Front Bike Rack

When i was planning our vacation last year, i had to figure out a way to carry 5 bikes. They make a 5 bike carrier but it was $$$$ and i had heard putting 5 bikes would be quite difficult anyway. It was suggested i look into a front hitch and that was the winner. I carried 2 bikes up front and 3 in the rear. Both bike racks were picked up on craigsist/letgo and I paid less than $150 for both! (plus $140 for front hitch) Both racks are older and discontinued but work well so search the classifieds! At least you'll spend less if you find you don't like it. The 2 bike rack required the adapter to 2". I haven't had any problems with it thus far.

Front Rack - Thule Roadway 2 bike
Rear Rack - Thule Trailblazer 4 bike

Here are some pics of the setup. Visibility isn't bad but I do remove the front seats to make the wife "happy". I also included screenshots of video from my dashcam. Headlight output does not seem to be affected. I still use the 2 bike rack on the front with one bike on any given day. People give me funny looks but i like it and it's convenient. I can get in and out of the back as needed.








view w/ seat



night view



view w/o seat



Photo taken from driver's seat (was only trying to get sign but should give you an idea of what to expect.)



rear rack




rear rack w/bikes




rear rack swing

The rack on the front of our truck does not obstruct visibility. It also has not been a problem with the lights. It does obstruct the front licence plate. I mount the rack in Nov before we leave for the winter and take it off when we get home in Apr. It is easy to load and unload the bikes. When not hooked up it is easy to take the bikes to an area we wish to ride in. The swagman rack is designed that the wheel support rings can fold up when no bikes are on the rack.

After many years and many many miles we have found this works very well.

I've been thinking about a front bike rack because putting the bikes on the back of the truck means that even without the trailer, I still have to unload the bikes in order to get clear access to the cargo area.

And I don't want to mount the bikes to the trailer -- we often drop the trailer at the campsite and then take the bikes on the truck to go mountain biking elsewhere.

Just to be clear, at my age "mountain biking" no longer means "screaming adrenaline death defying single track adventure." It now means "gently rolling along a wide dirt road looking at the scenery." ;)

Hammerboy wrote:

rhagfo wrote:

Dick_B wrote:
Assuming it is a 2 inch receiver be sure to buy a rack that has a 2 inch leg not a 1 1/4 inch with an adapter for 2 inch. IMHO the smaller leg is not strong enough.
Our bikes in front bounce around quite a bit and we bunge them to the front of the TV. We have a Saris that is not made anymore.

Why place bike up front where they block some view, possibly turn signals and head lights.
Why not place on a pin box receiver, no added length cab protects from most bugs and zero bounce.

I know if I add a bike rack someday it will be on the front of the truck like what they are talking about here. On our previous fifth we had our bikes on the pin box. Some of the reasons why I would want it on the front of the truck is for the ease of loading vs standing on a ladder or my tailgate, bugs are an issue either way at least it was for me. Not to mention if one is close to their RAWR it takes that weight off the rear axles. I can't imagine bouncing is that much greater on the front either. Now that the kids are older and don't camp with us anymore, we keep our two bike in back with the seats folded up. No worry from bugs, weather, or theft and easy to load.

Dan

Well bikes on the pin box aren’t an issue if you have enough truck.
Even with the old 2001 Ram 2500 at 1,700# over GVWR still had axle and tire to spare.

Hey kids. So the ladder on our Montana is not good. It would not support bikes on it. Also the Montana does not have a rear bumper or even a place to install a receiver easily. That is why we opted to have the receiver installed on the front of the truck. We know there could be issues with lights and turn signals. But we try never to pull in the dark. Also we normally go between 200 to 300 miles on travel days. Once we are at a park, we could move the bike rack to the back of the truck on the receiver that's already there.


2015 31ft Keystone Montana Fifth Wheel w/3 slides
2015 Chevy Silverado High Country 2500 Short Bed Diesel Crew Cab
1 Cat
Fulltiming since Oct 06 - Sold the Stick House

rhagfo wrote:

Dick_B wrote:
Assuming it is a 2 inch receiver be sure to buy a rack that has a 2 inch leg not a 1 1/4 inch with an adapter for 2 inch. IMHO the smaller leg is not strong enough.
Our bikes in front bounce around quite a bit and we bunge them to the front of the TV. We have a Saris that is not made anymore.

Why place bike up front where they block some view, possibly turn signals and head lights.
Why not place on a pin box receiver, no added length cab protects from most bugs and zero bounce.

I know if I add a bike rack someday it will be on the front of the truck like what they are talking about here. On our previous fifth we had our bikes on the pin box. Some of the reasons why I would want it on the front of the truck is for the ease of loading vs standing on a ladder or my tailgate, bugs are an issue either way at least it was for me. Not to mention if one is close to their RAWR it takes that weight off the rear axles. I can't imagine bouncing is that much greater on the front either. Now that the kids are older and don't camp with us anymore, we keep our two bike in back with the seats folded up. No worry from bugs, weather, or theft and easy to load.

Dan

Dick_B wrote:
Assuming it is a 2 inch receiver be sure to buy a rack that has a 2 inch leg not a 1 1/4 inch with an adapter for 2 inch. IMHO the smaller leg is not strong enough.
Our bikes in front bounce around quite a bit and we bunge them to the front of the TV. We have a Saris that is not made anymore.

Why place bike up front where they block some view, possibly turn signals and head lights.
Why not place on a pin box receiver, no added length cab protects from most bugs and zero bounce.

How is the visibility with the bikes on the front? And do you have problems fitting into parking spaces?

We have used the Swagman since 2012. We average more than 8000 miles a year. It wokrs very well. Bikes are held very stable.

Assuming it is a 2 inch receiver be sure to buy a rack that has a 2 inch leg not a 1 1/4 inch with an adapter for 2 inch. IMHO the smaller leg is not strong enough.
Our bikes in front bounce around quite a bit and we bunge them to the front of the TV. We have a Saris that is not made anymore.