Rear Bumper Storage

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by RSW3

True, but I'll have a Furrion camera installed

Well this stinks...I'm a bike racer and I was going to install a rack on the back...I told the dealer this, and they said nothing

I know a welder, and I think I'm going to have him do the struts like others in this forum have had done...ugh.

Thanks for all the knowledge guys.

As a bike racer, I don't think you'd want your expensive bikes hanging off the rear of the trailer.

I have expensive bikes and I used to race mtn bikes.
I want my bikes where I can see them. So I put them in the Truck bed or inside the trailer or on a rack mounted to the Truck step bumper.
I'm also looking at a tongue mounted rack system.

The physics are different for the spare tire, which is a vertical load mounted almost right over the bumper.
A bike rack carries the load away from the bumper and since TTs don't have shocks, the bikes bouncing causes forces that pull back and down on the bumper.

[rockfordroo]

Here's another option:

https://www.lci1.com/jack-it

[RSW3]

Just had an Email exchange with the dealer.

They say a Bike rack is fine on the rear bumper..."up to 200 pounds"


?????

[rockfordroo]

Not sure I'd trust the dealer. What's the manufacturer say?

[EDABEUT]

Ask the dealer if he is going to cover any damages that happen. I use to haul bikes on the rear bumper of many TT's. Have gone through many bike racks and they all have failed one way or another. The bikes all get damaged - paint all scratched up etc. I now carry my bikes in the bed of the truck. There is just to much movement back there to haul anything safely.

[RSW3]

Originally Posted by EDABEUT

Ask the dealer if he is going to cover any damages that happen. I use to haul bikes on the rear bumper of many TT's. Have gone through many bike racks and they all have failed one way or another. The bikes all get damaged - paint all scratched up etc. I now carry my bikes in the bed of the truck. There is just to much movement back there to haul anything safely.

Not sure what you are addressing? Bumpers failing or the racks?

I have a great bike racks (one of my sponsors)...and they support the wheels, they are not ‘hanger’ racks, which yes, can damage bikes.

What were you referring to with scratched paint, etc?

My big concern was reading posts in here about bumpers twisting/cracking at Wells, etc.

The dealer told me I can “hang up to 200 pounds” of bike rack and bikes with no problems. Yes, i did save their Email, just in case *wink*

Can you clarify? My bikes are custom built and high end...I am very protective of them, as well as client bikes!

[rockfordroo]

I have Thule platform rack. It says not for RV use, but I've had no issues in 6 years. Swagman makes a rack for RVs.

But if you have high end bikes, maybe put inside.

[EDABEUT]

The last TT I had I had a custom frame attachment made that welded to the frame. Didn't use the bumper for support. I had a platform rack also. The platform had a weld break and one bike tipped and rubbed against the other. The fact you can not see them I had no idea until someone flagged me passing but the damage was done. It amazing how much the back of the TT bounces around. I would seriously look at a rack over the propane tanks.

[RSW3]

I’m not worried about the rack. My racks are the best made.

I’m worried about the bumper the mount is bolted to.

Again, the dealer says it’s A-OK. They said that “some have problems trying to mount big heavy mopeds and motorbikes.”

I read this thread with interest, and trepidation.

[rockfordroo]

If you've looked at Post #18 and the beefed up receivers I've had on my Roo 19 and my Mini Lite, here are pics of the bikes on them.

Roo 19 (OK after 3 years)




Mini Lite (OK after 3 years, going on 4 this year)


I'm OK with them, but I'm just hauling a couple of "cheap" hybrid bikes. 30 lbs a piece and a 30 lb rack, so 90 lbs. (I did take the spare off my Mini Lite bumper and put it underneath with a BAL Hide a Spare.)

We each have to determine the amount of risk we're willing to accept.

[RSW3]

Originally Posted by rockfordroo

If you've looked at Post #18 and the beefed up receivers I've had on my Roo 19 and my Mini Lite, here are pics of the bikes on them.

Roo 19 (OK after 3 years)
Attachment 163216

Attachment 163217

Mini Lite (OK after 3 years, going on 4 this year)
Attachment 163218

I'm OK with them, but I'm just hauling a couple of "cheap" hybrid bikes. 30 lbs a piece and a 30 lb rack, so 90 lbs. (I did take the spare off my Mini Lite bumper and put it underneath with a BAL Hide a Spare.)

We each have to determine the amount of risk we're willing to accept.

Yes, I saw that (#18).

I’m starting to feel the only way to be truly sure will be to get that frame brace/mount from Etrailer and mount bike rack to that.

I’m perplexed why the dealer would tell me everything is OK (“just don’t haul mopeds or motorcycles back there”). I did save all the emails, etc.

Ugh...this is very disappointing.

Thanks for all the info!

R

[Prd2hnt]

We just purchased a Chaparral 30rls. It has the 2 in receiver on the rear. I emailed Forrest River and the message I got back was not to exceed 300lb tongue weight.

Corrected typo. 300 lbs is correct.

[rockfordroo]

Originally Posted by Prd2hnt

We just purchased a Chaparral 30rls. It has the 2 in receiver on the rear. I emailed Forrest River and the message I got back was not to exceed 30lb tongue weight.

Did you mean 300 lbs?

[RSW3]

Final outcome.

A bomb-proof set-up.

I wanted to stay clear of anything attached to bumper based on the responses many of you provided (thank you!)...I found the hitch/bracket kit on eTrailer.com and the rack is a KUAT 'Transit' 3-bike.

You can literally stand and bounce up and down on this set-up. mucho-secure and bomb-proof.

Hope this helps any members facing this challenge in the future!

R

[Tbonz]

Too much weight back there can cause major handling problens.

[B and B]

Originally Posted by RSW3

Final outcome.

A bomb-proof set-up.

I wanted to stay clear of anything attached to bumper based on the responses many of you provided (thank you!)...I found the hitch/bracket kit on eTrailer.com and the rack is a KUAT 'Transit' 3-bike.

You can literally stand and bounce up and down on this set-up. mucho-secure and bomb-proof.

Hope this helps any members facing this challenge in the future!

R

Hmmm. There is only one RV Rated rack for bikes and I have one made by Swagman. That doesn't look like it. Not sure if you have the clearance required when pulling into a driveway at the Walmart or Mobil station. That sticks really far out.

[RSW3]

Originally Posted by B and B

Hmmm. There is only one RV Rated rack for bikes and I have one made by Swagman. That doesn't look like it. Not sure if you have the clearance required when pulling into a driveway at the Walmart or Mobil station. That sticks really far out.

Good points, and that it does.

I have a working relationship with KUAT, and their racks are second-to-none.

The only real worry I have is the mount underneath may scrape from time to time, but I had to do something. After reading all the entries here from experienced RV'rs and campers, I was educated on why not to use a bumper mount, and for that I am grateful.

Cheers, and thanks!

[OldCoot]

It's a shame someone doesn't come up with a bike rack that attaches to the frame and comes out over the top of the bumper between the camper and bumper.

[Ron045]

Originally Posted by B and B

Hmmm. There is only one RV Rated rack for bikes and I have one made by Swagman.

I'm not too sure this statement is accurate. I have an RV rated Bike rack from Lets Go Aero. There are dozens of RV rated bike racks on etrailer.


https://www.etrailer.com/dept-pg-RV_...ike_Racks.aspx


Ron

[rockfordroo]

Originally Posted by Ron045

I'm not too sure this statement is accurate. I have an RV rated Bike rack from Lets Go Aero. There are dozens of RV rated bike racks on etrailer.


https://www.etrailer.com/dept-pg-RV_...ike_Racks.aspx


Ron

I think it's etrailer that's not accurate. I have the 2nd one on your list, TH990XT. Although it says RV on the listing, if you click on the specific rack, there's nothing on the page that says RV, and if you open the installation instructions PDF, it specifically says "Not for use on trailers or towed vehicles."

That being said, it's survived 6 years on my trailer and probably 8 years on my trailer and truck.