Hello,I am brand new to the forum and just got my first travel trailer in May. I have a 22ft Coleman. My first trip out I installed a hitch reciever unit on the bumper of the trailer i but a 2 bike rack holder in and off we went on a 4 hr drive. When we arrived I had 7 dents in the back of the RV from the bike Handle hitting and the top bumper weld on both sides cracked. Lesson learned. I have seen a lot of trailers on the road with bikes so I never thought this would happen. My option now is a roof mount for my truck which is pretty high and not the best situation or I saw something on Amazon and was wondering if anyone has purchased it. The unit goes on the front A-frame and the bikes sit over the propane tank. It's called the stromberg Carlson bike bunk. $214 bucks.Anyone have one of these? Thanks in advance

If you search this Forum for `bike rack' in the Travel Trailers section you may get more ideas. We carry two bikes on the front of our tow vehicle as previously stated.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003YJK252?keywords=receiver%20mount%20bike%20rack&qid=1445099720&ref_=sr_1_68&s=outdoor-recreation&sr=1-68This Swagman is by far the best you can get, I think... Then you need to get a U-bolt and put over the receiver and under the rack in order to make it completely stable. This is because there is too much slop between the receiver and the stinger.HTH, Al

I've seen on these forums over the years where different folks have made their own bike rack that goes over the A-frame, propane tanks. I've seen some made of wood (very creative), and some made of various metals. All had the same principle.If there is a way to connect the the A-frame without interfearing with anything and still provides clearance when making a sharp turn (bicycle and tow vehicle), it should work very well.However, you will be adding a bit more weight to the tongue, which will also be putting more weight on the tow vehicle hitch. You may have to adjust your weight distribution a bit. Still, there are limitations to the weight the A-frame tongue can carry too? And if there's any rust, it could be compromised. Still. It's a good alternative. (If your bumper failed so easily, chances are your A-frame isn't much stronger: Never did figure out what the root cause of this was. I think a combination of inferior metal thickness from the manufacturer, rust, and weight in the pass-thorugh. Hit the "wrong" bump and this resulted. Don't want to see this ever happen to anyone ... every!)(Keystone did fix it and did a really great job. They replaced with MUCH heavier metal).(It's just something to think about before adding weight to the A-frame too!

FYI: 2 things I learned from this experience. 1) Safety chains and break-away cable-brake locks don't help a bit when the tongue falls off. 2) You can't tow a trailer when there's no tongue! We gave the tow company a REAL challenge on this one!

DutchmenSport wrote:FYI: 2 things I learned from this experience. 1) Safety chains and break-away cable-brake locks don't help a bit when the tongue falls off. 2) You can't tow a trailer when there's no tongue! We gave the tow company a REAL challenge on this one!That is scary!!! Wow that is almost unbelievable.

Bike rack | Good Sam Community

IAMICHABOD
Explorer II
Nov 11, 2015
Some really good advice here, What some of the problem is that they bounce a lot and if the rack is not tight in the receiver that added movement only amplifies that bounce.

I have tried almost every Anti Rattle device on the market, most have been no good or so complicated and cumbersome that they are useless. I have a whole tool box full of them.

Until I found the one at Hitch Rider. This will keep everything tight.

Their Hitch Vice is the best and easiest one I have come across and it really works.
justafordguy
Explorer
Nov 11, 2015
I've not had any issues with the receiver mounted bike rack on my back bumper but if I was you I would have a heavy duty receiver hitch built and welded on by a welding/fab shop.
campigloo
Explorer
Nov 11, 2015
The bumper on mine failed on my last trip. All that was on it was the spare tire. Metal fatigue. I ordered a thing called Mount-N-Lock. Haven't received it yet but it looks pretty effective in the pictures. Cost 49.95 including shipping. Might be worth looking at.
westend
Explorer
Oct 29, 2015
bbaker2001 wrote:
how come I cant post pic

Read this Stickey.
bbaker2001
Explorer
Oct 29, 2015
how come I cant post pic
bbaker2001
Explorer
Oct 29, 2015
hello bolt
we have a 24 ft TT. needed a place to mount bikes. at first we put 2x4 on truck rails and mounted there. great idea. we saw the unit from Canada, that mounted a rack on the front A frame, but very expensive. we welded 4 posts on the A frame and constructed a rack to go over the tanks. it lifts right off. it does work perfect. if not using bikes, I can set my Honda gen on it.just had knee surgery will post pick when I can
apr67
Explorer
Oct 26, 2015
I have the Stromberg Carlson Trailer Tray for mounting a generator. Its a very good piece of gear.
APT
Explorer
Oct 19, 2015
I would get this. Bolt and weld to the rear of the trailer frame. Then use my favorite 2"receiver bike rack.
jfkmk
Explorer
Oct 17, 2015
DutchmenSport wrote:
FYI: 2 things I learned from this experience. 1) Safety chains and break-away cable-brake locks don't help a bit when the tongue falls off. 2) You can't tow a trailer when there's no tongue! We gave the tow company a REAL challenge on this one!

That's amazing. Must have been scary as heck! The frame on my tt is similar in that the a-frame does not extend further under the trailer. Although it's a small trailer, I've wondered if a failure like this would be possible. I have my answer!

To the op, we installed a front hitch and have been happy with it. Tried the roof rack bike rack and hated it. The cross bars are slightly curves so the bikes leaned out and had to carry a step stool to get them up there.
Lantley
Nomad
Oct 17, 2015
When I had a TT. I carried my bike on a Arvika tongue mounted rack.
As shown below. I currently have the same rack on my 5'er

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