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Old 07-31-2012, 04:21 PM   #1
Blk_Adventurer
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Cargo carrier and/or bike rack

Hey guys, my new Big Sky has arrived. I would like to hear your opinion on the type of cargo carrier or bike rack you use on the rear hitch. Any guidance on the upcoming PDI would be appreciated,also.

Thanks
 
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Old 07-31-2012, 05:08 PM   #2
DQDick
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We use a cargo carrier that has a bike holder that bolts on to it. It's a Lund non folding carrier with the bolt on bike carrier attachment (http://www.amazon.com/Lund-601010-Hi...gy_auto_text_b) it has three places on one end where we put the front tires in and then bungee cord the bikes down. It lets us use it as a carrier, platform for our grill and bike rack when we want to haul the bikes. We love it, but then we're somewhat different.
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Old 08-01-2012, 05:27 AM   #3
troutchasers
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Adventurer,

We are going with a Saris for our 2 bikes on our new BigSky: [urlhttp://www.amazon.com/SARIS-RACK-4412-FREEDOM-UNIV/dp/B005Z17BDS/ref=sr_1_13?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1343834666&sr =1-13&keywords=saris+bike+racks][/url]

Dick,

Do you use a cover or tarp for keeping the road grime off the bikes? I've been looking for one and am not finding much.
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Old 08-01-2012, 05:36 AM   #4
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I purchased a bicycle carrier by Swagman (http://www.amazon.com/Swagman-Cross-...sim_sbs_auto_1) Our receiver on the hitch is probably the same as yours, 1 and 1/4". What I like best is the ease of putting the bikes on the carrier without having to lift them too far off the ground.

Jim
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Old 08-01-2012, 06:00 AM   #5
troutchasers
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Not to highjack the thread, but my thinking was to get a 2" two bike carrier so we would have the ability to move the bike carrier off the Monty's hitch and slide it into the TV's 2" receiver for day trips with the bikes. Am I to understand the Monty's receiver is 1.25" and thus my plan is undoable?
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Old 08-01-2012, 06:02 AM   #6
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X2 on the Swagman. We have the same one on ours. The nice thing about it also is that it has an adapter sleeve so that it will fit in a larger hitch receiver like on the back of my truck. The Swagman carrier is easy to use and very secure on the back of the trailer. From what my DW says after following me in her car there is no bounce at all with a bike on it.
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Old 08-01-2012, 06:41 AM   #7
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Dick,

Do you use a cover or tarp for keeping the road grime off the bikes? I've been looking for one and am not finding much.
[/quote]

I just use a cheap small plastic tarp from a hardware store. It's not perfect because I bungee cord one end of the bikes to the Monty's frame and the other end to the ladder, but it goes over the majority of the bikes and is better than nothing and can be used over the same carrier for a rain cover if I want to run my generators in the rain. Frankly, since we stay in one place for a while I sometimes don't cover the bikes when we move, but I do use the cover for the generators if I'm ever in a place where it rains. Not often this summer.
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Old 08-01-2012, 06:58 AM   #8
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Robert and Kerri, Yes the Montana reciever is 1.25", You can get an adapter to go from 1.25 male and then has the 2" female, that way you can do it the way you want.
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Old 08-01-2012, 07:13 AM   #9
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x2 on the Swagman 2 bike carrier. Went across US and had no problems with it. A good carrier.
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Old 08-01-2012, 07:23 AM   #10
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Swagman here. Got a good price at the fall rally.
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Old 08-01-2012, 08:07 AM   #11
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We have a Saris and an adapter for the 1 1\4 inch for the 2 inch. It is a lot easier to load than the ladder rack. Gone coast to coast without a problem. We found the rack at a Memphis bike shop that was used by an employee that wanted to sell it.
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Old 08-01-2012, 01:45 PM   #12
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We have a Swagman as well.
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Old 08-02-2012, 06:22 PM   #13
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swagman
http://www.hitchsource.com/swagman-x...Fc_IKgoddkUAqQ
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Old 08-03-2012, 02:11 AM   #14
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Mine is an Ozzman.. I made it from tailpipe stock.
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/q37MBXaA8SjOt4ai6v-8X9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink
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Old 08-03-2012, 03:16 AM   #15
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Where can one purchase the Ozzman?
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Old 08-03-2012, 03:49 AM   #16
Lee F.
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I see there is a Swagman XC and an XTC model. They look the same but the XTC is about $50 more expensive. Can someone tell me what the diference is and whether the XTC is worth the extra expense?
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Old 08-04-2012, 09:10 AM   #17
Blk_Adventurer
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Thanks everyone for your advice recommendations, i decided to order the Lund cargo carrier and the Swagman XC bike carrier, btw CW has the XC carrier on sale for $119 this weekend only ,you will need internet print out to get this price at the store.
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Old 08-04-2012, 02:47 PM   #18
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We have a Swagman on a modified hitch haul(2" receiver tube welded to it) so no adapter needed when using it on the back of our vehicles. We got rid of the factory hitch on the Montana and had a 2" receiver hitch made for it. We carry our bikes on the Swagman behind the hitch haul and either a generator and fuel can, or a blue port. dump tank and fuel can on the hitch haul. ROCK solid! Love the Swagman.
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Old 08-04-2012, 06:18 PM   #19
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Did some research into a easy to load and lockable 2 Bike rack for my Montana. The G2 by Swagman is a new model and it's a really nice rack. The wheel supports have straps that secure and lock down, easy adjustable hooks for holding the bikes with minimal movement. We bought our Rack from a Bike Rack Dealer and the new G2 Swagman was what they recemmended. Camping World sells the Swagman Racks aswell as the covers.

http://www.swagman.net/products/platform-racks/g2/
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Old 08-05-2012, 06:36 AM   #20
CBTraveler
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We have a Thule which is built like an army tank and is nearly as expensive, but it is really stable. So far we've only carried our bikes on the truck hitch, but later this year we will have a 2 inch rcvr added to the Monty.
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