Need the best location for 4 bikes.

[EricRom]

I have a Eagle 314BDS w/o the bike rack and was thinking if I could get the slide out rack from Jayco or install a front hitch on my 12 F350. The bike just take up too much room in the bed of the truck with my cap on. Any suggestions would be great. Thanks

[ddrueckh]

I know you want to save room in your truck bed, but the Dakine Pick Up Pad works great. Lets the bikes stand up with the front wheel hanging over the tailgate. They do not take up as much space this way. I love it.

Dave

[LongIslandCamper]

Some people have had a receiver welded to the back frame of the TT so that they can use a standard bike rack. Whatever you do, don't install a bike rack on the bumper itself.

[mach8274]

I installed a front receiver on my 2011 F250 and have a 3 bike carrier that I use. You can get a 4-bike carrier or whatever will suit your needs. Works great and frees up space in the bed. I bought the front hitch from etrailer.com.

Good luck,
Dave

[dewey02]

Arvika 4 bike rack for TT's or 5th wheels is probably the best outfit I've seen. They mount to the front of your trailer. Expensive as all heck, but the owners absolutely swear by them. No bounce, and your bikes are always visible in your rear view mirror.

[clubhouse]

Could you install a Tule or Yakima rack system on your trucks cap?

Personally, I had a frame to frame receiver welded to the back of our TT.

[EricRom]

Thought about putting a bike rack on top of cap but would have to carry a step ladder in order to get them on and off the truck being so high in the air.

[blamb97]

Ordered our new TT with the factory bike rack on the back. for the exact same reason, too much real estate taken up in the bed of the truck.. i'll let you know how to works after Memorial Day, but just from what I've seen from trying it out in the driveway. I think it's deffinetly going to pay for itself first trip. now decreased ground clearance is my only concern

[mikmurphy]

x2 on Dave's comment on the front receiver hitch. Although, if you rear-end somebody, you might have to argue with your insurance agent about the value of the bikes!

[dan222]

Originally Posted by blamb97

Ordered our new TT with the factory bike rack on the back. for the exact same reason, too much real estate taken up in the bed of the truck.. i'll let you know how to works after Memorial Day, but just from what I've seen from trying it out in the driveway. I think it's deffinetly going to pay for itself first trip. now decreased ground clearance is my only concern

I would be interested too. We have the cargo rack on the back of our 284BHS but have not tried to carry the bikes yet. I am not sure how to secure them into the rack and keep them upright. Please let us know how it works out and post some pics.

Thanks

[blamb97]

Dan,

i'll take some pics and post them. the factory cargo tray on mine has an upright that when stowed is folded down. but when you want it swivels upright, locks into place with a pin, and allows you to secure to it. keeping everything upright.

[dan222]

Thanks blamb97, I have that upright too but just haven't figured how to keep the bikes upright and secure. Looking forward to seeing your set up.

[Macrosill]

I place my bikes inside the trailer. It keeps them out of the rain, no weight hanging off the back bumper and nothing on the roof of my truck. It may not be the perfect solution but it works for us. We position them and cover them with blankets as not to scratch or damage the interior of the trailer. I put 5 bikes in there. It is a pia but it cost nothing and causes no issues. The weight of the bikes is directly over the axles as well.

Just another solution.

[pbohart]

I plan to put a hitch on the front of my 2500HD Chevy Diesel. I store my trailer at a lot, so it will be a piece of cake to load the bikes onto the front of the truck and then not have to move them.

[Tniss54]

Do the bikes block your view in the front? Are they above the hood?

[gtsum2]

I used Yakima roof racks for years and that's the way to go IMO. Unless u want to load them in the trailer itself, but if they r muddy etc, that gets old quick

[mach8274]

Here are a few pics of my new set up for carrying bikes. This is a 3-bike rack. I only had 2 bikes on it as the kids bikes are too small for the rack. I was able to leave my tonneau cover on the bed with everything under it without the bikes back there. Worked perfectly!!

Loaded, hitched and ready to roll!!

View from the driver's seat...

[Tniss54]

That's not bad at all! That's what I am gonna do!

[Soaker]

Originally Posted by cm11599ps

Some people have had a receiver welded to the back frame of the TT so that they can use a standard bike rack. Whatever you do, don't install a bike rack on the bumper itself.

I've seen other people say don't mount to the trailer bumper and don't use a hitch receiver that bolts to the trailer bumper for a bike rack. I'm pretty new to the RVing thing also and am looking for a solution for the bikes. My buddies trailer has a bolt on receiver with bike rack and it looks to work fine for him.

Why is it a bad idea?

[Tniss54]

The bumpers fall off from the weight and you loose your bikes.