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?

[modern_family]

There have been many discussions in this forum regarding bike transport. My experience was opposite of a few, my bumper held up, but the rack broke and I lost $2000 of bikes and a rack!! There is too much bounce in the rear of a trailer (I was hauling 4 bikes though, live and learn)

Cost is always a factor, One of the best ways is to use a tongue mount, either make your own or purchase from ARVIKA. I have room in the bed of my truck, so I just lay them in there for now. Not the best, as they get scratched up, but 2 are kids bikes and the wife and I bought cheaper bikes this time around.

Unless the TT is built from the factory with a carrier, nothing will go on the rear of my bumper again.

( IMO, the ladder is meant for the weight of a person while the TT standing still, not the best for bounce either)

[wmoses]

Bigbird65 wrote:
OK, as an alternative to the bumper mount, give me your opinion of the ladder mount. Specifically a Swagman 2 bike mount.

For some reason it would appear that not many people who post on these forums have experience with ladder-mounted racks hence the lack of response to your query.

The Swagman 2-bike rack is similar to the one I bought from CW (possibly the same design) and funnily enough my ladder looks very similar to the one in the picture you included. I guess if you are asking the question then that was not your picture.

Anyway I have not made my first trip with that rack yet so I cannot comment on performance. I can say that my ladder appears strong enough, and the loading on it would be less onerous than that on a bumper mount. The CG of the bikes are closer to the ladder and the ladder support points are more spread out so the load is "flatter" to the RV and more in shear. Should perform well. The trick is to properly secure the bikes so that they (a) stay on, and (b) don't damage each other or the RV.

I will post my results after I have actual experience.

[westend]

Around $200 will buy a bolt-on front mount receiver for your Excursion. Choose platform/mount of your choice.

[brulaz]

clubhouse wrote:

...
Personally I spent $300 to have a custom "frame to frame" 2" receiver fabricated and welded to back of our trailer, then $200 on a swagman 4 bike carrier that is rated for rear or Travel Trailer/5er use. After all the research I did I concluded it was the best option for us.

.

Curt makes a very heavy duty frame mounted receiver for RV's. It's adjustable for different frame widths. That's what I used on our old trailer.

But that trailer had such a light weight frame that I would only put two light weight bicycles on it and managed to attach the bicycle handlebar to the trailer shell so there was no bounce.

The bumper is definitely a no-no, but with some of these light weight frames out there, you also have to be careful. Some trailer manufacturers (like Lance) do not want you hanging anything off the end of their trailers. Instead they recommend putting them on the tongue over the propane tanks, like in the mod shown above.

[clubhouse]

crispyc21 wrote:
Thank you for all the quick replies. I've been reading through all the threads on this. I won't install the bike rack on the bumper. I just wish their was a low cost option other than putting them in my truck (Ford Excursion). I don't want to spend $200-300 on hitches and bike racks for our cheap-o bikes that we only use once or twice a trip.

You could always just rent bikes when you get to your destination. Or haul them in the trailer.

Hauling bikes is always challenge.

Personally I spent $300 to have a custom "frame to frame" 2" receiver fabricated and welded to back of our trailer, then $200 on a swagman 4 bike carrier that is rated for rear or Travel Trailer/5er use. After all the research I did I concluded it was the best option for us.

.

[RedRocket204]

Also a post with a great idea for bike storage.



from this thread: RV.NET - Bike carrying solution....finally!

[dewey02]

Someone posted a home-built alternative on this forum:
Clicky

[Bigbird65]

OK, as an alternative to the bumper mount, give me your opinion of the ladder mount. Specifically a Swagman 2 bike mount.

[dodge_guy]

I have been hauling 4 bikes on the back of my TT for about 6 years now. The key is to take the bounce out of the rack. When you go through a dip in the road if you don't have the rack secure, it will bounce extremely bad! I have mine setup so that the bumper/reciever doesn't support all the weight. I have a rear view camera and can watch the bikes. Very little movement. Straps never come loose and my bumper and welds are still perfect!

I'll post a pic later of my setup.

[crispyc21]

Thank you for all the quick replies. I've been reading through all the threads on this. I won't install the bike rack on the bumper. I just wish their was a low cost option other than putting them in my truck (Ford Excursion). I don't want to spend $200-300 on hitches and bike racks for our cheap-o bikes that we only use once or twice a trip.

[powderman426]

There are two things I wouldn't do. The first is to attach a bike rack to the bumper. Liked stated it won't carry the weight so you need a receiver to hook the rack onto. The second thing is I would never use a rack where the bikes hang. I did that and ruined two bikes as the weld broke on the rack and a dragged then down the road. Get a rack that holds them by the wheels.

[Ron3rd]

Trailer bumpers are basically thin sheet metal. The constant flex fore and aft will crack them like a beer can. It's possible to come off the frame on most trailers and mount a receiver to accept a bike rack. That's what I did on my old trailer; had a welding buddy do it right. It can be challenging on some trailers though due to frame design.

[BB_TX]

Follow a trailer down the road with bikes on a rack on the rear and you may think twice before doing it.

[sremsing]

My son in law carried three bikes on his, and on a rough stretch of road, broke the welds on his bumper. I would not even attempt it.

[Bob_Landry]

There ae probably at least dozen threads about this with very good arguments why not to do it.