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Old 04-10-2015, 06:44 AM   #1
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Bike rack

Looking to add a bike rack to back of TT. Leaning towards adding a hitch mount and getting a rack to fit that....not sure about the ladder rack style.....needs to hold 4 bikes (2 adult, 2 child). What does everyone else do?

My rear bumper has spare tire on left and grill with swing arm in middle...may make hitch rack interesting to mount/fit in.
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Old 04-10-2015, 06:49 AM   #2
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You might as well do a search on the forum for "Bike racks". There is a lot of information to be aware of before attempting. ie: broken welds, voided warranties, etc. There are options though,
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Old 04-10-2015, 07:22 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Armadabjj View Post
Looking to add a bike rack to back of TT. Leaning towards adding a hitch mount and getting a rack to fit that....not sure about the ladder rack style.....needs to hold 4 bikes (2 adult, 2 child). What does everyone else do?

My rear bumper has spare tire on left and grill with swing arm in middle...may make hitch rack interesting to mount/fit in.
Sounds like your bumper's capacity is already maxed out.

You might want to look at a front mount option.
Frame and bumper cracks are no joke.
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Old 04-10-2015, 07:54 AM   #4
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Didn't think of this.....so I may have to go with front mount or ladder rack. I think ladder rack is rated for 300lbs
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Old 04-10-2015, 08:03 AM   #5
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Originally Posted by Armadabjj View Post
Didn't think of this.....so I may have to go with front mount or ladder rack. I think ladder rack is rated for 300lbs
Think again, the ladder is rated for a static load ONLY!
I think the ladder rack would be worse then the bumper.


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Old 04-10-2015, 08:05 AM   #6
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I agree. Let me search around and see what's available.
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Old 04-10-2015, 08:29 AM   #7
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Originally Posted by Armadabjj View Post
I agree. Let me search around and see what's available.
Turbs beat me to it.

4 bikes on the ladder would most likely loosen it to failure in just a few trips.

Perhaps inside for the 2 kids bikes and front of (or ON) the truck for the 2 adults. If a travel trailer, there are more options like a trailer tongue mount or truck bed.
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Old 04-10-2015, 08:31 AM   #8
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Yes, right now kids bikes are inside camper, dont have adult bikes yet....but eventually prolly will have them..

Never seen a trailer tongue mount.... Any pics or links?
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Old 04-10-2015, 08:34 AM   #9
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Originally Posted by Armadabjj View Post
Yes, right now kids bikes are inside camper, dont have adult bikes yet....but eventually prolly will have them..

Never seen a trailer tongue mount.... Any pics or links?
IMG_2354_2.jpg Photo by Lantley | Photobucket

Truck mount solutions abound:

https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&...2F%3B800%3B600
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Old 04-10-2015, 08:37 AM   #10
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Nice. I like that option. Thanks!
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Old 04-10-2015, 09:15 AM   #11
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Originally Posted by Armadabjj View Post
Nice. I like that option. Thanks!
Be sure to search here as well; many DIY solutions by our members with links; etc.
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Old 04-10-2015, 09:23 AM   #12
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Some thoughts (some pretty pricey!):

Stromberg Carlson Bike Bunk Trailer-Mounted Bike Carrier for A-Frame Trailers - 2" - 100 lbs Stromberg Carlson Trailer Cargo Control CC-275

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002M3O91E?psc=1

Advantage SportsRack V-Rack 2 Bike Rack for 2" Ball Mounts - Towing Heininger Holdings Hitch Bike Racks HE1011
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Old 04-10-2015, 12:12 PM   #13
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We use an Arvika bike rack to carry 4 bikes. Not cheap, but the only safe/practical way that worked for us.
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Old 04-10-2015, 12:13 PM   #14
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That looks ideal.
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Old 04-10-2015, 12:22 PM   #15
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tongue mounted bike racks are much more expensive than other choices.

can't you use your tow vehicle for the bikes? that's the best option.
truck bed or a roof rack system from Yakima or Thule. some use a front hitch bike rack.

you don't list your trailer so don't know if it's an ultralight or not. if it's an ultralight, rear mounted bike racks are not recommended, unless a receiver is welded AND braced to the frame and bumper. but this mod, as Herk's pic showed, will void the frame's warranty on an ultralight.

my bikes are not cheap and i choose to put them where i can see them, not on the back of a trailer that blocks my vision.

as others have said, this subject has been beat to death over and over.
by doing a search on any RV forum, you'll find suggestions, pics and enough reading for months.
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Old 04-10-2015, 12:32 PM   #16
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I just thought it was worth mentioning that you can't imagine how much pain and sorrow these guys just saved you. About two years ago before I even knew this forum existed. I bought a bike rack and mounted it on the rear bumper of a Coleman Niagara popup I had at the time. I made several trips with bikes and all and no problems and then one day on the way back from a nice weekend of camping bang! The two bikes, bike rack and bumper all went tumbling down the road and became a mangled pile of metal. I had just left a crowded interstate 2 miles earlier and luckily was on a deserted country road when it happened. I still thank God it was only metal that got mangled and will never get out of my mind what could have happened if I had still been on that interstate highway. It sometimes surprises me what you can buy, even in a camping world store, that could get you, or someone else, terribly hurt without knowing when and how to use it. Luckily you asked the right people the right question, I was stupid enough to make an assumption about the strength of that bumper, but never again.
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Old 04-10-2015, 06:53 PM   #17
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I just fished installing a four bike rack on my 2014 V-Lite. I moved my spare tire to the left and installed a Curt 2" X 2" bumper hitch. The bike rack is a Reese Sport Wing that is adjustable to accommodate any kind of bike. It also slides in and out, (in for 1 or two bikes and out for three or four). After installing I was concerned about the leverage exerted while having rack fully extended and fully loaded. So I did a little research and found some rv bumper supports that add an additional 400 pounds of capability to the bumper. They are made and sold by mount-n-lock.com and were only $49.95 with free shipping. Now there is very little flexing of the rear bumper. Well worth the money.
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Old 04-10-2015, 07:04 PM   #18
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Jason, that is quite the lever arm on that bike rack.

Please keep a CLOSE watch on your bumper welds and the frame just aft of the rear axle attachment points.

You will know you are in deep doodoo if your bumper caps pop out due to the flexing of the bumper tube. I tried your setup when I first started traveling with bikes, I made it to my first stop before the bikes went into the camper. I was warned by a forum member to watch out for loose caps.

BOTH my caps were hanging out.
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Old 04-10-2015, 07:22 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dolphballs View Post
I just fished installing a four bike rack on my 2014 V-Lite. I moved my spare tire to the left and installed a Curt 2" X 2" bumper hitch. The bike rack is a Reese Sport Wing that is adjustable to accommodate any kind of bike. It also slides in and out, (in for 1 or two bikes and out for three or four). After installing I was concerned about the leverage exerted while having rack fully extended and fully loaded. So I did a little research and found some rv bumper supports that add an additional 400 pounds of capability to the bumper. They are made and sold by mount-n-lock.com and were only $49.95 with free shipping. Now there is very little flexing of the rear bumper. Well worth the money.
I don't think this will end well especially on a ultralight!
Actually I KNOW it won't end well as my ultra light flagstaff bucked the bikes right through the back of my camper.


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Old 04-16-2015, 01:05 PM   #20
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Originally Posted by Armadabjj View Post
Looking to add a bike rack to back of TT. Leaning towards adding a hitch mount and getting a rack to fit that....not sure about the ladder rack style.....needs to hold 4 bikes (2 adult, 2 child). What does everyone else do?

My rear bumper has spare tire on left and grill with swing arm in middle...may make hitch rack interesting to mount/fit in.
Here's a few bike rack options on Hitchweb: Hitch Mounted Bike Racks

That's the best way to go for 4 bikes. I've only seen that the ladder style holds 2 bikes.

Would be interested to know which one you pick
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