installing a bike rack

tracern77 · 08-16-2020, 03:28 PM

We are new camper owners this year. I am looking for some ideas on how to haul bikes. I have heard that mounting them on the camper bumper is not the best idea since the bumper is not meant to hold that much weight. I also have heard that putting them on a pass through hitch between the truck and car is not a great idea either. I know there are ones you can mount right on the camper, but they ones we looked at are all super expensive. What is the best way to mount them? Thanks for your ideas!

Papa-T · 08-16-2020, 04:49 PM

Well you have two choices; have a receiver welded to the frame. Or purchase Mount-n-lock bumper safety struts and a mount-n-lock receiver. I’ve had both on different campers. I have the Mount-n-lock safety supports and the receiver now. It works well for me. You have to decide what is best for you. Here’s a video on the Mount-n-lock.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=W7Ys33KTxHg

tracern77 · 08-16-2020, 06:56 PM

Thank you! We will check this out!

harley · 08-17-2020, 03:59 PM

You actually have 3 choices ...one that I have stated in numerous posts (use search button and search for bike racks) . Install the basic bumper hitch and also add a few eyescrews to the corner of your trailer and add a ratchet strap to stop bikes from bouncing. I have hauled 3 bikes on rack and never a problem and actually had people that followed me tell me the bike never budged and they copied my idea.

Thomas Walch · 08-23-2020, 02:50 PM

Go to arvika.ca they have a very good mount for the front a frame over the propane tanks. Used one for 12 years never had a problem. Quality built unit. Manufactured in Quebec so click English language on the site. Only thing you have to watch is if you turn sharp on the 3 bike model the front rack can hit your tailgate.

Vsmith1814 · 08-24-2020, 07:40 AM

We just made a 1400 mile trip and had our 2 bikes mounted to the ladder with a swagman ladder bike mount. No problems. The bikes are Giant cypress DX. We had to place them horizontally because my wife’s brace was to short to hang vertically.

stetson · 08-27-2020, 03:15 PM

Its the bounce. We have a bike rack on our lite weight 5th wheel back bumper and have traveled some 50000 miles with it. It is heavily strapped down. Our first trip with it before we started strapping it the hitch itself broke across the welds. No problems after I welded it up and reinforced it.

Its the bounce that destroyed it.

egrum · 08-27-2020, 04:24 PM

Did you ever play the game "Crack the whip" on an ice rink? Were you ever the last skater? Bikes on the rear bumper of a trailer are like the last skater in "Crack the whip".
watch for these set ups as you drive down the road and remember that your bikes on the back are doing the same thing.
NOT a good idea. There are bike racks for the front of a trailer.

**mark5w** · 08-27-2020, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by egrum

There are bike racks for the front of a trailer.

That's fine for a Travel Trailer, but the pin box bike mount are high and hard to get at. A reinforced bumper or a welded frame hitch is the way to go for a 5th wheel.

hondavalk · 08-28-2020, 06:18 AM

I mounted a hitch on the front of my truck. It was a no drill install from E-trailer

harley · 08-28-2020, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by egrum

Did you ever play the game "Crack the whip" on an ice rink? Were you ever the last skater? Bikes on the rear bumper of a trailer are like the last skater in "Crack the whip".
watch for these set ups as you drive down the road and remember that your bikes on the back are doing the same thing.
NOT a good idea. There are bike racks for the front of a trailer.

Look at my pic a couple posts above...with eyescrews and straps there is no cracking of anything.

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