Bike Carrier

[JWN]

Will become a Winter Texan for the first time this coming Winter. Will be using our CF30ES Cruiser.

Would like to take two bicycles along and need to attach a bike rack. Have seen ladder racks, bumper mounted and receiver hitch racks.

Have heard ladder my not be strong enough. Same thing about the bumper. Also heard that if I have receiver hitch mounted to the frame it may void warranty of same.

Would appreciate any feedback that would help in my decision.

Thanks

[hhh]

Some have had a reciever plate made that bolts to the top of the king pin box.

[anaro]

I have also seen some that have a hitch mounted to front of TV for bikes.

As a camper for fourteen years now. I also now own a 2011 Cf30ES.I had a hitch mounted to the frame. In my opinion it's the only way to go. I have tried the mounts on the bumper. Came loose and had the unit about one inch from the ground before I realized it. I say use it. I don't see how adding a hich to the frame will void any warranty unless it was a frame issue. I could be wrong. Not the first time. However, I want what I'm hauling to still be there and I don't have to worry about it. I hope you enjoy your Cruiser as much as we have. Happy Camping.

[fixit5561]

I had a hitch welded to the back of my frame and bumperalso and would never do it any other way. It is strong as heck. I have a 3 bike rack that I had to use an 18" extension from the hitch to use the bike rack because I also have my spare tire carrier back there and a very large diamond plate box that carries a 20lb propane tank, my sat. dish, a bunch of hose, caulking, some tools, etc. Welding the hitch to the fram and also to the bumper made it extremely strond too. Think about it, I have an 18" extension added to the hitch so the bikes are waaaay out there and have no problems at all.

Second on that fixit. I also had mine welded to the frame and rear bumper. Really strong! It took some work to take down the underbelly, we had to remove the fresh water tank (Just to get it out of the way to have room to work) until we finished the welding to the frame. I have a regular haul carrier that I had 1/2 inch tube rails added all the way around the carrier about 6 inches high. I then took a combination tow hitch and bike carrier, removed the bike rack and put the two inch reciever up where the bike carrier was. That hitch bolts behind the carrier on the two inch tubing. Now I carry things on the carrier ( Wood, coolers, ect.)and also can haul my beach fishing cart using the above two inch reciever. The top reciever also tilts down by removing the pin.

Edited by: Deputydog

[spinella]

i've posted these before. i welded two receiver tubes to each frame rail. then i built a platform. originaly it was for my schwinn tandem, now i leave my generator and what ever else i need to carry. its so strong, it does'nt rock at all. i also did not care about voiding a warranty. my trailer was back at crossroads for warrenty work for three weeks and nothing was said. i would definitly frame mount....stay away from the bumper.

[spinella]

also, i just made sure the receiver tubes were straight and measured over and over. then i laid two 2" tubes in the receivers as a solid platform to build my bike rack. i used expanded metal for the deck to keep the weight down.

[avvidclif]

I like that idea. Let's see I have a receiver hitch and 30-40' of 2" sq tubing, 1" tubing, 3/4", and 1/2". Hmmmm one more hitch and I'm ready. Oops expanded metal and a plan on what to do with it.

[spinella]

tommorrow i'll take better pictures. i was in the middle of some backyard construction and could'nt get good shots.

[sheltieRV]

If you have a full length truck bed, you can use Yakima Bed heads. They attach to the bed rails and we keep our 2 bikes there. Simple, yet elegant and I don't have to worry about what is happening with the bikes.

[avvidclif]

I don't know about yours but my ladder has a label on it with the weight rating of 300 lbs. And my 275 lbs has been up and down it with no signs of any stress. How big of bikes are you talking about????

[spinella]

heres some more shots....hope it helps.Edited by: spinella

[avvidclif]

How does that work with a 5th wheel hitch???

[spinella]

clif thats the rear of the trailer.....if your talking to me.

[JWN]

To All Who Replied, <?: prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" />

Thanks for all the replies. Here are some of my replies.



I have a short bed truck, so carrying on the pin box or the bed is out of the question.



I have 2 bikes total weight about 60-70 lbs. plus the hanger. Having that hang on the ladder and bouncing over hundreds of miles is a little different than climbing up &amp; down a couple of times per year.



Unfortunately I don't have welding or metal fabricating expierence, therefore I would have to have one built.



Thanks again for all the suggestions &amp; photos. I will be contacting my dealer for his suggestion and weigh all the options.



Thanks again,

[spinella]

my neighbor just bought a new dutchwmen....27rlss it has a rack like mine but also folds up. very nice. maybe it can be bought and installedto the frame rails. it doesnt slide under the trailer just folds up and is pinned in place.

[avvidclif]

Originally Posted by sheltieRV

If you have a full length truck bed, you can use Yakima Bed heads.Â* They attach to the bed rails and we keep our 2 bikes there.Â*Â* Simple, yet elegant and I don't have to worry about what is happening with the bikes.

Sorry about that but this is what I was referring to.



How do they work with a 5th wheel hitch???



I'm just figuring out this quote stuff...

[salda01]

Originally Posted by JWN

To All Who Replied, <?: prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><O:P></O:P>

Thanks for all the replies. Here are some of my replies.<O:P></O:P>

<O:P></O:P>

I have a short bed truck, so carrying on the pin box or the bed is out of the question.<O:P></O:P>

I have seen a king pin mounted receiver for a bike rack that brought the rack / bikes higher than the roof of the truck. Being I havea short bed truck as well it really caught my eye. Basically the mount was bolted to the open holes on the pin and steel bar was brought high enough to mount a receiver and then any rack would work. Granted you would need to be in the bed of the truck to get the bikes down, but they where above the truck roof line. The set up was on a Cruiser 5er, so maybe the owner could post.

[cwit]

I had 2 bikes on my king pin and had no problems with hitting. The corner OF your camper will hit befour your bikes will. Oh I have the 6&amp;1/2 ft box.