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Old 01-04-2016, 03:07 PM   #1
kozzy
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bike storage

Ok so how does everyone catty bikes? I was advised by keystone not to attach a back rack to the rear bumper of the rig and carry my 4b
bikes for the family. My Grand design was able to do it. They said it up to 200 lbs. Now my kids awe small enough to put in the truck bed or in my storage. But mine and the wives are too big. What about attaching to the ladder? They say its a no no yet they make racks to do so..
 
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Old 01-04-2016, 03:34 PM   #2
BB_TX
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Here is a fairly recent discussion about it.
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Old 01-04-2016, 04:56 PM   #3
bigskyjimmy
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I can't imagine that if you could do it with a Grand Designs with the smaller 10in frame they use you could not do it with the bigger 12in frame on the Montana's but maybe Grand Designs mounts their hitch better anyway another option is what I have to carry my scooter in my pic with a Draw-Tite front hitch and carrier and my scooter weighs 220 lbs. and I also like it so I can keep a eye on it when driving down the road,I was always nervous about carrying ANYTHING behind me where I cannot see it
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Old 01-05-2016, 01:19 AM   #4
timandsusan
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Based on advice from MOCers, I put a receiver on the front of my truck. The Thule bike rack for our 2 bikes mounts quickly and easily. We traveled 5500 miles this summer with this set up. Worked great. At the campsite, the bikes were secured to the front landing legs with a steel cable and lock. It worked great when another camper complained of their bikes were stolen in Tulsa. I just try to make my rig look like it would be a lot harder to steal stuff then the RV next to me. Also the Thule has a steel cable lock to also slow down the crooks when we stop during the day.
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Old 01-05-2016, 01:37 AM   #5
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We've got over 40,000 miles carrying ours on a bike rack using the OEM receiver hitch. I wouldn't carry anything on the ladder and don't use it myself either.
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Old 01-05-2016, 01:47 AM   #6
1retired06
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I use the RV ladder for just about nothing. Even when I get on the roof, I prop my telescopic ladder against it and use it to climb up.
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Old 01-05-2016, 10:17 AM   #7
kozzy
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I don't have an OEM hitch receiver on the bumper though, I would have to put open on, like I did on my grand designs. It is made just for a bike rack though, not for towing at all..
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Old 01-05-2016, 11:20 AM   #8
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We have found it easy quick and easy to haul bikes on the king bed. We place moving quilts on bed first and quilts between the bikes. Actually faster than securing bikes to rear carrier. The only drawback is having to move them to living area on those quick overnight stops between destinations.
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Old 01-06-2016, 04:50 AM   #9
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I would not hang anything from the ladder, in fact on our previous Montana I cracked one step by not placing my foot in the middle so each side would help carry the load. I also make sure to never have both feet on one step at a time and hold as much weight by hand as possible on the tubes while climbing. Always use our telescoping ladder to wash the back cap. Behind the fiberglass rear cap it is just OSB board. We had a hitch bolted/welded to the frame.
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Old 01-06-2016, 01:16 PM   #10
Billorn
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We've carried (3) full size bikes on the front using a bolt on receiver bought on etrailer and haven't had a issue for the last (3) years.
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Old 01-22-2016, 06:48 PM   #11
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We carry three bikes soon to be four (just came to that realization) on our TT I fabed a rack that sat above the LP tanks, I have seen something similar mounted to the Pinbox, but have my concerns about this setup. My other two thoughts are the front of the tow rig, or a roof rack on the tow rig. To be honest not super excited about either of those (not as big bad Cummins mocho looking with pink bicycle streamers on top of it hahaha)

After 11 years of RVing I have decided that no matter how badly I want to join the club I just can't put one on the back of the trailer, it would be easy to custom fab a hitch but the flex in these frames and the number of incidents I have seen involving bikes, gennies, etc falling of the back is just to concerning. I also would not hang anything off the "ladder" I have found its best used for flag poles!

Good luck and if you run across anything let us know, I have seen this subject come up MANY times across MANY forums.
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Old 01-23-2016, 03:58 AM   #12
pkbridges77
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Question: the comments about not carrying bikes on the ladder. Is this caution based on actual experience or just what we think might happen? Anyone had legitimate failures from this?
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Old 01-23-2016, 04:50 PM   #13
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I have not personally seen a ladder fail from this... That said I have managed to bust two steps using it as a ladder.

I AM A NOTOROUS WORRIER haha so I don't intend to do it, I have seen dozens upon dozens of rigs using the ladder carriers as well as the bike carriers I assume without problem!

This is what I am thinking I would really like to look into!


http://i1268.photobucket.com/albums/...ps2n0fm4cc.jpg
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Old 01-23-2016, 05:08 PM   #14
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I have been on too may forums where I read that some of the rough roads out there will turn that lightweight load of bikes into a heavy load if you are traveling at high speed and hit a significant rough road and the bouncing will cause some damage to the ladder - not necessarily rip the ladder out but it can bend or loosen the supports. I have enough fear to not ever want to use the ladder for anything. It is designed to support its weight from someone being slow and steady going up a ladder, not supporting a lot of weight so that kinetic weight from a hard bounce may cause damage. It is rare but enough for me NOT to want to put bikes on my ladder.

I have a crew cab and shoehorn the bikes in there. I do have a front receiver on my wishlist to carry my bikes in front and free up the rear seat. Fortunately, I also have plenty of margin to carry that weight there, too.

I have read that others have built a rack system (PVC or similar) and carry the bikes in any open floor after the rig slideouts are positioned. My rig would be able to support this but my concern is how to prevent shifting while enroute. I just don't have the desire to figure that out but maybe this gives you some ideas.
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Old 01-24-2016, 03:55 AM   #15
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I carry two full sized bikes in the bed of the dually, up against the rear window.
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Old 01-25-2016, 06:03 AM   #16
chris199
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We had Petes RV put a hitech on rear of Minty. We use a Stowaway bike rack. This was on that approved use on rear of trailer. We took our bikes to Quebec and back from PA...all fine.
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