Community Forums

field_2_fork · 03-09-2021, 10:22 AM

Hi All,
Trying to get my first trailer set up for my wife and I. We have a 2015 Creekside 20FQ.

Is the rear bumper strong enough to support a bike rack?

There is no rear hitch, but I see there are receivers that can be bolted to the bumper. Bumper also has a spare tire attached to it.

I'm fairly certain the bumper can hold this load, but would like some reassurance.

Thanks.

(I tried searching for this, but I REALLY struggle with the search function on this forum for some reason.)

ardvark16 · 03-09-2021, 10:29 AM

It is probably not strong enough for a bike rack. The issue with bike racks is the weight of the bikes and the leverage that they create just stresses the bumper. Even with a hitch setup they can be sketchy. I’d try to attach to the frame. The tire doesn’t stress the way a bike does.

Gammel · 03-09-2021, 11:06 AM

How hard/expensive could it be to have a 2" hitch receiver added?
Happy that our ORV 21RWS came with a good one.

shane_the_ee · 03-09-2021, 11:38 AM

The right answer is to have a receiver welded to the frame. If the concern is cost, how much will you save by trying a bumper mounted receiver and how much will it cost you to replace the bumper, bikes and rack?

Super Thirty · 03-09-2021, 12:42 PM

I have a 2015 ORV Timber Ridge. When we purchased they didn’t recommend a bumper style bike rack. It surprised me because the spare tire was mounted on the bumper. We were advised to get a hitch installed which I did. The hitch was installed by our dealer. We have travelled thousands of miles with our Swagman bike rack mounted on that hitch without a problem. It is a solid mount. After reading about all the problems people have encountered with the bumper mounts I’m glad we asked when we bought.

MtCamper · 03-09-2021, 04:28 PM

Amazon sells a Curt RV frame mount hitch for about 100 bucks. That and a Swagman rated for RVs and you'll be just fine. Check etrailer for the Swagman.

field_2_fork · 03-09-2021, 08:56 PM

Ok, thanks for the info. Not what I was expecting, but I'm glad I asked.

Looks like we may be hiking for awhile.

nicky8668 · 03-09-2021, 09:05 PM

Buy a class iii or iv receiver hitch and find a local welder to weld it onto the trailer frame. Weld-on is much stronger than bolt-on.

TIME2CAMP · 03-10-2021, 06:28 AM

It depends on the bike weights, and the bumper construction. Some bumpers have rather weak mounting to the trailer frame. Even if the spare is on the bumper. A friend with a Micro Winne put his small generator on a bumper mount. We used a harbor freight bolt on receiver, doubled up the U bolts and it ended up tearing the part that bolts to the frame. A trip to the welding shop fixed that. So get underneath and have a look.

jrollf · 03-10-2021, 07:55 AM

This guy nearly lost his rear bumper and bikes on the road due to the welds cracking on the thin square tube RV bumper.

The bad part isn't losing the bikes, it's what would happen to the car behind you on the road.

https://youtu.be/dN9DpkDDcb4

msdevery · 03-11-2021, 11:46 AM

I installed a bike rack for 2 medium weight bikes into the rear bumper of my Kodiak several years ago. During the first trip out with this rack, at a rest stop about 4 hours in, I found that the bumper had developed a slight twist. Also, several of the spot welds had torn away. The combination of the crappy factory welding and the Pennsylvania turnpike roads was more than the bumper could take

Just sayin...

steve52 · 03-11-2021, 11:59 AM

Trailer bumpers are notoriously weak, because many (most?) of them are not actual square tubing, they are simply rolled steel, formed and welded with a seam down the edge. The twisting force encountered when you bolt a bike rack on and head down the road will rip the welded seam apart, dumping your bikes and rack on the pavement.

Dave Pelletier · 03-11-2021, 02:16 PM

ORV rates its current bumper hitches at 250lbs and even that limit is to prevent people from adding too much weight on the rear and lightening the tongue rather than strength limitations.

Bicycles are light, what are we talking about? ....maybe 75 lbs? (the average mountain bike weighs 29 lbs. Your spare tire likely weighs about the same amount.

I'd have zero second thoughts about a bolt on reciever for a couple bicycles on an ORV bumper. Definitely check it every so often. My partner hauls two mountain bikes on a similar bolt on reciever on her Cougar Half Ton series and has for several years.....not all trailers (or bumpers) are created equally.

2 cents,
Dave

Ted Lambert · 03-11-2021, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicky8668

Buy a class iii or iv receiver hitch and find a local welder to weld it onto the trailer frame. Weld-on is much stronger than bolt-on.

I would dispute welding v/s bolting. Some applications yes not all. Most frame cross members are riveted. Rivets and bolts are used in many frame applications.
Crawl under a few truck frames and look at the cross members.