Thomas/NH
Exeter, NH
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Joined: 03/22/2009
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""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?""
On two of my trailers I used a chrome plate folding pad eye. The "Stud Finder" that I got at Home Cheapo also detects metal studs as well and it was easy to find them. However, on my new trailer I wanted something that would blend in with black trim. I found on eBay a truck body cargo hold down bar with removable attachments for less than $20 including shipping (package came with 2 4' bars and 4 snap in attachment eyes). With this bar I have 9 mounting holes and it easily aligned with several studs.
Here's a link to what I'm talking about , although I bought mine used, but in nearly new condition and power coated black.
http://www.4truck-accessories.com/Uni-Trax___tm__1000/528
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AYRTIME
Innerkip Ontario Canada
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Joined: 04/09/2004
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I replaced the rear bumper on our 5'er with a beefy 4x4 tube (stinky slinky storage) and added extra supports and "2" receivers.
Also had weld shop fab a bike rack that slides into the receivers. Solid as a rock with no rocking!
2 people can move the loaded bike rack from the receiver on the 5'er (in my case) to the truck receiver without taking the bikes off the rack. Has worked great for us. I have a second receiver rigged to the truck hitch as well, so again none of this rocking back and forth as we drive along.
Sorry no pics as RV still in storage.
Richard
2003 GMC 2500 HD D/A 4X4 EC SB
94 Chateau 5'er, 26ft
Life is a roller coaster. I was a first time rider - once!
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LTCLarry
Maggie Valley, NC
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Joined: 11/03/2011
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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.
What's that old saying "Give me a leaver and I'll move the world"? Take away the movement and they ride there forever.
I'm having the same issues as the OP...even thought about the rack that hangs on the ladder...gave that up as just another problem similar to the bumper, having seen pictures of twisted and mangled bumpers.....Your solution seems to work can you post some pics of the bikes mounted so we can visualize it better
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DE88ROX
West Michigan. The other West Coast
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Joined: 03/08/2012
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garysol wrote: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.......
TV is a 2010 GMC Sierra. For aesthetic reasons, I don't really want a receiver mounted on the front.
The sad thing is, my neighbor is a boiler maker. So he does know how to lay a mean bead. But he doesn't really have any fab equipment at his house to speak of. I'll have to talk with him and see what he can do. I'm sure he will do it for a case of cold ones.
TV- 2010 GMC Sierra Z71 EXT. cab
TT- 2012 Starcraft Autumn Ridge235fb
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smokedummy
McLennan County Texas
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Joined: 06/08/2003
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Not a perfect solution, but absolutely free: Carry the bikes inside the TT.
travel pics etc
2012 Skyline Mountain View Retro 140, 16'.
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Lantley
Ellicott City, Maryland
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Joined: 08/23/2005
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I had a tongue mounted Arvika bike rack on my TT. worked great. I now have it on my 5'er. The tongue mounted racks are far superior to bumper mounts. Bikes are always in view. There is no bouncing.
Tongue mounted bike rack
07'Duramax dually,12'Open Range 399BHS
Hawkshead TPMS,Hensley BD3,Killerbee exhaust brake
Blue Ox Bedsaver,air bags w/compressor
Arvika pin box bike rack,Bak Flip tonneau cover
5500 Onan LP,EMS-HW-50
14'Porta Bote w/8.0 Nissan
Vu Cube 2000,Splendide 2000S
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RedRocket204
Colorado Front Range - Got Elk?
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Joined: 05/22/2010
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smokedummy wrote:Not a perfect solution, but absolutely free: Carry the bikes inside the TT.
Exactly.
Here is a pic from the link below where this guy came up with a nice solution using the inside of his TT.
from the thread Bike carrying solution....finally!
I love me some land yachting
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wjpitura
Lake Country, British Columbia, Canada
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Joined: 11/21/2005
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We have a bumper mounted bike rack for two mountain bikes, had it for 5 years and never had a problem.
We have a Komfort travel trailer with a STEEL bumper and purchased our bike rack at Camping World for approx $150. The rack has adjustable tire holding sections at each end, so bike tires fit into the sections to hold firm.
Installed myself and in doing so, just added a metal plate at the base of the supplied u-clamp, connecting the two ends of the clamp with the plate and fastening with the supplied washer and bolt.
Solid as a rock, never moved, no issues whatsoever.
Anyway, good luck.
-- JP
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wolfsontheprowl
SE WI - USA
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Joined: 10/22/2005
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I have a similar set-up that RedRocket204 shows except I put it in the bed of my Sierra 2500. I place the rack in pockets of the bed so it does not shift around. Obviously, removing the front wheel requires a little effort but after awhile you get use to it...it goes quick. Now I have a Lorado soft tonneau cover so I can roll it back when I put bikes in. It's also 8' bed so I have plenty of room to put cooler, gas grill, other camping supplies around bikes. It works slick for me....
Butch and Deb
2008 GMC 2500HD SIERRA 4x4 6.0L 4.10
2013 Sprinter 252FWRLS 5th wheel
16K Husky hitch, Prodigy brake controller
Custom CB pin box stabilizer
WI Rallys attended - 15 and counting   
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DE88ROX
West Michigan. The other West Coast
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Joined: 03/08/2012
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A lot of good ideas folks. Thanks!! Lots to ponder. 
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