Spare Tire Mounted Bike Rack

[Frankly]

With a new Trailer I have a common problem of bikes. We like to have them, but where to stow them is the question? I immediately gravitated to the rear of the trailer to install a rack off of the bumper, but I see a lot of negative posts on the idea. I have a spare tire mounted to the back wall of TT and am wondering if attaching a rack to this is advisable? I have not looked at how strong the attachment is. Wondering if is even worth a look?

[Lynnmor]

goducks10 wrote:

Lynnmor wrote:
Get folding bikes and give up on hanging bikes off either end of the trailer collecting rain and dirt.

Folding bikes are worthless for serious riding. Nice for a jaunt around the campground.

Since the OP has a bunkhouse trailer pulled by an SUV, my guess is that there are kids involved and "serious" riding might not be part of the plan. Folding bikes are just fine for rides of up to 20 miles, I have done a number of times. Yes, full size high dollar bikes are ideal, but there is no need to downplay a reasonable solution.

We carry full size hybrid bikes in the bed of the truck protected by a topper. There are times that we bring the folding bikes as well to use at the campground and for friends that will ride with us.

[goducks10]

Lynnmor wrote:
Get folding bikes and give up on hanging bikes off either end of the trailer collecting rain and dirt.

Folding bikes are worthless for serious riding. Nice for a jaunt around the campground.
OP, I made a rack that I attach to the bumper using 2" receiver connections. It's bike specific but it's been on the back of my 5er for 4 seasons. I also added some gussets to the bumper for strength. The main thing to do is to make sure you bumper is welded on good. Then get a bike rack that won't wiggle.

[GrandpaKip]

Flapper wrote:
Lippert also makes a rack for the front of a TT:

http://www.lci1.com/jack-it

Lippert also makes a folding cargo rack that bolts on to the frame. They didn't have one to fit my camper, so I stole the idea and made my own.

[mobeewan]

On the first failed bumper picture I see 2 bolt on 2x2 receivers mounted next to the vertical posts. Looks like it may have had a platform that previously mounted into the receivers. That alone probably set things in motion for the failure.

[PeteK-Hou]

Frankly wrote:
Some great ideas. I am going to look at these options. I especially like the idea of stowing the spare elsewhere and using the mount for bikes. Probably have to be customized somewhat? I may end up purchasing a front hitch so I can put them out front? Thanks for all the help.

Front hitch is the way I went..

https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipO9XCrejUvmm0ENY9dTkziTMKc6X01r37IR3on8

[Flapper]

Lippert also makes a rack for the front of a TT:

http://www.lci1.com/jack-it

[Frankly]

Some great ideas. I am going to look at these options. I especially like the idea of stowing the spare elsewhere and using the mount for bikes. Probably have to be customized somewhat? I may end up purchasing a front hitch so I can put them out front? Thanks for all the help.

[Lynnmor]

Get folding bikes and give up on hanging bikes off either end of the trailer collecting rain and dirt.

[azwildcat]

I carry mine on a home made rack in the back of the TV. Also provides the flexibility of getting the bikes to the trail head if it is not near the camping location.

[TomG2]

mbopp wrote:
If you want to lose some weight off the bumper you could always re-locate the spare tire to under the trailer. I have a BAL Hide-a-Spare, just waiting to get the TT out of storage to install it.

Good suggestion.

[mbopp]

If you want to lose some weight off the bumper you could always re-locate the spare tire to under the trailer. I have a BAL Hide-a-Spare, just waiting to get the TT out of storage to install it.

[SoundGuy]

TomG2 wrote:
If the manufacturer thinks it is okay to hang a fifty pound spare tire six inches behind the sewer hose holder, then why not a fifty pound bicycle? Remove the spare and carry it in the tow vehicle is what I do. Secure the bicycle and I don't see the difference.

I have seen that picture before but have never seen the highways littered with sewer hose holders along with spare tires. I worked on the roads for forty years.

Guess you missed this one as well. :W



What you do is up to you ... my spare travels in the front pass through cargo compartment. And in fact, Coachmen did not hang the spare off the bumper but at the front of the trailer, under the A frame.

When our boys were younger I only finally solved the problem of how to safely take bikes along while towing by parking them in the back of our truck using a custom rack I built using scrap plywood.





We no longer take bikes but if we did I'd unquestionably mount those bikes over the A frame using a purpose designed Arvika Bike Rack. NO WAY I'd hang a bike rack off the bumper, even if reinforced. 😞

[K-9_HANDLER]

TomG2 wrote:

SoundGuy wrote:

Ah heck, what could possibly go wrong?!

Looks like there was more than a spare attached to the bumper at one time. What are the vertical tubes? Any other information about the failure, age etc.?

That pic has showed up on several RV forums.

[TomG2]

SoundGuy wrote:

Ah heck, what could possibly go wrong?!

Looks like there was more than a spare attached to the bumper at one time. What are the vertical tubes? Any other information about the failure, age etc.?