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08-07-2013, 05:24 PM
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#1
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New Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: sudbury
Posts: 2
M.O.C. #13666
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bicycle rack to rear of 2005 Montana
Does anyone have any suggestions on how to install a bicycle rack on the rear of a 2005 Montana fifth wheel with the moulded rear cap?
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08-07-2013, 05:49 PM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
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Does yours have a trailer hitch installed? If not, a ladder carrier might be your answer. Something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Surco-501BR-La...dder+bike+rack
__________________
Dick, Joyce, Diego, Picatso and Gustav
2017 3720 RL, and 2013 HC 343RL
Pullrite Hitch, IS, Disk Brakes, 3rd AC, Winegard Traveler, Bathroom door mod, Dometic 320, couch for desk swap, replaced chairs, sun screens, added awnings, etc.
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08-07-2013, 06:34 PM
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#3
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Carmichael - CA
Posts: 7,371
M.O.C. #4831
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Search for "Hidden Hitch 82201". This is an adjustable 2" receiver hitch that bolts to the frame. Many of us used it (or variations) with that year Montana (before factory supplied hitches appeared). Some will knock it as "voiding your warranty" but yours is gone already. Do not use any ladder rack. Too many of us have had ladder failures hanging weighty items there.
__________________
Carl (n Susan)
There is more to life than fuel mileage.
2012 Montana 3700RL Big Sky Package towed by a 2015 Ford F350 6.7L PSD 4WD CC LWB
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08-07-2013, 06:45 PM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Haysville
Posts: 4,261
M.O.C. #3085
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I agree with Carl ... if you ever follow a fiver with a bike rack on the ladder ... you'll see just how scary it performs no matter how many lash straps are on the assembly. I tried one for a few months on my 2005 Montana ... just too much scuff wear on the ladder rails and the bikes themselves.
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08-08-2013, 01:28 AM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Lake Gaston
Posts: 8,773
M.O.C. #12156
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Those ladders leave a lot to be desired, as far as strength is concerned.
__________________
Mike and Lorraine
2002 3655 FL, 2005 3650RK
2010 3665RE, 2015 3910FB
F350 crew cab dually 6.7
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08-08-2013, 01:52 AM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Ontario
Posts: 722
M.O.C. #1328
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Like Carl said, that's exactly what we did on our 2005 Montana.
__________________
Mike & Donna Ishler Ontario, NY KE2LU FN13
2017 3720RL TST S637's
2017 Dodge 3500 Laramie CTD 4x4 Auto
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08-08-2013, 02:46 AM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Benson
Posts: 3,121
M.O.C. #1658
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The Hidden Hitch is a very nice unit
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08-08-2013, 04:05 AM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: McKinney
Posts: 7,171
M.O.C. #6433
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I know a lot of people carry their bikes on a rear hitch. But I did not like even how they bounced on those. So I made a pretty simple pin box mount for about $20. No bouncing at all. But you would probably need a long bed to use it. Don't know what you have.
pictures
There is a Canadian company that sells commercial models, but have heard they were a little expensive.
__________________
Bill & Patricia
Riley, our Golden
2007 3075RL (recently sold, currently without)
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08-08-2013, 04:32 AM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Rock Island
Posts: 1,074
M.O.C. #10457
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If you want to know what is behind the rear cap where you ladder is screwed onto the coach just unscrew your electrical plugin and see fiberglass covering plywood. Also, just grab your ladder and give it a hard shake and watch the joints move, and that is mild compared to bouncing down the roads with bikes hanging there.
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08-08-2013, 10:32 AM
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#10
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New Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: sudbury
Posts: 2
M.O.C. #13666
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Thanks everyone for your replies.Good info.
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08-08-2013, 11:15 AM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Murrieta
Posts: 5,816
M.O.C. #9257
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Keep in mind that a 20 pound bike probably increases about 10 fold the amount of weight it becomes when your trailer bounces on whatever it's attached to.
This is why understanding weight ratings is SO important. Just because you carry or hitch up any weight and it seems light enough at the time, this object is gonna turn into a LOT heavier weight when bounding and bouncing down those roads and whatever it's attached to is gonna have to support it.
My ladder says it supports 300 lbs but only when I climb up slowly and not bounce onto each rung as I climb. The ladder is designed to support this weight when stopped and no additional stress like when driving. Now put some bikes, the brackets, any hardware, locks and chains and each pound increases substantially on the ladder when driving. Over time the ladder supports will eventually weaken and this is how some owners have reported problems (and I've seen some).
That's why I think finding a way to attached a receiver to the trailer frame is a better solution because the frame is already much much stronger than the ladder. Then attach the bikes and lash them such that they are NOT loose and bounce around. I've seen a major difference following a trailer or vehicle with a loosely mounted bike rack and bikes and a very well tightly mounted bike load. Having loose objects further increases any stresses.
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08-09-2013, 01:56 AM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: K.C.
Posts: 11,731
M.O.C. #5980
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I learned that lesson about the ladder on my first travel trailer
Many of us have gone the extra step of a rear carrier, along with the bike racks.
Nice rack Bill!
(Now I couldn't post that if a lady posted the pictures..)
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08-09-2013, 02:48 AM
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#13
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Grand Rapids
Posts: 1,896
M.O.C. #9561
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don't do a ladder bike rack...if you don't have a hitch just go to a "professional" welding shop and have them weld one on...
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08-11-2013, 07:06 AM
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#14
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Established Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Redondo Beach
Posts: 17
M.O.C. #13384
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What is the common thinking regarding carrying a ladder on the ladder? 8' fiberglass number, weighs about 30#. Thanks.
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08-11-2013, 07:47 AM
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#15
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Carmichael - CA
Posts: 7,371
M.O.C. #4831
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I carry my ladder on the RV ladder. It is still there and nothing has come loose.
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08-20-2013, 02:09 PM
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#16
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Established Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Cross Lanes
Posts: 30
M.O.C. #11735
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After reading this, kind of afraid of using the ladder for what it was meant for.
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08-20-2013, 05:35 PM
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#17
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Haysville
Posts: 4,261
M.O.C. #3085
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There's nothing wrong with using the ladder for what it is intended (roof access). The rear of your camper is the most violent place to hang anything while driving down the road. A couple of bicycles no matter how well lashed down creates a lot of extra weight to sling around as you go down the road. Unless you're mimicking King Kong swinging off the Empire State building, regular use of the ladder should be fine.
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08-21-2013, 03:01 AM
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#18
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: K.C.
Posts: 11,731
M.O.C. #5980
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Well written, Mr. D.G.
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