I would like to get a bike rack for three bikes that attaches to the bumper of my travel trailer (2010 Sprinter Select). I started looking at a few online but when reading some of the reviews, some people mentioned that after attaching a bike rack to their bumpers, the additional weight caused the welds to come apart and their bumper and bikes would break off the trailer. Is this a common thing when attaching a bike rack to the rear bumper? My bumper already has the spare tire attaches to the bumper. Is their anything that can be done to eliminate that from happening?

I wouldn't put three bikes on the back of a TT if they bounce around like ours does. The rear end of a 5er doesn't seem to have that severe a problem.You could search this Forum for `bike rack' and get lots of ideas. We carry two adult bikes on a rack in the front of our Suburban.I think the most foolproof idea is to buy foldup bikes (we like Dahon) and pack them like suitcases.

on my old trailer my welds began cracking. I wouldn't do it. It's a hassle but now I put them inside the trailer. I even took off the spare and put it in the side storage compartment. The tire is safe from the sun and no added weight to the bumper at all.

There ae probably at least dozen threads about this with very good arguments why not to do it.

My son in law carried three bikes on his, and on a rough stretch of road, broke the welds on his bumper. I would not even attempt it.

Follow a trailer down the road with bikes on a rack on the rear and you may think twice before doing it.

Concern with attaching bike rack to TT bumper | Good Sam Community

Dick_B
Explorer
Apr 21, 2014
I wouldn't put three bikes on the back of a TT if they bounce around like ours does. The rear end of a 5er doesn't seem to have that severe a problem.
You could search this Forum for `bike rack' and get lots of ideas.
We carry two adult bikes on a rack in the front of our Suburban.
I think the most foolproof idea is to buy foldup bikes (we like Dahon) and pack them like suitcases.
Aluminum_Siding
Explorer
Apr 21, 2014
on my old trailer my welds began cracking. I wouldn't do it. It's a hassle but now I put them inside the trailer. I even took off the spare and put it in the side storage compartment. The tire is safe from the sun and no added weight to the bumper at all.
Bob_Landry
Explorer
Apr 21, 2014
There ae probably at least dozen threads about this with very good arguments why not to do it.
sremsing
Explorer
Apr 21, 2014
My son in law carried three bikes on his, and on a rough stretch of road, broke the welds on his bumper. I would not even attempt it.
BB_TX
Nomad
Apr 21, 2014
Follow a trailer down the road with bikes on a rack on the rear and you may think twice before doing it.
Ron3rd
Explorer III
Apr 21, 2014
Trailer bumpers are basically thin sheet metal. The constant flex fore and aft will crack them like a beer can. It's possible to come off the frame on most trailers and mount a receiver to accept a bike rack. That's what I did on my old trailer; had a welding buddy do it right. It can be challenging on some trailers though due to frame design.
powderman426
Explorer
Apr 21, 2014
There are two things I wouldn't do. The first is to attach a bike rack to the bumper. Liked stated it won't carry the weight so you need a receiver to hook the rack onto. The second thing is I would never use a rack where the bikes hang. I did that and ruined two bikes as the weld broke on the rack and a dragged then down the road. Get a rack that holds them by the wheels.
crispyc21
Explorer
Apr 21, 2014
Thank you for all the quick replies. I've been reading through all the threads on this. I won't install the bike rack on the bumper. I just wish their was a low cost option other than putting them in my truck (Ford Excursion). I don't want to spend $200-300 on hitches and bike racks for our cheap-o bikes that we only use once or twice a trip.
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Apr 21, 2014
I have been hauling 4 bikes on the back of my TT for about 6 years now. The key is to take the bounce out of the rack. When you go through a dip in the road if you don't have the rack secure, it will bounce extremely bad! I have mine setup so that the bumper/reciever doesn't support all the weight. I have a rear view camera and can watch the bikes. Very little movement. Straps never come loose and my bumper and welds are still perfect!

I'll post a pic later of my setup.
Bigbird65
Explorer
Apr 21, 2014
OK, as an alternative to the bumper mount, give me your opinion of the ladder mount. Specifically a Swagman 2 bike mount.