Suggestions for Bicycle mounts

[DVanfossan]

Looking for suggestions on how people mount bicycles on their Rockwood Roo. We currently have a rear bumper mount however I have to take the bikes off in order to drop the rear bed. It's not a big problem right now however I see it as a major issue once we start travelling more.
I may find that I have to leave them in the back of our truck but looking for other ideas.

Thanks

[bikendan]

How many bikes are you talking about? I used a Swagman 2 bike ball mount rack that mounted to the truck step bumper. Had plenty room to turn the Roo.
I have pics of the setup, in my photo gallery here.
I'm not willing to risk my bikes where I can't see them because they aren't cheap bikes.

[kenandterry]

Originally Posted by DVanfossan

Looking for suggestions on how people mount bicycles on their Rockwood Roo. We currently have a rear bumper mount however I have to take the bikes off in order to drop the rear bed. It's not a big problem right now however I see it as a major issue once we start travelling more.
I may find that I have to leave them in the back of our truck but looking for other ideas.

Thanks

Assuming your truck is a pickup, if you can lay them down in the bed, and have a bed cover of some design......the bikes will be cleaner than if mounted on the rear bumper. Also, until you need/use them.......outta sight, outta mind.

[DVanfossan]

Thanks Dan, sounds interesting but I can't find your photo album.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by DVanfossan

Thanks Dan, sounds interesting but I can't find your photo album.

You have to go to the full website and click on the green bar PHOTOS.
But here's a link to my photos:

https://www.forestriverforums.com/Ph...ser=331&sort=4

[kermitvb]

Bikendan: I'm following your thread and I've seen your pictures. Do you think that hitch rack would be low enough that I could carry two bikes and still clear the underside of a 5th wheel trailer? I hate carrying them on the rear of the trailer because the bikes get trashed with dirt and get bounce around too much. I love my bike and do not want it abused like that. Thanks

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by kermitvb

Bikendan: I'm following your thread and I've seen your pictures. Do you think that hitch rack would be low enough that I could carry two bikes and still clear the underside of a 5th wheel trailer? I hate carrying them on the rear of the trailer because the bikes get trashed with dirt and get bounce around too much. I love my bike and do not want it abused like that. Thanks

Sorry but no.
You would need a pin box bike rack mount.

[Daniel.mullins4]

I had bike rack on trailer bumper and due to the weight and bouncing the square bumper began to bend, the attached pic would be the best option to save room in your pickup bed

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Daniel.mullins4

I had bike rack on trailer bumper and due to the weight and bouncing the square bumper began to bend, the attached pic would be the best option to save room in your pickup bed

This is what I consider the best choice for a travel trailer:

https://www.campingworld.com/the-bik...B&gclsrc=aw.ds

[aeblank]

Originally Posted by bikendan

This is what I consider the best choice for a travel trailer:

https://www.campingworld.com/the-bik...B&gclsrc=aw.ds

Agreed.
I modified mine and got it 16"+ closer to the camper. I could stand to shorten it, but laziness is king.....

https://i.imgur.com/WYoxx1r.jpg

[NJKris]

My trailer came equipped with the Jack it rack that straddles the power jack. After fine tuning it, I like it. I have tried to put bikes on it/off it by myself, it's a bit of struggle. Now I back pickup up to the rack, and have wife on ground hand bikes up to me as I stand on tailgate. From there I rack them. The system keeps bikes very secure in transit, plus it's nice to just be able to glance through back window of pickup and see bikes are fine. Ours holds 2 bikes. Obviously, adds to tongue weight, if that's a concern you should know.

[aeblank]

Originally Posted by NJKris

My trailer came equipped with the Jack it rack that straddles the power jack. After fine tuning it, I like it. I have tried to put bikes on it/off it by myself, it's a bit of struggle. Now I back pickup up to the rack, and have wife on ground hand bikes up to me as I stand on tailgate. From there I rack them. The system keeps bikes very secure in transit, plus it's nice to just be able to glance through back window of pickup and see bikes are fine. Ours holds 2 bikes. Obviously, adds to tongue weight, if that's a concern you should know.

Doesn't the jack-it swivel down?

On mine (picture above) I stand on the tongue and squeeze the jack with my knees. Or stand on the tailgate.....

[NJKris]

Jackit does not swivel down. I was looking at pic of yours, and although I like how it mounts to frame, I was wondering how the mounting system works. I like the Jackit because it has cradles that slip through the upper part of each wheel, AND has pegs you can position for bottom of wheels to sit on. Rubber 'latches' complete the tie down. No chance for the front wheel to move to and fro, or pedals to move, possibly scratching the front wall of camper. Also, there are foam sleeves to protect the bike frames from touching the adjoining bike or the rack itself, preventing any rubbing damage in transit.


If I stood on the tongue trying to hold a bike, I guarantee I would slip and that front Jack would become a battering ram on the way down, lol.

[aeblank]

Originally Posted by NJKris

Jackit does not swivel down. I was looking at pic of yours, and although I like how it mounts to frame, I was wondering how the mounting system works. I like the Jackit because it has cradles that slip through the upper part of each wheel, AND has pegs you can position for bottom of wheels to sit on. Rubber 'latches' complete the tie down. No chance for the front wheel to move to and fro, or pedals to move, possibly scratching the front wall of camper. Also, there are foam sleeves to protect the bike frames from touching the adjoining bike or the rack itself, preventing any rubbing damage in transit.


If I stood on the tongue trying to hold a bike, I guarantee I would slip and that front Jack would become a battering ram on the way down, lol.

Probably hard to see, but it clamps on the top bar. It's simple and I like it. Guessing you wouldn't, based on what you have.

https://i.imgur.com/QyZXotz.jpg?1

This is it..

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009NUG7U...p_mob_ap_share

I went to straight pipes, vs the curved ones the bike bunk came with. Then I welded some pipe, 1.625" o.d. perhaps, on the top cross beam to eliminate the 2" receiver bit. Note vs the first picture. Plus the distance the pipe bends push it forward.

https://i.imgur.com/F6D5C87.jpg?1

[azfansinnc]

This thread has been interesting.

I just built a 2" receiver to go across the rear of my trailer under the Lippert bumper on our Rockwood Roo 23BDS. It's well braced and bolts through the frame with 1/2" Grade 8 bolts. It's not going anywhere.

However, the Yakima bike rack (frame mount), even though it has the locking bolt to stabilize the rack, loosens up after a couple hours of driving since the rack can wiggle up and down a little bit. Once it loosens up you can really see the motion though the rear camera. My thoughts were to add some bottom and side bolts with jam nuts on the receiver to prevent this motion. (Or possibly a hitch tightener)

Pros:
I believe I have enough tongue weight to offset the weight of the bikes.
My intent was to wrap the bikes in a tarp to keep them from getting covered in crap.
I have a rearview camera with which I can see the bikes.
The receiver only cost the price of some hardware, a can of spray paint and an afternoon of work.
Out of the slipstream (such as it is)

Cons:
Removes some tongue weight. Too much?
Rough ride even with Dexter torsion axles