Bikes in the camper..

[exjay1]

If you load/carry bikes inside your camper, how are you storing them so they dont go banging around and getting grease all over while traveling? I hate to do it but its really our only option to transport them to/from the CGs. I dont have the space it seems to lay the adult bikes down flat so they will have to stand up somehow or lean against something.

[29BHS ECO]

Buy a couple cheap blanket's, wrap them and your good to go. Larry

[OnTheGo]

Good morning exjay1, I have a couple of old blankets that stay in the back of the truck. I put them over and between 2 bicycles that travel between the table and sofa. The grease was a problem in the beginning. I cleaned it all off and now use a SMALL amount of light oil more often. ... 2 years of no problems with bicycle operation, banging up the TT (careful when loading), or traveling. The downside is they are "in the way" for one night stops. Good luck. And if you find a better way, please let me know.

[bed685]

I have three kids (2 teenage boys) and, usually, put the bikes on racks on the roof of my TV, but that is a real hassle. I have been looking at folding bikes for the boys, and that would make it a little easier for (to and from) transport. They sell bags for them, but I just don't like the price of the folding bikes.

[xkuzme1]

Have you thought about strengthening the back bumper a little bit then using one of these?

http://www.etrailer.com/RV-and-Motor...an/S64940.html
with
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping...-adapter/17221

You would need to get the bumper re-welded and strengthened. You could probably have that done at a welding shot for $100 ish.

You might check this out too. Just a different way to go. If you have a spare tire on the back bumper this might be easier. You'd still have to strengthen the welds though. They have them that fit 4 bikes, this is just the first one I found.

http://www.amazon.com/ACTION-RACK-AL...045009&sr=1-20

There was someone on here that posted some pictures of their beefed up bumper. You might search that our if you are looking to go that way.

X

[RoyBraddy]

The long stretch cords works good too... We sometimes hook the big chairs up to with stretch cords to keep them from moving around... The longest ones are 52-inches - can always hook two together to get longer... (WALMART)

[bigbird]

I looked at your floorplan exjay and notice your dinette spans the width of your trailer. Our unit has a u shaped dinnette witch is long enough to fit our two bikes together but in opposite direction so the pedals are not together. We bought two fork mounts at a bike shop and mount them on 2x4's. I didn't even have to secure the board to the floor. Very stable and use a rubber bungee cord around the 2x2 crossmember that the seat board sits on. The mounts are quick release like the front wheel release on the bike. I works for us since don't need that area for storage of things.

[exjay1]

Thanks for the responses/suggestions. The bumper or tire bike mount options are out due the thin "C" channel type bumper and light weight frame on our unit. We would have the remove our round dinnette table to sit the bikes in a foward facing mannor to get them in which is fine but got me thinking about building a rack that slips inside the dinnette table mount. made of PVC or EMT with eye bolts on the sides?? would hold 4 bikes and all could be tied up with bungee cords together. not sure yet if it would actually work but just an idea..

[bigbird]

Do you think the weight of the bikes movement side to side when the trailers in motion might be too much for the pedestal mount. That would great if you don't have to remove the seat covers.

[owenssailor]

Have you considered a front receiver on the TV and a bike carrier out front?

[exjay1]

Thought about the front receiver but also hear about negative effects on the cooling system (expecially with that many bikes). came across this also as a possible outside solution

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92ktLPqStvU

and is transferable to any future TT but $$

[exjay1]

On our recent trip to Disney we put 4 bikes ontop of cardboard and secured all together with two straps with a few wraps around the table pole to kind of hold things in place. slipped some addl cardboard on the cabinet and couch sides then covered with two moving blankets for addl protection from scratches etc while in transit. after the 500 mi trip each way the bikes didnt move at all and hod no real issues.

[outofhere]

Hi Ajax1 we also carry our bikes in the camper a lot cheaper ten welding a bumper l as quoted by two different weld shoppers about $450 pulse the cost of the hitch so do now we just put blankets around the bikes?

[Tyree3rd]

Good morning everyone. I just broke down and and got the Arvika "series 7000 in black from Dolney RV of Kawkawlin, MI. I spoke with Pat the parts manager at
(989) 686-6291. It is a bit pricey. It mounts to the tongue over the LP tanks, holds 4 bike( 3 adult and 1 child). He was a great help and it was delivered in 5 days. Any questions feel free to contact me.
Ty
Islip, NY

[Doug]

[QUOTE=exjay1;141553]On our recent trip to Disney we put 4 bikes ontop of cardboard and secured all together with two straps with a few wraps around the table pole to kind of hold things in place. slipped some addl cardboard on the cabinet and couch sides then covered with two moving blankets for addl protection from scratches etc while in transit. after the 500 mi trip each way the bikes didnt move at all and hod no real issues.

I like that system exjay.

Thanks for sharing,
Doug

[dewey02]

Originally Posted by Tyree3rd

Good morning everyone. I just broke down and and got the Arvika "series 7000 in black from Dolney RV of Kawkawlin, MI. I spoke with Pat the parts manager at
(989) 686-6291. It is a bit pricey. It mounts to the tongue over the LP tanks, holds 4 bike( 3 adult and 1 child). He was a great help and it was delivered in 5 days. Any questions feel free to contact me.
Ty
Islip, NY

Would you be willing to say how much you paid? And what was the shipping cost? Thanks.

[33 RLDS]

We do the bikes on a front rack but its not ideal for me. It does effect your view of the road. Still trying to find another way.[ATTACH][/ATTACH]

[xkuzme1]

Pics or it didn't happen! :-)

[Chuckwagon.]

Exjay I have the same TT as you and the same problem and no answer for this yet as I have been looking around for awhile now. Just came back from our central coast trip here in Ca. and our bikes were laid on the floor in the TT wrapped up. If I do come up with something positive & in-expensive I'll be in touch. Happy Rving !

[Macrosill]

I put up to 6 bikes inside the trailer. I put them inside in such a way as they can not shift. I cover strategic areas with towels and blankets so nothing rubs on the cabinets or other surfaces.