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Old 05-16-2018, 07:11 AM   #1
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Know bumper mounted hitch is not good - how about frame mounted

Been reading up a little bit on putting on approaches to carrying bikes on the camper - royal pain loading them inside the camper.
From what I can tell, the approach I used with my Salem for several years (receiver hitch mounted on bumper) is not a good idea with these zingers.
Next approach would be to acquire a Curt hitch that attaches to the frame either by weld or bolts.
Anyone with our line of campers use this approach?
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Old 05-16-2018, 07:58 AM   #2
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Bumper on mine is fine for that. Got to know what you're looking at. Some are not so good. 2 bikes and the spare are fine for mine.
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Old 05-16-2018, 08:35 AM   #3
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Yep, a Curt two bike rack such as this:
https://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Bike-...rt/C18085.html
For the hitch, I had planned on a bolt-on like this:
https://www.etrailer.com/RV-and-Camp...an/S64025.html
But did encounter numerous references to issues so wonder if I would need to have something like this mounted to my trailer frame:
https://www.etrailer.com/RV-and-Camp...35-946403.html
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Old 05-16-2018, 09:53 AM   #4
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I would choose the frame mounted hitch & not bolt any more to the flimsy bumper than absolutely necessary.
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Old 05-16-2018, 11:10 AM   #5
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Of course, what would be nice, is if someone made a replacement rear bumper for the camper that was of quality construction and could be mounted to the frame either via bolts or weld.
Shouldn't be that difficult and one could already have the receiver hitch as part of the setup.
Just dreaming.
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Old 05-16-2018, 11:44 AM   #6
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Originally Posted by F100owner View Post
Of course, what would be nice, is if someone made a replacement rear bumper for the camper that was of quality construction and could be mounted to the frame either via bolts or weld.
Shouldn't be that difficult and one could already have the receiver hitch as part of the setup.
Just dreaming.
I did purchase a replacement bumper through a dealer a few years back and it was a heavier gauge and did bolt on. The original bumper also bolted on.
This is a replacement bolt on aluminum bumper.
https://www.amazon.com/SafetyStruts-.../dp/B01N2MLK0Q
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Old 05-16-2018, 04:29 PM   #7
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I would just use the Safety Struts. https://mount-n-lock.com/mnl-cargo-p...bumper-failure
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Old 05-16-2018, 06:38 PM   #8
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I went to a fabricating shop that my rv dealer recommended and they welded a frame mounted receiver hitch to the frame rails at the rear. It is very sturdy provides great piece of mind for anything I haul back there.
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Old 05-16-2018, 07:01 PM   #9
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I would just use the Safety Struts. https://mount-n-lock.com/mnl-cargo-p...bumper-failure
That is an interesting approach.

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Old 05-16-2018, 07:28 PM   #10
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I would just use the Safety Struts. https://mount-n-lock.com/mnl-cargo-p...bumper-failure
This is what I use also. Check out my post on them. https://www.crossroadsowners.com/for...ort-13364.html
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Old 05-16-2018, 11:12 PM   #11
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If you haven’t yet you should consider relocating the spare to under the coach or another location.

The dynamic loading of bumper mount spare is significant.

If you relocate the spare you can easily use a bolt on receiver.

Installation of a curt bolt on hitch is a big job and may require cutting off the bumper.
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Old 05-17-2018, 06:58 AM   #12
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If you haven’t yet you should consider relocating the spare to under the coach or another location.

The dynamic loading of bumper mount spare is significant.

If you relocate the spare you can easily use a bolt on receiver.

Installation of a curt bolt on hitch is a big job and may require cutting off the bumper.
I have thought about that as well. There is so much unused space under the bed, it might be an option (wife would disagree, I bet).
No room on the front hitch.
Thanks for the replies folks.
I am building a list - I am probably going to try the SafetyStruts. I am buying a hitch for my fusion as well for carrying the bikes. So etrailer will get a chunk of money. Safetystruts are either at their site or Amazon (I will go with their site - no a Prime item at Amazon).
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Old 05-17-2018, 12:55 PM   #13
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during lunch today, I checked my z1 and found the correct pair of struts for it and got them ordered. I wish I had poked around more mount-n-lock's website as they had a bolt-on two-inch receiver hitch that I could have gotten with my order at a decent price. Instead, e-trailer got the remainder of my order with everything coming in next week.
Etrailer had free shipping. Mount-n-lock does not charge shipping.
With luck, should be ready for my next camping trip in late June.
No fan of summer camping, but don't always have the last word.
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Old 05-17-2018, 03:20 PM   #14
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I have thought about that as well. There is so much unused space under the bed, it might be an option (wife would disagree, I bet).
I use to keep the spare under the bed on a previous camper. I put it in a large extra thick garbage bag. My wife was fine with that.
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Old 05-17-2018, 11:14 PM   #15
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I relocated mine with a BAL under frame tire carrier.

Best part of it is that it is protected from UV and it’s super simple to retrieve / store.

It was easy to install as well.
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Old 05-22-2018, 06:08 PM   #16
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DO NOT use a bumper mounted receiver for a bike rack on a Zinger unless you change out the bumper. There is a large moment of twisting caused by a bike rack and quite a lot of dynamic loading. None of which the thin factory bumper can take. When I bought my Zinger fifth wheel the dealer sold me a bumper mounted receiver and a matching bike rack. I put one adult and two kids bikes on the rack and it was too much for it. On the maiden voyage we travelled less than 30 miles (70ish km) down a relatively smooth freeway before someone pulled up beside me and let me know the bikes were dragging. I pulled right over and the bumper had twisted in the middle and ripped at both ends, just hanging on by threads. Luckily when it let go the front tire of one bike hit the road in a way it could spin and it was supporting most of the weight. I went straight back to the dealer and we tried putting on a heavier section bumper but it was still not enough. In the end had to fabricate outriggers from the frame to under the bumper. I would strongly suggest a frame-mounted hitch and as others have suggested relocating the spare if you have one as well.
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Old 05-23-2018, 04:09 AM   #17
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Bike carrier

Consider an Arvika rv bike carrier. Mounts the bikes on the aframe above the propane tanks. Will fit up to 4 bikes have used one for 6 years works well.
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Old 05-23-2018, 06:59 AM   #18
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Consider an Arvika rv bike carrier. Mounts the bikes on the aframe above the propane tanks. Will fit up to 4 bikes have used one for 6 years works well.
Like the idea, don't care for the price. I know its Canadian dollars, but $300 for the base and $320 for the rack.
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Old 05-23-2018, 09:05 AM   #19
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If you want to carry on back ...a couple of eyescrews into the "meat"of the corners and ratchet straps around the bikes to stop any movement and it works.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg rearbikerack004_zps940a6663.jpg (100.0 KB, 11 views)
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Old 05-23-2018, 09:24 PM   #20
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My RV repair shop recommended a set of these.
https://www.mount-n-lock.com/all-pro...bumper-failure
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