Bike rack on back bumper

I have carried 2 bikes on my rack on the bumper for several years with no problem. Are all bumpers alike? I have no idea.

Have a hitch installed on the back of the TT.

Then buy a 55 dollar cargo carrier from Tractor Supply and add the bike carrier attachment to it.



or

Add Hitch and use a hitch mount 3 bike carrier.

I tore my welded on bumper almost completely off with a 3 bike carrier.
At a bare minimum you need to weld on a piece of angle iron that spans from under the frame to under the bumper. This will keep the bumper from twisting downward and will make it many times stronger.

The part I'm talking about is cut off at a 45 degree angle on the fight side in this pic:

Halmfamily wrote:
I personally would not do it after I saw a TT at my local dealer with its bumper and bike rack attached barely hanging on.

I asked the owner what happened and he said another car came up along side of him on I20 pointing to the rear of the tt. He pulled over and he was nearly dragging his bikes on the interstate. The dealer was going to reweld his bumper back on.

I use a Curt front mount hitch on my truck with a Swagman bike rack. Solid and you can see your bikes. Do what you please but call your tt manufacturer and see what they say.

Good luck.

Had the same problem with a class c. The bumper didn't completely tear away, but came close. I now tow a TT and have installed a curt front hitch and carry the bikes up front.

I did it with three walmart bikes for a few years no problem. Depends on how the bumper is attached.

Got some nice bikes and a class III receiver welded to the frame a few years ago before the rust or Murphy caught up with me. Even now I carry one inside.

I personally would not do it after I saw a TT at my local dealer with its bumper and bike rack attached barely hanging on.

I asked the owner what happened and he said another car came up along side of him on I20 pointing to the rear of the tt. He pulled over and he was nearly dragging his bikes on the interstate. The dealer was going to reweld his bumper back on.

I use a Curt front mount hitch on my truck with a Swagman bike rack. Solid and you can see your bikes. Do what you please but call your tt manufacturer and see what they say.

Good luck.

I fabricated a clamp on style for my rear bumper. It's carrying 2 bikes. The important thing is to keep them from bouncing. I attached a stainless steel loop bracket on the back of the 5er and screwed through a wall stud. This lets me bungee to the rear ladder and the loop to keep them pulled toward the 5er with no bounce. The bumper may be strong enough for the weight, but the bouncing could break something.

You're going to get immediate responses on these forums "NO!" because the bumpers are too thin, not welded adequate, the torque (bouncing) will rip them off, 4 bicycles is just too heavy, it will reduce your tongue weight, and bunch of other reasons. In all generalities, I have to agree. However, I never listened to anyone, so on all 3 of my trailers I've owned, I used the same one and my bumper never fell off. (Dutchmen Sport, Keystone Springdale, and Keystone Outback).

All I can say is, if you do, do at your risk. Summerland is a Thor Industries trailer, same as my three. I'd probably do it! But you still have to decide for yourself:







My Outback came factory installed with a hitch and it's reinforced with the bumper. So I think my bumper has more strength than my last 2 trailers. We no longer take the bicycle with us (getting too old to deal with it), but I do have a carrier I use. I have not had a problem at all. My bumper is still there.

All I can say is, proceed at your own risk. Check with the manufacturers recommendations.

This topic has been discussed to death here so you will get all kinds of responses.

My two cents...
Even if your bumper can take the weight it's the sway and vibration that will cause you grief. The very least you should do is make some sort of solid attachment from the top of the rack to the back of the trailer. This gives you two contact points, top and bottom.

have the hitch welded to the frame ,those bumpers are not real bumpers very thin used for hose storage.