Told by many, seen by many. So I installed a bike rack on the bumper of my 5er. Told, "no problem", the bumper can handle that little bit of weight. Got back from a 3 week tour of some of the best maintained roads in the US(sarc), and did my monthly inspection. There it was, two 3" cracks where the bumper is welded to the frame.I immediately pulled off the spare tire.All the horror stories. This could never happen to me. I guess maybe it could.

I'd been thinking about adding one, but have been hesitant for this very reason. How many bikes did you have on it, and about how much did they weigh?

This post disturbs me......most everyone here recommends against this. Who told you to install it and that it would be OK?Plus, as so many have said, it's not the weight, but the leverage of long bars hanging bikes a relatively long way off the bumper. Spare tire racks generally keep things close in on shorter support members.I should confess, that I installed a bike rack on the cheap bumper (and fortunately had read some of the warnings here). It lasted about 300 miles- there were no near-disasters, but the bumper was bending.Unfortunately, it is kind of tricky to see spare tire racks all over creation (and a tire is fairly heavy), so hey, what's a couple of bikes...again, leverage.

3 high end bikes. Bikes and rack about 125lbs

Your a senior member, you should know better.

The bouncing puts a lot of stress on the rear end.

A little paranoia can be a good thing. | Good Sam Community

DE88ROX
Explorer
Sep 23, 2015
I removed my spare from my back bumper. Installed a Swagman 2 place bike rack.

Now keep in mind, I don't bring the bikes with us every time, and the bikes have aluminum frames and are very light weight. The weight of the bike rack and bikes combined probably aren't much more than the spare and the holder its was mounted on. I just keep the spare in the back of my truck, under the tonneau cover during the summer months.

Ive had friends behind me on some trips with the bikes and Ive asked them if they bounced around back there. They've all said it was solids and hardly moved.

Im sure The bumper police will be out in full force after reading this but oh well.
minnow
Explorer
Sep 22, 2015
Video
SoundGuy wrote:
Helimech wrote:
There it was, two 3" cracks where the bumper is welded to the frame.

Once you have this damage repaired check out the Mount-n-Lock bumper reinforcement products. I have no personal experience to say whether it's good or bad but it may be worth checking out. :)
JD_and_Beastlet
Explorer
Sep 22, 2015
When we decided to carry bikes on our TT we didn't consider the rear bumper for a second. We went with the Arvika (made in Canada) rack instead.

They make 'em for fivers too. Brace yourself - the product is awesome but the website is terrible: www.arvika.ca
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Sep 22, 2015
I`ve had 4 bikes on the back of my TT since 07. no issues. of course I have removed any type of bouncing by strapping the bike rack to the back of the TT. this makes it solidly mounted. remove the bouncing and you remove any chance of failure. even with a frame mounted hitch the same needs to be done!
LarryJM
Explorer II
Sep 22, 2015
Helimech wrote:
Told by many, seen by many. So I installed a bike rack on the bumper of my 5er. Told, "no problem", the bumper can handle that little bit of weight. Got back from a 3 week tour of some of the best maintained roads in the US(sarc), and did my monthly inspection. There it was, two 3" cracks where the bumper is welded to the frame.

I immediately pulled off the spare tire.

All the horror stories. This could never happen to me. I guess maybe it could.

Well I sure don't see where you even got a hint of the "no problem, the bumper can handle that little bit of weight" here since I've never seen it here w/o a lot of skepticism.

Larry
austinjenna
Explorer
Sep 22, 2015
korbe wrote:

The bouncing puts a lot of stress on the rear end.

Are we still talking about bike racks?

Finally a topic I can relate too- rear ends and racks
wanderingbob
Explorer II
Sep 22, 2015
Note to dspencer , your factory mount rack is not on the bumper , I have same trailer and mine has a doubled up frame which the rack is u-bolted onto . On mine we moved the bolts and pins forward seven inches and now have the rack well forward . I mounted the spare on the top right beside my Honda 3,000 and have towed many thousand of miles . The secret is to keep every thing as far forward as possible . Most store bought bike racks carry the weight 18 or so inches farther back than is required .
Bobbo
Explorer II
Sep 22, 2015
ky-auctioneer wrote:
korbe wrote:
The bouncing puts a lot of stress on the rear end.

Are we still talking about bike racks?

:B

It ain't paranoia if they really are out to get you.
ky-auctioneer
Explorer
Sep 22, 2015
korbe wrote:
The bouncing puts a lot of stress on the rear end.

Are we still talking about bike racks?
dspencer
Explorer
Sep 22, 2015
Okay this brings up a question from another senior member. I don't want to hijack this thread but wanted to mention it. Now I don't have the bike racks on the bumper however I do have a 13 Gray Wolf 26BH with the factory added cargo rack with the tire mounted to the cargo rack on the bumper.

I don't have the guts to lower that rack while in motion and put anything on it only when I'm stationary I will fold it down and set the trash can on it. I have often wondered with all that bouncing around with the weight of the spare tire if that will damage the bumper since it's attached. I keep a close eye on it and inspect closely for damage but so far so good. I know they say it's fine and you can even put a certain amount of weight on it while towing but I can't bring myself to do that. Any insight on that would be appreciated.