Rear bicycle rack update wanted

[srclink]

We have a 2011 Montana 3455SA with the standard factory installed receiver hitch on the rear. We would really love to put our two 30-lb bikes on a regular bike rack that would attach to this hitch. However, several MOC posts on this topic seem to advise against using a bike rack on the receiver hitch. Since all of the previous posts are several years old, it's not clear if they pertain to the current hitch on my 2011 RV, especially if we're only going to put 60-lbs total plus the rack itself on the hitch. We're not interested in any of the other rack or hitch travel options, just looking for any updates from folks using the standard hitch for bikes (pro or con). Thanks everyone!

[dieselguy]

I removed mine and put a real hitch on that I could use. That flimsy piece of square tube advertised as a hitch is P.I.T.I.F.U.L. Once you slide the hitch in the tube to secure some fashion of a bicycle rack to, there is so much wiggle that anything on it jumps around like a June bug on a hot griddle. Perhaps if you welded the bike rack to the receiver tube ... I still believe it would be marginal at best. The rear of the fiver is the most violent as far as movement going down the road. Sorry for the rant ... I just have a definite opinion of the receiver tube supplied by Keystone.

[bncinwv]

We use our "flimsy piece of square tube advertised as a hitch (Sorry Dieselguy, couldn't resist)" to carry two bikes on a four bike rack whenever we are travelling. Now, for the rest of the story, I use two ratchet-type nylon straps at the bottom of our bike rack with a couple of marine felt line(rope)-guards to keep the bike rack secure. The straps are attached to the frame on either side of the rig and then ratcheted fairly tight. Since we have adopted this procedure the movement of the bike rack is minimal. I can watch the bikes at all times though the rear-view backup camera that we have installed. The felt line-guards are used to keep the nylon straps from rubbing against the bottom of the rear cap. Our bike rack is a regular two-inch type so I have an adapter connector to allow it's use with the smaller OEM hitch. Two two straps cost about $10 at Harbor Freight, the adapter was about the same, so the total new investment was more economical than replacing the OEM hitch receiver. It may not suit all, but it works for us. I would guess that the total weight (rack and bikes) that we are carrying back there is 80-100 pounds.
Bingo

[kab449]

There is a sticker on mine that says max load 200 lbs. If you are only putting on two bikes at 60 lbs and another 50 lbs for the carrier I wouldn't worry. I do it with no problems.

[dieselguy]

Bingo ... "didn't hurt" ...

[DQDick]

We have ours back there. Pounded shims in to tighten the fit and use bunge cords to keep the bikes from moving. Been a long way and the bikes are still back there.

[swanny]

we use ours for two cruiser bikes. As other have said I also help it out a little. I use a ratchet strap around the carrier over the bikes and to the ladder. This setup keeps the rack from bouncing and putting added stress on the hitch.

kevin

[kylec2]

We purchased a Swagman ( http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ls_o01_s00_i00 )bike rack two years ago and love it. It holds two bikes and keeps them firmly in place via straps on the rims and clamps across the middle bars. The unit bolts to the receiver hitch and includes a safety pin in-case the bolt was to work loose. My wife has followed the rig many times and other than a little twist and shake the bikes ride fine, The unit comes with a long line of positive reviews so I sleep well while I am driving (LOL).

For the record, our bikes are not $OH MY GOSH a piece so the loss of them would not be catastrophic, but a good carrier properly used (weight, number of bikes, etc.) will do the job well. The hitch itself on our Montana is mounted to the frame and is quite capable of handling any load for which it is designed.

NOTE: This unit bolts to the hitch so it does not move or bounce itself though it does flex a little going diwn the road.

[NCFischers]

We have the same rack as Kyle on the OEM hitch. The two bikes ride just fine.

[nowinter]

I almost lost both bikes on our first trip due to excessive flexing of the hitch. I tried various methods to support the bikes better and take the flexing out. Nothing really worked. Finally I had MOR/Ryde remove the factory hitch and install a more substantial, robust hitch. After our latest trip of 3500 miles, the hitch works fine with very little movement of the bikes.