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06-06-2011, 07:28 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 208
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Bike Rack...Need Some Opinions.
So, I want a way to carry the families bikes on our travels. Right now we have 2 16" kids bikes and 2 26 " mountain bikes. My thoughts were to have a receiver hitch welded to my tt frame and use a bike rack that plugs into it. Easy, right? Now, my concerns.....Since a tt has no suspension, I am concerned about excessive bouncing causing the bikes to work themselves free. Is this a valid concern? Any thoughts or advice on this would be greatly appreciated.
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Traded IN 19BH......;-( Miss It!
:cool: 2013 F150 STX Super Cab With Factory Tow Package, Inegrated Trailer Brake Control, 5.0 Liter with 3.55 Gears and Posi Traction :cool:
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06-07-2011, 10:36 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 276
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I did see a post by someone on the forum recently that welded a receiver to the frame of the TT. We had also read on here that Jayco did not recommend doing that. WE made a rack and carry bikes inside the camper. We are also in the process of adding a front receiver on the front of our vehicle and will carry two bikes there,
__________________
]2010 Jayco 23 B
2012 zinger
2013 elkridge
2012 f250 diesel
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06-07-2011, 06:06 PM
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#3
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Junior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 10
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bike rack-bumper
I had a bolt on hitch for a 2" receiver. Stopped for eats one day and the 4 X 4 bumper was peeled open, and the 2 bikes almost parallel to the street. Now I just shove the bikes in the TT and cushion with a tarp and blanket. I also am planning to look into fron mount hitch for the Tow Vehicle
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06-07-2011, 06:26 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Southeast, NY
Posts: 1,113
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I tried the bumper mounted bikes on my last TT and like just about everyone else not good results. We ended up putting the bikes in the camper. When we got the pickup truck, the bikes went in the truck. Now with the 5th wheel, they're in the camper again.
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Karl - Southeast, NY
2020 377 RLBH
2018 Ram 3500 Mega Limited 6.7L Cummins w/ Aisin
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06-07-2011, 07:15 PM
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#5
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Utah
Posts: 40
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Our dealer welded a 2" receiver to our TT, they added some reinforcement for it as well, they told us #500 max weight. I actually haven't tried putting the bikes on the rack and towing it yet, our thought was to use one of those 2' x 5' trays on it. With the tray we could tie bikes on, and whatever else isn't fun to put in the TT or truck (generator). Since the generator weighs about #100 it is tough to get it into either TV or TT.
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Jake, Alicia, 6 kids, 1 dog
F250 SD 7.3L
Jayco G2 32BDHS
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06-07-2011, 09:15 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Fresno
Posts: 205
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Quote:
Originally Posted by villain2000
So, I want a way to carry the families bikes on our travels. Right now we have 2 16" kids bikes and 2 26 " mountain bikes. My thoughts were to have a receiver hitch welded to my tt frame and use a bike rack that plugs into it. Easy, right? Now, my concerns.....Since a tt has no suspension, I am concerned about excessive bouncing causing the bikes to work themselves free. Is this a valid concern? Any thoughts or advice on this would be greatly appreciated.
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You can get a front mounted receiver from Curt Mfg for about $145 and then I would check craigslist for a used Thule or Yakima hitch mounted rack, there's plenty of them around for sale. Only drawback is the bikes become bug catchers
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Tom & Jill Williams
2015 Jayco Jay Flight 27RLS
2017 Ford F-250 4X4 Crew Cab 6.7L Diesel 3.55 E-Locker
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06-08-2011, 06:30 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Merrimack NH
Posts: 917
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If you weld or bolt any thing to the rear bumper you should " box it" and also tie what ever your connecting to it to the cross member just behind the bumper. Those bumpers are so week they barly hold up the plastic end pieces.I believe the mod that was posted about the reciever that was installed did just that, in fact it looked like the reciever was built long enough to do just that.
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Larry & Rachel Demers 2013 F150 Eco Boost Super Cab 6.5 bed 6 sp. 3.31 4x4 White Hawk 28DSBH
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06-08-2011, 09:39 PM
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#8
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Member
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 32
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Did they change the rear bumpers in the later models? I have a 2011 26BH and the rear bumper seems really solid. It's welded on and attached to the frame.
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06-09-2011, 07:06 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Saskatoon Sask Canada
Posts: 10,714
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AMC_Jeep
Did they change the rear bumpers in the later models? I have a 2011 26BH and the rear bumper seems really solid. It's welded on and attached to the frame.
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The metal in the bumper is still quite thin.. it will work for a while but you will see at some point that it will fatigue the bumper and the side the receiver is welded to will start to delaminate...
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Seann
2004 Chev Silverado Duramax optioned past the max. 2009 Jayco Eagle 308 RLS 900watts of solar, Lithium batteries (400amp hour), 2000 watt (4000 surge) whole house inverter.
145days boondockinig in2023 2022/151 2021[/COLOR]
93/2020,157/2019219/2018 206/2017,215/2016, 211/2015, 196/14, 247/13, 193/12
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06-09-2011, 07:18 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Merrimack NH
Posts: 917
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Mine is a 2010 19H and like I said it has a tough time holding the plastic end trim.
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Larry & Rachel Demers 2013 F150 Eco Boost Super Cab 6.5 bed 6 sp. 3.31 4x4 White Hawk 28DSBH
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06-09-2011, 07:33 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Calgary
Posts: 524
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I have gone through this with my old 5th wheel, lucky enough someone flagged me over as I almost lost my bikes. If you can put a front hitch on your vehicle. If, like someone mentioned, you are afraid about bugs, cover them with a sheet and you are good to go.
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2007 Jayco Eagle 325BHS
2010 Dodge 3500 Laramie
Kipor 2000 Generator
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06-09-2011, 12:07 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Mostly the US
Posts: 10,002
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Albertaguy
I have gone through this with my old 5th wheel, lucky enough someone flagged me over as I almost lost my bikes. .
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We put one of those bumper racks on our last tt (keep in mind, we didn't have a lot of advice to help us make an informed decision back then). We had to make sure the bike frame was bungeed close to the upright of the rack so the handle bar didn't hit the window. So, we were good to go.
By the time we sold the tt after traveling about 7k miles with the bikes on the rear bumper, the bumper was still not phased by the extra weight. However, one day while traveling we stopped and parked in the back area of a fast food place. When we were done, we did a walk-around of the van/tt. Didn't actually check to see if the bikes were still secure. Off we went down the interstate. Up comes a guy honking and pointing to the back of our tt. We stopped and one of the bikes was loose and the handlebar dragging on the road! Apparently, someone had removed the bungee's but the bike lock stopped them! We were realllly lucky that only the one handle grip was damaged.
Since then, although we didn't consider it at first, we ultimately realized that the bikes were actually too heavy for that tt bumper. Even more so, when we do our walk arounds after stopping, we reallllly check the integrity of what we banton down
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Denise, DH, grandkids, and two rescue pups
-2016 Jay Flight 29QBS Elite
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06-09-2011, 04:47 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 208
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Thanks for the replies. the only way I would feel comfortable doing this would be to weld a receiver hitch directly to the frame like I said in my first post. I was more concerned with excessive bounce than anything. I guess a good bungeeing (is that a word???) would remedy that. I like the front hitch idea, but, I'm not crazy about how that might look. If anyone has pics of their front hitch with nothing in it, I would sure like to see it. Unfortunately, I am a car nut as well as an rv nut. BTW - I would never attach anything to that rear bumper heaver than a toothpick.
__________________
Traded IN 19BH......;-( Miss It!
:cool: 2013 F150 STX Super Cab With Factory Tow Package, Inegrated Trailer Brake Control, 5.0 Liter with 3.55 Gears and Posi Traction :cool:
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07-21-2011, 03:02 PM
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#14
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Palm Coast, FL
Posts: 24
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Adding Bike Rack
I have a 2009 jay feather 226, I had a bike rack made out of 2" stock, it is bolted to the inner frame behind the black tank and also bolted to the underside of the bumper for added security...It works very well and carries weight very easy...Was measured and made by a Welding shop and cost around $200.00...
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09-21-2011, 02:01 PM
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#15
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Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 11
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I had the same type situation and just bought one of these off ebay (see picture in link below) and got the adapter kit for mounting it to the trailer bumper from my local trailer parts store. Now they hang on the back bumper next to the spare (that I moved over a couple feet) and travel very well - notice the clamps that hold the bikes on. Good Luck!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-Bicycle-Bi...item4842086b04
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09-21-2011, 03:00 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: South Central Ohio
Posts: 216
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Camping Guy1
I had the same type situation and just bought one of these off ebay (see picture in link below) and got the adapter kit for mounting it to the trailer bumper from my local trailer parts store. Now they hang on the back bumper next to the spare (that I moved over a couple feet) and travel very well - notice the clamps that hold the bikes on. Good Luck!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-Bicycle-Bi...item4842086b04
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But you are doing what everyone says the issue is. You are hanging this off the thin metal squared bumper.
I've got one of those adapters, but I'm scared to use it on this camper. I used it on my Mom & Dad's camper a couple of times w/ 4 bikes. It worked OK then, but like I said only a couple of times. I then put it on our old camper, but it never got used - heck we only used the camper one weekend. Then I joined RV forums and everyone said not to do it. So now I haven't decided to go with a front hitch or a hitch on the camper. Advantages/dis to both. Kind of leaning toward fabbing something up with my buddy that is the plant manager a large fabricating shop.
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09-21-2011, 05:50 PM
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#17
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 74
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What about Roof racks???
I have roof racks for my f150, for carrying two kayaks. I could put a couple of bike carriers on the racks as well. Not an inexpensive way to go, but will keep your bikes (and trailer) safe.
__________________
2011 Jayco Jay Flight 22FB
2010 Ford F150 XLT Supercab 4.6L 3V 3.55
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09-21-2011, 08:13 PM
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#18
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Michigan
Posts: 9,424
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jwstewar
snip.......Advantages/dis to both......snip
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..and this is one of the disadvantages.........,
Bob
__________________
2016 GM 2500HD 6.0L/4.10
2018 Jay Flight 24RBS
2002 GM 2500HD 6.0L/4:10 (retired)
2005 Jayco Eagle 278FBS (retired)
1999 Jayco Eagle 246FB (retired)
Reese HP Dual Cam (Strait-Line)
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09-22-2011, 06:14 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: South Central Ohio
Posts: 216
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rustic Eagle
..and this is one of the disadvantages.........,
Bob
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That is why I was saying fab a hitch up for the camper vs. just using one of the adapters on the bumper. It is such a shame that can't (or shouldn't) be done, because it is so quick and easy.
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09-22-2011, 09:52 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: San Jacinto, Calif
Posts: 459
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This looks like it would do the trick, slides on the hitch,
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping...ike-racks/8166
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