Spare Tire Mounted Bike Rack

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.