Community Forums

Dooger54 · 04-03-2017, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cruzbill

Take your trailer to a good hitch shop / welder and they can install a hitch receiver below the bumper. Basically, they will weld a reinforcing cross member from frame rail to frame rail, reinforce the bumper, and weld in the receiver. I also had the welder install a winch-type spare tire carrier under the trailer so I don't have to carry the spare on the bumper. I used the Swagman bike carrier-excellent bike rack, but after many miles, the J-hook that holds the bikes broke. Took the j-hook to a welder and he made up a new hook-much more HD!
Use a clamp like this as an anti-rattle device on your bike rack and the bikes won't move at all. Roadmaster Inc. - Tow Bars, Braking Systems & RV Accessories

Buy the Curt hitch and you can do it yourself. It bolts directly to the frame. No need to take it to a hitch shop or welder.

X2 for the anti-ratttle device.

MBirch · 04-03-2017, 10:32 AM

NEVER attach bike rack to the rear bumper -- NEVER !!

The rear bumper is a recipe for disaster, especially if you have expensive bikes. I've heard too many stories of bumper failure, including my brothers.

The dealer where I bought my TT recommended that we put it on the bumper. They said they installed hundreds. I called the manufacturer (KZ), who strongly recommended against. They also said it would void the TT warranty.

Sooo, we had a receiver welded to the frame to hold a Yakima rack. It works well so far.

We did, however, find that hitch mounted bike racks damaged the bikes. The trailer bouncing caused too much movement.

Sooo, I'm getting additional roof mounted racks for my more expensive bikes.

Mr_D · 04-03-2017, 10:39 AM

Going south through Portland OR on I-205 I saw a bike rack with two bikes still attached up against the right hand guardrail. Couldn't tell what had broken but some part of the rack or hitch had!!

cruzbill · 04-03-2017, 11:42 AM

MBurch-See my post; Have welder fab receiver to frame. Use a good bike rack, like the Swagman, which I have since upgraded to a Kuat ($$$). Use Roadmaster (or equal) Quiet Hitch. No movement of the rack or the bikes=no damage to bikes. And with the Kuat rack, the lock cable is integral to the rack.
Since retiring in 2013, we've driven across the USA and back and all over half of Canada. Broke a 'J' hook on the Swagman in AZ two years ago, had a local welder make up a new 'J' hook-no problems.

MBirch · 04-05-2017, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cruzbill

MBurch-See my post; Have welder fab receiver to frame. Use a good bike rack, like the Swagman, which I have since upgraded to a Kuat ($$$). Use Roadmaster (or equal) Quiet Hitch. No movement of the rack or the bikes=no damage to bikes. And with the Kuat rack, the lock cable is integral to the rack.
Since retiring in 2013, we've driven across the USA and back and all over half of Canada. Broke a 'J' hook on the Swagman in AZ two years ago, had a local welder make up a new 'J' hook-no problems.

I think it would be alright if I only had two bikes. I'm carrying four bikes with two being children's. They don't fit together well. I even tie them together with bungee cords to keep them from moving.

I have done exactly what you said. I had a 2" receiver welded to the TT frame and use a quality Yakima FullSwing rack.

I also expect that there is less bounce on the back of a Class A, then there is on the back of a TT.

cruzbill · 04-05-2017, 03:21 PM

The Kuat comes in a 4-bike version and has an attachment so small bikes will fit. $$$$

UTTransplant · 04-05-2017, 07:37 PM

Yet another recommendation to get your local welding shop to put on a receiver hitch directly onto the frame with appropriate supports. There is probably a shop near you that does a lot of RV work, and they will know just what to do; ours did.

Bob1340 · 04-10-2017, 02:34 PM

Most all the bumpers of trailers are pretty much the same. Pretty weak. Some new trailers I've seen have pretty nice bumper set-ups that actually look okay to bolt stuff to. But in the same breath I can say I haven't seen a trailer bumper yet that couldn't be reinforced properly to be able to carry a couple hundred lbs on them. That spare tire/wheel out weighs a couple bikes on a rack by a fair margin. You could move the spare under the trailer and just mount the bike rack directly on the bumper with no issues. If you go with a receiver type deal make sure and get one of these:

The 2" square into a 2" receiver always has a good amount of wiggle room. I use these type of devices all the time.

This is the BAL under trailer mount, I have no idea if this or any other mount is worth it's weight in duck feathers, but it's just an idea.

If you beef up the bumper mounting, add gussets to where it attaches to the trailer frame etc, you could mount both to the bumper. I'd say if you mount the spare underneath and add a receiver hitch and the above receiver anti rattle device you'd be fine without any bumper reinforcements. But doing the reinforcement would be a good idea anyway.

Bob1340 · 04-10-2017, 02:36 PM

https://youtu.be/hsPze0XeHj8

Bob1340 · 04-10-2017, 02:48 PM

Here is a good video showing how much anything installed on a receiver mount can wobble. Also note in the video how rusty the inside of the bumper is! LOL, we all store poo pipes in there! I don't anymore after seeing this sort of thing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIwtglKiBwk

I don't much care for his repair job on this. I would of tossed the thin wall tube and replaced it with either thicker stuff or channel iron.

Bob1340 · 04-10-2017, 02:56 PM

I need to teach this guy how to weld! Bubblegum! Ignore the tie down portion. Go with the anti rattle, or both.

gazingm42 · 04-16-2017, 10:13 PM

6 years ago a friend of ours had them on the bumper until all 6 bikes fell off one at a time on I-10 over a 50 mile area.

So when I got our new one 3 years ago I built a bike area on the inside of
or dinette table. With the table in place I have mounts to install 4 bikes.

ajohansson · 04-17-2017, 09:38 PM

like everyone else says do it right. Not only are possibly gonna lose your bikes and lose money you may cause an accident behind you as people dodge out ot the way.

Kuat rack has a very nice tightening mechanism that ensures the rack does not wobble.

My northshore rack has antirattle/wobble insert that also makes it not wobble around but my Kuat is may more user friendly. I do love both racks though.

The new Kuat NV is even better with a foot pedal to bring it upright if you are using it on your car to.

Any rack you get I would get some sort of anti-wobble/rattle device.