Bumper Hitch

Dollarbill60 wrote:
Hello all. I am looking at installing a bumper mount hitch receiver on mt 2007 Laredo 29RK. No plans to tow any type of trailer but want to attach a bike rack for two bikes or a cargo platform to set my generator on. I know the bikes are not heavy, the generator is a bit heavier. Looking for feedback on if this is acceptable or should I go with a frame mount. Thanks in advance.

As the others have said, the "bumper" is basically a sheet metal tube to hold the stinky hose, nothing more. 2 ways to go on this. Cut off the old tube and weld on a new, heavier, tube. You likely won't be able to use the tube to store the hoses, so be prepared for that. This is that I did on my Komfort and the shop said I'd be good to go up to 300 lbs capacity, but NOT any towing. Second would be to add a frame mounted hitch assembly. Many FWs now come with holes in the frame to allow a bolt-on kit to be installed. If you don't have the holes already, you're SOL until you're out of warranty, as =any= mods to the frame are likely to void the warranty. Once out of warranty, you can drill or weld to your heart's content to get what you want.

Lyle

IAMICHABOD wrote:
Not to hi-jack the thread but as a side note that may be helpful.

What some of the problem is that they bounce a lot and if the rack is not tight in the receiver that added movement only amplifies that bounce.Stressing not only the mounting point but also the bike rack.

I have tried almost every Anti Rattle device on the market, most have been no good or so complicated and cumbersome that they are useless. I have a whole tool box full of them.

Until I found the one at Hitch Rider. This will keep everything tight.

Their Hitch Vice is the best and easiest one I have come across and it really works.

So does drilling 2 holes in the receiver, top and one side, and welding on nuts so you can screw in a couple bolts to keep the hitch tight. :-)

Lyle

check trailer manf could void warentee

Not to hi-jack the thread but as a side note that may be helpful.

What some of the problem is that they bounce a lot and if the rack is not tight in the receiver that added movement only amplifies that bounce.Stressing not only the mounting point but also the bike rack.

I have tried almost every Anti Rattle device on the market, most have been no good or so complicated and cumbersome that they are useless. I have a whole tool box full of them.

Until I found the one at Hitch Rider. This will keep everything tight.

Their Hitch Vice is the best and easiest one I have come across and it really works.

The replies were what I expected. Found a Curt and a Draw-Tite. I will go frame mount Class III. Thanks.

Only if it is connected to the frame.

I was just reading up online on some other forums about this, be careful the bumper can fail. You might want to weld up some support brackets on it.

It's not really a bumper. It's a light gauge metal tube designed to hold a sewer hose. It can and will fall off with any amount of weight applied to it. Have a local welder look at it and weld on some reinforcements.

B.O.

Dollarbill60 wrote:
Hello all. I am looking at installing a bumper mount hitch receiver on mt 2007 Laredo 29RK. No plans to tow any type of trailer but want to attach a bike rack for two bikes or a cargo platform to set my generator on. I know the bikes are not heavy, the generator is a bit heavier. Looking for feedback on if this is acceptable or should I go with a frame mount. Thanks in advance.

You MIGHT get away with bikes hanging off that weak a$$ bumper, but I would never hang a generator off of it.

Our bikes will soon be going on a Pin Box bike carrier, and the generator will be in the truck bed. I have followed other trailers, and watched bikes almost bouncing off of carriers, sure would not want my generator back there.

Frame mount is the only way for the generator.

Well the receiver should be attached to the frame.