Pull-out Bike Rack

When I had one I gutted the tray and then mounted a hitch on the frame.
The whole rack is rated at 200lb. Tire being 80-90, and the rest of the rack and bumper probably another fifty. Not much weight capacity left for my stuff.

Had that same bike rack on our 2006 Cougar 281EFS. Travelled from Ontario to the Panhandle, over to New Orleans then back home via Memphis with 3 bikes on it and never had it scrape the ground once. However, fastening those bikes at each stop was a complete PITA, and I don't think I ever did it the same way twice. I used the ratcheting type of straps, and usually used at least 3 or 4; one for each bike then one to secure the whole mess. Wrapped around the bumper, wrapped around the post, fastened in loops around the front then round and round the bikes. Very time consuming, but I never lost a bike. It would be much handier if there more anchor points or holes incorporated into it.

SabreCanuck wrote:
To those commenting on the weakness of the racks... Are the issues being mentioned just because we are talking about putting bikes on the back of a camper or are the issues that you elude to specifically discussing the larger, heavier duty racks like we have?

BTW - I'm a very firm NON-believer on bumper style BOUNCY BOUNCY bike racks on the back of any trailer but my rack is SUBSTANTIALLY more solid than those and is rated for 400#. I'm adding give/take 30 lbs.

My 2013 333MKS bike rack developed serious stress cracks in the bumper, not due to the two short trips made with two bikes onboard, but rather due to the stress caused by the spare tire carrier. My old 2008 318SAB Cougar with the smaller tires did not have this problem. I discovered the problem when my stinky slinky got stuck in the bumper. See my resolution at -

Keystone Cougar Bike Rack Repair

If you are entertaining any thought of adding weight to that bumper, I would take it to your local welder and have it beefed up first. The bike rack is easy to remove - remove the two pins and remove the two "bumper bolts" on the bottom of the rails. The bumper will fit in your pickup bed.

From the Keystone RV forum:
http://www.keystonerv.org/forums/showthread.php?t=24887&highlight=Pull+bike+rack

To those commenting on the weakness of the racks... Are the issues being mentioned just because we are talking about putting bikes on the back of a camper or are the issues that you elude to specifically discussing the larger, heavier duty racks like we have?

BTW - I'm a very firm NON-believer on bumper style BOUNCY BOUNCY bike racks on the back of any trailer but my rack is SUBSTANTIALLY more solid than those and is rated for 400#. I'm adding give/take 30 lbs.

There are also posts in several threads about the racks not being stable. Many are having problems with broken welds or bent racks. We only use ours when the trailer is stored for the winter.

It was a good idea from a sales standpoint, but from an engineering standpoint...not so good.

MikBeWood wrote:
My new Keystone Cougar has a pull-out bike rack on the rear of the trailer. I would like to know how to hook up two bikes to it; it does have a single post. The spare tire is attached to the outside of it, so the bikes would be placed between it and the camper.

I literally just installed bike mounts on my rear rack this weekend. The rack on our Columbus folds UP not slides in so not sure how much clearance you have to bolt something on top of the rack when you are sliding it in? I bought a used two bike roof rack that have arms that hold each bike's frame when mounted.. LIKE THIS There are numerous versions of above available.

Removed just the pieces that the bike tires sit in and the bike frame holder and bolted them in opposing directions to the rack itself. The handlebars face different directions and the bikes don't come close to touching each other. I also intend on strapping the top of the bikes to the rear post for extra support.

Sorry, I didn't take pic while the bikes were on it.

Was easy and effective.

that does look like a scraping waiting to happen.
bumpy

I have one on my 293SAB and like the above posters, do not use it. The kids bikes go on their bunks and DW and mine go in the living room.

You may find this interesting:
There was a posting in March, 2015 dealing with the Keystone pull out bike rack. "Open Roads Forum > Fifth-Wheels > Cougar rear bike rack"
General consensus was to watch for the added overhang at the rear of the coach as it could create some issues.
I have one on my 2014 Cougar 327 RES and other than using it to store equipment off the ground when parked I do not pull it out when traveling because of the overhang issue.
In viewing the photo on the response I wonder how long it would take to scratch and damage the bikes if you just tie then with a bungee cord? I'm sure that you can design a better system but you are likely left to your own device.
Good luck and enjoy your new trailer.
GPG