Bike rack/cargo tray?

[Brownie]

My trailer came with factory installed mounts for a rear slide-out under-mounted bike rack/cargo tray. It's pricey, and I won't be hauling bikes, but it seems like a good place to carry the gennie, tool box, blue boy, etc. Keeping in mind that my trailer has a rear kitchen, is this a good idea, or is the extra weight just going to make the back end go all squirrelly on me. I do have a good w/d hitch with friction-type sway control. Would appreciate hearing from anyone who has a rear kitchen trailer with one of these trays.

[stratos19]

Brownie,
I don't have a rear kitchen, but I do have the bike/cargo rack. I use it to haul 3 bikes. I like it and find it doesn't cause any handling issues. I think it is rated for 250lbs.

[Brownie]

Thanks, stratos! Anyone else have one?

[max2bob]

yes we have one and love it!! we haul our bikes on it and our patio rug and camping chairs. frees up the back of the truck for more firewood! it does hold around 250 lbs like stratos19 stated and is fairly sturdy. once I get my Honda trail 90 running that is going on the rack. let you know how that works but it only weighs around 200 lbs. it does lower the rear clearance of the trailer by a little but so far has not been a problem. its nice to be able to push it in when not needed also. congratulations on your new trailer, we had a very tough choice to make on either the 266rks or the 257rbs. we love our eagle.

[Whistler]

I looked into one and was quoted $600+. Does anyone have some pics of the bike rack construction? I would bet, I can build a better one for half of what the dealers are asking!

[IdahoDave]

The factory one's(slide out rack) are made by Lippert. They are available online store but are still expensive. They show a couple available. The read jacks are attached about where the slides are, so they may have to be moved or modified.http://store.lci1.com/bike-racks--receivers-c75.aspx

[Whistler]

Thank you Idaho! Very helpful!

[Brownie]

Thanks, everyone, for your input. IdahoDave, none of the ones on the Lippert page you reference look like the one I saw. Whistler, if you do a Google search for 2013 Jayco Eagle 266rks, you can find a couple of You Tube videos from Guaranty RV.com. The one with the guy in the red shirt shows a real good view of the bike rack about 1/2 way through. (That trailer also has my interior décor . . . if anybody cares.) It's a pretty hefty unit, and I really like that you can slide it under the trailer when not in use. If it doesn't seem to affect the handling, I may just have to save up some shekels, and spring for one in the fall before I start full-timing.

Thanks, again, for everyone's help.

[rdrector]

We use ours for carrying chairs, collapsible hammock, and a folding table. Frees up alot of space which would have been needed for these items.

[Camper_bob]

I'm curious; does Jayco beef up the rear bumper at all for these racks? Are they even attached to the bumper, or are they attached to the frame? We looked at a trailer with the rack option, but I can't remember how it was built. 250 lbs seems like a hefty request for the factory rear bumper...

[norty1]

It is attached to the frame.

[LesBevil]

We were thinking of adding one to our 32BHDS, but after doing some research it seems like we would have to beef up the rear bumper of the TT. Most have stated that adding a cargo tray would cause the bumper to bend or break the welds. Has anyone added a rear cargo tray to the 32BHDS? I wouldn't be carrying much weight, just the bbq grill, chairs, and patio rug mostly. Any help would be appreciated. We're starting to gear up for camping season in Texas and the grandkids are adding more and more toys to bring.

[Brownie]

LesBevil, as norty1 said, it's attached to the frame. The Eagles come with the frame mount already factory installed. But if you wanted to go with a bumper-mount, yes, you would have to beef up the welds. Jayco says the bumper is only capable of supporting 200 lbs., and from the look of the unit in the video, I'd say it's close to that all by itself . . . before you put anything on it.

[djalbrec]

I had one of these sliding racks on my pinnacle, and I believe that it was attached to the frame. I never did use it to haul anything, but I would think that you would not want to put anything out there that would be damaged by moisture.

[OurJayco]

I'm curious; does Jayco beef up the rear bumper at all for these racks? Are they even attached to the bumper, or are they attached to the frame? We looked at a trailer with the rack option, but I can't remember how it was built. 250 lbs seems like a hefty request for the factory rear bumper...

They are attached to the frame and pull out / push in under the bumper.
My 2013 Eagle did not come with cargo/bike rack and I have been kicking around the idea of buying one from Jayco.
I think I may end of buying one because I like that cargo/bike rack better than a bumper mounted bike rack.

[clubhouse]

On my 26BH I had a frame to frame welded received added by a local custom hitch shop. Cost $300, and worth every penny. I carried a 4-bike hanging style bike rack most of the time, but I also had a cargo carrier if we needed that opposed the bike occasionally.

The 29QBH I just purchased came with the factory Bike/Cargo tray being discussed. I am not sold on this accessory yet. I don't like that it...

1) effectively lowers the rear of the TT. It isn't actually any lower when extended, but it does increase the rear overhang, and this can be an issue on step driveways or backing up a hill (think driveway or camp site that is elevated from the lane)
2) it does have a single "up-post" that is intended to secure cargo, but it doesn't really have a good design to actually secure cargo/bikes. I see other have done it with a series of ratchet straps and bungies...but this in no way a secure as an aftermarket purpose built accessory.

We have a trip to Yosemite planned for the kids Spring Break. This will be a real test for the cargo carrier -- if it fails I may have one available and for sale cheap and I'll just head back to the hitch shop and have anther receiver built.

[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by clubhouse

1) effectively lowers that rear of the TT. It doesn't it any lower when extended, but it does increase the rear overhang, and this can be an issue on step driveways or backing up a hill (think driveway or camp site that is elevated from the lane)

This is probably my 2nd biggest worry putting something out off the back bumper. I have a LOT of overhang behind the axles, so I already have to watch that tail swing. I'm not sure if adding to it is the wisest thing to do...

[OurJayco]

clubhouse..

We have a trip to Yosemite planned for the kids Spring Break. This will be a real test for the cargo carrier -- if it fails I may have one available and for sale cheap and I'll just head back to the hitch shop and have anther receiver built.

If by some chance you decide to sell that cargo/bike rack, I would be interested. Please let me know and we can discuss price.....

[Brownie]

Originally Posted by clubhouse

I don't like that it...

1) effectively lowers the rear of the TT. It isn't actually any lower when extended, but it does increase the rear overhang, and this can be an issue on step driveways or backing up a hill (think driveway or camp site that is elevated from the lane)
2) it does have a single "up-post" that is intended to secure cargo, but it doesn't really have a good design to actually secure cargo/bikes. I see other have done it with a series of ratchet straps and bungies...but this in no way a secure as an aftermarket purpose built accessory..

Very good points, clubhouse & Camper_bob, Had thought about the weight, but not the length. Maybe I'll hold off on that until I've pulled it a few times and have a better feel for how it swings.
Thanks, everyone, for your input. Everyone on The Forum is sooooo helpful!

[norty1]

Rear clearance is not a problem with a fifth wheel. I am not sure I would favor it on a TT if it reduced rear ground clearance much.