Jayco 260bh hitch for a bike rack

Rchambers

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Joined
Aug 7, 2024
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7
Location
McLeansville
I have a question for the Jayco owners. I want to put a rear bumper hitch on the camper so I can take my bikes. Has anyone use the hitch that just bolts to the 4 inch bumper? I will just be carrying 2 bicycles. Is that bumper heavy enough to mount a hitch and bike rack too?
 
I think I've heard others say limit those weights to 100lbs. The bumper is not heavy duty enough to keep from twisting. If you can find a hitch that attaches to the trailer frame and not the bumper, you can carry heavier weights.
 
I added safety strut braces to the bumper, it seems pretty beefy. Also if your bike rack is loose at all or bouncy it helps to add a hitch tightener.
 
Bumper is too wimpy - will hold 100#, spare tire is ~40#...
Wind and bouncing will add resistance to bike mount.
Figure a way to mount the bike hitch to the frame for more sturdy assembly.
It's a nice idea - hope you can get a super DIY build to work for you!
 
One of the 1st things I added to our rig (2019 24RL) was a hitch adaptor to our rear bumper for our two cruising bikes. Our bikes are about 55/60lbs each. Never had an issue. However with that said my attachment points to the 4" box tube is welded all around the frame which is double back to back 4" C-Channel. Even though the box tube is thin the connection is stout. However I did this before I was aware of some of the horror stories of bumpers just deciding to let go on the road! So when I added Our cargo carrier with our bikes & modified the spare tire holder so everything would fit. I (being a welder) fabricated a support "cradle" (for lack of a better term) out of 3" x 3" x 1/4" angle iron that ran 80% of the overall length of the bumper. Then fabricated mounting brackets that welded to the angle iron but bolted to the frame with 4 (2 on each side) 7/16" grade 8 bolts and nuts. Then used the 4" U-Bolts for my 2 hitch adaptors and spare tire to hold the angle iron to the box tube. My goal in doing all this was to be able to carry my duel fuel genny & LP tanks in the cargo basket close to the shore power port. Along with the bikes and the spare tire too on the bumper. However (luckily for me) I realize all the additional weight lightened up my tongue weight too much so I only carry the bikes & tire now. But now I have a set up that I know if it falls off the rest of the rig is going with it 😆
 

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remove the spare tire and store under the bed and the bumper will be fine.
 
I built my own rack for my electric bikes. I considered a similar arrangement as some of the manufacturers use with their metal fold up and down racks. They carry their loads from the ends of the main frames on both sides. I purchased three add on receivers and the back side bolt of the receiver catches the ends of the frames. The center just steadies the rack. I purchased square tubing and fastened them with thru bolts to the rack.

Some TTs use 6 inch frames and some uses four inch frames. With the 6 inch frame all I did was to cut a small slot up from the bottom of the frame, which hangs down below sewer hose tube, allowing the bolts to work with the bottom flat mounting plate. I have done this for two TTs now. I was able to somewhat lock them to the rack and cover them when they are not in use. The step thru bikes do require cross bars for the main hold downs to the rack.
 

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We have this for our bikes. I used to be able to load the bikes, but bad shoulders now I need the wife. Mounts with the same bolt pattern as the jack.

 
while on the topic of bumper loading, I had an associated event that may be topical to those with bumper mounted spare tires. The Jayco provided tire rack, mine is 2018 Hummingbird, takes quite a beating, especially on Indiana Rt 70. Metal fatigue and lighter materials require tire removal and careful inspection for cracking and metal tearing. Arriving at our evening stay I found the spare angled down 30 degrees, and felt fortunate it was still attached, had not been lost or caused damage to others. Substantial bumper and rack reinforcements to be made.
 
while on the topic of bumper loading, I had an associated event that may be topical to those with bumper mounted spare tires. The Jayco provided tire rack, mine is 2018 Hummingbird, takes quite a beating, especially on Indiana Rt 70. Metal fatigue and lighter materials require tire removal and careful inspection for cracking and metal tearing. Arriving at our evening stay I found the spare angled down 30 degrees, and felt fortunate it was still attached, had not been lost or caused damage to others. Substantial bumper and rack reinforcements to be made.
I have a question for the Jayco owners. I want to put a rear bumper hitch on the camper so I can take my bikes. Has anyone use the hitch that just bolts to the 4 inch bumper? I will just be carrying 2 bicycles. Is that bumper heavy enough to mount a hitch and bike rack too?
If it were me I'd look into a stromberg carlson bike bunk. We have one on our 212qbw. It mounts to your a-frame and uses any bike rack that fits a 2-inch receiver. Your bikes are in front of your trailer allowing you to see them in your rear view mirror.
 

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