Pin Box Bike Rack Source

JohnBoyToo wrote:
do you have a lift to get the bikes UP there ?!? :)

or is that part of the "excersize" regimen !!! :)

In general you do have to lift bikes vs. a rear rack.
Depending on the site the lift can be minimal or it can be quite high.
If things get to hectic you can always stand in the bed of the truck and reduce your lifting by loading and unloading bikes from the truck bed.
Lifting is really not a big deal for me, I don't consider it an issue.
Rear bumper area mounted racks can increase the overall length of a rig 2'-4'. But I really don't consider that a big issue either

do you have a lift to get the bikes UP there ?!? :)

or is that part of the "excersize" regimen !!! :)

Lantley wrote:

doctarie wrote:
Lantley:
Where did you get the bike cover or what are you using ? Do you travel with the cover on ?

That is an ATV cover. Yes I travel with it on. I use bungee cords to secure it when traveling as shown in the photo.

We use a HD grille cover on our bikes. Cheap and easy to find at any Home Depot or Lowes. Bungee down during travel. On our 3rd yr(1 cover), but we only use the cover while traveling during high bug times.

Our bike rack is a receiver type. I made a bolt-on, angled adapter that the vertical tube of the bike rack slides into.

Hardware - $6.00
Welding supplies - $4.00
Plate and sq stock - $12.00
The new words, I taught the neighbor's kids during assembly - Priceless

Merlot wrote:
I'm makinviewplans to install a bike rack and am curious as to why you all decided to put the bike rack on the pin box versus putting a bike rack on the rear of the coach?

1. Bikes are always in view.
2. Less bounce on pin box than rear of trailer behind axles.
3.Pinbox mount does not increase overall length of rig.

Merlot wrote:
I'm making plans to install a bike rack and am curious as to why you all decided to put the bike rack on the pin box versus putting a bike rack on the rear of the coach?

I'm freaking long enough already (sheepish smile). I don't need to add ANYTHING to the back to make me longer! :C

Ali Boba wrote:
To NREMTP-143

How did you get you arm in the back of the pin box to install the nuts? Obviously this is for an 8' bed only. But how clost to the cab is the bikes in a tight turn.

Ali Boba

I had to reach in from the back with a boxed end wrench with the nut taped to it while my dad turned the bolt to get it started. It was pretty difficult. With all 3 bikes on the hitch and turning, it clears the back window about 8-10 inches depending if the truck and trailer is level or not. I've not been in a predicament yet where it was even close enough to get concerned.

"Obviously this is for an 8' bed only."
The bikes fit fine on the pin with my 6.5" bed. If I'm backing, and angle past 80 degrees or so, a bike tire bumps against my rear window. It's a harmless warning, and I consider that an advantage, compared to the metal crunching sound I have heard one time too many.
Part of the reason the geometry works is that much of the bike is above the level of the truck cab, and the bike length is shorter than the width of the trailer.
Another advantage: On the pin box, the bikes are always out of your way so you can leave them there. Also, when you're gone for the day, the bikes are on the more visible end of the trailer, and high in the air, discouraging petty mischief.

Merlot wrote:
I'm making plans to install a bike rack and am curious as to why you all decided to put the bike rack on the pin box versus putting a bike rack on the rear of the coach?

For one you can't see the bikes on the back of the RV.

Also that is the worst riding part of the RV.

The bikes can interfere with how well people can see your tail lights.

Much easier for someone to steal your bikes from the back os the RV.

On the Kingpin you can see the bikes just sitting there in your rear view mirror.

Very simple inespensive reciever mount on the Kingpin compared to the rear of the RV.

I built my mount for about $15-20.

I'm making plans to install a bike rack and am curious as to why you all decided to put the bike rack on the pin box versus putting a bike rack on the rear of the coach?

If I could figure out how to load pictures I would show what I did for a bike rack reciever on the front of my TrailAir pin box.

Moderator help?