Concern with attaching bike rack to TT bumper

[crispyc21]

I would like to get a bike rack for three bikes that attaches to the bumper of my travel trailer (2010 Sprinter Select). I started looking at a few online but when reading some of the reviews, some people mentioned that after attaching a bike rack to their bumpers, the additional weight caused the welds to come apart and their bumper and bikes would break off the trailer. Is this a common thing when attaching a bike rack to the rear bumper? My bumper already has the spare tire attaches to the bumper. Is their anything that can be done to eliminate that from happening?

[Tystevens]

Well, to each their own, I suppose. Depends what you're riding and how important it is to you. For me, I don't want my bikes bobbing on the rear end of a TT on a rigged contraption. I prefer a hitch mounted tray rack on the back of my vehicle, but when that isn't an option, on the roof is the next best place IMO.

But I like my bikes a lot more than I like my TT (or just about anything else I own, for that matter), so they get preferential treatment!

[RedRocket204]

No doubt that Yakima and Thule are very expensive systems especially when you calculate up all the add-ons for locks and? I will say they are well made though so to each their own. 🙂

Per the lifting of bikes on a roof...I no longer have roof mounted bike racks. Not because I don't want to lift them up there...it's because that is where my (2) 65 lbs sit-on-top Kayaks go. Talk about a challenge when you are tired! :E

[wmoses]

Good point. I am mid 50s and able bodied but am totally disinterested in putting any rack on the roof of anything. So it is not just the (near) retirement folks but can be a matter of choice.

As for these racks by the brand names like Yakima and Thule, etc. - I am also disinterested in further lining their pockets as I believe that their products are grossly overpriced.

But that is just me and my choices. 🙂

[dodge_guy]

RedRocket204 wrote:

PAThwacker wrote:
thule roof of tow vehicle...

Tystevens wrote:
PAT hit it -- why not put the bikes on the roof of the Excursion? That is how we do it -- we put our grownup bikes and my oldest boy's 24" wheel mountain bike on the roof of the Suburban in Thule sidearm racks, and find a spot to stash the smaller bikes in the trailer.

I have had roof mounted bike racks and while they are a very good option, along with ladder mount racks, it is not attractive for individuals near or of retirement age as high lifting of the bikes can be problematic...just a fact of life and not meant to be negative towards older people as I highly encourage all people to get into cycling 🙂

Even those of us not anywhere near retirement age don`t want to lift 4 bikes up on top of any van/SUV!

[RedRocket204]

PAThwacker wrote:
thule roof of tow vehicle...

Tystevens wrote:
PAT hit it -- why not put the bikes on the roof of the Excursion? That is how we do it -- we put our grownup bikes and my oldest boy's 24" wheel mountain bike on the roof of the Suburban in Thule sidearm racks, and find a spot to stash the smaller bikes in the trailer.

I have had roof mounted bike racks and while they are a very good option, along with ladder mount racks, it is not attractive for individuals near or of retirement age as high lifting of the bikes can be problematic...just a fact of life and not meant to be negative towards older people as I highly encourage all people to get into cycling 🙂

[Tystevens]

I would only put them on the back of the TT on a good tray-style bike rack (holds the wheels, not the frames) attached to a welded 2" receiver. But there you're looking at a couple hundred to get a receiver installed, and $450+ for the bike racks.

PAT hit it -- why not put the bikes on the roof of the Excursion? That is how we do it -- we put our grownup bikes and my oldest boy's 24" wheel mountain bike on the roof of the Suburban in Thule sidearm racks, and find a spot to stash the smaller bikes in the trailer.

Good luck!

[PAThwacker]

thule roof of tow vehicle or front hitch w/swagman 3 bike fixed bar.

[alexleblanc]

take a look at the Arvika rack, they can accommodate up to 4 bikes.

[dodge_guy]

I have a similar setup to Harley4275.

I installed 2 stainless eye bolts through the back wall. they go through the vertical wall stud and the horizontal bunk stud. I also used a piece of angle bracket to spread the load out along the bunk stud.


These support quite a bit of weight! I just cinch the ratchet straps before I put the bikes on.


I use a bolt on 2" receiver. my bumper is fully welded and is the thicker steel bumper. I didn`t have it yet in this pic, but I have a set bolt that I tighten down against the bike rack to stop any up/down movement. this combined with the ratchet straps make for a very secure assembly! I also have a rear view camera that I can watch the bikes if they do move, which they never have!


This setup has been to Mackinaw city, the Northwoods in WI. and all places in between. even if you bolt/weld a full receiver to the frame you still need to stop the bouncing the bikes/rack take as this is what destroys bike racks, bumpers and receivers.

[harley4275]

I bought the 2" reciever as a 12" ready to go part.It is held on with 4 galv 8" bolts and 2 painted steel plates. Used 2 stainless angle brackets on crossmember.
I took this set up from S.Ontario to Newfoundland(rough roads)and back ..14500 km (over 9000 mi)this past summer . Straps never came loose and had compliments from other campers that followed me saying there was no bouncing at all. You have to have some kind of straping to stop bounce ...thats usually where the problem starts.

[wmoses]

harley4275 wrote:
I hauled 2-3 bikes easily with this strap set up to stop bounce and sway.Screwed 2 eyebolts on each side into alum corner stud.
...
And reinforced hitch to frame member to avoid hitch twist.

I can't say I like the eye bolts but I do like the hitch connection at the rear cross member. Takes a lot off the welds between the longitudinal girders and the square section bumper. How many miles have you towed with the bikes and this setup?

And where did you get a bolt-on hitch with the extra length to reach the cross member? All of the ones that I see are short and don't extend much beyond the front face of the bumper.

[harley4275]

I hauled 2-3 bikes easily with this strap set up to stop bounce and sway.Screwed 2 eyebolts on each side into alum corner stud.



And reinforced hitch to frame member to avoid hitch twist.

[APT]

My TT has a slide out platform on the rear which I carry bikes. But we have two bikes now that are nicer so I plan to get roof rack mounted bike racks. $30-300 per bike. Amazon has lots of choices.

[brulaz]

rbpru wrote:
If the company installs a rear tire post why would'nt it hold the weight of two bikes. Surely they can be strapped down tight to the bumper to prevent sway and bounce.

Rotational leverage. Typically the bikes are sitting a foot or so behind from the bumper.

[rbpru]

If the company installs a rear tire post why would'nt it hold the weight of two bikes. Surely they can be strapped down tight to the bumper to prevent sway and bounce.