Jayco Installed bike rack/cargo tray system

[RVhiker]

I'm a potential new owner of an Eagle Super Lite fifth wheel. Jayco offers as an option the Bike rack/cargo tray system. Has anyone bought that option? Do you like it? Is it sturdy and easy to use? Does it work for carrying stuff other than bikes?

Thanks for all replies.

[rbrumfield]

Originally Posted by RVhiker

I'm a potential new owner of an Eagle Super Lite fifth wheel. Jayco offers as an option the Bike rack/cargo tray system. Has anyone bought that option? Do you like it? Is it sturdy and easy to use? Does it work for carrying stuff other than bikes?

Thanks for all replies.

It was an installed option on my new Jayco. I took it off. Jayco had mounted the stabilizer jacks on the bottom side of the rack frame. The first time that I drove through a slight dip, which happened on day one bringing the new unit home, that was the end of one of the jacks. Bent it as well as the screw in the middle. I bought a set of the BAL low profile stabilizers but they were still to low for safety. Find the model that you are looking at and see if they still mount the stabilizers under the rack. If they are, take a string and tie it on the rear bumper and pull the string tight to the bottom of the rear tire. Anything hanging below that line has the possibility of being drug off or damaged.

[RVhiker]

Originally posted by rbrumfield:
It was an installed option on my new Jayco. I took it off. Jayco had mounted the stabilizer jacks on the bottom side of the rack frame. The first time that I drove through a slight dip, which happened on day one bringing the new unit home, that was the end of one of the jacks. Bent it as well as the screw in the middle. I bought a set of the BAL low profile stabilizers but they were still to low for safety. Find the model that you are looking at and see if they still mount the stabilizers under the rack. If they are, take a string and tie it on the rear bumper and pull the string tight to the bottom of the rear tire. Anything hanging below that line has the possibility of being drug off or damaged.

That certainly sounds like a design flaw. Do you have a bumper pull or a fifth wheel? If you mentioned this issue to your dealer, what did they say about it?

[hammer]

RVhiker Ihave the rack on my 5er and I like it. it is not hard to operate just 2 pins and it slides right out. The plastic tray is fine for bikes or cooler. The rack is quite strong as I have carried my son's motorcycle on it with no trouble at all. As far as the jack's yes they are attatched to the bottom of the track for the rack but on a 5er it is still about 18'' of the road when they are up. So no worries about ripping them off unless you are off roading through ditches witch I don't advise even with out the rack.

[rbrumfield]

Originally Posted by RVhiker

That certainly sounds like a design flaw. Do you have a bumper pull or a fifth wheel? If you mentioned this issue to your dealer, what did they say about it?

I have a pull type travel trailer, 318RLS. No I haven't talked to the dealer about the issue but when I get back in the spring, I am going to look into that.

[Jelliano]

I have one on my 5th Wheel and it works great. It seems to hold a lot of weight, and doesn't bounce around as much as a hitch mount bike rack. If I had to do it all over, I would buy it again. Good luck.

[skymutt]

I bought it with mine and wish I hadn't. It is not as sturdy as I had hoped and I've had to have it rewelded (under warranty) already - after loading just 2 bicycles and traveling 800 miles.

I would rather have a bumper hitch bike rack. it is not worth the money.

[clutch]

We wanted one on our new 330RLTS but couldn't get it because we got the electric leveling jacks and the rack wouldn't fit. My brother-in-law has one on their 32RLDS and he likes it.

I will have to get some 2in inside diameter tubing welded to the bottom of my frame and have a rack built. I just need one about 2ft wide and 6ft long.

[Jelliano]

Originally Posted by skymutt

I bought it with mine and wish I hadn't. It is not as sturdy as I had hoped and I've had to have it rewelded (under warranty) already - after loading just 2 bicycles and traveling 800 miles.

I would rather have a bumper hitch bike rack. it is not worth the money.

Wow! After 800 miles? I'm going to have to keep an eye on mine. I've got about 4000 miles on mine and the welds look alright so far, I will keep my fingers crossed.

[edatlanta]

I have never used mine so I don't have a clue of it's durability. I just won't put a $1,000 bicycle on the back. I have mine in the basement where it is well protected.

[RVhiker]

I'm glad I asked the question, and I'm glad you folks took the time to answer.

We have very definite "No" votes from two people, very definite "Yes" votes from two people, one "Don't use it" vote, and one "Couldn't get it" vote. Sort of a mixed review.

We do want the electric rear stabilizing jacks - we're both finding all the cranking down and up pretty boring. So I guess the bike rack/cargo tray is not an option for us, anyway. Too bad Jayco does not make this point in the brochure or online.

Thanks.

[Gibby3275]

I believe you can have both with a 5th wheel. I have a 30.5DBSA Super Lite coming any day now, with the rack and electric jacks.

Call Jayco. I did a few times, and they were very helpful.

I also found out about a new "Deluxe Package Option" that is not on the web site yet. It includes an 8 cu. ft. fridge, aluminum rims, and upgraded counter tops. I got that too.

[Seann45]

Originally Posted by RVhiker

I'm glad I asked the question, and I'm glad you folks took the time to answer.
We do want the electric rear stabilizing jacks - we're both finding all the cranking down and up pretty boring.
Thanks.

Hey man save yourself some bread... get a cordless drill (18 volt or better) and then some socket adapter bits for it I am using a 1/2" one... add the right sized socket and bang elect raise and lower... you might still have to use the crank for the last little fine tuning bit... but works like a hot darn...


.... I just bought a new Black and Decker Li 20 volt at Home Despot for $100.00 and you can get a 3 pack of adapters (1/4 3/8 1/2) for under $5.00..

sure beats the $500.00 they want for the elect levelers. Also you will find lots of uses for the drill at the campsite..

[Jim Manley]

That's what I do, works great! And, you have an electric drill around for emergency use.

[Crabman]

Originally Posted by Seann45

Hey man save yourself some bread... get a cordless drill (18 volt or better) and then some socket adapter bits for it I am using a 1/2" one... add the right sized socket and bang elect raise and lower... you might still have to use the crank for the last little fine tuning bit... but works like a hot darn...


.... I just bought a new Black and Decker Li 20 volt at Home Despot for $100.00 and you can get a 3 pack of adapters (1/4 3/8 1/2) for under $5.00..

sure beats the $500.00 they want for the elect levelers. Also you will find lots of uses for the drill at the campsite..

I either use my 18 volt drill to lower/raise the stabilizer jacks or my 10 yr old son, if he`s available. I believe the socket size on mine is 3/4".

[hammer]

Yup 18 volt drill for me to.

[clutch]

I have only set up once and I like just pushing the button. With our old trailer I would sometimes feel guilty watching my wife cranking the jacks.:director:

[glazier]

I have one on my fiver it works well. I haul wood and bikes on it, most of the time together. Worth the money paid IMO.

[reubenray]

Will the spare tire and ladder still fit with the bike rack?

[RVhiker]

Yes, at least on mine. The ladder ends at the bumper, and the cargo rack is under the bumper. The spare tire is under the trailer, but farther forward.