The Ultimate (IMHO) Tongue Mounted BIKE RACK!

[knowles24]

Here's my custom version of a bicycle rack mounted to the front tongue of a travel trailer. I have built 2 units so far- one for my camper and one for someone who saw mine and wanted one. They are overbuilt with USA sq tubing and gusseted everywhere. My rack holds 4 bikes easily. Clears the bed of the truck in the worst possible turning scenario by 8 inches. An SUV may need to check clearance during a sharp turn to be sure. There are many different shapes and sizes of campers and vehicles, but I think it would clear the majority of both with no problems, even hauling 4 bikes. The bikes don't budge at all during traveling. With all four loaded (or with the rack empty) it is very difficult to cause even a 1/4" of deflection to the rack. The A-frame rack that I built (with 2" receiver top) weighs 45 lbs. This doesn't include the bike rack.

It took me many many hours to design and build these, but the ease of loading (compared to the ladder hanging bike rack) and the peace of mind I have (compared to the bumper mounted bike rack) made it well worth the time, money, and effort! The LP tanks are still just as easily accessible as they were before. The bikes are very easy to load and unload. I am able to stand flat footed on the ground and load them. I lower the tongue jack down and unload just before leveling.

Here's the first unit with a universal 2" receiver and bike rack:






Here's the second unit with a permanent bike rack:

[knowles24]

Camp, Forrest, Camp! wrote:
That looks really sharp, but why is it so tall? It seems like it could be at least a foot lower and still clear the tanks. Is it to clear the truck bed during tight turns?

It's actually not that tall- something about the photos must make it look different than in person. I load the bikes standing flat footed on the ground and I'm 6'0". It clears my truck bed (2013 Tundra 4x4) in the worst possible turning situation by 8"-9".

[Camp__Forrest__]

That looks really sharp, but why is it so tall? It seems like it could be at least a foot lower and still clear the tanks. Is it to clear the truck bed during tight turns?

[Cummins12V98]

kvangil wrote:

knowles24 wrote:

Thanks! I was talking with a buddy of mine with a hybrid camper. We are probably going to build him a shorter A-frame with a taller bike rack. He is going to have to remove the bike rack when they get to the camp site, so his will just have a pin in the top instead of bolts.

That sounds good. It'll open up another market for you.

Not on here since the Moderator neutered his post, rightfully so!

[wmoses]

knowles24 wrote:
The custom A-frame section with the steel base plates weighs 45 lbs. I actually weighed it. The bike rack weighs around 35-38 lbs. According to mfg specs, it weighed 44 lbs originally, but I cut 10" out of the upright and about 6 inches off the plug in section.

Thanks. It is sturdy, no doubt at around 80-85# before bikes.

[cubmaster252]

This is an awesome mod. Thanks for sharing.

[knowles24]

bigorange wrote:
Very nice...with a triathlete wife and 2 kids, I carry at least 4 bikes every time we camp. Have been looking for options for carrying them over the tongue.

Thank you! AZ is a long way... If you're near Georgia, come by and take a look!

[knowles24]

Tachdriver wrote:
You can also use it in the summer to hang fish to take pictures with or meat in the fall to age it!!! :B

We usually try to discourage the bears from joining us. Your are welcome to hang whatever you wish on it as long as you are not camping next to me.

[knowles24]

hedge wrote:
Isn't that where the batteries usually are? So does it require the batteries to be relocated?

definately looks heavy duty.

The battery is still there and it's still easily accessible if it needs to be removed or connected to a battery tender.

[hedge]

Isn't that where the batteries usually are? So does it require the batteries to be relocated?

definately looks heavy duty.

[Tachdriver]

You can also use it in the summer to hang fish to take pictures with or meat in the fall to age it!!! :B

[knowles24]

wmoses wrote:
Very nice. I have one simple question - how much does it weigh.

The custom A-frame section with the steel base plates weighs 45 lbs. I actually weighed it. The bike rack weighs around 35-38 lbs. According to mfg specs, it weighed 44 lbs originally, but I cut 10" out of the upright and about 6 inches off the plug in section.

[lpxguy]

wmoses wrote:
Very nice. I have one simple question - how much does it weigh.

30 extra psi in the air bags:D

[wmoses]

Very nice. I have one simple question - how much does it weigh.

[bigorange]

Very nice...with a triathlete wife and 2 kids, I carry at least 4 bikes every time we camp. Have been looking for options for carrying them over the tongue.