Pin box bike rack

[kingdaddy]

OK, I've searched and found some different designs with pictures out there (none on MOC forum though) but wondered if anyone here had done this too?
I've got two bikes on the back of the Monty on my receiver hitch I had built, but would like to put two more somewhere else besides inside the trailer.
I like the pin box idea, but I am wondering if there are any concerns doing this with a MorRyde pin box? I think I will be OK with the width of the bikes, design of my rack and the Superglide moving the trailer back on a turn.
Obviously need to make some careful measurements before proceeding! One concern is that this location will mess with the aerodynamics of the front of the trailer...the cap is nice and smooth and the two bikes in front would affect that and probably create more wind noise as well.

[Rondo]

Mike-- What about a hitch on the front of the TV? There have been several that have done this and have had no problems. Just a thought and there have been threads about the front of the TV hitch!

[cdaniels]

We have the front hitch and we carry a scooter. Also we take the front wheel off one of our bikes (it easily detaches) and lay across the back of the truck. We do have the long bed truck. Works ok for us so far.

[Ozz]

Mike, I took pictures of this one down at South Padre:
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...1/100_0911.jpg
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...1/100_0912.jpg
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...1/100_0915.jpg

[BrokenElbow]

I bought this "front end" bike rack for my tt and was extremely happy with it. I will probably get the 5er version for the new Monty. http://www.toppoprails.com/fifthwheel.htm

[indy roadrunner]

Mike here are some pictures of a hand made rack by RVFirefighter who has passed on. But this is mounted on standard pin box.


[IMG]http://i1107.photobucket.com/albums/h381/indyroadrunner/DSCN1174.jpg[/IMG

[The Sunflowers]

OK, I know I'm new to this (just picked up my Monty yesterday morning) but I went out and looked at the rig to see how I could carry bikes (it is still parked in front of the house - have to move it before the neighbors complain).

I'm not sure what all the fuss is. I've got a HUGE amount of space between the cab and the hitch. Why not just lay the bikes down there. Or stand them up, sideways in the bed, strapped down and against the back of the cab? Sure, I might have to move them before jack-knife type maneuvers, but that is no worse than what short-bed people face with their slider hitches.

Or maybe you are talking of how to carry bikes with a short-bed? With a long-bed it seems like a no-brainer. Or am I missing some important info? I'm going to try putting some bikes in this afternoon to see if I'm overlooking something here.

[BB_TX]

I also have a long bed. And I have a roll type tonneau cover. I remove the front wheels and lay two 26" bikes in front of the hitch and lay another behind the hitch and can still roll the cover back if I want. But it would be easier to have a rack either on the pin box or on the rear of the trailer.
I have seen some commercially available pin box mounted racks mentioned before, but forgot what the names were.

[jrhaman]

I installed a bike receiver on my 3400RL and on my new Alpine. I have no problems making the sharpest of turns with a long bed
Dodge and 2 bikes. I would post pics but I cannot figure out how. Basically I had a receiver tube welded on an angle to a piece of steel and bolted it to the pin box with 1/2 inch bolts. On the Monty I had the tube welded to a piece of steel and the whole thing welded to the pin box.

[mtheo]

Why not just have a bike rack built for four bikes. I had one for my tent trailer years ago and had no problem with four bikes, except when I wanted the first bike one put on the rack.

[Mudchief]

I would think have a rack mounted on the front would cause your bikes to be covered with smashed bugs when traveling.

[kingdaddy]

Here's a couple of pics of the bed of my truck...you can see why bikes in the bed are not really an option!
Thanks for all the feedback...helps to think through the options and potential issues.
I have a Thule tray type bike rack with extension, but was never thrilled with the idea of four bikes on the back of the trailer.
There are some pretty cool designs I've found on some different forums etc. so I just need to figure out what will work for my rig.
I am considering bikes on the front of the truck too, but if possible would prefer the pin box idea I think.

[Ozz]

Mike, you keep a neat truck, I will not post any more pictures of my truck-bed, I am ashamed of my mess..
You will come up with something that serves your needs, research is the key.

[WaltandLynne]

When my teenagers were traveling with us in a tent camper towed with a Yukon SUV we put bikes on a rack on the top of the car. That's great when teenagers are available to get them up or down. Be sure you will be able to lift your bikes high enough to load and unload them on o pin mounted rack. I know my bad shoulder and back would make it difficult for me.

Good luck.

Walt

[kingdaddy]

quote:Originally posted by Ozz

Mike, you keep a neat truck, I will not post any more pictures of my truck-bed, I am ashamed of my mess..
You will come up with something that serves your needs, research is the key.

Thanks Ozz! I hide all my "stuff" out of sight in the storage box!
In your line of work, I'm sure you need to carry lots of things that I don't. I don't always leave the hitch in the bed either...love the Superrails and ability to easily remove the hitch!

Walt-ya, I've considered a roof top rack (used a Yakima for years) but ruled that out...too high, too much additional drag and wind noise. Putting them on the pin box should be no prob tho.

[kingdaddy]

OK, here's one design that has potential:
http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/...51110154GzilMe

and here's another:
http://travel.webshots.com/album/449024183uUuayM



I kinda like this one...I really want to keep the bikes as low as possible.
The only way for me to really know if this could work with my shortbed truck and the Superglide moving the trailer back as I turn is to hitch up and take one of the bikes and Thule hitch up into the bed and hold it in position, then crank a turn and see how much clearance I have with the Superglide slid back.
The bikes are about 5'6" wide so we'll see how it works!