Hauling Bikes

[JandC]

I have read on the forum that you are not suppose to fasten anything to the rear ladder. Also recall reading posts about welding modifications that would allow the installation of a hitch for the rear, therefore allowing the install of a bike carrier. Anyone try something else to haul a couple of bikes, like placing them on the bed or someplace else? It just looks like a major job after looking under the rear of my 3400 as far as having modifications made for installing a rear hitch.

[BB_TX]

I carried up to three full size bikes in the bed by removing the front wheels and laying two in front of the hitch and one behind in my long bed. Don't think you could do that is a short bed.
Got tired of taking off the front wheels and getting scratches on the bikes from stacking them. So I made a simple pin box bike rack receiver hitch.
Here is a link to a recent discussion on it.
pin box bike rack post

[washley1]

Or do what we did...bite the bullet and get folding bikes at CW. Put 'em in the basement!

[DQDick]

We carry two bikes on a carrier on the original hitch and a heavy multipostion ladder on the rigs ladder. So far so good.

[ols1932]

We have a Hollywood 3-bike carrier on the rear of the rig. Has worked very well all these years.

Orv

[K0LCB]

Orv, is your trailer hitch from the factory or after market?
Thanks

[MIMF]

We do exactly what Walt and Carol are doing. We bought folding bikes at Camping World 8 years ago and they fit perfectly in the front bulkhead compartment. I stand them side-by-side and use a nylon strap to hold them to the back wall.

[richfaa]

The 06 did not have a rear hitch OEM so we had Mor Ryde fabricate us a sturdy 2 inch hitch that we hauled around our two bikes. The 2013 has a OEM 1/14 inch hitch that is flimsy so we will have Mor Ryde tear that thing off and install a sturdy 2 inch hitch, We tried a ladder rack and if you secure it properly it is OK but it was in the way and made it very hard to use the ladder.

[Billorn]

I got tired of worring about the bikes on the back where I couldn't see them, so I mounted a hitch to the front of my TV. The good thing is, I can see my bikes, the bad thing is I look at my bikes for the entire trip and it extends the length of the TV. But all in all I'm happy with my decision to carry them up front.

[2Wanderers]

Plan A: We tried the ladder mount method just long enough to realize we did not want to lift these two heavy bikes up there to the ladder more than that once. It also looked as if it would be just a matter of time before the handle bars gouged the rear of the 5th wheel. Plan B: I removed the aluminum cosmetic cover from my square bumper, found a Curt 2 inch receiver which slips right over the bumper (tight as a glove), and mounted my Swagman bike carrier. Made one modification after viewing the torque issues my neighbor in Mission had. He went over a bump in Louisville, KY, with a flimsy bike rack with one bike and the torque broke some of his welds between his rear bumper and the frame. By the time he got to RGV the bike carrier was just barely hanging on. I installed two heavy gauge tapered angle irons from the frame to under the bumper for support. Works fine for bikes. One other item was to rotate the handlebars inline with the bike frame to keep them from extending into the trailer. No problems from Denver to RGV and back.

[Rainer]

Hell with it. My ladder says it's good for 250 pounds so I purchased a bike rack at Camping World that's meant for an RV ladder and hooked it over the ladder. We now have our two bikes hanging from this contraption and so far so good.

The only drawback is the the straps, bungee cords, and padding I have to use to make sure things don't rub the wrong way, and this routine takes about 20 minutes every time I do it. I've even shot a picture of my best configuration so that I can repeat it the next time, but I'll be damned if I can ever repeat my previous masterpiece.

[HOOK]

I haul two bikes on my ladder constantly, no problem. I have weighed as much as 245 and now 225, and climb it often no problem.

[bigred715]

We use a 2-bike carrier on our trailer. Our 2010 Montana came with the 1 1/4 receiver and has not failed us on 2 cross country trips over some bad roads. Never loosened up one time. The stock hitch is plenty heavy enough for our bikes.

[ols1932]

quote:Originally posted by LCBoyer

Orv, is your trailer hitch from the factory or after market?
Thanks

After market, installed by dealer.

Orv

[Golferdave]

Hey Guys:

We carried our bikes ( 2 ) off the ladder for 2 years. NOT a good idea as the ladder lossened. Said to heck with it and bought a roof top carrier for our F350. No problems at all for 5 years but expensive ( $750 )
and loading the bikes on top was a bit of a hastle. But we sure know the bikes were not going to move. You also have to remember you have them on top when you have unhitched. Just my solution.

Golferdave

[JandC]

Doesn't sound like there is a "perfect" option out there. We were kind of leaning toward the folding bikes but didn't want to spend a ton of money. Not that we have a bunch of room in the "basement" but we could toss them in there or in the back seat of TV. Went on Camping World site today and their $229 folding 6-speed is on sale for $149. Reviews on them didn't look too bad either. Probably cheapest and easiest way to go.

[sambam]

Along with camping, cycling is my biggest passion (well, fishin' too). I've spent a lot of money on bicycles in my life and, for me, a roof rack is the only way to go. Your bikes are easily monitored (especially if you have a sunroof), and much more difficult to get stolen. Yes, it's a bit of a hassle getting them up there, but after a few times, you develop a system that works for you. This is probably not for everybody, less expensive bikes tend to weigh a lot more, and if you're carrying more than 2 bikes, the ones in the middle of the roof are tough to get in place. But, I've found this to be the safest place to carry the bikes now that I have a fiver. I think the hitch receiver mounted on the pin box is a possible alternative, but haven't had to consider a change at this point.

[rafael33155]

i got a front hitch from curt installed on my 2012 3500 ram cost me 152 dollar i carry 2 bike in the front with no problem they make front hitch for every kind of truck

[mhs4771]

We originally thinking of a King Pin Box mounted Receiver hitch, then decided that it would be a real hassle for us trying to get them up there without scratching the h_ll out of the TV. But that was solved with our SOB as it came with an OEM 2" frame mounted receiver so we went the Swagman route with a cover for traveling. Works for us.

[Recumbent]

Just recently had our local machine shop install a new Curt 2" receiver hitch welded and bolted to the rear end of the frame. It is well attached, and when ask how much weight we could carry back there he recommended that we keep it below 500 pounds. Also had two outriggers 1.25"(inside diameter) receiver hitches welded to the Curt below where it attaches to the RV frame. If you are a bit handy there is no issues with exposing the rear end of the frame for welding and bolting. Did have to order a 14" extension to get the Hitch Rider double trike rack to the rear enough to clear the rear cap when the rack is loaded with the trikes. Also, when not carrying the trikes we plan to purchase a platform cargo carrier.