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Mister_Big's avatar
Mister_Big
Explorer
Jun 03, 2014

Bike Rack / Travel Tray / Sewer Hose Carrier

Here are some pictures of our bike rack / travel tray / sewer hose carrier. We just purchased a new Skyline Koala 26SS travel trailer. We viewed a Forest River travel rack on another RV on the dealer lot. We ordered one for our trailer and had them do a custom installation. They had to cut off the original bumper and do some welding and reinforcement. We liked the travel tray because it can be folded down with the spare tire attached. I installed a front receiver hitch for our truck to have the option of putting the bikes up front. In the future we want to purchase an aluminum tool box and put that on the travel tray to store a Honda generator. I made a sewer hose carrier out of a vinyl fence post purchased at Lowes. It will hold a hose with couplings attached. Approximate cost, travel tray $600,instalation for travel tray $500, Swagman bike rack $160, front receiver hitch $150. The bike rack is solid and there is little movement.



  • beemerphile1's avatar
    beemerphile1
    Explorer
    Jun 03, 2014
    popeyemth wrote:
    With 12 inches clearance on the bikes you will likely drag in the first gas station you visit.
    Consider "flipping" the hitch to the top of the bumper and raising the rack to clear.
    Good Luck, Mike


    Another thing to consider is the further away from the axle, the more clearance is needed.
  • Mister_Big's avatar
    Mister_Big
    Explorer
    Jun 03, 2014
    The stock bumper is only 4 inches. The sewer hose will not fit with the couplings on. The fence post is 5 inches and the sewer hose will fit in with the couplings on.
  • popeyemth's avatar
    popeyemth
    Explorer
    Jun 03, 2014
    With 12 inches clearance on the bikes you will likely drag in the first gas station you visit.
    Consider "flipping" the hitch to the top of the bumper and raising the rack to clear.
    Good Luck, Mike
  • Mister_Big's avatar
    Mister_Big
    Explorer
    Jun 03, 2014
    Good point. I have not traveled with the rack in the down position yet. I will have to analyze the tire clearance when I get a generator and box next year.
  • 2012Coleman's avatar
    2012Coleman
    Explorer II
    Jun 03, 2014
    Not trying to rain on your parade, but why the extra storage for the sewer hose? Isn't the back bumper made with hose storage in mind? It's where I store mine, and yes, there is a little rust, but there would be regardless as the interieor is not painted. Just wondering.
  • jrichard's avatar
    jrichard
    Explorer
    Jun 03, 2014
    Looks good. I have the same rear carrier on my Prime Time (Forest River) trailer and use it to carry bikes instead of real bike rack like you installed. Your set up will be more convenient.

    One problem I had was I'd drag fairly often (the spare tire is the low point when the rack is folded down), so I had the rack raised 6". It may be worth looking at raising your bike rack--dragging your bike rack with bikes installed would get expensive quickly.
  • Mister_Big's avatar
    Mister_Big
    Explorer
    Jun 03, 2014
    I have about 17 inches clearance to the bottom of the hose carrier and about 18 inches to the bottom of the bike rack. I will have to keep an eye out for obstructions in the road but I think I have adequate clearance. The clearance for the bikes front mounted is much less. Approximately 12 inches.
  • beemerphile1's avatar
    beemerphile1
    Explorer
    Jun 03, 2014
    Looks good but I hope you don't find yourself dragging any of that on the ground. Be careful pulling in or out of drives.

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