Ladder bicycle racks

I have a 28' Holiday rambler 5th wheel. After looking at many options, I had my rear bumper reinforced by a hitch fabricator. It cost $230...I then purchased a 1UP USA bike rack. It was pricey but does act like nor resemble the hitches I see bouncing around on the back of trailers and or cars....The whole process was not cheap but I am not concerned at all regarding it falling off or losing the bikes. The rack switches easily between my truck or trailer. I am not retired thus spent a little extra so I wouldn't need to worry about it later...

Hamops wrote:

I tried using a bumper sleeve hitch assembly but after two days of hauling the bikes, the welds on the bumper cracked, even though I had supported the Thule bike stand with cables to prevent the bikes from flopping around.

Uh-oh... :(
This is close to the set-up we have (Swagman) I was slightly fearful the the bumper would eventually fail.
Looks like we'll need to beef the rear bumper up or install a stronger 2" receiver.

Most bumpers are pretty skimpy, and at least our ladder is good only for climbing, not for hanging 50 or 60 # bikes from it traveling down the road bouncing.

I have a ladder bike rack that we used on our previous 5vr and had not problems with it. I wanted to use it on our present 5vr but couldn't because the ladder is mounted close to the side of the trailer. When I tried to use the ladder rack, I found that the bikes stuck out from the side of the trailer.

I tried using a bumper sleeve hitch assembly but after two days of hauling the bikes, the welds on the bumper cracked, even though I had supported the Thule bike stand with cables to prevent the bikes from flopping around.

X2 on the front receiver and carrier on the TV

How about a different idea. Put a receiver hitch on the front of the truck (abt $125-150) and then a receiver hitch bike carrier. No problems with weight or anything else. Just may be a bit buggy when you remove them. Although my ladder is rated for 300 lbs and doesn't move much when my 270 lb is on it I still don't use it for bikes, that's where I carry my step ladder. I don't trust the back bumper for anything except my sewer hose.

I think I have read enough reasons not to go with the ladder rack. My ladder is rated for 300#s, but it is also Lt Wt, and has a lot of flex when my 170#s climbs up.

I think I'll try to remove the front wheel, and seat, and put it in front of my hitch. I will have to remove my storage box, and put some of its contents in the basement. I only take the bike part of the time, so was hoping for an easy mount.

Thanks to everyone that posted, and happy camping to all!!

Jerry

I agree with most posts above.Dont do it.Big potential to fail and cause alot of damage.I put mine inside where dinnette is.I remove table and have fork cleats attached to seats.I carry three adult size bike there.They arent going anywhere.Five minutes in and out.No worries of ripping ladder or bumper off fiver..Just another option...

I put my bike in the backseat area of my truck. I remove the pedals and swivel the handlebars to line up with the bike frame. It just barely fits. I have no concerns with rear ladder issues or the bike being in the rain. When I'm encamped I store it under my 5er's overhang. :C

We had a guy pull in next to us last Summer in Canada with the bottom of his ladder ripped right out of the rear cap of the fiver. Two bikes on the ladder rack were nice and tight. The bottom mounts however were jusr screwed to the fiberglass skin with sheet metal screws.

I don't remember the brand of trailer, but I guess the manufacturer thought that the upper ladder mounts would carry the weight and the bottom was just for stability. The bouncing of well secured bikes (It is rough back there at highway speeds.) seemed to put enough upward force on the screws to rip them (and chunks of FG) out.

He was looking at makor repairs.