Where to put the stinkin bikes

[Hammerboy]

Been rackin my head to long as to the best way to carry our aluminum frame bikes to the point of overthinking. My wish is for a bike rack for two bikes. Sorry in advance for asking a common question.

1. Back bumper idea, would be my first choice. But...would need to reinforce the bumper or add hitch and hard to monitor them and would worry about them getting some road rash plus would need a rack that is Rv approved.

2. Pin box idea, had this on our last fifth wheel. It did work good but it brunt's the rain and the bugs and the least convenient to load/unload. I always stood on my tailgate while my wife handed me the bikes.

3. Front of truck hitch rack, also brunt's the rain and bugs. This is where i'm leaning right now.

4. Stowed in the bed in front of the fifth wheel hitch. This is what I have been doing this past year as I have been scratching my head on where to put them. It works but you need to remove the front wheels and it's tricky to get them to fit just right.

5. Inside the unit? Good maybe for one unit which we have done also, but with the two opposing slides in the main area it's also not convenient.

Any body regret the front of the truck idea? Another idea I haven't though of?

Thanks

Dan

[alexleblanc]

I installed a hitch mount rack on the back of my unit, its solid as all get out however the rack beat itself senseless on the first trip out and caused damage to two of the bikes.

I looked at what else would work for my setup and in the end, a roof rack on the truck was the best solution for us. 10000km's of travel last summer with them on the roof without a single issue.

[Bessie-Hunter]

I have a front hitch and use a Curt 2 bike platform rack. I can keep an eye on the bikes and when the bikes are off the rack, it folds up fairly tight to the front bumper. Plus, it uses a bolt in place of a hitch pin and secures the rack tightly to the hitch so there is no movement and it has a hole in the end that lets you use a padlock to deter theft of the rack.

[happycamper1942]

I have 2 folding bikes with full size wheels. By removing the pedals I can get them both in the back seat of my f350.Not convenient for daily use but great when I travel somewhere then stay for an extended period.

[TxGearhead]

I had the sheet metal bumper removed and replaced with a .250" thick 4" square bumper on our Montana HC. The new bumper is heavily reinforced and completely welded out. It has a 2" receiver welded in the center. I use a Swagman carrier. I have carried an aluminum Sun Cruiser on it a lot with no issues.
I put a front hitch on the truck and carried my Specialized there when using the cabover. I don't like it. The wind constantly pushes the bike against the carrier and gets bugs on it.

[azjeffh]

rhagfo wrote:

I would think the roof rack would be far better for the bikes than bouncing around on the back of a 5er.

If you have a wheel support carrier vs frame supported, bouncing around has little effect on the bike itself but will on the carrier.

To lessen that chance of endangering others, I wrap a 20' long bike cable thru the bike's frame and tires and thru the rack itself. That way if the rack were to fail, hopefully I will just be dragging everything behind.

Have towed close to 10K miles with this configuration without issue. In addition, I can keep the bikes covered with my USA Roadbag to keep the elements off.

[grampscamper]

rhagfo wrote:

grampscamper wrote:
Prior to getting our present 5th wheel I would carry them on the roof of my truck. I used Thule roof racks and bike carriers. I now carry them on a bike rack that mounts to a 2" receiver on the back of our 5th wheel.

I would think the roof rack would be far better for the bikes than bouncing around on the back of a 5er.

Yes that's true. I have a camera on the back of our 5th wheel so I can watch the bikes. They don't seem to bounce much. I have an anti rattle device to eliminate movement in the hitch. Both methods have worked well for me over the years.

[rhagfo]

grampscamper wrote:
Prior to getting our present 5th wheel I would carry them on the roof of my truck. I used Thule roof racks and bike carriers. I now carry them on a bike rack that mounts to a 2" receiver on the back of our 5th wheel.

I would think the roof rack would be far better for the bikes than bouncing around on the back of a 5er.

[RoyB]

My sister and her hubby have the big Montana fifth wheel trailer and they lay there two bikes leaning on the couch that is setting in the slide out... They can also lean them up against the two large swivel chairs they have in front of their rear large window.

Once the slide-out is brought back in for travel all is a nice and cozy fit for them...

I think they have the fold up bikes now...

Roy Ken

[grampscamper]

Prior to getting our present 5th wheel I would carry them on the roof of my truck. I used Thule roof racks and bike carriers. I now carry them on a bike rack that mounts to a 2" receiver on the back of our 5th wheel.

[wing_zealot]

I had that same problem for about 12 years. When I bought a new RV a bunkhouse with a bike door was the first requirement. Problem solved. Even when just the 2 of us travel, bikes still load effortlessly and we have extra room to easily store stuff.

[cyntdon2010]

used bumper rack for years, but bikes were exposed to weather and got rusty.

So we purchased fold-up types now we place inside rear bunk area.

works great

[dblr]

We store our 2 bikes in the front storage bin, I take off the front wheels and they store there also. I use the clamps that holds the forks in place to minimize movement. takes just a few minutes to load or unload them and attach the wheel. I stagger the direction on each to make them fit.

[FLY_4_FUN]

With quick releases on both rims I pull them off pretty quick. After that wrap them in vapor barrier and a cheap moving blanket and toss them on our queen bed. yes its a bit of work at both ends but our bikes are high end and I like to have them along on trips.

Works for us

Daryll

[owenssailor]

Halmfamily wrote:
We use a Curt Front Mount hitch on the truck with a Swagman XC2 bike rack. Very solid and I like having my eye on the bikes.

The front mount works well for us as well.

[azjeffh]

Thule T2 works well for us, a friend of mine uses a Kuat. Both are used in our trailer's receiver hitch.