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07-25-2017, 06:20 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 784
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Bike rack between RV and tow vehicle followup
So I got the swagman bike rack and there was room to mount it on my blue ox hitch bar.
with only 1 bike mount set up (facing the rear - fortunately I am only looking to carry 1 bike!) the engine cover opens (barely), but you must have the bike off and the arms folded down.
So now my question is, if I make a sharp turn will the truck hit the bike rack? Playing around with a measuring tape, if the tow bar turns a lot it will be close. I am not sure (having never been back there in a tight turn) how great an angle the tow bar will rotate to.
Anyone tried this or have any thoughts? The acid test would be to find a parking lot and try it, but I am currently in the mountains at the end of a windy road...... There may be one I can use, but hoping for some helpful advice.
Thanks
Van Sayler
2017 Anthem 44B
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Van Sayler | 2022 Cornerstone 44B
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07-25-2017, 06:21 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 784
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Here is a picture of the setup
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Van Sayler | 2022 Cornerstone 44B
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07-25-2017, 06:24 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Entegra Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 8,107
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That does look to be on the tight side. Have you considered adding an extension?
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Marc and Jill, Wellington FL
2013 Entegra Anthem 44SL
2018 Lincoln MKX
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07-25-2017, 07:11 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Anderson, SC
Posts: 328
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It also appears that your tow bar would be difficult to fold up and lock in the stow position. An extension would help this also.
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Steve
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07-25-2017, 07:39 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,328
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The only way to be sure is to take it to a large parking lot and have someone walk beside it whil you make the sharpest turn possible.
And no, you can't stow the tow bar as usual. I use a 3 inch wide strap to hold the tow bar up when I travel with our bike rack. Not a big deal as your only driving the rig to your parking spot in the CG.
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Paul, Kathy, and Tux the Mini Schnauzer
2014 Tiffin Phaeton 42 LH, 2013 Honda CRV
"When the time comes to look back, make sure you'll like what you see"
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07-25-2017, 02:03 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Entegra Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: East Greenwich, RI
Posts: 2,293
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Vsayler thanks for this info, I was considering switching to this bike rack but now I'm not so sure. We have the Blue Ox Avail and I would need to attach the bike rack in the same place you did on the tow bar arm. We do have a drop hitch/extender but there is not enough room on it so the rack needs to go on the tow bar. Looking at your photo it does seem to be real close. Looking forward to learning how it works out for you.
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07-25-2017, 02:08 PM
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: western NC mountains!
Posts: 4,106
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the REAL test for 'tightness' is to take the coach into a hard turn on an uneven driveway entrance/exit, where the bike would be the closest possible to the front or hood of the vehicle... or, as others have said, simply add a 4" to 6" extension receiver for the tow bar - problem solved. (This will also work for the bike rack/engine cover tightness, an extension between the coach and the bike rack.)
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07-25-2017, 02:14 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,188
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We've got a similar setup - using Roadmaster Sterling All Terrain tow bar and a Thule Vertex bike rack - along with a 2012 Jeep Liberty for a toad. Although the Thule is a 4 bike rack - I can only carry two bikes on it and have the bikes clear the front of the Jeep during maximum left / right turns. I can squeeze a 3rd bike on the rack - but must remove both the front and rear wheels from the "outside" bike if I do.
As somebody else suggested - we tested the clearances by loading everything up a nearby parking lot - launched the coach into "to the pin" left and right turns while my DW walked and watched. With two "complete" bikes on the rack - we have 3"-4" of clearance between the bikes and the Jeep at maximum turning.
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SpaceNorman
2012 HR Endeavor 43' DFT, 2022 Jeep Wrangler
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07-25-2017, 09:19 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Entegra Owners Club
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 102
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We are using the same setup with no problems. As a matter of fact our bike rack holds four bikes. We use a dual hitch adapter with a six inch drop. Hope that helps.
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Joe and Joan (JSquared)
2014 Entegra Anthem DEQ
2015 Ford Edge (Toad)
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07-25-2017, 10:03 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Montgomery, TX (Home Sweet Home)
Posts: 2,501
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Van, while extensions and drop adaptors may solve your bike rack related clearance issue, it may create another more significant issue.
As you know, every extension device increases the leverage applied to each component between the towed vehicle and the coach.
There is a point where components will reveal this leverage in the form of component failure.
In our case, we tow a Platinum F-150 SCREW, frequently loaded with a 1000# golf cart. So figure around 6700 all up.
Previously, we had a Blue Ox Avesta LX 10,000# tow bar that had around six months of use following a factory rebuild.
In that six months, we bought our Aspire, with a higher receiver, requiring a 6" drop adaptor to get the angles correct. We bought a very stout adaptor, no failures with solid steel.
What failed was the pivot ball on the Blue Ox. I caught it before it completely separated.
We changed to a different brand tow bar to correct the angles, and discontinued using the adaptor.
Towing a Raptor, I'd suggest doing everything possible to stay away from adaptors, and really watch that towbar angle. Anything out of level is asking for trouble.
That more than you asked for, but I hope it helps you avoid an issue.
Best Regards,
-Matt
__________________
Currently Motorhomeless
2017 Entegra Aspire 44R (bunks) towing 2019 F-350 LB (Sold)
2012 Tiffin Phaeton 40QKH (Our Phaeton was so nice, we bought it twice)
2016 Open Range RF376FBH (Sold)
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07-26-2017, 04:17 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Entegra Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 8,107
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Yes, but your two points are in conflict with each other. Very often in order to keep the towbar level an adepter (drop hitch) is needed, so it becomes impossible to achieve level and no adapter at the same time. You have to choose one or the other.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Matt D
Van, while extensions and drop adaptors may solve your bike rack related clearance issue, it may create another more significant issue.
As you know, every extension device increases the leverage applied to each component between the towed vehicle and the coach.
There is a point where components will reveal this leverage in the form of component failure.
In our case, we tow a Platinum F-150 SCREW, frequently loaded with a 1000# golf cart. So figure around 6700 all up.
Previously, we had a Blue Ox Avesta LX 10,000# tow bar that had around six months of use following a factory rebuild.
In that six months, we bought our Aspire, with a higher receiver, requiring a 6" drop adaptor to get the angles correct. We bought a very stout adaptor, no failures with solid steel.
What failed was the pivot ball on the Blue Ox. I caught it before it completely separated.
We changed to a different brand tow bar to correct the angles, and discontinued using the adaptor.
Towing a Raptor, I'd suggest doing everything possible to stay away from adaptors, and really watch that towbar angle. Anything out of level is asking for trouble.
That more than you asked for, but I hope it helps you avoid an issue.
Best Regards,
-Matt
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Marc and Jill, Wellington FL
2013 Entegra Anthem 44SL
2018 Lincoln MKX
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07-26-2017, 06:18 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 784
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I bought a simple straight 7 inch adapter and I think that will give me enough room, but I will test it out.
I do like to keep the adapters to a minimum if for no other reason than overall length.
But you do make a good point about inspecting the tow bar carefully on a regular basis. I had one starting to loosen up and had to send it to the factory to get rebuilt. So I always check it out when I hook up.
Thanks
Van
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Van Sayler | 2022 Cornerstone 44B
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07-26-2017, 07:09 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Montgomery, TX (Home Sweet Home)
Posts: 2,501
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Marc, I understand your confusion. In our case, I realized some offset would be necessary, so I incorporated that into my shopping criteria as my Blue Ox was toast anyway.
Here is the original thread on this issue..
http://www.irv2.com/forums/f278/chec...ly-326949.html
The new setup is so much more robust than the Blue Ox and adaptor.
This lesson only cost me $1000, so I feel fortunate and wanted to pass it along.
Take care,
-Matt
__________________
Currently Motorhomeless
2017 Entegra Aspire 44R (bunks) towing 2019 F-350 LB (Sold)
2012 Tiffin Phaeton 40QKH (Our Phaeton was so nice, we bought it twice)
2016 Open Range RF376FBH (Sold)
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07-26-2017, 07:05 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Entegra Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Las Colinas, Texas
Posts: 2,029
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Can't tell the model toad you have, but maybe mount the bike to the toad? If I carry bikes, I use the hitch mount in the Jeep for a bike rack. May be an option?
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Mark & Debra Wood, Las Colinas, TX.
2013 Entegra Aspire 42RBQ
2023 Jeep Wrangler Sahara 4XE
2013 Thor Challenger 37DT - Sold
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