DE88ROX
West Michigan. The other West Coast
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Was all set to buy a bumper mounted bike rack for the new TT, but after reading all the reasons as to why you shouldn't im at a loss for options.
Someone on here posted pics of a tongue mounted bike rack but after searching for one on-line, I am unable to find one and Im not even sure that would work, do to the placement of my battery as well as the chain brackets.
Aside form spending even more money and paying a fab shop to weld a receiver on the tt, I guess im going to have to load them in the back of the pick-up which really bums me out. One of the reasons I was so happy about finally getting a TT was all the bike racks I see mounted on bumpers and the ease of which you can load/unload them. After 17 years of climbing on top of the old PUP to mount bikes in the roof rack I was really looking forward to this feature.
If anyone has ideas as to where I may find a tongue mounted rack I would greatly appreciate it!
TV- 2010 GMC Sierra Z71 EXT. cab
TT- 2012 Starcraft Autumn Ridge235fb
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Dick_B
Palos Heights, IL USA
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How many bikes? Have you considered Dahon foldup bikes that can be stored almost anywhere; like a suitcase?
We carry our two adult bikes on a rack in front of our Suburban.
Dick_B
2003 SunnyBrook 27FKS
2011 3/4 T Chevrolet Suburban
Equal-i-zer Hitch
One wife, two bikes (both Electric Schwinn's with motor assist)
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Camper JamesB
Wichita
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What about having someone fab up a stronger bumper? A thicker wall square tube and maybe a little beefier brackets? Then you could still use the bumper for the stinky slinky and you could still mount your bike rack. If i didn't have so many fab buddies, I would check craigslist for someone offering fab services. On my local CL, there are a lot of guys offering mobile fab work. Just an idea.
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DE88ROX
West Michigan. The other West Coast
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Dick_B wrote:How many bikes? Have you considered Dahon foldup bikes that can be stored almost anywhere; like a suitcase?
We carry our two adult bikes on a rack in front of our Suburban.
Two mountain bikes. I love my trail riding. don't think those fold ups would hold up very well lol
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DE88ROX
West Michigan. The other West Coast
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Camper JamesB wrote:What about having someone fab up a stronger bumper? A thicker wall square tube and maybe a little beefier brackets? Then you could still use the bumper for the stinky slinky and you could still mount your bike rack. If i didn't have so many fab buddies, I would check craigslist for someone offering fab services. On my local CL, there are a lot of guys offering mobile fab work. Just an idea.
Thats an option, never thought of craigslist!! Great Idea!! Maybe just reinforce the bumper. I found 2 welders in my area on CL.
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Thomas/NH
Exeter, NH
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Go for the bumper rack...
Most all bumper are rated for at least 200lbs, each bike weighs less than 30lbs and the rack is 25lbs or so. The spare and mount is another 50 to 60lbs, so you're in the range of the bumper capacity. However, consider where your are putting the weight, is it directly on the bumper or out on the end of a lever and compounding the leverage?
Here's what I did and have successfully towed them 20K miles: I moved the tire closer to the support strut, bought the Swagman bolt on reviver (with the jam bolt) & the flat mounted 2 place bike rack (with the threaded latch bolt)then attached pad eyes on back wall of the trailer, then use cargo straps to secure them. With the bikes securely cinched in place with a 3 point hitch they aren't going anywhere.
What's that old saying "Give me a leaver and I'll move the world"? Take away the movement and they ride there forever.
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garysol
Avon Ohio
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What are you using for a tow vehicle? Another option maybe a roof or bed cover mount or even a rack on the front of the TV.......
2008 Dodge Ram 3500 6.7 CTD SRW, Pullrite Superglide 18k.
2012 Komfort 3530fbh 5th wheel with Ground Control
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josten367
Columbia, MO
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This is for a 5th wheel but I am sure that you can do this for a TT also.
http://www.rv.net/forum/Index.cfm/fuseac........d/tid/25809663/srt/pa/pging/1/page/1.cfm
2012 Palomino Puma Bunkhouse 5th Wheel 295KBH
2003 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Crew Cab 4x4 Gas with Flowmasters
B&W Companion 5th Wheel
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DE88ROX
West Michigan. The other West Coast
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Thomas/NH wrote:Go for the bumper rack...
Most all bumper are rated for at least 200lbs, each bike weighs less than 30lbs and the rack is 25lbs or so. The spare and mount is another 50 to 60lbs, so you're in the range of the bumper capacity. However, consider where your are putting the weight, is it directly on the bumper or out on the end of a lever and compounding the leverage?
Here's what I did and have successfully towed them 20K miles: I moved the tire closer to the support strut, bought the Swagman bolt on reviver (with the jam bolt) & the flat mounted 2 place bike rack (with the threaded latch bolt)then attached pad eyes on back wall of the trailer, then use cargo straps to secure them. With the bikes securely cinched in place with a 3 point hitch they aren't going anywhere.
That's what I was thinking about doing. Good friend and camping com padre' (we both bought new TT's at this years show) moved his spare to the tongue to reduce weight on the bumper and mounted his Swagman. I have not seen this set-up yet.
How does one go about finding a stud in the trailer to mount eye bolts?
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modern family
tampa
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I too had this dilema.. Google Arvika bike racks, I think the site is Arvika.ca/
This is an expensive option, but it may be what you are looking. I just drove around an area of industrial parks and found a local welder. That was a lot cheaper to weld on a reciever and reinforce the bumper to the frame.
2013 Keystone, Laredo.. 291, Outdoor kitchen (my camping man cave)
2011 F-350, King Ranch, 6.2L. Crew Cab, 4x4, 8' bed, SRW, 11,000 GVWR
2008 Ford Expedition, King Ranch
Heavy Duty Tow Package, 3.73 gears
Sold.. 2005 Star craft, Travel Star 18SB
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