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08-06-2014, 06:45 AM
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#1
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Loogootee
Posts: 81
M.O.C. #9197
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ladder mount bicycle rack
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.
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08-06-2014, 08:07 AM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Carmichael - CA
Posts: 7,370
M.O.C. #4831
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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
__________________
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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08-06-2014, 08:16 AM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Frostproof, FL USA
Posts: 2,362
M.O.C. #13272
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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.
__________________
Previous: 2008 Montana 3400RL & 2014 3725RL
Current: Full Time 2022 SOB TT Toy Hauler
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08-06-2014, 12:49 PM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Lake Gaston
Posts: 8,773
M.O.C. #12156
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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.
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Mike and Lorraine
2002 3655 FL, 2005 3650RK
2010 3665RE, 2015 3910FB
F350 crew cab dually 6.7
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08-06-2014, 12:55 PM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Eugene
Posts: 1,053
M.O.C. #5091
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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.
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08-06-2014, 01:16 PM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Hixson
Posts: 3,436
M.O.C. #11397
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On my previous truck, a Ram 2500, I had success with a Hidden Hitch receiver in the front of the truck.
__________________
2018.5 Montana 3791RD
Full Timers 9/1/2010 through 1/16/2020.
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08-06-2014, 01:18 PM
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#7
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: miami
Posts: 152
M.O.C. #13290
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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
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08-06-2014, 03:17 PM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Galena
Posts: 989
M.O.C. #7380
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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.
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08-06-2014, 04:01 PM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Haysville
Posts: 4,261
M.O.C. #3085
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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.
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08-06-2014, 04:12 PM
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#10
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: McKinney
Posts: 7,171
M.O.C. #6433
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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.
__________________
Bill & Patricia
Riley, our Golden
2007 3075RL (recently sold, currently without)
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08-08-2014, 05:44 PM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Rancho Santa Margarita
Posts: 633
M.O.C. #13025
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Hopefully this link will show what BB_TX is talking about.
_http://www.montanaowners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=53909&SearchTerms=bike
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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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08-13-2014, 05:16 PM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Grand Rapids
Posts: 1,896
M.O.C. #9561
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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.
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08-14-2014, 09:07 PM
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#13
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Bridgewater
Posts: 1,196
M.O.C. #13166
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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.
__________________
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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