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03-08-2014, 06:30 AM
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#1
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New Camper
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Indiana
Posts: 2
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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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03-08-2014, 06:41 AM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: WI.
Posts: 9,172
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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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03-08-2014, 07:31 AM
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#3
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 99
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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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03-08-2014, 08:14 AM
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#4
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: , RI
Posts: 1,164
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lloyd
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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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.
__________________
Al Laura (Lily & Breeze Portie Girls)
2011 F250 6.7 PS Tuxedo Black 4x4
11 305SKP- TPMS- RideRite air bags
Reese 16K Slider Wet Bolts
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03-08-2014, 08:14 AM
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#5
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New Camper
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Indiana
Posts: 2
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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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03-08-2014, 08:22 AM
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#6
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: , RI
Posts: 1,164
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Phone: 260.593.3850/2866
Toll Free: 888.226.7496
Fax: 260.593.2088
Email Crossroads RV
Good Luck
__________________
Al Laura (Lily & Breeze Portie Girls)
2011 F250 6.7 PS Tuxedo Black 4x4
11 305SKP- TPMS- RideRite air bags
Reese 16K Slider Wet Bolts
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03-08-2014, 08:24 AM
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#7
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Belle River , Ontario
Posts: 1,753
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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
__________________
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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03-08-2014, 12:39 PM
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#8
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: United states of america
Posts: 1,570
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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.
__________________
2017 Ford F350 Super Duty 6.7 King Ranch Crew
Sold the 2016 Crossroads Sunset Trail Grand Reserve 32BH
2020 Grand Design Momentum 320G
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03-08-2014, 03:23 PM
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#9
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Mn
Posts: 548
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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.
__________________
Lee & Jane and Black Lab Zoey
2008 Ford F250 CC Lariat 6.8L
2011 Crossroads Cruiser 31RK
Faribault MN
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03-08-2014, 04:20 PM
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#10
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Breckenridge,CO
Posts: 975
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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:
__________________
CAMPGROUND "DRIVEWAY"
Breckenridge, CO
'08 Crossroads Sunset Trail ST30BH Traded
'21 Grand Design Reflection 31MB 5er
'22 Cougar 29RLI 5er
'23 RAM 2500 4X4 CTD
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03-08-2014, 06:28 PM
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#11
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Belle River , Ontario
Posts: 1,753
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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...
__________________
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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03-09-2014, 10:07 AM
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#12
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Illinois
Posts: 660
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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.
__________________
Chris & Karen- Heyworth, Illinois
2009 CF32BL pulled by a 2011 RAM 2500 CTD 4x4
PullRite Superglide 18K hitch
2015stats:
Nights: 28
Miles: 3245
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03-09-2014, 11:51 AM
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#13
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: May 2013
Location: So IL
Posts: 1,811
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Quote:
Originally Posted by longhauler
I can find more info on it if you would like.
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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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Tim
13 ST25RB
08 F-250 SC 6.8L XLT 4x4
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03-09-2014, 12:43 PM
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#14
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Illinois
Posts: 660
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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
__________________
Chris & Karen- Heyworth, Illinois
2009 CF32BL pulled by a 2011 RAM 2500 CTD 4x4
PullRite Superglide 18K hitch
2015stats:
Nights: 28
Miles: 3245
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03-10-2014, 06:52 AM
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#15
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 581
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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.
__________________
Mike in Tennessee
2007 Cruiser 30QB
2008 Ford F250 Lariat 4x4 6.4 Powerstroke
Valley 16K slider
Ride-Rite air bags
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03-10-2014, 08:23 AM
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#16
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: DFW, TexUS
Posts: 1,032
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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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03-10-2014, 12:22 PM
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#17
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Site Team
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: PA
Posts: 5,731
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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.
__________________
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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03-10-2014, 01:00 PM
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#18
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Breckenridge,CO
Posts: 975
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Back in '08, I was told any modifications to the bumper would void the warranty on the frame.
__________________
CAMPGROUND "DRIVEWAY"
Breckenridge, CO
'08 Crossroads Sunset Trail ST30BH Traded
'21 Grand Design Reflection 31MB 5er
'22 Cougar 29RLI 5er
'23 RAM 2500 4X4 CTD
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03-10-2014, 01:14 PM
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#19
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Seasonal Camper
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: ohio
Posts: 356
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__________________
hondavalk
2008 Tundra 5.7L
2013 ST29SS
Reese DC
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03-10-2014, 01:36 PM
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#20
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Site Team
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: PA
Posts: 5,731
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hondavalk
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Nice, but I have a 5th wheel.
__________________
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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