Skip N Barb Team
Dickinson, Texas
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Joined: 09/11/2007
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The DW wants to get a couple of aluminum frame mountain bikes. I have installed some stabilizers on our 5er so mounting a reciever hitch will be somewhat of a pain. Anyone out there in RV land had any experience with the ladder racks, and if so, please list pros and cons.
Thanks in advance.......Skip
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Cheddarhead
Northern Wisconsin
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Joined: 03/06/2006
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From what I've read and heard, they are not the answer. They bounce the bikes around and loosen the ladder from the camper. If you do a search you should find some horror stories related to this.
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kakampers
Fulltimer
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Joined: 04/02/2004
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We have been using an "over the ladder bike rack" for quite awhile now...we've had no problem at all. The one thing I would suggest...don't use the straps that come with it. We use several good rachet straps. One to secure the rack itself to the ladder. We then set both bikes on the rack and do use the velcro straps to attach the bikes to the rack. We then take another good rachet strap and secure the bikes themselves to the RV ladder.
We also use a good rubber bungee cord to "tilt" the wheels so the handle bars are kept away from back cap and secure the wheels to the RV ladder with that.
This system keeps the "bounce" to a minimum and we've had absolutely no problem with the ladder coming loose from the trailer. If it can handle my 250 pound husband...two aluminum bikes and an aluminum bike rack aren't going to cause any problems.
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Tim Cline
Everly, Iowa
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Joined: 07/06/2008
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I was told by our Keystone Dealer when I bought my 5th wheel 2 weeks ago that one of the biggest problems is with people attaching bike racks the the rear bumper. they said the vibration and rocking eventually cracks the welds holding the bumper to the frame.
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Dick_B
Palos Heights, IL USA
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Joined: 07/10/2002
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This weeks `bike rack' question.
Search this forum for `bike rack' then search the results for `ladder' and read on. Unfortunately, you will have to make your own decision.
I know that I could never lift our bicycles to attach them to our ladder.
Dick_B
2003 SunnyBrook 27FKS
2003 3/4 T Chevrolet Suburban
Equal-i-zer Hitch
One wife, two bikes (both Electric Schwinn's with motor assist)
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SoCalDesertRider
SanDiego, CA, USA
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Joined: 12/14/2003
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You can have the bumper to frame weld joints reinforced with gussets and then weld a reciever tube on top of the bumper to use a reciever-mounted bike carrier. I have gusseted RV bumpers before. The factory welds are usually not too good.
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Anson
Raleigh NC
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Joined: 10/19/2007
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yes we had a bike rack for out ladder but we turned it back in due to it not being able to hold the weight of the bikes, it was made for two bikes but it bent on us and almost lost the bikes on the road, we ended up just hauling the bikes inside the camper and just put blankets around them.
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wild acres
Brandemburg, Ky 40108
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Joined: 12/30/2004
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We have on that we got at CW. So far, it has done its job. I agree with kakampers, we use ratchet straps verus the stuff that come's with the rack. Also, where front wheel fork touches the ladder, I put a large auto sponge held in place with plastic ties to keep bike from rubbing against the ladder. Get'r as tight as possible. Hope this helps. John
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HappyKayakers
Sebastian FL for the winter season
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Joined: 11/28/2005
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Agree with other posters. No problem with ladder rack and 2 bikes (NOT ultra lights). Just make sure everything is secured tightly and watch for parts that might rub against the back of your rig. We have to wrap a towel around one handlebar end.
Joe, Suzanne (Kayak Queen), kayaks, bicycles and inline skates.
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Ohio Dave
Baltimore, Ohio, USA
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Joined: 06/30/2002
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We use a ladder rack and I have a couple of pieces of styrofoam pipe insulation I use to keep the bikes from getting scratched. I strap mine tight against the ladder.
Cookie & Dave
2000 Ford 250 PSD Shortbed w/Reese Slider
2001 Sunnybrook 27RFKS 5er
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