Cougar rear bike rack

We use ours on every outing. We have a pipe wrap cushion around the single upright bar so the bikes won't get too scratched up. We strap the bikes to the bar to prevent front to back movement, and to the bottom of the pullout carrier (there are holes in the platform frame for this) with bungees and ratchet straps to prevent side to side movement. This also keeps them from bouncing around as they are strapped downward to the platform, and stay very solid.

Never had a problem. Just be careful exiting driveways and such, go out at angle so as not to drag the ass too much or you'll bend the spare tire carrier bracket - ask me how I know :-)

I have a Laredo and the power rack is the same I feel certain. Mine is a 10 model and there was a recall or at least a free replacement of a stronger spare tire mount since some folks arrived at their distention with the spare tire missing.

I took heed and moved the spare to an under belly mount.

This is a resurected thread, but Ill throw my $0.02 in case someone else is looking for ideas. I have used our Cougar sliding rear rack for bikes on the few trips we have taken since we just got the 5er this season.

First off I removed the spare tire and holder and installed a BAL hide a spare to store it under the trailer, works great. I cut a pool noodle and used a little duct tape to hold it around the pole that comes up. Then I used racheting strapes through the wheels at the bottom of the rim and around the platform. Each wheel is solidly secure. Then I use another racheting strap through the frames and around the pole. Then I use a thick cable through frames and around trailer frame and lock it with a big frame lock that I have. I wouldnt leave them unattended as a crook with a battery power saw would have the bikes in 30 seconds...but for transporting it works great.

Bikes are secure and dont move at all...I love the rack. Even without bikes it could be used for lots of other stuff.

When we did have our Cougar we tried the bike rack a couple times. One time the bikes bounced enough and the straps came loose, we had them tightened down we thought tight enough.

We do not have a Cougar but have extensive use with our 1upusa receiver hitch mount bike rack (1 and 2 bike application) on our cars and limited use on the back of our Trailmanor (TT) into a frame attached rear 2" receiver hitch (150# rating).
First off, I am a longstanding road, mtb and fatbike cyclist and have used this very heavy duty and durable rack for all of the above.

Check the specs and testimonials on their website (and elsewhere like singletracks.com mtbr.com) but IMO, they are more durable than comparable Yakima, Thule, Kuat and our Saris rack.
IMO, the best way to transport a bicycle on an automobile rack is to have one that allows the bike to function as it would while being actively ridden. That is by having the weight of the bike being supported by the inflated tires and not by other methods.

A single bike rack weighs ~25 lbs and a two bike rack ~50lbs and each of our 6 bikes (titanium and alloy road bikes, titanium and alloy frame mtbs, carbon fiber fat-snow bike) weigh under 25#s.
FYI-hope the above and the video are helpful.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM2jd8tLx6U

We also have a 327RES with the slide out rack. Used a few times with 4 or 5 bungees, However gave up eventually and have been storing bikes inside ever since.

Great input, thank you

I moved my spare tire to underneath my fiver so I could put a bumper mounted bike rack like the one in that camping world catalog #49401. Mine is a Swagman model but I could not find the part number for it. For the pin to put the rack on it is threaded allowing the bike rack to not bounce at all. I usually carrier a road bike and a hybrid and they have no bounce at all. They also have an optional locking cable that connects to the hitch pin to lock the bikes down and reduce the potential for theft. I really like the rack and would highly recommend it.

Found the Swagman Part #64663. I got mine from etrailer.com. http://www.etrailer.com/RV-and-Motorhome-Bike-Racks/Swagman/S64663.html
I love it and it is truly a very stable bike rack.

We had a Cougar 309EFS with pull out bike rack. Used it to carry a portable generator but had to remove the spare tire and rack because it drug when we went over "moguls".

Great comments, thank you