Bicycle rack on rear bumber

[jlechmanik]

Just got a 28BHSE and we wanted to add a hitch adapter to the rear bumper to put our 2" hitch bicycle rack on. The 2 bike rack is robust (not light), probably 30 to 50 pounds then about 65 pounds of bicycle. Are the bumpers able to handle this weight? There is currently a spare mounted there but we will probably move it...

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[DanNJanice]

Originally Posted by jlechmanik

Just got a 28BHSE and we wanted to add a hitch adapter to the rear bumper to put our 2" hitch bicycle rack on. The 2 bike rack is robust (not light), probably 30 to 50 pounds then about 65 pounds of bicycle. Are the bumpers able to handle this weight? There is currently a spare mounted there but we will probably move it...

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There is a lot of controversy about this. Anything mounted on the back of a travel trailer can really get a beating. Also, the bumpers may/may not be all that strong.
Having said that, I purchased the Jayco 2" receiver hitch on mine. It is a massive piece of metal that bolts to the frame.
I have also seen some advertisements for some plates, which bolt to the frame at each end, and support the bumper.

Here is a thread that I was part of that discusses the hitch I purchased, part numbers, pictures, etc.
https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f...ion-49149.html

[Sundancer330]

Simple answer, Don't Do It. The bumper is not strong enough to handle a bike rack and not recommended by Jayco. You would have to have a hitch welded to the frame.

[blwright]

No. My F-I-L lost 2 bikes to damage on our last outing by having the bike rack on the bumper. He's out a back bumper and the 2 bikes.

[DocBrown]

You also need to check the small print on your bike carrier paperwork. Many are not recommended to be used on the back of RVs simply because of all the bouncing.

I do know that Swagman has models that are rated to be used on RVs. And Swagman carriers are generally a bit cheaper than some of the others but still well made and durable. We have one that's well over 10 years old.

[Jeepyj93]

Our dealer told us that it would void our warranty if we attached anything to the bumper.

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by jlechmanik

snip..... Are the bumpers able to handle this weight? There is currently a spare mounted there but we will probably move it......snip

These thin gauge bumpers are rated at 150lbs in the "static" mode...., IMO a bike rack on these OEM bumpers is an accident waiting to happen.

A receiver mounted to the TT frame is the only way to go.

Bob

[Sundancer330]

Originally Posted by Jeepyj93

Our dealer told us that it would void our warranty if we attached anything to the bumper.

This may be somewhat true, if you walk in the dealer dragging your bumper they won't fix it under warranty. But they can't cancel the warranty just for that, if your frig dies or A/C goes out that has nothing to do with your bumper.
Maybe that is how they get peoples attention not to do it.

[Rustysocket]

Originally Posted by jlechmanik

Just got a 28BHSE and we wanted to add a hitch adapter to the rear bumper to put our 2" hitch bicycle rack on. The 2 bike rack is robust (not light), probably 30 to 50 pounds then about 65 pounds of bicycle. Are the bumpers able to handle this weight? There is currently a spare mounted there but we will probably move it...

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I know that there are lots of them out there and lots of people do it. The problem comes with the tendency to push the limits in respect to weights and lets face it... they are going to use the bare minimum in steel quality to keep the weight down.

If it was something I were going to do as part of every trip rather than occasionally I'd look into getting a proper receiver tied into the frame of the trailer.

Also, after travelling behind a hitch mounted bike rack on the back of a long 5th, I could not believe the amount of bouncing that goes on when crossing the expansion joints on the freeway.

[olyelr]

Originally Posted by Jeepyj93

Our dealer told us that it would void our warranty if we attached anything to the bumper.

Warranty. Hahahahahahaha.

[Kahoneys]

I have personally seen bikes attached to bumpers on the road. Yes you read that right everything was on the road and not attached to an RV any longer. I cannot stress enough the amount of live load that a couple of bouncing bikes put on a bumper! Do not do it!

[WeRJuliian]

I checked with Jayco, and they told me that the rear bumper is only rated to carry 100 pounds.... and, of course, the spare vehicle carrier is already mounted there.

[Murff]

Oops!

[NOTAHEMI]

i would like to chime in here and advise you to get a tongue mounted bike rack if you have to have a rack at all. (https://www.racksforcars.com/15152/A...Inch-Receiver/)

A few years ago I was riding my motorcycle down a country road behind a travel trailer that HAD a bike rack attached to it. They hit a large dip in the road and the bike rack ended up sliding down the road in front of me. I had nowhere to go but the shoulder as there was a truck coming the other direction. I managed to avoid the bikes and get stopped but my bike ended up sliding down the soft shoulder and I dropped it. So damage ensued. The travel trailer guy just kept on going. He was completely oblivious to what had happened and I didn't catch the license plate number so my insurance paid for the repairs.

Story 2... My father-in-law races drag cars. They mount bike racks to a receiver welded to the back of the race car trailer. In the 10 years I have known my spouse her father has lost 2 bike racks and 4 bikes and had no idea they were gone each time. The lower part of the bar was still in the receiver each time and the the bike rack had sheared off at the bend.

Please for the safety of everyone on the road do not use rear mounted bike racks.

[KennyG]

x2 on a tongue mounted bike rack. This discussion has come up many times about mounting bikes on rear bumpers. Unless you have an actual hitch welded to the frame, don't take the chance of just mounting to the flimsy bumper. I have a tongue mounted rack which I made for 2 bikes. I also prefer the bikes to be where I can see them. Do a google search of trailer tongue bike mounts. There are a number of types with their specs and what would suit your needs. Just my .02¢

[Parcany]

I bought the mount-N-lock and put it on the rear bumper. I also bought the pieces that bolt to the frame and around the bumper. Works like a champ. Going down the road the wife driving behind me tells me that the bike and rack don't move at all.

[ShawnR]

I bent a bumper years ago with a bike rack. Installed a receiver tube to the RV frame after that and it worked fine. My next extra receiver install will go on the front of the towing vehicle, if i decide I need one.

[Moose]

I did the safety struts (4SQUAREâ„¢ SafetyStrutsâ„¢ Prevent RV Bumper Failure) a curt RV bumper hitch and a swagman 4 bike hitch that I put two bikes on...wanted the extra strength.

So far no issues.

I did follow the "preload" instructions. Easy install for all.

[Bookemdanno]

Originally Posted by Moose

I did the safety struts (4SQUAREâ„¢ SafetyStrutsâ„¢ Prevent RV Bumper Failure) a curt RV bumper hitch and a swagman 4 bike hitch that I put two bikes on...wanted the extra strength.

So far no issues.

I did follow the "preload" instructions. Easy install for all.

I did the same on our old TT. Only difference was that I had the 2 bike hitch. I put the DW and my bike on the hitch and the kiddos bikes in the truck bed. I would check the bumper FREQUENTLY for any stressing.

[ALJO]

The smoothest ride is on the A-Frame. The most bounce is on the back of an TT.
By proper installation on the back of a TT means no play (movement) of any assembled part or bicycle. And check your balance of the TW by offsetting weight distribution.