rear bumper pulling away from frame

This is a common problem- here's what happened to one fellow that carried a few "extras" back on his unreinforced bumper:



Here's the whole thread on the subject.

Were the welds failing, or was the wall of the bumper tearing?

I have my bike rack supported from the back wall. I use 2 ratchet straps criss-crossed and a set bolt in the hitch to take out any slop in the hitch. I also installed 2 stainless eyebolts in the back wall, through the horizontal bunk studs and the vertical wall studs. I have had them (4 bikes) on some fairly long trips. the longest was to Macinac MI. installed properly it can be done! even just installing a standalone hitch to the frame is not enough. the bike rack needs to be supported to eliminate the bouncing that happens at the rear of a trailer.

noonoo11 wrote:
2011 outback 301bq,,,,bicycle rack on read bumper. got home from a 6 hr trip and notice bicycles leaning. Turns out bumper pulling away from frame. Bicycles will ride in bed of pick up.....anyone else have this problem. I see people with bicycles all the time on the back. Having it welded.....

Just curious, how many bicycles are we talking about? I have never had a problem with one.

not many are built to withstand the torture of a bike rack. It isnt what they are there for.

welding shops can make anything work if you tell them to do it.

Good thing they were still there!

Have read many stories of the Stock Bumpers on Travel Trailers, not holding much weight.

Many suggest before mounting anything back there to have a welding shop reinforce/beef up the bumper.

I also see many with bikes on back, the ones hanging from the Ladders, make me cringe!!! Would think eventually this will cause issues.

I have a lot invested in bikes, and went this route:
Inside TT Bike Mounts

Markiemark