Installing a hitch for bike carrier

[DiananColin]

Has anyone installed a hitch on their Montana so as to put a bike carrier in it. We would rather do that than hang the bikes on the ladder. If so was it a major job and rougly how much did it cost

[OntMont]

Hi Dianne and Colin,

I have seen a few Montanas with a bike rack hitch. By far the best (in my opinion anyway) was the one that RC and Samantha have. Try giving them a PM. At the last rally, the Lippert rep. stated that the max allowable weight is 150 lbs for the hitch and load. For ourselves, we have been putting our bikes in the storage locker, and this has been working for us, but it depends on how much space you can give up. We were surprised at how much else you can still get in there, even with two bikes. (you have to take the wheels off the bikes).

[CountryGuy]

Dianne and Colin

After much hmmming and hawing and such, we went with the front hidden hitch on the truck, just drove over 1700 miles with it,and after the initial adjustment, looking over the bikes, it was no big deal. Also have to adjust a bit for the added length in the front of the truck during turns, but with a little care, that also was no big deal. Al bought for about $119.00 American and installed himself in under an hour!

Unlike John and Donna, there is NO way we would get bikes in our basement. HA HA, I am not sure how they do that! Our basement is quite full!!

[DiananColin]

Thank you both for your help. There is absolutely NO way we could get bikes in our basement either, not a chance!!! However the idea of a Hidden hitch on the front of the truck seems a good idea.
We are in the US for the next 7 weeks so if this is what we decide to do we will buy and have it installed while we are here. Diana

[adelmoll]

We had our dealer do it when it first came in. Cost was $450.00 but they did a wonderful job.

Helen

[cargary]

We had one made by a blacksmith located in Grand Rapids Mich. They did a great job. It was made out of angle Iron that was welded up to a receiver. It is held by (4) 5/8" dia bolts bolted to the frame. It wasn't cheap either, but it is much easier to use then the ladder and we can now use the ladder for what it is intended for - to climb up to the roof.

Gary & Carole

[harleyrider]

Theirs a company in Canada that sells a bike hitch that bolts on to your king pin.I believe the price for every thing is 400 bucks.Here is the web site--www.toppoprails.com

[Illini Trekker]

They make an adjustable hitch that can be mounted with bolts to the back of your trailer. It will adjust to the width of the frame then using bolts to fasten to the frame. This may get in the way of the rear stabilizers jacks where you may need to move them.

Here is link to look at http://www.usa-trailer-hitches.com/motorhome_hitch.htm

You should look into the warranty warning with putting a hitch on the back of your trailer??

I like CountryGuys idea and have been looking at doing it this way. Al do you find hard to look over the bikes, can you move the bike down to help your line of site, and could there be an airflow problem with the bikes in front of the grill.

[CountryGuy]

Dennis and Debbie,

We did not notice any difference in gas mileage, or temp of the engine (it was almost 80 when we got here, course, at 90 or 100 there may be some difference, we just don't know).

We have to look over some of the handlebars, there is no adjustment on how high the bike rack holds the bikes. Bikes traveled well, they did "adjust" themselves a bit from the wind pressure, but nothing hit, rubbed or anything like that.

This is working for us at this time, for the amount of coin we spent, we are pretty happy with the results, and like I said, Al was able to put the hitch on himself in a short amount of time!

Carol