Rear Bumper Storage

Slow but Steady · 12-05-2017, 10:48 AM

I have been told that the rear bumper on my RV will hold about 300 lbs. And now for a winter project I want to put a small platform to hold my 100 lb generator. Has anyone done this, does anyone know of any plans for this?

I know that they make reese hitch recivers that will bolt on the a 4" squ bumper and thinking I would look into this. Any and all thougths and ideas are most appriecated.

Tom and Kathy
North Ga

Islander · 12-05-2017, 11:17 AM

I'm no expert on this topic...however, there has been lots of discussion on 'bumpers' and what they can hold and can not hold .

By any chance was it the sales person that said 'it would hold about 300 lbs' ?

I don't know your RV type or bumper type, perhaps a picture would help here.
If it is the common 4" square steel tube welded on to the frame it may hold the weight you are asking for if it was a direct top load with no cantilever outward load.
A cantilevered load would put excessive stress on the weld points. It probably would not be the welds that fail but the thin walled steel of the bumper would tear away (at the weld points) under load when it is bouncing down the road.
This is seen all to often when Bike Racks are bolted to the bumper.
The weight of the bikes is not a lot of weight but it is enough when they bounce and jiggle going down the road causing stress as I described above.
The force created puts a 'twist' onto the bumper and then often fails.

Perhaps a trailer hitch welded to the frame would be better than a bolt on.

hope this helps

Islander

**bikendan** · 12-05-2017, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slow but Steady

I have been told that the rear bumper on my RV will hold about 300 lbs. And now for a winter project I want to put a small platform to hold my 100 lb generator. Has anyone done this, does anyone know of any plans for this?

I know that they make reese hitch recivers that will bolt on the a 4" squ bumper and thinking I would look into this. Any and all thougths and ideas are most appriecated.

Tom and Kathy
North Ga

You need to post make and model of RV, since it's not listed in your profile.

If it's an ultralight trailer, the bumper is made of thin metal and weak welds.
Most have some kind of warning statement stating that modifying the bumper will possibly void the warranty.

A non-ultralight or motorhome will usually have a much stronger bumper that may be able to handle it.

But without knowing what kind of RV you have, it's hard to advise you.

5picker · 12-05-2017, 04:35 PM

Here is a search of the site on rear bumper racks.
You'll have days worth of 'slow but steady' reading.

Rear Bumper Rack - Forest River.

**Herk7769** · 12-05-2017, 04:37 PM

Short answer is, "If it did not come from the factory with it on; don't do it."

However, there are aftermarket bolt on supports which will aid in bumper retention when the welds fail.
https://www.amazon.com/SafetyStruts-.../dp/B00JASCNEE

cbvp · 12-06-2017, 10:06 AM

I mounted a reciever hitch on my Cherokee for a bike rack.

It didn't take long for the bumper to start tearing from the frame. Haven't had a problem since adding bracing.

1/4" strap over top of frame and bumper.

Brace from frame to bumper.

C.B.

Brendon37 · 12-06-2017, 10:24 AM

On my Crusader I had my bumper taken off and re-welded back on by a steel and welding shop. They also added 1/4 inch angle iron and welded that from the frame to the bottom of the bumper. I only have a bike rack on my bumper and haven't had any issues the last 9 months its been like that.

**Herk7769** · 12-06-2017, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brendon37

On my Crusader I had my bumper taken off and re-welded back on by a steel and welding shop. They also added 1/4 inch angle iron and welded that from the frame to the bottom of the bumper. I only have a bike rack on my bumper and haven't had any issues the last 9 months its been like that.

Please make sure you inspect the frame at the rear axle attachment points.

Beefing up the frame to bumper for a bike rack will just transfer that torque load to the rear axle frame welds.

Cowracer · 12-06-2017, 05:58 PM

When I am traveling behind any camper with bikes or such on the rear bumper, I make it a point to get in front of them as soon as humanly possible. I don't want someones Schwinn tearing the radiator out of my car.

Tim

larryo · 12-07-2017, 05:32 PM

You're receiving good advice.

Wandering · 12-07-2017, 10:09 PM

I had a bike rack on a bumper mounted hitch and thought all was good. Till I noticed the bumper had started to separate from the frame mounts.

See this post for details.

My bumper mount hitch is for sale.

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for....php?p=1592662

Jammer3025 · 01-22-2018, 01:14 PM

I'm thinking these would work pretty good, and no weldingis required.
Look at this on eBay http://www.ebay.com/itm/253312573674

allenb12 · 01-22-2018, 05:51 PM

After the original bumper failed I had it cut off and a 3/16" bumper welded on with reinforcements to the frame. 12,000 miles and never a problem.

RSW3 · 02-21-2018, 09:24 PM

Oh no...

I just bought a new trailer and putting a bike rack on back bumper is a no-go?

I have the bracket, and the rack is on the way.

The MFR has a spare tire and spare tire mount on bumper, and it is a cantilevered load.

??

Jeez

**bikendan** · 02-21-2018, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RSW3

Oh no...

I just bought a new trailer and putting a bike rack on back bumper is a no-go?

I have the bracket, and the rack is on the way.

The MFR has a spare tire and spare tire mount on bumper, and it is a cantilevered load.

??

Jeez

Since your RV isn't listed in your profile and I have no idea what MFR means, can't advise you whether or not it's a good idea or not.
Generally if it's an ultralight, it's a bad idea unless you have a welding shop brace and reinforce the bumper.

RSW3 · 02-22-2018, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikendan

Since your RV isn't listed in your profile and I have no idea what MFR means, can't advise you whether or not it's a good idea or not.
Generally if it's an ultralight, it's a bad idea unless you have a welding shop brace and reinforce the bumper.

Oh man...sorry. MFR, manufacturer.

It’s a Wildwood X-Lite, 230BHXL.

Perplexed if the bumpers are this weak, why they put on the spare tire racks that they do. The are also off-set, which does not allow a direct downward load on bumper.

CedarCreekWoody · 02-22-2018, 09:00 AM

The X-lite has extra light bumpers. Adding anything not installed by the manufacturer voids the warranty. The spare is heavy, and a bit offset, but a bike rack is much taller allowing the weight of the bikes to use a lot of leverage to twist the thin bumper steel. Additionally, you can't see behind the trailer while towing so you may be dragging the bike on the pavement.

rockfordroo · 02-22-2018, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RSW3

Oh man...sorry. MFR, manufacturer.

It’s a Wildwood X-Lite, 230BHXL.

Perplexed if the bumpers are this weak, why they put on the spare tire racks that they do. The are also off-set, which does not allow a direct downward load on bumper.

You can have a beefed up receiver added. It will void the warranty, but IMHO, it will make the frame stronger. See here for what I put on my Roo 19 (post #2) and my Mini Lite 2503S (Post #12):

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...oo-107358.html

Here are some other ideas:

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...st-136972.html

RSW3 · 02-22-2018, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CedarCreekWoody

The X-lite has extra light bumpers. Adding anything not installed by the manufacturer voids the warranty. The spare is heavy, and a bit offset, but a bike rack is much taller allowing the weight of the bikes to use a lot of leverage to twist the thin bumper steel. Additionally, you can't see behind the trailer while towing so you may be dragging the bike on the pavement.

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.

CedarCreekWoody · 02-22-2018, 12:12 PM

Quote:

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.

There are options for front mount racks. A search on the forum will show you several options.

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