Forum Discussion

Victor12's avatar
Victor12
Explorer
Apr 09, 2018

5TH Wheel Bike and Generator Rack

Hi , We have a fifth wheel and are planning on going on the road for a year. We would like to carry a generator and two bikes . Does anyone know of a good rack that would carry both from the receiver on the back of the trailer.

8 Replies

  • Regarding the comment questioning the mention of good and bad bike on the back. I don't think that the folks doing that do it regarding the price of the bike, I think the main consideration is the amount of dirt, dust and mud that gets drawn in by the flat backside of the trailer. Most people the I know that have expensive bikes find another place to carry them rather than the rear of the trailer. I know I would but would not hesitate to put a cheap, or beater bike back there that was used mostly for getting around the campground or running local errands.
    Barney
  • Interesting comments ... not sure why you would discriminate between good bikes or bad bikes riding on the rear of your trailer. My concern if they came off would be damage or injury to anyone following rather than the cost of the bikes but that's just me.

    Originally I had a Yakima roof rack on the truck which I really loved but got a little tired of getting the bikes on and off.

    We have carried our bikes on the rear of our 5th wheels for the last 7 years without issue. Considerations are the load capacity and construction of the hitch receiver and the quality of the bike rack. On my previous Cougar, I had a local welding shop reinforce the entire receiver as it was **** from the manufacturer but when done correctly works fine.
  • rhagfo wrote:
    Put the bikes on a pin box receiver, out of the way and safe! Doesn’t add to overall length, doesn’t block headlights or turn signals.
    Generator I carry in the front compartment, could also be placed in TV bed, even with good supession and shocks on the 5er too much weight hanging off the rear.


    I've also seen the generator mounted on the pin box. Other than needing a step stool to fill the fuel (or get a small fuel pump), seems like a great location.
  • rhagfo's avatar
    rhagfo
    Explorer III
    Put the bikes on a pin box receiver, out of the way and safe! Doesn’t add to overall length, doesn’t block headlights or turn signals.
    Generator I carry in the front compartment, could also be placed in TV bed, even with good supession and shocks on the 5er too much weight hanging off the rear.
  • Put the generator in the front storage compartment. The rear of a 5th wheel is not a good place to put anything that is heavy because of the bouncing you get at the back.
  • Mount the bikes on a front mount hitch on the front of your truck. We use a Curt front mount hitch with a Swagman XC bike rack. Depending how big the generator is you may be able to carry the Genny in the bed of your teuck.
  • Like said a carrier for the generator is easy to find, you might think about a bike rack the will mount to the front bumper of the truck. Just a thought.
  • A rack is easy to find. What is the receivers weight rating? Carrying inexpensive bikes on the rear is one thing but an expensive generator is something else. I’ve yet to see a good bike...road or mountain...on the back of a TT, 5er or MH.