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05-16-2018, 07:11 AM
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#1
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Tx
Posts: 39
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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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05-16-2018, 07:58 AM
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#2
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Seasonal Camper
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: MA
Posts: 315
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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.
__________________
Retired U.S. Navy Engineer
2020 Ram 2500 Bighorn 6.7 Diesel
2014 Zinger 27RL (Traded)
2022 Grand Design Reflection 315RLTS
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05-16-2018, 09:53 AM
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#4
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Gone Traveling
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,392
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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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05-16-2018, 11:10 AM
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#5
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Tx
Posts: 39
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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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05-16-2018, 11:44 AM
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#6
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Texas
Posts: 748
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Quote:
Originally Posted by F100owner
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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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
__________________
Russ
Forney,TX
2010 Cruiser CTX CT29RLX
2009 F-150XLT
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05-16-2018, 04:29 PM
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#7
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Site Team
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: PA
Posts: 5,715
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__________________
Mark & Susan
Lehighton, Pennsylvania
EAGLE HT FIFTH WHEEL | 30.5CKTS - '13 Ford F150 SCREW - PullRite Superslide - Roadmaster Active Suspension
Member - "Northeast Adventures RV Rally Group" & "Mason-Dixon Bunch"
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05-16-2018, 06:38 PM
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#8
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Wi
Posts: 527
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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.
__________________
Scott & Julie
Northern Wisconsin
2021 Cruiser Air 27MK
2021 Ford F-250 XLT Premium
6.2L, 6 3/4 ft bed, FX4. Tow pkg.
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05-16-2018, 07:01 PM
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#9
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Tx
Posts: 39
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mark5w
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That is an interesting approach.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-T377A using Tapatalk
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05-16-2018, 07:28 PM
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#10
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: May 2012
Location: N.C. Mountains
Posts: 2,411
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mark5w
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This is what I use also. Check out my post on them. https://www.crossroadsowners.com/for...ort-13364.html
__________________
*2016 CAF25SE Cruiser Aire 5er. *2020 Chevrolet 2500 HD Custom
*Ted & Tricia (Mimi - Teacup Poodle/ Sailor - Maltipoo)
*I have tried to live my life so that my family would love me and my friends would respect me. The others can do whatever the Hell they please!” —John Wayne
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05-16-2018, 11:12 PM
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#11
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: South Dakota
Posts: 55
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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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05-17-2018, 06:58 AM
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#12
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Tx
Posts: 39
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vikes79
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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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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05-17-2018, 12:55 PM
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#13
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Tx
Posts: 39
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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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05-17-2018, 03:20 PM
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#14
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: May 2012
Location: N.C. Mountains
Posts: 2,411
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Quote:
Originally Posted by F100owner
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).
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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.
__________________
*2016 CAF25SE Cruiser Aire 5er. *2020 Chevrolet 2500 HD Custom
*Ted & Tricia (Mimi - Teacup Poodle/ Sailor - Maltipoo)
*I have tried to live my life so that my family would love me and my friends would respect me. The others can do whatever the Hell they please!” —John Wayne
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05-17-2018, 11:14 PM
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#15
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: South Dakota
Posts: 55
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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.
__________________
Clint
2017 Crossroads Volante 310bh
2016 Ford F-350 6.7l PSD Superduty
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05-22-2018, 06:08 PM
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#16
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New Camper
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: N.Ontario,Can
Posts: 6
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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.
__________________
2012 ZF29BH and 2010 F250 4x4
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05-23-2018, 04:09 AM
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#17
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Ontario
Posts: 12
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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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05-23-2018, 06:59 AM
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#18
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Tx
Posts: 39
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Thomas Walch
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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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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05-23-2018, 09:05 AM
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#19
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Belle River , Ontario
Posts: 1,753
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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.
__________________
It was a rainy few days at Algonquin Prov park...tarps kept us dry.
Wayne --Belle River (Windsor), Ontario
2013 Sunset Trail Reserve 25RB..(just sold it)
2015 White Chev Silverado 2500HD 4x4 (6.0 l gasser)
2003 Mountain Star 890SBRX Truck Camper
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05-23-2018, 09:24 PM
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#20
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: TX
Posts: 17
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__________________
dlb
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