? for those who tow campers

[always dreamin']

We have a 25' RS-S Outback travel trailer that we tow with our Silverado 2500 HD. Although there is place in the travel trailer to store the bikes while towing, it is a pain in the rump. We are thinking of putting a hitch on the front of the truck to put a bike rack on while towing the trailer. Has anyone done this and what are your thoughts on it. Any help/suggestions would be appreciated!

Thank you!

 

[Bichon Barb]

Hi Always Dreamin'! Remember me? We've got an Outback 25' RS-S too! We've only brought the two kids' bikes, so we either shoved them in the back of the Yukon or under the bunk, BUT I had to laugh when read what kind of truck you drive, because we just traded in the Yukon for a Sierra 2500 Super Crew (I think it's a Super Crew. It has four doors.)

I guess we are just trying to copy you.

 

[always dreamin']

Hi Bichon Barb! Of course I remember you! So nice to hear from you! That's neat that you have the same type of towing vehicle! We have a crew cab (4 doors) also. Wow...a super crew must have tons of room! Do you believe that I drive the truck as my everyday vehicle?! DH drives too many miles to work to take the truck. Family and friends think I'm crazy for driving a truck. It's a small price to pay to be able to have the travel trailer we like. Can't believe camping season is almost here...can't wait! We usually take all our bikes (3 plus a baby seat) and decided last summer that it is too much of a pain to put them under the bunk. One time we got tons of mosquitos (sp?) in the camper while we were trying to unload the bikes. This year we are thinking of an alternate way to tow them. The only way we can think to tow them is in front of the truck. Can't even imagine what we will look like driving down the street like this!

 

[Bichon Barb]

Wait a minute. Maybe a super crew is a door door with a big back seat area? In any event, it sounds like I have the GMC version of your Chevy -- except our's isn't a diesel. (That's what the HD stands for right?)

We just bought our's last month. I took the Yukon in for some work and ended up talking to a salesman. He had this truck which is a 2003 with 14K miles on it. He made us a deal we couldn't refuse. So now I'm driving this black monster around with a Harley Davidson decal on the back window. (Actually, I think I'm going to take that off of there and replace it with "The Black Pearl". It's my everyday truck like you. I don't mind it, except for parking the beast.

We already have our Memorial Weekend and July 4th reservations. We are seriously considering driving down to FW in late August. (We've never driven it before.) Hopefully the gas prices won't get too bad this summer.

If I don't talk to you, have a great camping season.

 

[Big V]

We bought the bike rack that fits on the back bumper of the trailer from Camping World and it works great! I think you can only fit two bikes on it though. Can't wait for the camping season to get here!

 

[always dreamin']

Originally posted by Bichon Barb
In any event, it sounds like I have the GMC version of your Chevy -- except our's isn't a diesel. (That's what the HD stands for right?)

Our's isn't diesel either. HD stands for Heavy Duty. I have to laugh when you mentioned "parking the beast". That is exactly how I feel about my truck. I manage it very well but end up at the end of the parking lot because I can never get into a parking spot with cars around!


Big V - the only problem with putting a bike rack on the back of our camper is that it will void the warranty. DH doesn't want to do this. Wish we could though...that would be my chose!

 

[emmagata]

Be careful putting a bike rack on the rear bumper of the trailer.

Our 25 Sunline says the weight limit is 100 pounds. Several bikes plus the spare tire/rack (if you have one) will probably be at or over the limit.

One problem with putting the bikes on a hitch in the front of the truck is the reduced airflow which might cause the engine to run hot during the summer time.

 

[mudnuri]

Why cant you put them in the bed of the truck?

Oh- and GM does not make a super crew. All Sierra/Silverado p/u's with 4 'real' doors are called Crew Cabs...4 door- 2 front, 2 backwards are called extended cabs...anything with 'super' in the name is a ford.

We have a 2500HD Duramax Diesel Crew Cab....

Is either of yours pewter?...never saw a pewter one, till we bought ours, now everyones is! LOL

Our D/A (thats Duramax, Allison) has 84000 miles on it, still going strong, and still averaging 21.5 mpg...gotta love that diesel.

Brandy

 

[always dreamin']

Originally posted by mudnuri
Why cant you put them in the bed of the truck?...

Is either of yours pewter?...never saw a pewter one, till we bought ours, now everyones is!...

I posted this same response on the camping board.
We never have room in the bed of our truck. I think we take everything with us camping except the kitchen sink. Wait...I guess with a travel trailer we actually do take the kitchen sink also!

Our truck is pewter also! I agree is seems like there are a lot of trucks that are pewter. But then again, a lot of cars these days are that pewter color. In fact, we have two vehicles that are pewter. We're real original! LOL

 

[John VN]

emmagata has hit the nail on the head.

My FIL borrowed our old MH to go to FW and took his bike and MILs bike and had them mounted on carrier attached to the rear bumper. Coming home with BIL and his familiy in car behind the MH, the left weld on the bumper let loose and it dropped to the pavement. Dragged a bit then swung to the right and broke the right weld and proceeded to go off the road(I-4) and into the swale. No one hurt but I had a lot of bicycle repairing to do. Turns out the bumper was not rated to carry the weight.

How about a ROOF TOP bike carrier on the truck?

john