Community Forums

Dave1132 · 06-05-2014, 07:46 PM

Anyone have ideas about carrying bicycles with the camper on truck

Gocoffeer · 06-06-2014, 01:33 PM

The truck camper is a unique situation....typical bike hauling, Hitch and bumper becomes Roof and hitch. I have even seen people put them inside the camper for the haul. Do you have an exposed hitch on your truck camper...???

StevieG · 06-06-2014, 01:39 PM

They make ladder bike carriers.

Big Bear Local · 06-06-2014, 02:42 PM

Put a front hitch on.

Loraura · 06-06-2014, 03:09 PM

I'd roll them inside if it's just 2. Dual purpose theft deterrent, too!

We have a TT and a pickup, and we generally put the bikes in the back of the truck with the front wheels hanging over the tailgate, but we have on occasion rolled them inside the TT and this works very well. Use some bungees to keep them from moving around and scratching things up.

KD4UPL · 06-07-2014, 07:57 PM

I'd love to put the bikes on the front of the truck to move some weight to the front axle. However, that means buying another rack. I just put my hitch extension on and use my receiver hitch mount rack on the rear.
That is, if I'm not towing the boat. Then, I put the bikes inside.

PushedAround · 06-07-2014, 08:02 PM

I've seen people put a receiver on the front of the truck and use a standard receiver hitch mount rack.

Alano · 06-09-2014, 03:02 PM

We found storing our bicycles inside the camper was just too inconvenient when we needed to access the inside of the camper on the road. I now use a hitch receiver bike rack that tilts back and let's us open the door and get into the camper to make lunch or use the bathroom. I have another hitch receiver on the front with a carrier for storage of my BBQ, chains, jack, etc. If' I'm towing something I put the bike rack in the front receiver. Hitch receivers are available quite reasonably on line.

cactus flats · 06-15-2014, 08:32 AM

I installed a front hitch on the front, a Swagman Bike Rack and short hitch extension. This works well for me, very little bike movement, easy on and off.

Bozy · 06-26-2014, 06:29 AM

We also have a front receiver hitch. We already had a receiver bike rack so no new expense there. The hitch was fairly inexpensive and easy to install. If we don't take the bikes we use the front receiver for a folding cargo rack which is also very useful. With a 3/4 or one ton vehicle, weight is not an issue.

Slymer53 · 09-30-2014, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bozy

We also have a front receiver hitch. We already had a receiver bike rack so no new expense there. The hitch was fairly inexpensive and easy to install. If we don't take the bikes we use the front receiver for a folding cargo rack which is also very useful. With a 3/4 or one ton vehicle, weight is not an issue.

I am in the process of getting an enclosed utility trailer (4 x 6), for the purpose of bikes, BBQ, dog food, tools,..and the list goes on. I figure if I keep it 4 x 6 then I can move it by hand. I looked at a 5 x 8 which would track better, but I may have trouble moving it around my hand on an un-level site.

Osprey · 10-04-2014, 07:59 AM

I have a Dodge with a hitch on front and back. When I use my truck camper or pulling the fifth-wheel I use the front rack. It is a Yakima rack for two bikes. I have not taken off for over 4 years and it looks great. It does collect bugs on the bikes so a quick rinse each night is good.

My real comment since it is the newest subject to this thread is about buying a trailer. I have a 16' trailer and it is full of toys and gear with two kayaks mounted on top. When buying one be sure to get the ladder racks on top of the trailer. It is great storage. Also get a long tongue. They are much easier to back up. It is easier to back up a 33' fifth wheel than a short tongue 6' trailer. They also help in tight turns because the trailer will not hit the camper.

Get a trailer with brakes! A truck with a camper is already trying to stop an additional 3K to 5K pounds with its only brakes. You don't need to add more weight to the brakes. Learn how to use the brakes! few people do. Remember electric brakes have a small battery to maintain for emergencies when the trailer comes loose. Remember to adjust the controller sensitivity as well. Something a lot do not understand is that if a brake is catching on electric brakes (burning rubber when stopping) there is a good chance the shoes need adjusting TIGHTER. Many try to fix the problem by backing off the controller or loosening the shoes. Wrong and unsafe.

Watch out buying a v-nose! The v-nose does nothing in the way of aerodynamics. It is a sales gimmick, The problem with a v-nose is it is really easy to overload the tongue weight. You are in effect placing items on the tongue.

Get a tongue scale. I got one on the internet for less than $100. I sure helps in loading correctly.

Load 'em up