using a cargo carriers on my travel trailer

I cut off the rear bumper and rear attachments on our outback and designed and installed my own rear bumper. I used reciever and hitch tubing to make an adjustable length carrier section that I can slide in and out. I used real square tubing for the bumper. Then I made expanded metal carriers I can drop into and attach to the extension between the trailer and hitch. I also welded on stingers to use for bike racks etc. The reciever tubing was welded to the trailer frame on the outside of the frame for about 2ft

Yes,it adds weight to the rear of the trailer when loaded however even with it fully loaded my tongue weight is still over 15%, 9,000lb plus trailer weight, 1400 on the tongue with no water in the tanks, over 1500 with fresh filled or waste water.

Rack usually has a cooler, two bins with the things we need to start camping, chocks, ramps etc. or the last to go back as well as the spare tire.

And even with everything on the rack, including 2 e bikes, lights are still visible, license plate is visible,

Traveled 50K plus miles, various campgrounds, along the columbia river gorge many a time with high winds, never any issues.

The extra length does impact what spots I can back the trailer into, no question.

MFL wrote:

I often wonder how many spare tires, that are only fastened to the bumper are lost? Many RV trailers including my last three, have the spare fastened to bumper only.

Bikes or anything moveable and hanging off, much different than a spare though.

Jerry

The big difference is spare tires sit almost directly over the bumper. As a result, there isn't much leverage. (the COG might be 4-6inches behind the bumper).

3 Bikes will have a COG likely a couple feet behind the bumper resulting in several times as much leverage trying to tear off the sheet metal bumper.

If you want to do this get a frame mounted hitch. Also, triple check you hitch weight. 75-100lb doesn't sound like much but particularly on small trailers, it might push the hitch weight below 10% and cause it to get squirrelly when towing.

My “STUFF” makes my vaca great again!!

Carried a 100lb generator and 5 gallon gas can on a cargo rack for years with no issues but wouldn't recommend it. Not worth it if something does go wrong. My $.02.