Bike Rack between TT and TV

[oyarsa]

I want to get a bike rack for the trailer. Preferably 4 bikes, but at least 2.

My TT doesn't have a hitch on the back of it or a ladder. In any case, I want more weight at the front of the trailer. Anyone have suggestions for racks that go between the vehicle and trailer?

[JBarca]

afidel wrote:

JBarca wrote:
I went with a 2 adult bike rack on the front of my prior K2500 Suburban. The bikes rode great there but there was 3 issues that finally killed the idea.

1. The bikes do block the radiator area. The transmission temps rise when the bikes where on. 2 bikes was manageable as the 3/4 ton GM's give you a temp gage so you can see what is going on. I only had a 3 deg rise. One of my camping buddies had 4 bikes on his Burb and one hot summer day he was close to boiling over the truck. He ended up taking 2 kid bikes apart and putting them inside to get himself home and then started on Plan B for carrying bikes.

2. The bike tires blocked the headlights. In my case I modified the bike rack so the headlights would shoot over the tires. Being on a 3/4 ton truck I had the ground clearance to lower my wife's bike down about 3" and that helped but it did not totally solve the problem. Ending up getting stuck having to tow after dark one time and the reflection of the headlights on the tires killed the idea.

3. I was alerted by others there are DOT lighting laws that the car directionals lights have to be able to be seen from certain directions and blocking them is not allowed. I found the law back then and I had an issue. I was about ready to mount front directional lights on the bike rack but we changed trucks and the problem went away. I now have the front of the TT rack.

Being a SUV tower has it's issues when it comes to bikes. And a family with kids camping makes it even harder. PS. Don't put them on the back of the camper either. It has issues too.

Hope this helps

John

I had no problem with airflow, max transmission temp I saw was ~190F climbing the Beartooth mountains. As far as blocking light, zero problem on my Z71 equipped 1500 using this bike rack. I made sure to get one that would keep the bikes as low as possible. The only real downside to the setup was that it made steep driveways much more difficult, I scuffed up some blacktop a few times entering or exiting a restaurant or gas station.

Glad yours worked out for you. Mine was not as good.

My 2003, K2500 Suburban (6.0 with the 4.10 rear axle) towing my camper at the time, (6,600# @ 27ft long) would run 190 to 200F in the summer regularly with no bikes on the front towing the flat lands of Ohio doing 55 to 60mph. This was the tranny pan temp, the Torque converter output would be much higher. The GCW was 13,640# against a GCR of 16,000. When the bikes were added, 203 to 205F was seen in the pan. It was a GM thing as that was a stock setup with their aux tranny cooler.

I finally found the post I made at the time with pics of the setup. The headlights snuck over the top of the tires, but was still a bad reflection at night in the driver's seat. The directional signals had issues. The bikes for sure rode and loaded nice up front just the other issues were a draw back.

You can see this post with pics of the setup on the 2500 Suburban. Bike Rack - TT rear to front of TV

I'm just passing this along to maybe help others think through how to overcome the issues I had. I no longer have the truck and now carry the bikes on the front of the TT.

Hope this helps

John

[afidel]

JBarca wrote:
I went with a 2 adult bike rack on the front of my prior K2500 Suburban. The bikes rode great there but there was 3 issues that finally killed the idea.

1. The bikes do block the radiator area. The transmission temps rise when the bikes where on. 2 bikes was manageable as the 3/4 ton GM's give you a temp gage so you can see what is going on. I only had a 3 deg rise. One of my camping buddies had 4 bikes on his Burb and one hot summer day he was close to boiling over the truck. He ended up taking 2 kid bikes apart and putting them inside to get himself home and then started on Plan B for carrying bikes.

2. The bike tires blocked the headlights. In my case I modified the bike rack so the headlights would shoot over the tires. Being on a 3/4 ton truck I had the ground clearance to lower my wife's bike down about 3" and that helped but it did not totally solve the problem. Ending up getting stuck having to tow after dark one time and the reflection of the headlights on the tires killed the idea.

3. I was alerted by others there are DOT lighting laws that the car directionals lights have to be able to be seen from certain directions and blocking them is not allowed. I found the law back then and I had an issue. I was about ready to mount front directional lights on the bike rack but we changed trucks and the problem went away. I now have the front of the TT rack.

Being a SUV tower has it's issues when it comes to bikes. And a family with kids camping makes it even harder. PS. Don't put them on the back of the camper either. It has issues too.

Hope this helps

John

I had no problem with airflow, max transmission temp I saw was ~190F climbing the Beartooth mountains. As far as blocking light, zero problem on my Z71 equipped 1500 using this bike rack. I made sure to get one that would keep the bikes as low as possible. The only real downside to the setup was that it made steep driveways much more difficult, I scuffed up some blacktop a few times entering or exiting a restaurant or gas station.

[Lantley]

I had a 4 bike Arvika rack when I towed a TT with an Excursion.
It was a great set up. I use the same rack with my current 5'er.

[APT]

I put 3 bikes on the roof rack of my Suburban using these Swagman Racks. We have taken them on two different 2000 mile towing trips, plus many shorter trips.

[rbpru]

I suppose all bike and mounts are different. I adjusted my front mount so the lights shine through the spokes. I had to drop the seats so the did not ride high in my view but they are quick adjust. Certainly no more of an issue then when I attack the front lines on my canoe. My turn signals are wrap around.

I did have an issue with the down drop of the hitch, it would just barely clear a curb when parking and also checked the distance it extended past the bumper. I flipped the down drop to an up rise.

I never had issues with the airflow or temp.

It takes a bit of creativity if you want to carry your bikes and haul a TT.

Putting them inside is not a bad option either if you can clear the door way.

[JBarca]

I went with a 2 adult bike rack on the front of my prior K2500 Suburban. The bikes rode great there but there was 3 issues that finally killed the idea.

1. The bikes do block the radiator area. The transmission temps rise when the bikes where on. 2 bikes was manageable as the 3/4 ton GM's give you a temp gage so you can see what is going on. I only had a 3 deg rise. One of my camping buddies had 4 bikes on his Burb and one hot summer day he was close to boiling over the truck. He ended up taking 2 kid bikes apart and putting them inside to get himself home and then started on Plan B for carrying bikes.

2. The bike tires blocked the headlights. In my case I modified the bike rack so the headlights would shoot over the tires. Being on a 3/4 ton truck I had the ground clearance to lower my wife's bike down about 3" and that helped but it did not totally solve the problem. Ending up getting stuck having to tow after dark one time and the reflection of the headlights on the tires killed the idea.

3. I was alerted by others there are DOT lighting laws that the car directionals lights have to be able to be seen from certain directions and blocking them is not allowed. I found the law back then and I had an issue. I was about ready to mount front directional lights on the bike rack but we changed trucks and the problem went away. I now have the front of the TT rack.

Being a SUV tower has it's issues when it comes to bikes. And a family with kids camping makes it even harder. PS. Don't put them on the back of the camper either. It has issues too.

Hope this helps

John

[afidel]

I went with a front hitch and 4 bike carrier, not only does it make it easier to get the bikes, and eliminate backing up issues, but it also helps with front rear axle balance. Looked somewhat like this:

[SoundGuy]

oyarsa wrote:
The Arvika looks interesting and promising, but their website isn't letting me look for a dealer in the US. Where do you get one?

Use the Arvika Contact Page and ask them.

[rbpru]

I opted for a front frame mounted hitch, it is supposed to be as strong as my rear hitch, so it certainly will hold my hitch mount bike rack.

There is a fair amount of side play to contend with and of course they are up front and center. I consider this a good thing,rather than out of sight behind the TT.

[JBarca]

I made my own. Made the frame and used a tire holding Swagmen 2 bike rack I can take off and put in the truck receiver if we want to take the bike for a day ride somewhere beyond the CG. Don't know if you have access to doing this, maybe a welding buddy?

See here Bike rack for front of TT

Heads up, my rack and 2 adults bikes added 110# to the loaded tongue weight. My camper A frame, truck and WD hitch can handle this. The bikes do ride very well on the front. 4 bikes, if you can actually fit 4, will add more. Carrying bikes with an SUV is always a problem. We had a 2500 Suburban and had the same issue. The F350 which was needed for our current camper solved the problem by allowing added TW to make the A frame rack work.

A place in Canada called Top Rails or Top Pop Rails used to make this too. A very good system. I do not know if Arivka bought them out or not. I cannot seem to find that brand any more.

Stromburg makes this https://www.strombergcarlson.com/cargo-storage-and-carriers/a-frame-cargo-management/bike-bunk-model...

I would not use a top hanging rack, but Swagman makes rack that hold by the tires see here https://www.swagman.net/products/rv-racks/

Hope this helps

John

[oyarsa]

The Jack It looks promising, too...

[oyarsa]

The Arvika looks interesting and promising, but their website isn't letting me look for a dealer in the US. Where do you get one?

[SoundGuy]

rirish1 wrote:
I am now currently considering the "Jack It" system manufactured by Lippert, or the Arvika system manufactured in Canada. Does anyone have any first hand knowledge about either of these?

The Arvika is a first rate system. A friend of mine has owned one for several years and at the time he installed it he did a comprehensive review, from opening the box onward! He now has a different trailer and has transferred his Arvika to that trailer, still totally happy with it.

Arvika Bike Rack System Installation

[rirish1]

I likewise want to carry two bikes over the TT tongue. I have had two mishaps carrying bikes on the rear of a previous TT. On one, the bike rack itself broke. On the other, the actual 2" receiver broke. I have carried bikes inside the TT in the past and the bikes damaged the inside of the TT when bouncing around.
I am now currently considering the "Jack It" system manufactured by Lippert, or the Arvika system manufactured in Canada. Does anyone have any first hand knowledge about either of these?