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05-22-2015, 02:43 AM
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#1
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: SE
Posts: 478
M.O.C. #17167
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Bike Carrier Question
We bought our Montana from Pete's RV and had them add a hitch to the rear with a 2" receiver.
I bought a Yakima Ridgeback 4 bike hitch mount bike rack. Was admiring how strong/durable it is last night......thinking I'm all set to put the DW's, my grandaughter's, and my bike on it later today for a nice weekend.
Here's the rub: The Yakima instructions advise to NOT use it on a towed vehicle. I called eTrailer.com this morning and the Swagman bike rack is OK to use on a trailer. The difference in construction and materials of the Swagman vs. the Yakima is night/day. The Yakima is a tank compared to the Swagman.
I don't know if the Yakima can't be used because of lawyers/liability or because there's something about it that works on the back of a car/truck but not on the back of a 5er.
We've got the Mor/Ryde 4000 suspension on the Monty....maybe that prevents a lot of bouncing in the back??
A little nervous about using the Yakima but I never would have bought the Swagman just on appearance of quality...but that's the one "approved" for a towed vehicle.
Perplexed......Any advice on how to carry bikes? Was adding the hitch to the Monty the wrong approach?
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05-22-2015, 03:05 AM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Pensacola (mail forward service)
Posts: 3,198
M.O.C. #13740
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My guess is that the folks at yak are trying to cover themselves legally. The back of a fifth wheel moves quite a bit period. Docs on our yak says same. I added a strap from each side of the cross tube of the yak to each side of monte where the receiver is bolted on to the frame in order to take out the see-saw action of the bike rack. I also added a strap from the rack to one of the ladder tubes high up to provide more support further out on the rack to lessen any down movement when hitting rough roads. Very little bike rack movement on the trip from florida to new mexico as reported by wife following in her car. Receiver on the back of our unit is the 1.25 inch model installed by keystone. Carry only wife's trek on bike rack. Mine is on top of tool box in bed of truck. John
__________________
2012 F350 6.7 L dually, 2013 3800RE with 6 pt leveling, Sumitomo 17.5" load range h tires, Samsung 18 cu ft residential fridge, 8k Morryde I.S. with disc brakes. Full timing since 2012.
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05-22-2015, 03:14 AM
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#3
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
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We also have the small factory hitch and have used a couple of bike racks over the years without any problems. Never thought to check if they were approved for a trailer and won't check the paperwork on our current one, I'll just keep using it.
__________________
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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05-22-2015, 03:41 AM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Hixson
Posts: 3,436
M.O.C. #11397
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For almost 4 years I have used an Allen 3 bike carrier mounted to the 1.25 inch receiver that was mounted at the Montana factory. The Allen only cost about $50 and came with a special bolt to mount it with instead of a pin. The bolt takes out most of the movement of the hitch and for good measure I added a piece of angle aluminum from the ladder to the hitch and this takes care of the rest. We carry our two "Townie" bikes and have no movement or worries.
__________________
2018.5 Montana 3791RD
Full Timers 9/1/2010 through 1/16/2020.
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05-22-2015, 04:01 AM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: McKinney
Posts: 7,361
M.O.C. #6433
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I have been behind various trailers with bike carriers on the rear over the years. Some road very smoothly with little movement. Some bounced around pretty violently, even down a relatively smooth highway. Can't imagine what happens over a major bump. Don't know if the difference was in the trailer, the hitch, the bike rack, or some combination. But I would guess Yakima is simply taking the most cautious approach to relieve themselves of any customer complaints about failures. I suspect most people never really know what their bikes are really doing back there.
That is why I went with a pin box mounted bike rack.
__________________
Bill & Patricia
Riley, our Golden
2007 3075RL (recently sold, currently without)
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05-22-2015, 05:12 AM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Aguanga
Posts: 606
M.O.C. #13601
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I had a Yakima Highlight 3 fail on the back of the Montana. It unfolded (folded down, whatever) and destroyed one bike and bent the wheels on the other. This occurred on a relatively good condition highway at 55mph. There's a lot of extra stress placed on the bike rack way back there on the tail of the Montana. I still can't figure out exactly how the failure occurred but Yakima took care of me but I've not put the rack back there sense. I may try again but I'll use a ratchet strap or something to add a bit of security.
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05-27-2015, 06:51 AM
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#7
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: SE
Posts: 478
M.O.C. #17167
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Returned the Yakima. Ordered the Stowaway hitch bike rack. FYI...They account for space needed by the ladder back there as well. Will arrive next week. They say it should be fine on the back of an RV.
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05-27-2015, 09:14 AM
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#8
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Stratford
Posts: 94
M.O.C. #12538
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we also went with a pin box mounted receiver for the bike rack.
bikes ride as smooth as the truck, but we do get a few bug splatters
Cheers
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05-27-2015, 09:16 AM
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#9
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: SE
Posts: 478
M.O.C. #17167
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Our Monty sticks pretty far out beyond the pin box. How did you hsnfle that?
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05-27-2015, 04:07 PM
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#10
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: McKinney
Posts: 7,361
M.O.C. #6433
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My long bed F350 has plenty of room for the pin box mounted bike rack. I can carry 3 bikes with no problem. Bike appears to be touching the cap in the picture, but is actually several inches from it. Not sure if I can get a 4th or not. Don't know how much difference I am from yours.
(This picture shows right side up on my computer, but upside down on my phone. Have no idea why.)
__________________
Bill & Patricia
Riley, our Golden
2007 3075RL (recently sold, currently without)
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05-27-2015, 11:18 PM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Okeechobee
Posts: 2,150
M.O.C. #11206
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Hi
We tried one and it broke in less than 1,000 miles. However when I get around to it I will weld it back together and this time when we install it I will put ratchet strap from the top of the bike rack to the lower corners of the trailer and make sure it will not flex. Then add more straps to the bikes so they don’t move around as well.
Phil P
__________________
2009 Montana 3665RE
2009 Duramax 3500 DRW quad cab
personal web page https:// www.sallyscoffees.com
If you get a page not available then remove the "s" after HTTP
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05-30-2015, 06:32 AM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Rancho Santa Margarita
Posts: 633
M.O.C. #13025
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I went with a pin box mounted rack and I get very little movement and can see my bikes at all times by looking in my rear view mirror. I have a short bed truck and can carry 2 bikes without any problems. I don't think I have room for a third. PS. I am using a platform type rack.
__________________
Russ and Linda, So. California
2004 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD, D/A, SRW, SB
2005 2955RL, Pullrite Superglide 16K hitch. Bridgestone Duravis R500 tires. EZ Flex Equilizers with wet bolts.EMS HW50C, Disk brakes
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05-30-2015, 01:18 PM
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#13
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Wickenburg
Posts: 107
M.O.C. #13254
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We have a Thule rack mounted on the rear of our rig. My hero did weld some additional rails to stabilize and strengthen the hitch.
We also add an extra tie down from the rack to the ladder for extra security
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05-30-2015, 02:34 PM
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#14
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: rockwall
Posts: 335
M.O.C. #7697
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We have a Swagman XTC on the back of our trailer that seems to work fine. It holds bikes tightly with a ratcheting hook and then I use Velcro straps on the wheels and to brace it against the ladder. My wife drove behind me on the interstate at 65 mph and did not notice any bouncing at all. Side roads did not seem to have any problem either. We've had this rack on the trailer for 4 years with no loosening of any connections or any need to tighten the hitch receiver. Great product.
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05-30-2015, 07:27 PM
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#15
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Bridgewater
Posts: 1,196
M.O.C. #13166
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I carry mine on the roof of the truck. That is not for everyone, but works for me after developing a routine over the years. My bikes are lightweight which makes it easier. I don't trust the nether regions of my 5er to carry them. There is a lot of motion back there, and I like being able to monitor what's going on. The pinbox is an alternative when and if I get to a point where I can't put the bikes on the roof, but for now, this works for me. Additional bikes fit cross-wise in the bed in the front of the cab without impairing anything.
__________________
2010 Montana 3455SA, Mor/Ryde pin, wet bolts, TST 507, Progressive HW50C, GY G614
2019 Silverado D/A 3500HD LTZ DRW CC
B&W Companion
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