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Old 07-14-2014, 03:24 PM   #1
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Bicycle Rack 2014 ST32RL

I know this has been discussed before. Concern of overloading by adding a bicycle rack to the rear bumper of the camper.

My wife and I are both bike enthusiasts and want to take our bikes with us. Our truck has a cap on the bed and difficult to get the bikes in.

Why can't I take the trailer spare tire off put that in the bed then add the rack for the bikes. The bikes are about 40#s each.

Thanks
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Old 07-14-2014, 04:12 PM   #2
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Do a search under "bike rack" and you will find a ton of posts on this subject. I would gladly post a better reply, but is has all been said. Both sides of the isle on this one.

Good luck.
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Old 07-14-2014, 07:33 PM   #3
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Not really the weight of the bikes but the bouncing and flexing they do.
Several threads on it. Let us know what you do and how it works out for you.
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Old 07-15-2014, 09:22 AM   #4
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Tim D is right. alot more stress than 160 lbs going on here. I refer to the law of equilibrium. the further the distance the mass is from the fulcrum (your bumper), the greater the effort to hold it in place.

Now add the flexing when traveling across a road that is less than smooth.



Can I suggest one of the bike mounts that go on the front of the trailer above the propane tanks? You have a beast of a tow vehicle that should be able to handle the extra tongue weight.
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Old 07-15-2014, 03:57 PM   #5
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Thanks. Will that have an impact on the turning radius of the truck?
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Old 07-15-2014, 04:35 PM   #6
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Bike racks have functioned well when the bike rack receiver is attached to the frame as well as the bumper. See post number 4 in this thread for an example.

http://www.crossroadsowners.com/foru...highlight=bike
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Old 07-15-2014, 06:20 PM   #7
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Thanks. Will that have an impact on the turning radius of the truck?
Not sure, there are postings on the site regarding this rack.

Here's a pic of one of the models I've seen floating around the net.

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Old 07-15-2014, 06:38 PM   #8
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Here's the Stromberg Carlson rack at eTrailer. Can't speak for the rack, but I've ordered from them before and they have good service.



http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Carg...ViAaAgU58P8HAQ
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Old 07-15-2014, 06:39 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by MEHoffman View Post
Bike racks have functioned well when the bike rack receiver is attached to the frame as well as the bumper. See post number 4 in this thread for an example.

http://www.crossroadsowners.com/foru...highlight=bike

I've talked to customer service at Crossroads. They said don't do it, the bumper on the sunset trail line is not built for holding that much weight and voids your frame warranty.

caveat emptor..If that rack, hitch, or bumper fails, you're throwing bikes into oncoming traffic.
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Old 07-15-2014, 06:52 PM   #10
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I've talked to customer service at Crossroads. They said don't do it, the bumper is not built for holding that much weight and voids your frame warranty.

caveat emptor..If that rack, hitch, or bumper fails, you're throwing bikes into oncoming traffic.
As stated "Bike racks have functioned well when the bike rack receiver is attached to the frame as well as the bumper." And the really good news, as the second owner I never have to worry about "voiding warranty".
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Old 07-15-2014, 08:49 PM   #11
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My bad, misread your statement that you attached the rack to both the bike and frame.

To each his own. I merely more risk adverse than most folks. Good you got your rig used, probably saved quite a bit too.
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Old 07-16-2014, 08:32 PM   #12
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I confess to having carried our bikes on the bumper of our trailer, but I just ordered the Stromberg Carlson bike bunk to go on the front of the trailer. I noticed after the last trip, when I was actually carrying only one bicycle, that the receiver that I had bolted to the bumper had shifted a bit. I don't see any apparent damage but I have decided that I'll try something different. My only concern now is hoping that I don't have to purchase a different bike rack. Mine is a Swagman "platform" rack rather than a hanging rack. I guess I will find out soon enough if it works.
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Old 07-17-2014, 04:17 AM   #13
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Even though I don't use the rear bumper (yet) for loads, I have noticed its not a tack welded bumper like several units that I've seen. It's fully welded to the frame. I am looking at installing a nice diamond plate tool box to it before next season.
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Old 07-17-2014, 06:35 AM   #14
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Even though I don't use the rear bumper (yet) for loads, I have noticed its not a tack welded bumper like several units that I've seen. It's fully welded to the frame. I am looking at installing a nice diamond plate tool box to it before next season.
Pull the cap out of the end of the bumper and inspect the wall thickness of the bumper tube. Unless they have changed, (which I doubt) it's more then likely paper thin.
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Old 07-17-2014, 06:55 AM   #15
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Pull the cap out of the end of the bumper and inspect the wall thickness of the bumper tube. Unless they have changed, (which I doubt) it's more then likely paper thin.
No, it's 3/32", I would say I'm good to about 300 lbs. on the bumper, if I needed it. Of course between the trailer frame rails.
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Old 07-17-2014, 07:26 AM   #16
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Let's remember the start of this thread was from an owner of a sunset trail reserve. The structure for that trailer is based on an ultralight design and is apples to oranges on the other heavier trailers (Zingers, Cruisers, Hamptons, Rushmores..etc).

Same rule applies for all the discussions on walkable roofs.
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Old 07-17-2014, 07:36 AM   #17
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Originally Posted by dlwilliams48 View Post
I confess to having carried our bikes on the bumper of our trailer, but I just ordered the Stromberg Carlson bike bunk to go on the front of the trailer. I noticed after the last trip, when I was actually carrying only one bicycle, that the receiver that I had bolted to the bumper had shifted a bit. I don't see any apparent damage but I have decided that I'll try something different. My only concern now is hoping that I don't have to purchase a different bike rack. Mine is a Swagman "platform" rack rather than a hanging rack. I guess I will find out soon enough if it works.

That's great news. That is a great rack. Also looks like it is easy on the bikes given the design. Now, if there is a problem with the bikes, you should be able to see what is going on. I didnt want to come of as speaking from the pulpit, but my friend and neighbor loaded bikes on his rear ladder rack a few years back and the ladder failed (not a Crossroads product!)

Bad enough he lost a thousand dollars in bikes, but he littered the highway at 65 mph. It was a fortunate no one was injured. Worst part was he didnt know it even happen until the state patrol caught up with him a few miles down the road.
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Old 07-17-2014, 07:39 AM   #18
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I have a Sunset Trail Super Lite, and my rear bumper is fully welded to the frame and is also 3/32" thick square tube.
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Old 07-17-2014, 09:32 AM   #19
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Mine is also 3/32, but I still consider that as lite wall tube.
I have a hitch on the back of the 5th wheel. It's fastened to the frame and bumper. Came from Cross Roads that way. We don't carry bikes, but if we did, I wouldn't want to do it with a carrier mounted on the back bumper.
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Old 07-21-2014, 05:22 AM   #20
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That's great news. That is a great rack. Also looks like it is easy on the bikes given the design. Now, if there is a problem with the bikes, you should be able to see what is going on.
That's good to hear. This is a little off topic, but somewhat relevant. I received a call yesterday from eTrailer that the rack is on back order from the factory, and they wanted to know if they should cancel the order or if I wanted to wait. I don't recall anyone ever calling me to tell me something was on back order. They estimated they had from the factory was another 3 weeks. Since they had the cheapest price and free shipping, and I did get another $10 off with a coupon, I did say that I would wait on it. The rep told me she would call back in 2 weeks with an update. Pretty good customer service, IMO.
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