Forum Discussion

Dutch_Oven_Man's avatar
Dutch_Oven_Man
Explorer
Mar 16, 2014

Factory Bike Rack???

We just took delivery of our 2015 Forest River 327CK Wildcat. We really like the camper and everything is just like we ordered.

After reading threads on this forum, we decided to order the factory bike rack. I had used bumper and ladder racks in the past and figured for the money, a factor bike rack was worth it given the warranty issues.

Got the fiver home yesterday and started playing with everything today, and for the life of us, we cannot figure out how to install a bike on the "bike rack". The bike rack is basically a cargo carrier like you see people use on their SUV's with a wire mesh bottom. There is a square tube that you mount vertically on the back, but it doesn't have any attachments to it, just two holes and an I-bolt.

There is no way a bike would stay on the rack unless you laid it down, so am I missing something here? I'm sure you can order a wheel holder like you mount in the bed of a trailer and attach it to the mesh floor, but why would it be called a bike rack if you cannot mount a bike?

Either I'm really dense and cannot figure it out, or I'm going to have to order a real bike rack and figure out how to mount it to the cargo carrier.

Any help would be great!

10 Replies

  • SuperDutyMan's avatar
    SuperDutyMan
    Explorer
    Apr 24, 2014
    I have a Sabre which is a FR product also,so I'm sure it's the same rack.I took a piece of exterior plywood and mounted it on the mesh,then stood bikes up,one faceing left,the other right.I then took 2X2s and made troughs for the tires to set in,so they won't move.I made a top piece to slide over post,and made a bracket that's padded and sets on the center bar,have a hook on the back side with a small ratchet strap,works great,and can put bikes on or off in a minute.If you want some pics,send me a PM,so I can send them to you,too much hassle to post on here.
  • Campinfan's avatar
    Campinfan
    Explorer III
    Apr 24, 2014
    My new Cougar has the same kind of bike rack. I guess I would need to bungee cord the frames to the post and run bungees through the wheels and secure to the tray.
  • goducks10's avatar
    goducks10
    Explorer
    Apr 24, 2014
    Dutch Oven Man wrote:
    I did. I bought the Hollywood racks and mounted them to the frame of the Wildcat bike rack. The Hollywood racks worked really well since they secure your front wheel at the forks. Plus, they are pretty inexpensive. They are other brands out there, but for $20, these worked pretty well.



    Not sure where you're putting the front tires but I've found that once in a while the front axle will unthread it's self. I found this out a couple years ago. The parts were laying in the bed of the truck.
    Since then I always tighten the front axles when storing the front tires.
  • nole_trainer's avatar
    nole_trainer
    Explorer
    Apr 24, 2014
    Would you mind posting a photo? I'm still having a hard time visualizing this :)
  • Dutch_Oven_Man's avatar
    Dutch_Oven_Man
    Explorer
    Apr 23, 2014
    I did. I bought the Hollywood racks and mounted them to the frame of the Wildcat bike rack. The Hollywood racks worked really well since they secure your front wheel at the forks. Plus, they are pretty inexpensive. They are other brands out there, but for $20, these worked pretty well.
  • nole_trainer's avatar
    nole_trainer
    Explorer
    Apr 21, 2014
    Dutch Oven Man wrote:
    We just took delivery of our 2015 Forest River 327CK Wildcat. We really like the camper and everything is just like we ordered.

    After reading threads on this forum, we decided to order the factory bike rack. I had used bumper and ladder racks in the past and figured for the money, a factor bike rack was worth it given the warranty issues.

    Got the fiver home yesterday and started playing with everything today, and for the life of us, we cannot figure out how to install a bike on the "bike rack". The bike rack is basically a cargo carrier like you see people use on their SUV's with a wire mesh bottom. There is a square tube that you mount vertically on the back, but it doesn't have any attachments to it, just two holes and an I-bolt.

    There is no way a bike would stay on the rack unless you laid it down, so am I missing something here? I'm sure you can order a wheel holder like you mount in the bed of a trailer and attach it to the mesh floor, but why would it be called a bike rack if you cannot mount a bike?

    Either I'm really dense and cannot figure it out, or I'm going to have to order a real bike rack and figure out how to mount it to the cargo carrier.

    Any help would be great!


    Did you ever figure this out. I am also considering a Wildcat with this bike rack. But not sure how sure to mount the bikes?
  • Gonzo42's avatar
    Gonzo42
    Explorer
    Mar 18, 2014
    I wonder what the weight limit is on that. Not an issue for bikes, but I have the cargo carrier from HF good for 500 lb (although the receiver is only rated for 350 lb). HF cargo carrier typically on sale for $49.99.
  • goducks10's avatar
    goducks10
    Explorer
    Mar 16, 2014
    Had a similar type rack on an Heartland North Trail TT. It slide out as opposed to laying down. It came with a goofy piece of square tubing that you inserted into a slot. You would have to wrap a bungee cord around it to hold the bikes all together. Then they would probably flop around on the road.

    Something you might try is some of thesehttp://www.afterschool.com/p/hollywood-racks-t970-fork-block-1-bicycle-fork-mount-937523?site=CA&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc_as&utm_term=FPS-246072&utm_campaign=GoogleAW&CAWELAID=500003340000186025&utm_content=pla&adtype=pla&cagpspn=pla

    You could bolt them on to the rack and bunge the rear tire down. I have used them on our bikes in various forms for the last couple years. Just have to store the front tire.

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