bike rack options for a TT / TV
2007 Aerolite 718fd ( 4000lbs loaded ) pulled by 2013 F150 Eco Boost We are currently carrying our 2 bikes in the truck bed which is ok but inconvenient. wondering if someone has a good option out ...
Forum Discussion
canadiankid..a hitch on front of truck is becoming my 2nd choice, although I am not sure I would call it cheap. bolt on are about 150.00 just for the hitch, then I have to buy a rack, and maybe an extention as charliegu58 says. Concerns are airflow ( eco boost intake is in that area ) to engine and radiator.
skipnchar..I don't have a ladder or rear bumper. I've pretty much eliminated the rear of the TT mount. No bumper, no ladder, only place is spare tire mount and not feeling good on that. Also, hitch weight is pretty light so would rather add weight up front than back.
Lantley...I am liking the over tank mount. Will check out the Arvika more. Looked their website but was a bit confused as to which one I would need. Will do more research and maybe call them.
DavisK...I would be afraid to add a hitch to my TT rear. Lightweight frame. No bumper, so maybe they were trying to tell me something.
Guess I should have said another reason I have for getting bikes out of truck bed is so I can rig up a way to carry 2 kayaks on occasion. So no truck covers or bed racks for me, but thanks for the input.
JJBIRISH...I think you are right, that probably is the frame I have, which is why I am eliminating the rear mount bike rack of any kind, even with the bolt on frame hitch mentioned above. Are you saying the frame at the LP tank location would not handle another 100 lbs or so? I find that hard to believe. Gross TT weight is about 4700 lbs, my actual towing weight ( loaded ) was right at 4000. I hardly ever carry any water in my fresh water tank.
wmoses...agree with what you said. Also, on the ladder I was wishing I had one in Fl about 4 weeks ago. Getting down to 35 overnight and one of my vents decided to fall off after dark. Had to scramble to borrow a ladder so I could do a duct tape repair.
I am going to first look at the over the tank mount on front of TT. Extra hitch weight is not a problem in my case and may even be a better ride. I can leave them on or take them off (bikes ). Can see them while going down road. @nd choice at this point is front hitch mount. Don't really want that because I don't want to look at the bikes while driving, also air flow to ECO and radiator issues. Also, if I make a slip loading or unloading and scratch something I'd rather it be my TT than my new truck.
Thanks for all the advice / comments. Will be back after I do some more research...can't believe it but my GF says I am anal. :)
skipnchar..I don't have a ladder or rear bumper. I've pretty much eliminated the rear of the TT mount. No bumper, no ladder, only place is spare tire mount and not feeling good on that. Also, hitch weight is pretty light so would rather add weight up front than back.
Lantley...I am liking the over tank mount. Will check out the Arvika more. Looked their website but was a bit confused as to which one I would need. Will do more research and maybe call them.
DavisK...I would be afraid to add a hitch to my TT rear. Lightweight frame. No bumper, so maybe they were trying to tell me something.
Guess I should have said another reason I have for getting bikes out of truck bed is so I can rig up a way to carry 2 kayaks on occasion. So no truck covers or bed racks for me, but thanks for the input.
JJBIRISH...I think you are right, that probably is the frame I have, which is why I am eliminating the rear mount bike rack of any kind, even with the bolt on frame hitch mentioned above. Are you saying the frame at the LP tank location would not handle another 100 lbs or so? I find that hard to believe. Gross TT weight is about 4700 lbs, my actual towing weight ( loaded ) was right at 4000. I hardly ever carry any water in my fresh water tank.
wmoses...agree with what you said. Also, on the ladder I was wishing I had one in Fl about 4 weeks ago. Getting down to 35 overnight and one of my vents decided to fall off after dark. Had to scramble to borrow a ladder so I could do a duct tape repair.
I am going to first look at the over the tank mount on front of TT. Extra hitch weight is not a problem in my case and may even be a better ride. I can leave them on or take them off (bikes ). Can see them while going down road. @nd choice at this point is front hitch mount. Don't really want that because I don't want to look at the bikes while driving, also air flow to ECO and radiator issues. Also, if I make a slip loading or unloading and scratch something I'd rather it be my TT than my new truck.
Thanks for all the advice / comments. Will be back after I do some more research...can't believe it but my GF says I am anal. :)
