Transporting Bike question

[nucleuscracker]

Hello all,

We are renting a Jayco 26BH for our five week camping trip. What I'm discovering is the challenge of transporting our bikes. The TT doesn't have a rear hitch so a hitch mount is not an option. I have also heard stories that the rear bumper is quite flimsy so bumper mount is most likely out. Other than storing the bikes in the camper while on the road, are there any other options? I hate to do a roof mount on our Yukon as that's a pain in the a##..

Thoughts? thanks!!

[usmc616]

How about a front hitch on your Yukon? Or a bike rack that goes over the propane tanks?

[Ranger431]

I'd just put them inside. Make sure they are put in securely so there's no damage, but I don't think you'll find a better option, at least w/o spending a ton of cash.

[owenssailor]

We had our first experience with an RV last winter towing and Award 30 with 03 Chev ext 4x4 from Ontario Canada to Florida. I added a front hitch for the bikes. It worked much better than putting them inside the trailer. The carrier we had was the type that hangs the bikes from the crossbar. We just bought a 2012 Silverado crew cab 4x4 and added a front hitch to it. This time we will use a Swagman bike carrier that supports the bikes at their wheels. The wind force at the front caused the hanging bikes to swing around.

The new setup will get tested next week when we pick up our new Jayco 28U and head to the Atlantic coast.

[LilWilly]

It's a shame that you have to be cautious of mods that may void the warranty of your TT or TV.

Being that both of mine are expired, I'm looking at adding a part to attach my hitch-mount rack to the existing tire carrier. The bikes I'll be hauling won't add too much weight to the rear bumper, but will be easily removable to add to other vehicles as needed-or removed alltogether.

[bradsr63]

Originally Posted by owenssailor

We had our first experience with an RV last winter towing and Award 30 with 03 Chev ext 4x4 from Ontario Canada to Florida. I added a front hitch for the bikes. It worked much better than putting them inside the trailer. The carrier we had was the type that hangs the bikes from the crossbar. We just bought a 2012 Silverado crew cab 4x4 and added a front hitch to it. This time we will use a Swagman bike carrier that supports the bikes at their wheels. The wind force at the front caused the hanging bikes to swing around.

The new setup will get tested next week when we pick up our new Jayco 28U and head to the Atlantic coast.

How much trouble was it having the hitch installed? I have a Swagman bike carrier that supports from the wheels. It works great except for the clamp rubs the top of my frame on my Trek. I have to put padding between cables and frame to keep from scratching off paint. I carry them in the bed of my truck now with a carrier I made from wood. Would be nice to have the bed free for other things.

[Ladywendolyn]

Someone posted a mod in the forum of a bike rack they made for transporting bikes inside the trailer. It was made of white pvc pipe and held the bikes quite snug.. i think it fit in the hall so it would not move around.. not a bad option really..

[owenssailor]

I ordered the front hitch through a truck accessory shop. They did the install. I was in they shop while it was put on. It only took about 20 min. The hitch bolts into existing free hole on the frame. The front lower plastic shroud had to be cut so the receiver would fit out. It does not look hacked up at all.

Hitch is rated for 500 lb. Our bikes do not hit the truck at all.

[Old Blue]

Here is the bike rack I built with Yakima parts and Thule carriers leaves bed of truck open for wood or what ever you want to carry. I have only have two carriers on rack but room enough for at least 4

[nucleuscracker]

thanks for the replies everyone. I'm leaning toward carrying inside the TT but worried about scuffing up the interior as its a rental.. I'm not sure how much longer I'll have my Yukon before I trade it in fer a new one as its got close to 150K miles on it. and yea, its a 2008. Best.SUV.ever.

I like the idea of a front mount carrier - how much does that typically cost?

[dlfeather]

On one trailer i had i went to a hitch welding shop and had them weld a straight 2 inch receiver to the bumper. It was long enough to weld to a couple of frame members. It was very solid and I had no problems. Yes a bolt on adapter to just the rear bumper is flimsy. I know from experience. I almost lost a bumper!

[owenssailor]

The hitch we got for the 2012 Silverado was $229 Canadian

[bed685]

I had an issue wih transporting bikes. My TT doesn't have a rear bumper so I went with the roof rack for my Excursion. I got 4 racks from EBAY. They were easy to install and will allow me to take three bikes. It was a good thing I got four racks because I had to steal from number four to mount three racks. They seem sturdy, but the real test is coming up Monday when we leave for Santa Claus, IN.

[nucleuscracker]

good luck with your trip to Santa Claus! Let me know how dealing with the bikes on the rook works out. As often as we'll be stopping, I'm thinking, at personally, it'll get old quick taking em down from the rook on the Yukon.

[Deemarch]

I would just love to see the PVC one for the interior!!! And idea where it was posted?

D

[bed685]

Originally Posted by nucleuscracker

good luck with your trip to Santa Claus! Let me know how dealing with the bikes on the rook works out. As often as we'll be stopping, I'm thinking, at personally, it'll get old quick taking em down from the rook on the Yukon.

I had no problems with the roof rack. I actually forgot the bikes were even there. I carry a small ladder in the TT anyway, so removing and installing the bikes was pretty easy.