Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Montana Owners Club - Keystone Montana 5th Wheel Forum > GENERAL DISCUSSIONS > General Discussions about our Montanas
Click Here to Login

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 04-07-2020, 09:59 PM   #21
lightsout
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: lake stevens
Posts: 504
M.O.C. #24938
If bike rack manufactures say do not use their racks in 5th Wheels, they obviously feel there is risk of failure. With that said Why not buy and use a rack rated for that use and not temp fate? It does not help sales telling customers not to use on 5er's so I am sure that they have data to support their decision that forces them to make those statements.

It is baffling...
 
lightsout is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-08-2020, 06:13 AM   #22
PNW Fireguy
Montana Master
 
PNW Fireguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Arlington
Posts: 1,522
M.O.C. #18081
There are several older threads on this topic on the forum. In short there are specific racks designed for use on the rear of a towed or towable. The vast majority of bike racks are not designed specifically to be used on the rear of towables. Etrailer does a good job of pointing out the approved environment for the bike racks they sell. The web pages for the each rack clearly indicate suitable installation environments. I have a Swagman that is specifically rated for use on the rear of a towable and suitable for e-kikes.
__________________
SOB
2015 Volvo VNL780 D13, iShift, 32k ET air hitch, Idle Free LiFePO4 APU
16.8KWhr LiFePO4, 2.52 kw solar, 10kva Victron split phase
PNW Fireguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-20-2020, 08:34 PM   #23
Bob and Jeannette
Montana Fan
 
Bob and Jeannette's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Orlando
Posts: 338
M.O.C. #22589
I have a Hollywood with a 2" receiver and a tension adjustment. If you check it out you will find that it is a heavy, high quality product that does not move at all. Have a look.
__________________
2020 Montana 3813ms legacy w/Paint
2017 Ram 3500 4X4 DRW Aisin Curt Q-25
Bob and Jeannette is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-20-2020, 08:54 PM   #24
PNW Fireguy
Montana Master
 
PNW Fireguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Arlington
Posts: 1,522
M.O.C. #18081
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob and Jeannette View Post
I have a Hollywood with a 2" receiver and a tension adjustment. If you check it out you will find that it is a heavy, high quality product that does not move at all. Have a look.



If it's the "RV Rider" model it is rated for use on towed verhicles and towable RV's. I don't think any of their other offerings are rated the same. Being rated for the purpose intended is key if you ever have a problem. Insurers will deny your claim and if someone else gets hurt by your rack's failure the liability is unnerving.
__________________
SOB
2015 Volvo VNL780 D13, iShift, 32k ET air hitch, Idle Free LiFePO4 APU
16.8KWhr LiFePO4, 2.52 kw solar, 10kva Victron split phase
PNW Fireguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-21-2020, 02:41 AM   #25
Joe N
New Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Middletown
Posts: 4
M.O.C. #23691
Bike rack

Thank you for the information.
Joe N is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-21-2020, 06:13 AM   #26
Bob and Jeannette
Montana Fan
 
Bob and Jeannette's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Orlando
Posts: 338
M.O.C. #22589
I don’t know it’s several years old. But I can just barely lift it and i can climb on it without it moving. I’ve always thought it remarkable.
__________________
2020 Montana 3813ms legacy w/Paint
2017 Ram 3500 4X4 DRW Aisin Curt Q-25
Bob and Jeannette is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-21-2020, 09:03 AM   #27
John McLean
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Raleigh
Posts: 123
M.O.C. #23622
I like the Swagman rack for two standard 'comfort' bikes, but after reading the posts here I am very wary of putting any bike rack on the back of our 5er. Nowadays, at least on our 2019 Keystone Montana 319RL, Keystone eliminated the bumper and has only provided a welded-on 2" square receiver hitch that may barely clear the back of the camper if I'm lucky. Just don't feel good about a rack back there, so still not sure what to do for a bike rack.

We could use the 2"receiver hitch the previous owner of our tow truck installed to assist with a rack to carry two kayaks over the truck cab when pulling their fifth wheel. Also, read some not so positive post replies about carrying bikes on the front of the truck. Could put them inside the camper, but yet another hassle.

What to do, what to do? A conundrum.
John McLean is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-21-2020, 09:06 AM   #28
PNW Fireguy
Montana Master
 
PNW Fireguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Arlington
Posts: 1,522
M.O.C. #18081
I think that is an opinion shared frequently regarding bike racks on the forum. The issue is that a rack used on the tail end of a towed vehicle is subjected to oscillating lateral forces that fatigue the metal. The manufacturers have evidence that this fatigue has lead to failures and as such now have different modifications/designs to either offset, reduce or eliminate these lateral forces. There is a pretty good FAQ right up regarding this on RadRover site.
PNW Fireguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-21-2020, 09:35 AM   #29
John McLean
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Raleigh
Posts: 123
M.O.C. #23622
Thanks for your input, but what is 'RadRover' site? Is that someone's handle, etc.?
John McLean is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-21-2020, 09:39 AM   #30
PNW Fireguy
Montana Master
 
PNW Fireguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Arlington
Posts: 1,522
M.O.C. #18081
Rad Rover is a brand of ebike. Google search will provide you with lots of info regarding Rad Rover.
__________________
SOB
2015 Volvo VNL780 D13, iShift, 32k ET air hitch, Idle Free LiFePO4 APU
16.8KWhr LiFePO4, 2.52 kw solar, 10kva Victron split phase
PNW Fireguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-21-2020, 09:42 AM   #31
John McLean
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Raleigh
Posts: 123
M.O.C. #23622
PNW Fireguy,

Thank you for clarifying!
John McLean is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-21-2020, 10:21 AM   #32
lightsout
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: lake stevens
Posts: 504
M.O.C. #24938
Quote:
Originally Posted by John McLean View Post
Thanks for your input, but what is 'RadRover' site? Is that someone's handle, etc.?
The Rad Rovers is one model of the RAD e-bikes we just bought a rover for our son and wife and I have two RAD mini fold ups, however do not let the word mini fool you they weight the same as the full size Rads at 68lbs battery is 8lbs so you can reduce weight a little.

The RAD Mini's fold into a nice small package that you could put in the bed of the truck in front of the hitch. They would also fit in your basement

These bikes re amazing we have done two rides this week both 20 miles using less then 1/4 of the battery.

Here is how we travel with ours we only partially fold they will still fold in half again



Here it is folded

lightsout is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-21-2020, 10:26 AM   #33
John McLean
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Raleigh
Posts: 123
M.O.C. #23622
I saw this earlier when I was first going through this posting. Our Monty does not have the slide that you have.
John McLean is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-21-2020, 10:28 AM   #34
lightsout
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: lake stevens
Posts: 504
M.O.C. #24938
Quote:
Originally Posted by John McLean View Post
I saw this earlier when I was first going through this posting. Our Monty does not have the slide that you have.
They would also fit in our front basement or as I mentioned above in the bed of the truck in front of the hitch when folded, they are very compact when folded.

Or if you put a front hitch on your truck with a bike rack you could fold the handlebars down and you would not even see the bike in front.
lightsout is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-21-2020, 10:33 AM   #35
John McLean
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Raleigh
Posts: 123
M.O.C. #23622
Thanks for your suggestions.
John McLean is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-22-2020, 08:01 AM   #36
BB_TX
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: McKinney
Posts: 7,133
M.O.C. #6433
Quote:
Originally Posted by John McLean View Post
...............

What to do, what to do? A conundrum.
Pin box mount has worked well for us. No bouncing and keeps the bikes up and out of the way until needed.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	hitch6.JPG
Views:	55
Size:	63.8 KB
ID:	6096  
__________________
Bill & Patricia
Riley, our Golden
2007 3075RL (recently sold, currently without)
BB_TX is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-22-2020, 08:06 AM   #37
Bob and Jeannette
Montana Fan
 
Bob and Jeannette's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Orlando
Posts: 338
M.O.C. #22589
That looks great! Any problem backing up and turning?
__________________
2020 Montana 3813ms legacy w/Paint
2017 Ram 3500 4X4 DRW Aisin Curt Q-25
Bob and Jeannette is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-22-2020, 09:03 AM   #38
BB_TX
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: McKinney
Posts: 7,133
M.O.C. #6433
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob and Jeannette View Post
That looks great! Any problem backing up and turning?
No problem backing or turning. Easily clear truck cab. Pic shows two bikes. But I have also carried 3 adult bikes and might could even get a 4th. I have considered getting a bike rack that holds the wheels, but the one shown has worked well. Bungees keep the bikes from swaying. And they do not touch the trailer cap. I do have a long bed.

Rack was pretty simple to make. Uses pin box mounting bolts and everything is made square, so no angles to calculate. A few pieces of 2x2 angle iron and a cheap 12" receiver from Harbor Freight.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	hitch1.JPG
Views:	53
Size:	104.5 KB
ID:	6097   Click image for larger version

Name:	rackpic1.JPG
Views:	52
Size:	135.0 KB
ID:	6098  
__________________
Bill & Patricia
Riley, our Golden
2007 3075RL (recently sold, currently without)
BB_TX is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-22-2020, 09:25 AM   #39
John McLean
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Raleigh
Posts: 123
M.O.C. #23622
BB,

Nice looking set-up. I was wondering, as I read your post, if you had a long bed truck. We have a 2003 GMC Sierra 2500HD and it is not a long bed, so consequently I will not be boing with a rack mounted to the pin box. I am sure some others that rear this forum will see your post and decide this will work for them.

Thanks for sharing
John McLean is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-22-2020, 08:52 AM   #40
Preston & Terri
Montana Fan
 
Preston & Terri's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: On the Road
Posts: 166
M.O.C. #14645
BB,
I like the bracket, gives me an idea for a satellite antenna mount solution.
__________________
Retired FULLTIMERS that Travel & Work -- 2020 3931FB Legacy Edition -- OEM Sailun S637T's -- 2017 F350 DRW, 4.10 axle, 6.7L -- PullRite OE Puck Super-5th 25K hitch -- Dish Network w/ Winegard G2 automatic portable antenna -- 50A Surge Guard portable -- WiFi Ranger Elite -- Blue Streak -- YourBestAddress.com -- RVSA Certified Technician -- The UnBeetable Experience
Preston & Terri is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Montana RV, Keystone RV Company or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 01:43 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.