Bike Racks

[RCMP03]

I like the idea of the toppoprails system, will it work with the crew cab short bed length?

[bsmeaton]

Harv - I'm assuming Markwick has the automatic slider hitch - mine is manual and I could never turn the way his is rigged. the wheels would hit the cab of the truck. Mine is "extremely" tight now that I have the shorter pin box.

Erik, did you have to remove your factory driving lights on your King Ranch?

[RCMP03]

Thanks all, looks like I will try out the toppoprail system (attaches to the fifth wheel hitch and is above the level of the cab). They are a bit expensive but works for me. I liked the attitude of the person I talked to, very helpful (I know...that and a buck twenty will buy me a coffee).

[Connorsmom]

Camping World had the fold up bikes on sale a few weeks ago. I bought one of those for $149.00. It folds quick and easy, and actually fits in my basement....considering I'm a fulltimer, thats sayin' something!!LOL It's very comfortable to ride, everything is adjustable, and it has 6 gear speeds that switch simply by pushing the button. Really impressed with this little puppy. Although I did have to buy a gel seat cover for my ever expanding backside...LOL

Jan

[ols1932]

I've quit attaching anything to my ladder. Too much risk.

Orv

[rnap50]

I started off using a ladder rack after the first trip with the monty we did not like the way they rode so I made a front rack with a piece of angle iron and a receiver hitch welded together and then used the bolts no the hitch to hold it to the trailer and use hitch bike rack with it. Works fine but next trailer we will have hitch put on the back we can still use the same rack with it.

[rnap50]

The ladder rack we had work fine on my other trailer we for along time but the way the ladder is on the monty I feel there is to much space between bracket to hold the ladder tight to monty.

[Ozzie]

I did find a front hitch mount that is a real neat system - it mounts over the front tow hooks...no drilling, and can be removed easily.

Check this out

[bncinwv]

For those interested in the Hidden Hitch. I got it for the 3500 Classic for around $120.00 at JC Whitney. No shipping charges at the time. Installed it in about a half hour. It leaves the tow hooks intact. IF you want to go this route, as I stated before, make sure you check your measurements (headlight clearance, visibility, etc.) I believe I am going to go with the hidden hitch for the back of the Montana and use the front of truck hidden hitch for one of those fancy racks to carry something on. Just haven't figured out what to carry there yet, and am curious about obstructing radiator flow, but I am sure we can find something to carry up front!!
Bingo

[paperheart]

Bruce I like the look of the ease of installation of the Bodiak. What does it do about the fog lites where it is hooked in? What are you using for the actual bike rack? Thanks Paper

[nghelwer]

OZZIE Thanks for the info on the Bodiak receiver.
Been looking for a front hitch for our 2005 Chevy 2500hd to put a goal post in to cary our canoe.
Contacted Hidden Hitch and was told that I would have to enlarge hole for bolts. Plus I would most likely need an extender to get the receiver past the bumper.
This looks a lot easier to install.

[Ozzie]

I thought it looked like a slick setup myself and it looks like they are the only one with that design.
I haven't seen anyone talking about it here yet, and I don't have one, but would consider it for a front mount. With a 5,000 lb rating I'm sure it would fill most needs.

And to paperheart...on their site they claim it does not interfere with the stock fog lights at all. It bolts right up on the tow hooks so you don't need to go under the truck to mount it up.

[6.7 CTD]

Look at OZ's link in his sig.........it shows one that attatches to the front of the fiver........I assume to the pin box, or in that area....and then curves up in front of the nose cap.

Fortunately , I don't have that problem.......my Mountaineer has a sliding rear bumper that has a bike holder built in.