The Bike Rack Rocks and Rolls

NolalSafari wrote:
I assume you have the type of bike rack which hangs the bikes from hooks on the rack with out supporting the wheels. If that is the case what you have done is the same as taking a 36" or so pry bar and hung apx. and 100 pounds on it, every time your rig hits a bump it is like someone pulling on the pry bar with all that force going into your frame. If you can support the weight of the bikes from the wheels at the height of the hitch and secure the bikes to the upright so they can't bounce it would be a improvement and better for your rig.

This is a picture of a Fiamma bike rack mounted on an Airstream. Airstreams are prone to damage from bike racks mounted on the frame as yours is done. This bike rack is the only one Airstream approves, it demonstrates the concept of carrying the weight in a wheel tray at a lower height. Your rig more than likely can stand the stress better than an Airstream due to differences in design but lowering the weight bearing surface will provide you with a better experience.



Hope this helps.

Jim

X2. The stock bike rack on my Cougar works on the same principle-the bike tires sit on a platform and are lashed to a post.

get an anti-rattle hitch pin. it works like a big bolt and clamps the rack into the receiver. I use 2 on my rack as i have to size it up to 2" and use an extension on my TC. http://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Accessories/Lets-Go-Aero/63232.html

Seeing that violent bouncing bikes do on trailers going down the road is why I decided to go with a pin box mounted receiver/bike rack.

do a google search for "anti rattle bracket for receiver hitch". You'll see that there are a bunch of options made to solve your problem. I bought one that came with my Versahauler rack. It works like a champ.

Ratchet straps work well to stabilize bikes to the bumper.

Bungy cord the bikes at outmost points to put tension on them. They move because the ends of the bikes are far from the hitch,so eliminating the bike acting like a lever stops the problem.

Just tie the rack down in such a manner that it removes all of the slop in your receiver. Talking about seconds to do this and problem should be solved.

I assume you have the type of bike rack which hangs the bikes from hooks on the rack with out supporting the wheels. If that is the case what you have done is the same as taking a 36" or so pry bar and hung apx. and 100 pounds on it, every time your rig hits a bump it is like someone pulling on the pry bar with all that force going into your frame. If you can support the weight of the bikes from the wheels at the height of the hitch and secure the bikes to the upright so they can't bounce it would be a improvement and better for your rig.

This is a picture of a Fiamma bike rack mounted on an Airstream. Airstreams are prone to damage from bike racks mounted on the frame as yours is done. This bike rack is the only one Airstream approves, it demonstrates the concept of carrying the weight in a wheel tray at a lower height. Your rig more than likely can stand the stress better than an Airstream due to differences in design but lowering the weight bearing surface will provide you with a better experience.



Hope this helps.

Jim

The hitch/bike rack manufacturers always recommend using a tie strap from the top of the rack to the 5th back wall to stop the bouncing because it is a welded component and will fail eventually.

Antigua1767 wrote:
When we bought the 5th last spring I had the dealer weld a 2 inch receiver onto the bumper and frame. We attach a 4 bike rack when we travel. When I installed the back camera I noticed the bike rack with considerable movement when travelling. The weld is solid but I feel the bikes are moving too much. I checked the connection between the rack and the receiver. There is a little play which is magnified when moving at speeds. I have attempted to wedge cedar shakes in between but they vibrate out.
Does anyone have any suggestions (shy of welding them together) to reduce the bounce of the bike rack. From my past experiences here someone will come up with a solution.
Respectfully,
AM

YOu can drill another hole in your receiver and weld a nut over it, say for a 5/8 or 3/4 bolt. Install bolt, tighten, jam bike receiver tight so no up/down slop.


Or better yet, find another bike option. My buddy hauled his on the back and I used to watch those things getting beat to death on every trip we took. Literally shook one bike into pieces. You might get rid of the slop, but that isn't going to stop the beating.

Most people don't realize just how much bouncing goes on behind the axles on most of these 5vers. One of the reasons I always cringe when hearing about people hauling their fur kids in the garage of the toy haulers.

I built a receiver into the pin box on my toy hauler and all 4 bikes ride there, right above the bed of the truck. Much much smoother ride up there.