Bike racks for TT

[4077]

I like the idea of the hitch receiver welded to the bumper for that type of bike rack, but what other bike rack options have been used out there for 3-4 bikes that you think work well?

 

[articfox676]

You need to have the hitch bolted or welded to the frame of the trailer. Never trust the bumper on a TT they are only to hold your sewer hose. For further research check RV.net they have posted about this (incl. pics).

 

[bama_ed]

I like the idea of the hitch receiver welded to the bumper for that type of bike rack, but what other bike rack options have been used out there for 3-4 bikes that you think work well?

Congrats on your new trailer, 4077.

To be clear, the hitch welded on my new Aliner was installed as articfox said - they are completely correct. I have a large (at least 2" square thick walled) tube welded from the inside of the driver side of the frame to the inside of the passenger side of the frame. It is immediately behind the stamped sheet metal bumper (worthless except to hold up the spare tire). The bike rack receiver is welded to the extra cross tube and the receiver extends out beyond the bumper (but is NOT welded to the actual bumper itself). I will need an extender to get the rack out past the spare tire but can tie down the top of the rack to minimize shaking/vibration.

I could have had the spare mounted up on the tongue but with two propane tanks and a battery I thought that was enough tongue weight.

Have fun taking the bikes camping. The kids loved the freedom the bikes gave them.

Bama ED

 

[4077]

Congrats on your new trailer, 4077. To be clear, the hitch welded on my new Aliner was installed as articfox said - they are completely correct. I have a large (at least 2" square thick walled) tube welded from the inside of the driver side of the frame to the inside of the passenger side of the frame. It is immediately behind the stamped sheet metal bumper (worthless except to hold up the spare tire). The bike rack receiver is welded to the extra cross tube and the receiver extends out beyond the bumper (but is NOT welded to the actual bumper itself). I will need an extender to get the rack out past the spare tire but can tie down the top of the rack to minimize shaking/vibration. I could have had the spare mounted up on the tongue but with two propane tanks and a battery I thought that was enough tongue weight. Have fun taking the bikes camping. The kids loved the freedom the bikes gave them. Bama ED

Thanks for the detail on that hitch weld, and thanks articfox for the info/input as well. I presume a reputable place would do a proper job, but then again, that maybe a foolish presumption, so glad to know that.

 

[4077]

Of course, I went reading on manufacturer website last night. In a FAQ about the Microlite line, they said that neither the bumper (which you had told me) NOR THE FRAME are intended to have a hitch receiver attached to them...argh...back to square one. Maybe some sort of carrier that works with vehicle roof rack? Time to do more research.

 

[libba]

We had this problem with our last TT and ended up trying to put them inside and harnessing them with disastrous results. Hope you can find a solution for your family. They told us the frame was not sturdy enough on the ultra lite.

 

[Mmketeer]

I don't know if this is what your asking....
We have a ladder on our 5th wheel, so we use a ladder bike rack (holds two bikes) that we purchase from Camping World for about $35 every couple of years as the straps and rubber pieces just don't last sitting out in the Florida weather. We have a spare tire rack on the back, so we can't buy the cargo holders etc. for back there.

 

[tcu4me]

We had a pop up with a roof mounted bike rack. The pop up is long gone, but we kept the roof rack. I had to buy new mounting hardware, but the rack now carries 4 bikes on the roof of the truck while towing the 5th wheel. Our rack is a Yakima, but several other manufacturers make something similar.

Good luck, happy camping!

 

[tcu4me]

We had a pop up with a roof mounted bike rack. The pop up is long gone, but we kept the roof rack. I had to buy new mounting hardware, but the rack now carries 4 bikes on the roof of the truck while towing the 5th wheel. Our rack is a Yakima, but several other manufacturers make something similar.

Good luck, happy camping!

 

[4077]

We had a pop up with a roof mounted bike rack. The pop up is long gone, but we kept the roof rack. I had to buy new mounting hardware, but the rack now carries 4 bikes on the roof of the truck while towing the 5th wheel. Our rack is a Yakima, but several other manufacturers make something similar. Good luck, happy camping!

Thanks for the lead on that...will take a look.

 

[fanowalt]

You could look into folding bikes.I think the smaller sizes 16-20 in. can be put in bags.
We have 2,26 in. folding bikes but they are bulky even when folded.If we stick with camping we're going to go with 20 in. folders.

 

[LHARPSTER]

Don't put it on the bumper!!

We were told by the camper dealership that they could be put on the bumper. Even bought the rack from the dealership. Well we were actually returning from Disney and we were in Downtown Indy about 4 hours away from home and we were flagged down buy a passing car and our bumper had bent off and was dragging our bikes.

Needless to say we had to get a new bumper and thankfully only the tires and rims had to be replaced on 2 of the bikes.

We were able to a new bike rack replaced with insurance that can be added to the front of the camper instead of the back. Not sure how it works cause we are still leery of using it. LOL Since then we have gotten an new camper and this one actually have a receiver hitch on the frame of it.

Good Luck!!