A little paranoia can be a good thing.

[Helimech]

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.

[DE88ROX]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

Are we still talking about bike racks?

[dspencer]

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.

[ol_Bombero-JC]

colliehauler wrote:
Your a senior member, you should know better.

But, but, but - -
there's PLENTY of senior members who would tell him, *NO* problem!!..:S

Right along with...

ST tires are great, jack under the axle, etc.

*If* you choose to believe folks (advice) on an internet forum, you get what you paid for...:W

.

[SoundGuy]

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. 🙂

[korbe]

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

[colliehauler]

Your a senior member, you should know better.