RickW
Sacramento CA
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Joined: 09/19/2004
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I use a glideaway rack on the back hitch with an extension tube. I can move it out of the way of the TC door without removing the bike.
The bike(s) hang from 2 horizontal bars. A temporary cross bar would be needed for a non crossbar bike. This might not be suitable for heavy ebikes. I shortened the bars on mine from 4 bikes to 2.
I travel with a cover on the bike and also attach 2 camcleat straps between the rack bars and the TC rear jacks to reduce bounce. I use anti rattle clamps on each hitch connection.
Rick
04 GMC 1500 4X4X4
04 Sunlite SB
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theoldwizard1
SE MI
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Joined: 09/07/2010
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Simple solution, store the bike inside.
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mike/kellie
northern calif.
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Joined: 09/03/2008
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He's asking to transport 2 bicycles outside the camper, not storage. There are many types of carriers that utilize different anchor points. Let's help him out-
2015 Host Mammoth triple slide w/ TorkLift Fastguns
2015 Ram 5500 SLT cab & chassis with Douglass 9' utility body
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Hemi Joel
Minnesota
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Joined: 07/24/2014
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I did some measuring tonight. If the very bottom of my bicycles wheels were level with the top of the receiver hitch, the slide would just barely clear the top of the bicycle. So I could open the slide without even thinking about the bicycles. But with my 4-ft camper overhang plus my hitch being pretty low, I think that the bike rack would drag on the ground when leaving a steep approach onto a level road, like some gas stations and stuff are. So I'd have to arrange it so it was higher up. But then it would hit the slide. So maybe one that would permit the bikes to fold down for opening the slide.
Or else I could go with the front mount idea. I have an old receiver hitch that I am not using that it looks like I could probably adapt to the front of the truck.
I do have a concern that if I mounted the bikes on front and put covers on the bikes it would block airflow to the radiator and intercooler.
2018 Eagle Cap 1163 triple slide, 400W solar, MPPT, on a 93 Dodge D350 Cummins, DTT 89 torque converter, big turbo, 3 extra main leafs, Rancho 9000s rear, Monroe gas magnums front, upper overloads removed, home made stableloads, bags.
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Hemi Joel
Minnesota
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I could triangulate the mounting of the bike rack with ratchet straps going from the center of the rack out to the corners of the truck to keep it stable, either on the front or the back.
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mike/kellie
northern calif.
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Joined: 09/03/2008
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You can find assorted drops for hitch heights. I inverted a 6" drop I had to a 6" rise that fit our Jeep better
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rinkmom899
massachusetts
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Joined: 11/02/2015
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We have a host mammoth and use a kuat NV 2 with a ramp. We use a 48" Reese extension and carry 2 Verve 3 e bikes. (55lbs each) We are able to open our slide with the bikes on the rack. At times we also add a Malone kayak trailer by using an over under hitch. Just be sure to take bikes off the rack before you try to take camper off the truck.
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jimh406
Western MT
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Joined: 06/11/2006
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In my experience, a front hitch keeps the bike out of the way for the most part. I find a rear hitch to get as dirty or dirtier from the dirt/dust. I live on a gravel road, the back of our cars is alway noticeably more dirty than the front.
As far as hitch goes, I have a Capstone. You will have to add a front hitch to carry on the front. New brands are coming out all of the time. I would get something that has hoops big enough for a fat tire bike in case you go that way in the future.
'10 Ford F-450, 6.4, 4.30, 4x4, 14,500 GVWR, '06 Host Rainer 950 DS, Torklift Talon tiedowns, Glow Steps, and Fastguns. Bilstein 4600s, Firestone Bags, Toyo M655 Gs, Curt front hitch, Energy Suspension bump stops.
NRA Life Member, CCA Life Member
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jamesinkster
Ucluelet, BC
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Joined: 06/07/2011
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We didn't want our nice bikes on the front of the truck, and wanted to keep our hitch for a step/tray, so I mounted appropriately sized Kuat Dirtbag fork mounts onto the rear wall of the camper (reinforced with a large 1/4" thick stainless plate):
https://www.kuat.com/product/dirtbag/
It's a bit finnicky getting the right mount alignment (you have to stagger the mounts vertically or your handlebars will conflict), but otherwise a no-brainer.
We remove the front wheels and keep them in the camper.
Works great.
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covered wagon
USA
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Joined: 05/01/2004
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Look into what is called a 'Swing Away Bike Rack' Love mine because it swings out of the way nicely on the rear hitch. My bikes swing away from the back door and reach around the corner of the camper. Mine is a Yakima swing away with a Thule hanging bike rack. There are a few brands with varying dimensions so you want to scrutinize each one. Most importantly look at all the critical reviews about each one. Also any videos too.
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