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Old 03-08-2014, 06:30 AM   #1
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Exclamation Factory stance on bumper hitch?

Does anyone know Crossroads official stance on installing a bumper hitch on the rear of a Sunset Trail Reserve 32BH. Like many, my intention is only for a bike rack or lightweight platform. Input please!?
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Old 03-08-2014, 06:41 AM   #2
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You will get all kinds of views/opinions on your question. Some good, some not so good.

If you want Crossroads official stance on installing a bumper hitch on the rear of your Sunset Trail Reserve, my suggestion would be to "call them" then you will know their stance on it for sure.
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Old 03-08-2014, 07:31 AM   #3
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Not sure what Crossroads' stance is, but we were told by a bike rack manufacturer to never put a bike rack on the back or our camper (and that was when we had a pop-up). We had even had a receiver professionally welded onto the frame...but then we quit using it. They said because it's a double hitch (car -> camper -> bike rack), you get too much vibration back there and it would weaken the rack. They wouldn't even sell us one - said the liability is too great that it would fall onto the road during travel and cause great harm to whomever is behind you.

Anyway, just one opinion. I'm sure you'll get plenty.
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Old 03-08-2014, 08:14 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lloyd View Post
You will get all kinds of views/opinions on your question. Some good, some not so good.

If you want Crossroads official stance on installing a bumper hitch on the rear of your Sunset Trail Reserve, my suggestion would be to "call them" then you will know their stance on it for sure.
Best advice get it from the horses mouth. If you decide to go ahead do your homework a great deal of Rv bumpers are just slightly more than a tac-weld to the frame.
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Old 03-08-2014, 08:14 AM   #5
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Thank you guys! I'm sure ill get numerous opinions. Lloyd.... would you happen to have crossroads number?
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Old 03-08-2014, 08:22 AM   #6
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Old 03-08-2014, 08:24 AM   #7
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If you are going to add the rack ,which I have done on all trailers,make sure you add anti bouncing straps. Ill add a pic of mine

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Old 03-08-2014, 12:39 PM   #8
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Called a year ago on my 2013 300BH. Customer service said voids warranty. Didn't get a name though. Doesn't necessarily mean you can't do it, just may need to reinforce the bumper and that requires a mod.

My buddy down the road did have his bikes bounce off and detach on the interstate on his rig and didn't notice it until someone pulled up and waved him down. Fortunate for him, he didn't cause an accident..bikes were toast though.
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Old 03-08-2014, 03:23 PM   #9
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I had a 2004 Crossroads Cruiser 27Rk with the STD. bumper. We wanted to haul bikes so I had a new bumper added and it was strong enough that I pulled 17' boat also. Planning to do the same on my 2011 Cruiser 32RK.
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Old 03-08-2014, 04:20 PM   #10
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Back in '08 during my shakedown cruise I attached my bike rack to the rear bumper receiver as I had done with my previous Dutchmen trailer. Along the way I noticed that the bumper wall was so thin it was bending down on itself at the frame welds. Took the ST to a nearby welder who removed the bumper, then reinforced it top and back with 4"X6"X1/4" metal on the two spots on the bumper and reattached to the frame. I knew I was voiding the warranty but wanted to use the trailer as I saw fit. It's still holding fine after roughly 40,000 miles even with a substantial Yakima rack.
Here's the pics:
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Sunset Trail 017.jpg (180.5 KB, 17 views)
File Type: jpg Sunset Trail 027.jpg (196.5 KB, 14 views)
File Type: jpg Sunset Trail 018.jpg (221.7 KB, 13 views)
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Old 03-08-2014, 06:28 PM   #11
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as an added pic to my other post ...here is the pic of how my bumpr hitch is actually attached. It is not just on the crappy bumper.





so you can see that the bumper cannot twist as the back of the hitch is bolted to the frame member of the trailer....did 14000km of rough nfld roads this summer with no movement ..meaning it works but you need the anti bouncing straps in previous pics and you will not have to worry...
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Old 03-09-2014, 10:07 AM   #12
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I got a bolt on hitch from I think Curt. It adjusts to you frame and bolts on. My camper is in storage or I would take a pic of it and show you. I think I got it off Amazon. I can find more info on it if you would like.
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Old 03-09-2014, 11:51 AM   #13
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I can find more info on it if you would like.
I am curious. Would like a pic when you get a chance. I need to get the bikes out of the truck bed.
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Old 03-09-2014, 12:43 PM   #14
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Here is a link to it. I think this is the cheapest I found it
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...tch%20%2313701
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Old 03-10-2014, 06:52 AM   #15
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I've pulled several thousand miles with a four bike rack attached to the bumper with one of those bolt-to-the-bumper receivers. If you go that route, I'm pretty sure it will void your warranty. You would need to ensure that your bumper is one that is fully welded to the frame and not just tack welded. The only problem I've had with this setup is that the bikes cause the bumper itself to flex and I've had problems keeping the bumper caps from coming off going down the road. I lost a darn good sewer hose coming back from the Smoky Mountains one day. There are better setups, as you've seen, but these are cheap and easy.
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Old 03-10-2014, 08:23 AM   #16
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Used to do that all the time decades ago when the bumpers were steel and strong...
Even pulled a lifted cj-5 with a Class-C's square bumper and bolt on hitch !

but now days the built is the minimum needed to do the job...
i.e. holding a sewer hose is about all they were designed to do

The pic below is of a caravan of couples we were following just before I noticed his spare tire 'twisting' the bumper and almost falling off before we got stopped ! so sometimes the design is NOT up to the task
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File Type: jpg Jack_Heather.JPG (14.4 KB, 89 views)
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Old 03-10-2014, 12:22 PM   #17
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Question

When posts say that the bike hitch will void the warranty what exactly does that mean?? Void the warranty on the whole camper or the warranty on the bumper?? Could someone please answer this for me. Thanks.
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Old 03-10-2014, 01:00 PM   #18
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Back in '08, I was told any modifications to the bumper would void the warranty on the frame.
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Old 03-10-2014, 01:14 PM   #19
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http://www.strombergcarlson.com/carg...-model-cc-275/
this might be a safer idea
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Old 03-10-2014, 01:36 PM   #20
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Nice, but I have a 5th wheel.
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