in, or on, the truck.

That's what I'm doing this year. Just ordered the front mount hitch yesterday. Haven't decided on the bike rack yet. I'll wait to install it then take a few measurements.

http://www.carid.com/2011-gmc-sierra...FaLm7AodiGoAMg

Crabbyguy · 03-17-2014, 09:29 AM

Got the hitch Saturday, installed it yesterday and I'm glad I did. Snow again this morning.

BamaBob · 03-17-2014, 09:49 AM

Something I have seen at RV parks and on RVs as we drive down the interstate...comments?

Amazon.com: Surco 501BR Ladder Mounted Bike Rack: Automotive

Crabbyguy · 03-17-2014, 02:13 PM

I only got the front mount cause I figure if they fall off I'll see it and I want the fun of running over them, not somebody else.

ironj · 03-17-2014, 03:10 PM

Since i havent seen mention of it, another not so costly option I have used (only fits two bikes) is a clamp on carrier that fits over the 2x2 hitch head....keeps the bikes outta the bed. Never had a prob...just another option..?

It says 3 bikes but maybe only if they were kids or you remove the front wheels?

Curt 18013 Clamp-On Bike Rack by Curt http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007EA6JMM/..._fE1jtb119CT07

sent from fat fingers via a space dish thing with no regard to grammer.

Zwicker · 03-19-2014, 08:03 AM

Take your table. Replace wood under cushions with half or 3 quarter inch plywood. Mount bike fork holders. 3 to 4 bikes mounted on top of the table.

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Zwicker · 03-19-2014, 08:03 AM

There is a thread on here for it.

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Zwicker · 03-19-2014, 08:10 AM

Table top bike rack

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Crabbyguy · 03-19-2014, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zwicker

Take your table. Replace wood under cushions with half or 3 quarter inch plywood. Mount bike fork holders. 3 to 4 bikes mounted on top of the table.

Darn it. That's a great idea unfortunately I have the free standing bolted to the floor table.

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