Bumper bike rack

[RCriswell]

2020 Imagine 2670MK, does anyone have experience putting a bike rack on the bumper? We have a Kuat bike rack for 2 bike. There is enough room to move the spare tire over and mount a bolt on receiver. Estimate rack and bike 100#, will that overload bumper?

[Jkwilson]

Yes. Bike racks and RV bumpers don’t mix. Even with a receiver you don’t want to use a standard bike rack. The motion on the back of a trailer will beat them to death. RV approved bike racks are heavy enough one person gets a workout mounting them.

[Bwilkerson]

Yes. Bike racks and RV bumpers don’t mix. Even with a receiver you don’t want to use a standard bike rack. The motion on the back of a trailer will beat them to death. RV approved bike racks are heavy enough one person gets a workout mounting them.

Just finished installing a Swagman Around the Spare 2 Bike Rack for RV Bumpers Item # S80501. Haven’t had any road time on it yet but it seems capable. II is supposedly RV approved, but I a not sure what that means. Time will tell.

[howson]

RCriswell and Bwilkerson ,

Page 153 of the 2021 (Rev 1) Imagine Owner's Manual has this information:



As stated by Jkwilson (and I agree)--not a good idea. It may work for a time, but given enough time (or weight) the bumper is likely to fail.

Howard

[RCriswell]

Thanks for the information, we did read the above statement in the owner manual but we are looking for a workaround. We carried our bikes in the truck and the rack on the bumper folded up on our first trip so we could store our bikes once we got there. We didn't have any mishaps but could see how something could happen because of road conditions. Needless to say we are upgrading the suspension.

[Cate&Rob]

Needless to say we are upgrading the suspension.

If by "upgrading the suspension" you intend to install stronger springs, this will cause a rougher ride for the trailer and will transmit more bounce to the bike rack. Search "RV Bike Rack Failure" or similar to find many different pictures like the attached (not a Grand design product). The wall of the bumper tube is less than 1/16" thick. There is a reason for the Imagine Owners Manual caution quoted above.

Rob

[cvretis]

I am mounting this bracket Mount-n-Lock SafetyStruts Heavy Duty RV Bumper Brackets TM and have a Swagman bike rack. I will still probably attach a rope to the rack and ladder just in case.

[Bwilkerson]

RCriswell and Bwilkerson ,

Page 153 of the 2021 (Rev 1) Imagine Owner's Manual has this information:



As stated by Jkwilson (and I agree)--not a good idea. It may work for a time, but given enough time (or weight) the bumper is likely to fail.

Howard

I had read all this in the manual before proceeding, but could find no other good option unless I wanted to put the bikes in the trailer while traveling. Hitch weight is not a concern with the solar mods I have done, which includes lithium batteries and an inverter in the front bay. It is not the best option but i will monitor for fatigue on the bumper and reinforce if necessary. Or I might learn the hard way!

[Jlawles2]

https://www.amazon.com/ENIXWILL-Rein...xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ== For those bumpers that look questionable.

[Country Campers]

Bwilkerson

There is also a bike rack that mounts to the tongue of the trailer with the bikes above the propane tanks , this could be an alternative.

Brian

[Bwilkerson]

Bwilkerson

There is also a bike rack that mounts to the tongue of the trailer with the bikes above the propane tanks , this could be an alternative.

Brian

I considered that, but weightlifting bikes over my head didn’t appeal! Not to mention even more tongue weight, of which I have more than I need.

[howson]

I considered that, but weightlifting bikes over my head didn’t appeal! Not to mention even more tongue weight, of which I have more than I need.

At https://support.lci1.com/chassis-support-frames there's a link to Lippert's Frame Identification Tag Location Guide. The guide will show you how to identify the exact frame on your Imagine. Once you know that, give Lippert a call and ask if there's an OEM-approved way to remove the bumper and add a 2" hitch for a bike rack.