Bike Racks for a trailer

I built a mount out out a 1x6 and two fork mounts. Put the mount on the table, in the bed position and mount my bikes inside. Keeps them clean and safe.

This one we have used for the last couple of years. Works very well. Quick and easy to load and unload.

Swagman

I suggest using a receiver hitch where the bike wheels are held at the bottom - not the ones where you hang the bike by the bar.

To answer the OP's question, the most cost effective way to carry 2 bikes is on the trailer's ladder; they make inexpensive racks that hook onto the ladder and they work fine. DO NOT MOUNT ANY RACK OR RECEIVER DEVICE TO YOUR REAR BUMPER; they are nothing more than cheap sheet metal and will soon crack. Receivers CAN be adapted to the rear of a trailer but require fabrication, welding, etc.

Lots of ladder type mounts on Amazon, here's one such device:Ladder Rack

At different times in my travels, I've seen bikes on a bike rack attached to a rear bumper laying on the side of the highway and bikes attached to a ladder laying on the side of the highway. No camper in sight and the bikes looked really messed up. No way would I mount my bikes in this fashion. Fortunately, ours travel in the bed of the truck. I would try to transport them inside the TT/5er if possible.

CodyClassB wrote:
I am sorry to say this but you make it very complicated . I have been using the hitch mount for car/RV/truck for many years without any problems. I carry 3 or 4 bikes using this http://www.doityourselfrv.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/rv-bike-rack-frame-mount.jpg

And if you worry about loosing your bike, get a lock.

bikendan wrote:
most trailers have bumpers with cheap welds that will not hold up to a bumper-mounted bike rack, especially ultralight trailers.
if you have to mount them on the back of the trailer, then having a 2" receiver welded AND braced to the frame, is the only safe way to do this.
BUT with many manufacturers, doing this mod will often void the frame's warranty.

motorhomes and heavier 5th wheels may have much sturdier bumpers that might be able to handle a bumper mounted setup.

personally, my bikes are too valuable to mount them where i can't see them. i'd rather put them in the trailer with a blanket over them.
the best solution is a roof mounted system, from Yakima or Thule.
there are a couple of companies in Canada, that make a tongue mounted bike rack system but they are very expensive and difficult to buy in the U.S.

not worried that they might be stolen, i worry that they'll fall off the back of the trailer while in transit.
i think you're missing the point about not putting loaded bike racks on the rear bumper of a trailer while in transit.
not about whether a particular bike rack is appropriate or not.

I am sorry to say this but you make it very complicated . I have been using the hitch mount for car/RV/truck for many years without any problems. I carry 3 or 4 bikes using this http://www.doityourselfrv.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/rv-bike-rack-frame-mount.jpg

And if you worry about loosing your bike, get a lock.

bikendan wrote:
most trailers have bumpers with cheap welds that will not hold up to a bumper-mounted bike rack, especially ultralight trailers.
if you have to mount them on the back of the trailer, then having a 2" receiver welded AND braced to the frame, is the only safe way to do this.
BUT with many manufacturers, doing this mod will often void the frame's warranty.

motorhomes and heavier 5th wheels may have much sturdier bumpers that might be able to handle a bumper mounted setup.

personally, my bikes are too valuable to mount them where i can't see them. i'd rather put them in the trailer with a blanket over them.
the best solution is a roof mounted system, from Yakima or Thule.
there are a couple of companies in Canada, that make a tongue mounted bike rack system but they are very expensive and difficult to buy in the U.S.

Halmfamily wrote:
We put a front mount receiver on our truck and installed a Swagman bike rack to that. Hold two bikes by there wheels and we can see them. Our fiver bumper is rated at 300 lbs but after seeing a fellow fivers bumper hanging off with bikes attached I went with my setup.

Same arrangement works well for us.

We put a front mount receiver on our truck and installed a Swagman bike rack to that. Hold two bikes by there wheels and we can see them. Our fiver bumper is rated at 300 lbs but after seeing a fellow fivers bumper hanging off with bikes attached I went with my setup.

most trailers have bumpers with cheap welds that will not hold up to a bumper-mounted bike rack, especially ultralight trailers.
if you have to mount them on the back of the trailer, then having a 2" receiver welded AND braced to the frame, is the only safe way to do this.
BUT with many manufacturers, doing this mod will often void the frame's warranty.

motorhomes and heavier 5th wheels may have much sturdier bumpers that might be able to handle a bumper mounted setup.

personally, my bikes are too valuable to mount them where i can't see them. i'd rather put them in the trailer with a blanket over them.
the best solution is a roof mounted system, from Yakima or Thule.
there are a couple of companies in Canada, that make a tongue mounted bike rack system but they are very expensive and difficult to buy in the U.S.