ladder mount bicycle rack

[Phil Eyler]

I'm still trying to decide how to haul my bicycles on my new 2014 3402.
I just saw an add for a ladder bike rack in Camping World. Anyone use this rack? Is it hard on the ladder? I'd really prefer to install a hitch on the back of fifth wheel but I get conflicting reports from Keystone and dealer and Montana about whether or not it will void the warranty on the frame. Dealer says it will. Keystone says it won't. Montana says it will. I need to make a decision soon. By the way, anyone know a business near Evansville, IN who would install a hitch if I go that route. Thanks for all your input. The people on this forum have really helped me. I really appreciate all the great advice I've gotten since I bought my first Montana in 2009.

[Carl n Susan]

Personally, I would not use a rack on the ladder to hold bicycles. I did it on the old trailer and had the bent ladder to show for it. But don't take just my opinion, read what others thought a couple of months ago when someone asked the question.
http://www.montanaowners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=57580

[JandC]

This thread was just discussed a few months ago, but without the search function working nothing will probably come up. Based on information from a member on the forum I tried a Bodiak hitch. It mounts on the front of my TV. It attaches to my tow hooks and I can take it on or off in minutes. I have a Reese 2-bike rack on the Bodiak receiver and carry both bikes up front. We completed a 7 week, 6,000 mile plus trip out west and it worked great for us.

[1retired06]

Most folks have indicated dissatisfaction with hanging anything off the ladder. I don't even use it to get on the roof, instead laying my telescopic ladder against it for roof access.

[bigred715]

My 2010 3000RK had several end pcs on the steps where it attaches to the long vertical supports break and had to replace about 4 of them. I weigh less than 150# so they should not have broken. Got some used ones from dealer and then found website where a can buy new plastic end pcs.

[WeBeFulltime]

On my previous truck, a Ram 2500, I had success with a Hidden Hitch receiver in the front of the truck.

[rafael33155]

try Curt hitch they have front hitch for all trucks i carry 2 bicycles in the front with no problem they are made specifically for your truck and you won't have any problem with view

[cdaniels]

We used a ladder rack x1 trip. It scratched the crap out of the bikes and we where not happy how they bounced around on it.

[dieselguy]

If you ever follow a fiver with bicycles mounted on a ladder rack, you'll se why most of us cut a wide swath away from that train wreck. No matter how well you think you have them lashed down, they move around like crazy. If Montana says you can't put bicycles on a hitch in the rear of your fiver, they'd better not put the fresh water tank back there either. 10 gallons of water in your fresh water tank equals about 85 pounds right at the rear of your fiver ... I dunno about you, but my bike doesn't weigh near that.

[BB_TX]

If you have followed many trailers down a typical highway and watched how many of them bounce the bikes rather violently you might think twice before putting them back there. I was going to install a front hitch on the truck but was not really thrilled with them sticking that far in front. Then I saw on an RV forum where someone built a pin box receiver and attached his bike rack there. So I did the same. With my long bed I can carry three full size bikes on the pin box. And they do not bounce.
Simple and cheap (if you can weld). $20 receiver and some scrap 2x2 angle and a can of black paint was all it cost me. I already had a 4 bike rack.

[h2ojocky]

Hopefully this link will show what BB_TX is talking about.
_http://www.montanaowners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=53909&SearchTerms=bike

[mazboy]

I have tried many bike carriers, one was the ladder type. my answer is don't!

Because my 3402 didn't have a rear hitch I just took the hitch off of my older Montana and went to a welder who welded two metal sides to hold the hitch. as for a hitch mounted bike racks, I'd recommend some of the more expensive ones. look at etrailer.

[sambam]

If you have a longbed, your bikes will fit in the front of the bed sideways. That's if you don't have a toolbox, spare fuel tank, or any other obstructions up there. You have to remove the front tires of your bikes for them to fit. Use a strap to hold the bikes in the front of the bed. I also use a roof rack for additional bikes. That can be difficult for some folks, but I agree that a pinbox mounted hitch is a good alternative. I don't like the idea of anything hanging off the back of the fiver.