cargo tray - how to use?

[mjwills]

Hi - when I ordered my TT I bought the cargo tray too which can also be used as a bike rack. My question is how do you use it as the bike rack since there is nothing to secure each bike to (wheels or frame)? Also what/how should be used to secure any cargo down on it?

Thanks,
Mark

[Da Bud Man]

I use mine for cargo, not bikes. But usually whatever I have on there, I just use rachet straps to tie it down.

[norty1]

The one I have has slots in the bottom for the wheels. Has only one upright at the back. No one ever has shown me any real instructions on how to secure bikes. I sit two bikes in the back most slots and loop ratchet straps over the wheels, front to back. Then tie them together with a bungee cord to keep it from sliding off the wheel. Then a few more bungees to secure them upright.

I have towed these bike several thousand miles this way and they are very secure. I have become pretty good at the routine of tying them in, maybe five minutes. No extra wear and tear from rubbing. Everything is padded.

I would sure like to hear how others use this thing. It is pretty handy but no Instructions.

[kiwaon]

First of all, my opinion, Jayco should be embarrassed to attach the word bike rack to this carrier. When we had the PDI with our dealer the person doing the demo suggested we not use it for a bike carrier, in his view it is not safe . The unit is a 5th wheel Superlite.

The upright you are expected to attach the bikes to is not secure, it wobbles seriously when you drive with bikes loaded. What I have ended up doing is adding a bracket to the front face of the bumper. From that bracket I attach a flat metal bar (1/4" x 2" about 3 feet in length diagonally up to the top of the upright in order to keep it stable. Not perfect, but much better than what is there. On the bottom I tie the wheels to the bottom of the carrier with ropes, and bungy wherever I can.

[usmc616]

The bike tray on my 32BHDS has an upright with a locking pin. I wrapped it with pipe insulation to not scratch my bikes. I place the bikes facing opposite directions and then use bungy cords to secure them to each other and to the handles on the bike tray. We usually have 3 bikes on the tray and have driven on a 2500 mile round trip with them back there with no issues.

[3'senough]

I use mine for bikes, genny and sewer tote mostly. The bikes usually go in the slots and ratchet straps are then used to hold them in place. I have yet to fit more than two adult bikes on there without really getting them close and scratching. They have to be opposed in my case to fit.

There are 8 holes in variuos points around the rail to put the hooks in. I have yet to have an issue with any of the cargo.

I would not go over the weight limit though.

[TexasA&M]

I usually haul firewood or my sewer tote back there. I'll probably use it to haul bikes when I actually get some bikes though. I agree that it's kind of rinky dink, but it should still do the job.

I also keep the stabilizer blocks (the 2x6 pieces that I made to put under the stabilizers) and the boards that I park the tires on on the rack (with it pushed all the way in) when the trailer is not in use. It's easier and cleaner than keeping them inside the trailer, or in the back of the truck.

[mjwills]

Thanks for the input. Mine too has the arm with the locking pin, but I did not notice any holes for hooks ~ I need to look at that.

Strapping the handle bars/rear to the sides would work.

[norty1]

I use an additional nylon ratchet strap in the middle to secure the bike closest to the camper rear from shaking and then tie the rear most bike to the upright. The bikes are then tied together with bungee straps. It is rinky dink, I agree but it does not move or do any damage to the bikes. I do rotate one of the handle bars to keep it from damaging the fiberglass.

I spent a lot more on a rear hitch and bike rack on my old rig than this cost and other than being more cumbersome to tie down, it works just as well.