RaymondTB
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Joined: 04/09/2012
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I have a 2008 Georgie Boy Class C with a 2" hitch receiver. We want to buy a hitch mount to carry 3 - 4 mountain bikes on our extended trips. I like the Yakima racks, but have been told that Yakima does not recommend their racks for RV applications due to the increased torque placed on the hitch by the loaded rack and RV suspension. Does anyone have a hitch-mounted rack that works well? I'd be very interested in hearing suggestions.
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docj
Fulltime--Home is where we park it
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Joined: 07/13/2010
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I don't believe this is an issue of whether or not the rack is strong enough but, rather, whether the hitch receiver is. I have a feeling that Yakima is most concerned about hitch receivers mounted on TT's not being up to the job.
A lot of people don't understand that hanging a load on a hitch receiver is a significant stress even if the load is small compared to the total hitch capacity. If your RV has a hitch rating of 5,000 pounds it probably assumes that no more than 10% (~500 lbs) is tongue weight. That 500 lbs is not jerked up and down the same way 200 lbs of bikes and racks can be when they are hitched mounted on a trailer with a leaf spring suspension. That is probably what Yakima is concerned about.
Sandie & Joel
2000 40' Beaver Patriot Thunder Princeton--425 HP/1550 ft-lbs CAT C-12
2009 Chevy Malibu LTZ with ReadyBrute tow bar/braking system
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Coach-man
Florida
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Joined: 08/02/2008
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Yes I have a hitch mounted Bike carrier. I purchased it at Camping World about 6 years ago, I am on the third set of cycles with the same hitch! No problems. It is a two bicycle hitch not a 4 cycle hitch!
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Mocoondo
Chicago, IL
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Joined: 02/23/2010
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I have a Reese 4-bike carrier. I use it just about everywhere we go. No issues. No problems. The only slight 'inconvenience' is that we lose our backup radar when the bike rack is in place.
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bowtiebill
Fillmore, CA
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Joined: 04/14/2005
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Check out the Softride Bike racks. Been using ours for years. Love the ease of loading, and the access ability.
Good luck,
Bill
Bill, Sherry, & Riley
2005 Gulfstream Super C
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Dakzuki
Carnation, Wa, USA
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Joined: 11/01/2002
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From what I understand, Yakima's beef is with trailers, and not RVs in general. Trailers do often thrash around a lot vertically at the rear which I think is the root of their concern.
2011 Itasca Navion 24J
95 Chinook Premier
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MNtundraRet
Bloomington, MN
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Joined: 12/06/2007
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Camping World sells a model made by Swagman which carries 3 bikes. They may also have a 4 bike model. Much easier to use than Yakima and much more expensive models. We have had our's since 2006 and I highly recomend it.
Mark & Jan "Old age & treachery win over youth & enthusiasm"
2003 Fleetwood Jamboree 29
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IAMICHABOD
Sunny So Cal
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Joined: 12/12/2011
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I have this one trailhead swagmanfrom camping world it holds 4 bikes or I use it to haul my Catrike and bicycles It works very well on the back of my class C Tioga 26Q and it comes all put togather when you get it and it tips down for easier loading.
2006 TIOGA 26Q CHEVY 6.0 VORTEC
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Buying A Rental Class C
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EricGT
PA
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Joined: 08/29/2011
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I have an Allen 4 bike carrier I paid under $100 for. I have had Thule and Yakima roof mount carriers and personally would not pay that kind of money again.
The Allen works just as well and was half the price as the big names.
I have used it on various vehicles including the Rogue and have had no problems and have noticed no extra stress on the hitch or suspension.
2002 'The Rogue' by Mckenzie div of Monaco Coach
24' E450 chassis, V10, Class C, Single slide
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mgirardo
Brunswick, GA
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Joined: 05/04/2007
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We bought a Bell 4 Bike Carrier from Target last year for $100. We've used it plenty of times with 4 bikes on the Motorhome and our daily drivers. It uses 2 velco straps on adjustable mounting points per bike. On the Bell, the hitch pin is threaded so the carrier can be tightened down so it does not move around other than with the hitch.
The only problem we've had with it was when our son had a 16" bike. It was too small to mount on the carrier. He now has a 20" bike which fits fine.
-Michael
Michael Girardo :: michael@ecxc.com
2009 Jayco Greyhawk 31FS Class C Motorhome
2006 Rockwood Roo 233 Hybrid Travel Trailer
Four Green Feet
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