Community Forums

baird4328 · 10-22-2015, 07:44 AM

I have a Montana fifth wheel which has a Class 2 trailer hitch attached to the frame. I would like to use it for a bike rack but Thule and Yakima would not support this. Does anyone have any experience with a two bike rack being attached in this manner? If so, any recommendations on what bike rack to use? Any advice would be appreciated.

wingedone · 10-22-2015, 08:12 AM

I use the following on my 5th. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ilpage_o09_s01

Although I use it in a 2 inch receiver, the sleeve is removable and it can be used also in your class 2 hitch.

It is specifically designed to be used where it will be subject to additional stresses that other units are not designed for. It is tightened down with a supplied bolt (you need to use this to make it tight).

The bikes just go on and the arms slide down the pole and lock in place. Easy peasy 1 minute to mount and dismount.

Have hauled two full size bikes for the last 2 years (when not using the swivel wheel hooked to the 5th) on horrible Michigan roads. Highly recommended.

450Donn · 10-22-2015, 08:13 AM

The reason they wont support the idea is simple. Lots of bounching can create stresses that could induce failure of their product. Ergo, law suit by you. Look closely at their design and construction, pick the strongest built, load the bikes and go.

grassy · 10-22-2015, 10:46 AM

Funny, I just asked the same thing. I had the bike rack wingedone suggested but my old person bikes won't fit on it.

So I will be welding a receiver to the tongue.

I also suggest putting a connection from the receiver to the vertical bar to stop the flopping about which is normal on a bike hitch.

Grassy

Martin6 · 10-22-2015, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baird4328

I have a Montana fifth wheel which has a Class 2 trailer hitch attached to the frame. I would like to use it for a bike rack but Thule and Yakima would not support this. Does anyone have any experience with a two bike rack being attached in this manner? If so, any recommendations on what bike rack to use? Any advice would be appreciated.

Personally I don't see an issue with it, especially if the hitch is attached to the frame. I've used a Thule 2 or 4 bike rack on the back of all my trailers, the most recent being on an Outdoors RV Glacier Peak. I tap a second bolt into the hitch receiver to limit any bouncing from the rack alone.

grassy · 10-22-2015, 04:29 PM

Why would you put it on back where you cannot see them when you can istall on the front ?

Grassy

Martin6 · 10-22-2015, 04:41 PM

You would need to install a hitch, I don't like blocking the airflow into the engine and I'm 100% confident in the bike rack.

And in my case, my Glacier Peak has a back up camera that I can use to view the bikes at anytime while traveling.

h20ski · 10-22-2015, 05:24 PM

Check out a Swagman.

Swagman XTC-2 2-Bike Platform Rack for 1-1/4" and 2" Trailer Hitches Swagman Hitch Bike Racks S64670

grassy · 10-23-2015, 06:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martin6

You would need to install a hitch, I don't like blocking the airflow into the engine and I'm 100% confident in the bike rack.

And in my case, my Glacier Peak has a back up camera that I can use to view the bikes at anytime while traveling.

Sorry, the front of the trailer.

baird4328 · 10-23-2015, 09:30 AM

I don't know how the bike rack could be mounted on a hitch on the front of a fifth wheel trailer. How could this be done?

baird4328 · 10-23-2015, 09:32 AM

Don't see how a hitch could be attached to the front of a fifth wheel trailer for mounting the bike rack. Do you know how this could be done?

powderman · 10-23-2015, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baird4328

Don't see how a hitch could be attached to the front of a fifth wheel trailer for mounting the bike rack. Do you know how this could be done?

He is probably referring to welding a receiver onto the pin box. The problem I see with that is you have to lift the bikes each time you want to carry them. I made my own two bike carrier that holds the bikes by the wheels and fits into the 2" receiver after having had the hanging type carrier break from fatigue by bouncing around. Swagman does make a nice carrier.

grassy · 10-23-2015, 10:51 AM

Correct.

The bikes are very light or I can stand on the back of my truck.

I think it would be far cheaper that building the infrastructure on the back of my trailer.. plus, you cannot see them.

Grassy

GDBurk · 10-23-2015, 11:54 AM

I got a 4 bolt 2" trailer hitch from Curt ($50)and put it on the back 4x4 tube of my 5th wheel. Then I got a 3 bike holder from Canadian Tire (regular $150 for $45 on a clearance sale). The carrier bolts onto the hitch. I haven't put the bikes on yet but I hope they won't bounce around too much. The whole system looks pretty skookum.