Bike rack on back bumper

[DeanRIowa]

We own a 2015 Summerland 2820 travel trailer and we would like to carry 4 bikes as we travel. Can we add a 2" hitch adapter to the rear bumper and attach a bike rack and carry 4 bikes?

I have read this additional weight might wreck the bumper. Any thoughts or experience?

thanks,
Dean

[APT]

How about this plus a case of beer for your welding buddy? I would not put anything on that bumper that you are not willing to lose.

[CWSWine]

We use the bike rack that is sold by camping world that attaches to the back bumper. We took off the spare tire and bracket and weight it then weight the bikes and rack and they were within a few pounds of each other. We took the tire off the bracket and put in the RV storage area when we have out bikes mounted on the back bumper.

[stetwood]

We have an American Star and we have traveled 50k miles with 2 or 3 bikes hanging on to the "thin" tube with no problems in that area, BUT the bike rack broke most its welds by the end of its first trip. Welded it up and it has had no problems. I do use some strapping and bungy straps to keep the rack from bouncing.

[Effy]

Allworth wrote:
Go for it! Bikes are cheap. (Relatively speaking)

Cheap bikes are cheap. Good bikes are not. On any given trip I have about $3-4k on the bike rack on my MH. Hitch racks are the only way to go for safety - your bikes and those behind you on the interstate.

The swagman rocks.

[Allworth]

Go for it! Bikes are cheap. (Relatively speaking)

[myredracer]

This is what *can* happen:



If you contact the factory, you are likely to find that a standard bumper is rated to carry only 100 or 150 lbs. It's not just the static load of the bikes that has to be considered, it's the additional dynamic load from the rear end bouncing up and down. Some TTs bounce a lot more too. I've read of some bikes being catapulted clear off a rear rack.

If you are going to do it, at least extend new steel back to the frame I-beams. Take a look at any TT brands that come designed for a rear rack like Nash and Keystone to see what they've done. Personally I wouldn't do it but many have one way or another. Alternatively, you could mount a bike rack up front in the A-frame like in the following pics. With the bikes up front, you can see them at all times too.

[C-Bears]

If you have some time before you really need to move forward with mounting your bikes back there, start observing other TT's and FW's that haul them with rear hitches.

I was a road Trooper for years and it always amazed me that there weren't more bikes and bike racks laying all over the interstates after watching how most of them bounce all over the place when mounted on the rear.

[rgstarnes]

I would check with the manufacturer to get the max weight allowed on the bumper. Mine is 100 lbs, and I am at about 80 lbs. the weld on my bumper has cracked from the bouncing and I am having it welded and supported. A hitch attached to the frame is the best and safest way if your bumper isn't designed to carry much weight.

[ScottG]

DeanRIowa wrote:
I actually have the carrier and bike racks above already and just wondering if the current bumper could take the additional weight.

thanks,
Dean

Your going to want to watch it very closely.
Strange thing is people on the road won't alert you when the bumper is peeling away.

[DeanRIowa]

I actually have the carrier and bike racks above already and just wondering if the current bumper could take the additional weight.

thanks,
Dean

[tenbear]

I have carried 2 bikes on my rack on the bumper for several years with no problem. Are all bumpers alike? I have no idea.

[rockhillmanor]

Have a hitch installed on the back of the TT.

Then buy a 55 dollar cargo carrier from Tractor Supply and add the bike carrier attachment to it.



or

Add Hitch and use a hitch mount 3 bike carrier.

[ScottG]

I tore my welded on bumper almost completely off with a 3 bike carrier.
At a bare minimum you need to weld on a piece of angle iron that spans from under the frame to under the bumper. This will keep the bumper from twisting downward and will make it many times stronger.

The part I'm talking about is cut off at a 45 degree angle on the fight side in this pic:

[jfkmk]

Halmfamily wrote:
I personally would not do it after I saw a TT at my local dealer with its bumper and bike rack attached barely hanging on.

I asked the owner what happened and he said another car came up along side of him on I20 pointing to the rear of the tt. He pulled over and he was nearly dragging his bikes on the interstate. The dealer was going to reweld his bumper back on.

I use a Curt front mount hitch on my truck with a Swagman bike rack. Solid and you can see your bikes. Do what you please but call your tt manufacturer and see what they say.

Good luck.

Had the same problem with a class c. The bumper didn't completely tear away, but came close. I now tow a TT and have installed a curt front hitch and carry the bikes up front.