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Old 04-06-2015, 08:26 AM   #1
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rear hitch for 5th wheel question

We hav a 2014 27.5RLTS. I bought a bumper mounted bike rack to carry one light weight bicycle. I have read that this is not a good idea. Our last TT had the spare tire mounted to the bumper in the same way, and this bicycle is certainly lighter than that spare.
Is anyone else carrying their bikes on the same arrangement?

The brackets for the 2" receiver are already installed on the unit and welded to the frame. If I should abandon the bumper mount, does anyone have the part number for the factory receiver that bolts to the existing brackets?
Thanks for any input
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Old 04-06-2015, 08:45 AM   #2
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The ones I have seen that separated were in the area where the square bumper is welded to the frame support. The bumper metal is not thick enough to hole the weld and it tears away. The physics of the spare mounted directly over the bumper must not be as stressful on the welds.

If you use the forum search function, looking for rear mounted hitches, you will find numerous threads on this.

The Jayco cargo carrier option is expensive to add after delivery I hear.

I saw a Jayco owner last month, who had removed the square bumper and replaced it with a thicker square stock that was re-welded and braced with extra bracing and he was using a bolt on hitch mounted bike rack. Was very happy with it.
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Old 05-07-2015, 07:05 PM   #3
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I carried 4 bikes on a bumper mount hitch for 4 years (2month trips). Wasn't all that comfortable. I would have no problem with 1 light bike. Norty1 correct on pricing 3 to 6 times the price after delivery. I have checked this on the bumper mount grill, the cargo carrier, the slide-out awnings and a couple of other things. Price difference was mind boggling.
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Old 05-07-2015, 07:10 PM   #4
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It's not about the weight of the bikes and being lighter than a spare. What does damage is the torque from the huge moment arm that holds them way up and out from the frame. Think of it like a very short wrench vs breaker bar type of scenario.

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Old 05-07-2015, 07:24 PM   #5
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These pictures show the underside of my 2014 Eagle 375BHFS, my dealer says they are for a hitch receiver. If Your unit is so equipped that may be the way to go. I was quoted $351 for hitch, $120 for freight, and $100 for install (four nuts and bolts, and washers) Don't remember the exact weight limit but think it was around 300lbs.
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Old 05-07-2015, 07:28 PM   #6
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Ever stood on the rear bumper? I do all the time. I think the bumper mounter bracket and a bike are just fine
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Old 05-07-2015, 07:35 PM   #7
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Ever stood on the rear bumper? I do all the time. I think the bumper mounter bracket and a bike are just fine
IIRC the owners manual says it isn't.
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Old 05-07-2015, 08:42 PM   #8
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I should have mentioned that the hitch the dealer is charging $351 +$120 plus $100 ($571) is available as an option on the Jayco 2015's for $179.

I have an email in to Jayco looking for the part number. I'll post it when I get it.
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Old 05-07-2015, 09:17 PM   #9
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Quote:
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IIRC the owners manual says it isn't.
Just my .02
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Old 05-08-2015, 07:04 AM   #10
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I had he factory slide out tray on my 2012 Eagle which broke off and disappeared taking all of my cargo with it. I am now having a 2" receiver fabricated and welded to the frame this coming Tuesday. I was quoted $380 for this. I will also need to get a bicycle carrier. Not cheap but hopefully more secure than the factory tray. When considering a bike carrier you need to make sure it is suitable for an RV. Some, Thule for example, do not recommend using their racks on an RV.
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Old 05-08-2015, 08:09 AM   #11
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Rather than a pre-built bolt-on hitch, I would suggest you follow what dzwiss is doing and get one frabricated. That's what we did on our first FW in 1993 and our second one in 2012. We have pulled boats weighing as much as 5,000 pounds, including boat trailer, with this type and have never had a problem. Our last one was done by a professional welder and cost us right at $500, including rigging the plug-in for the boat trailer. The welder obviously took great care to make it right as he used square tubing and reinforced the I-beams about six feet forward from the rear of the FW before building the hitch. I certainly would not use a bumper hitch, my son did that with his FW and dropped their bikes on the freeway on their way to see us.
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Old 05-20-2015, 05:56 PM   #12
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New Receiver and Bike Rack

The new receiver and bike rack setup is now complete. Here are some photos. The receiver ended up costing $430 and looks to be very sturdy. The fabricator told me that it would be capable of towing 3500 lbs but I have no plans to tow with it. It was done by Master Truck and Trailer of Wadsworth, IL. I have had work done by them before and they are good.

The bike rack I got is a Swagman Dispatch. $288 from eTrailer with free shipping. It is RV approved by the manufacturer and the only one I could find that was made from heavy duty 2" steel. Any other RV approved rack I saw was 1 1/4" and supplied with a rubber filler to fit a 2" hitch. This setup was not cheap, but I have the utmost confidence in it.

Some photos:
Attached Thumbnails
IMG_0230.jpg   IMG_0232.jpg   IMG_0233.jpg   IMG_0235.jpg   IMG_0237.jpg  

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Old 05-21-2015, 07:52 AM   #13
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Nice job. Looks like he did great, clean work. I think you will enjoy that much more than a bolt-on product.
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Old 05-21-2015, 08:55 AM   #14
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Nice job. Looks like he did great, clean work. I think you will enjoy that much more than a bolt-on product.
A quality weld can be stronger than a the original steel, however, there is nothing wrong with bolt on hitches. Realize most truck OEM hitches are bolt on from the factory, as are the vast majority of fifth wheel hitches. My fifth wheel hitch is bolts connecting the frame and rails, holding the hitch with four more removable bolts. And for a standard hitch, it's also being held by a little pin through the receiver.

The problem with welds as well is they are susceptible to cracks and are only as good as the welder.

Point is, I've had both on my trailer, and neither has been a problem. I tow a 18' boat behind my fifth wheel on a bolt on hitch and it hasn't move a single millimeter. Either way, it must be done to spec using quality material and it will be plenty strong enough.

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