Concern with attaching bike rack to TT bumper

Bikes on the back of the TT are do-able if done right. If you use anything attached to the factory bumper, you will be OK with straps like dodge guy and others have used. Those straps take the load from the bounce so it's not flexing the bumper as much.

the other option is to have a hitch receiver mounted to the frame rails of the TT, assuming the frame is sturdy enough to accommodate the extra weight. This is not an option on most ultra-lights.

I tried the ladder rig for a while, but did not like the way it bounced also, so ultimately we went with a Yakima rack on the roof of the Suburban. Bike racks that go over the TT tongue are also a good choice. A lot depends on what kind of TT and TV.

Yea, I for one agree with the do not do it crowd. I ignored the comments here, bought the receiver and bolted it on top of the bumper. Threw two bikes on there and had someone else drive my rig while I followed. Even with two bikes you can physically see the bumper rotate due to the bouncing.

Do your self a favor, get on amazon and order a front hitch receiver for your truck. Worth every penny. And fords are easy to install, just remove four bolts, drill some new holes in the current bumper bracket and install. I love mine.
FYI, you can make one that goes over the tow hook too if you don't want to take your bumper off.

I just leave the bikes on the bed with a tarp (a friend's idea). I use a ratchet strap.

For small trips I have them on the roof. Overall weight can be a problem for my 1/2 ton.

I contacted Northwood. They say 50lbs on the bumper, and theirs seem heftier than most. I guess the bike is going on the front of the truck or inside. my bike is 60 lbs (electric)

I had the original bumper replaced with a new full-width tube made from heavier steel (about 1/8" thick). I opted for a Swagman model "XC-2 RV" bike rack which is supposed to be an RV-specific design. The bike rack included a bolt-on 2" hitch receiver for a 4"x4" RV bumper. I'm pretty confident with the setup, but I still lock a steel cable around the bumper and bikes to keep everything together should something give way.

Paul 61 wrote:
I got the travel tray from CW and modified it by using an old bike rack I had to put the bikes on the front of TT. Since the Ultra Lites can not take the frame flex with the bike bouncing on the rear bumper. With the bikes on the front over the gas tanks it appears to be rock solid no bouncing at all.

Did you mean the Trailer Tray?
Can you post photos of how you modified it with an old bike rack? Thanks.

These bike rack threads crack me up. I have had a ack on my rear bumper for years...no issues. As far as all the comments on bouncing, well this last trip we drove 100 miles to the campground on bumpy Georgia back roads. I have a Thule bike rack where the bikes hang fron the top bar. When we got to the CG I discovered that I had forgotten to fasten the top straps over the bike. The bike looked like it had not moved one bit.

The bike rack threads are a bunch of anectodal posts with little or no truth desogned to fear-monger. If you look a lot of the posters are just re-gurgitating internet myths.

Walk around the CG and start asking people with bike racks...I do and have yet to anyone tell me of a real-world problem.

I got the travel tray from CW and modified it by using an old bike rack I had to put the bikes on the front of TT. Since the Ultra Lites can not take the frame flex with the bike bouncing on the rear bumper. With the bikes on the front over the gas tanks it appears to be rock solid no bouncing at all.

I went about four years carrying three bikes on a platform carrier attached to the steel bumper with a bolt-on hitch adapter. Worked fine. Bumper was welded at both the top and bottom edges. I have seen some bumpers welded maybe 3/4 up on the flat side and the metal flexes and breaks easily. Got some nice bikes a couple years ago and had a proper receiver installed (attached to the frame) for about $600. No more worries.

X2, why take the risk