Bumper Hitch Receiver for Carrying 1 E-Bike and Carrier?

[scottkeen]

Has anyone had experience with a bumper mounted hitch receiver?

I know the 4" x 4" bumper was not made to hold a heavy load, however I step on it all the time to climb up the ladder.

I'm looking at carrying one e-bike on a motorcycle carrier, let's say 130 lbs total, on the bumper.

In particular, I'm looking at the following:

• Curt 19100 4" x 4" Bumper Hitch Receiver, 350 lbs Capacity (12 lbs)
• Black Widow 400 lbs Capacity Motorcycle Carrier (36 lbs)
• Lectric eBike with cargo basket and accessories (70 lbs)

As much as I'd like to get a proper hitch receiver welded to my frame, that's just not really an option right now.

Do you think 130 lbs would be fine on my RV aluminum bumper? I understand there is some leverage so the effective weight is higher.

I've got a 1,000 mile trip and a 1,300 mile trip ahead of me in the next few months.

[mlh]

The real problem is the bumper is thin wall aluminum tubing and the stress you put on it is in one short place. When you go over a bump whiplash cause many times the stress on the bumper more than whatever is on it. If it was mine there is no way I would hang 130 pounds off the bumper and expect the bumper to survive for very long.
Lynwood

[scottkeen]

The downward force with leverage and hitting a bump probably 2x the effective weight momentarily on that spot on the bumper. I was thinking to get maybe a 2-foot long piece of 1/4" thick steel plate to put along the top of the bumper to help distribute the weight over the bumper.

I think there are bolt-on receiver hitches that bolt to the frame, rather than weld.

Does anyone have any experience and recommendation with these?