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I debated posting this idea and decided against it because I was afraid it would encourage bad implementations. If I were to do it, I would also weld it.
Last edited by howson; 10-15-2022, 01:42 PM.
Reason: Trimmed quote
Jkwilson -- anyone who reads the content in this forum should do so with a healthy amount of skepticism (and consider their tolerance for risk).
Forum moderators are not GD employees--we are volunteers and owners presumably just like yourself. Unless specifically mentioned otherwise, we have nothing to gain should you choose to purchase a product or engage a service we discuss on this forum.
With the addition of a Hyperax Step Thru E Bike Adapter the DW's Gazelle (finally) works with the Swagman E-Spec rack. Getting both bikes on the rack and secured requires a very specific load sequence, but it all works.
The Gazelle is heavy--65 lbs. If the Swagman isn't too high in the air I can lift it by myself, but normally getting the DW's bike up (or down) will be a two-person task. An incorporated ramp would be ideal, but due to how the rack is constructed a ramp would likely be more of a hazard than help IMO.
As you'll see in the pictures, the Formosa Dual Bike Cover works with the new setup. (I've used this cover extensively with the previous bike rack and it works, and has worn, very well. Highly recommended.)
Since I've added additional lights on the rear of my 315RLTS, I don't think adding lights to the rear of the rack is necessary. Extensive documentation here on the light modification: https://gdrvowners.com/forum/operati...2121#post22121 First -- view from the rear with the cover on. Note the additional stop lights above the window.
Closeup of the Hyperax on the Gazelle and installed on the rack.
Opposite side view. Getting the Swagman's hold-down arms down and secured on the bikes is where there's a very specific load sequence required. If anyone's interested, I'll post more details.
Loaded up without the cover.
Howard
P.S. Once I take a few trips with this rack I'll post a follow-up report.
Forum moderators are not GD employees--we are volunteers and owners presumably just like yourself. Unless specifically mentioned otherwise, we have nothing to gain should you choose to purchase a product or engage a service we discuss on this forum.
Finally tried the bikes on the rack. The handlebars hit the rear of the trailer. I need maybe 3 or 4 more inches of clearance to get the clamp down on the bar. Called Swagman and they recommend a hitch extension. But, these e-bikes are heavy and more extension will put more stream on the receiver. Before I bore out the holes to get more tilt I’m going to see about removing the handlebars or turning them 90 degrees. This bike is a Specialized COMO. The handlebars have lots of wires, controls, and hydraulics. Plus they attach in a different than most way. I’ll give it a go today and see what is involved
I saw that about the Hollywood rack also. I did some research prior and from what I found the weight rating is really the only difference (Curt claims a class II only has an 1.25 receiver). I also talked to a trailer repair company about upgrading and for my situation they didn’t think it would matter. He gave me some things to watch for and said his recommendation would be to have it welded in a few more spots (have not had this done yet, not sure if I will or just have it replaced with a III).
I imagine no RV manufactures are putting anything more than a class II as some class III have almost 8,000lb capacities and I think that would be a recipe for disaster if someone were to add that much weight behind an already heavy 5th wheel or TT.
I found the same thing (Class II is 1.25” square, Class III is 2x2), so I called Grand Design to get their take on it. She said that the receiver was installed by Lippert, as part of the frame manufacture. She gave me the tag number for my specific frame. I contacted Lippert and he looked it up in his system. His response was that, on my specific unit, the receiver is 2x2” and it is rated for a 350# load and can tow up to 3500#. I told him what I was considering (Swagman hitch, of about 65# and two e-bikes at about 65# each). He said that there shouldn’t be any issue since the hitch is welded to the frame and the weight is well below the limit for the hitch.
The really nice thing is that I will also be able to use the hitch on back of my F-350 if we want to take the bikes somewhere in the local area. We have a nice rails-to-trails that goes from Pittsburgh to DC, but it’s about 30 miles from where we live. We have friends who have ridden the entire trail (in small sections) over the past couple of years.
Tom and Janice (also known as Richter on the “Other” forum)
First came the 18' Comfort bumper-pull, was great for 20 years.
Now a 2019 Reflection 303RLS, second air, double glass, table and chairs
2019 F350 Lariat 4x4 Crewcab with lots of goodies
Andersen aluminum with the puck system holding it all together
Cranberry Twp. PA, about 30 miles north of Pittsburgh
So on my trip to and from the Quartzsite AZ rally, I placed our two bikes on a front mounted receiver hitch and KUAT bike rack. The bikes and rack did fine. But even though it rode well I found that the bikes being on front were a distraction when driving. And I didn't like that the headlights were even partially obscured while driving.
So I purchased the e-spec rack from Amazon and it should arrive next week. We have two bikes. Ginnie's is a 60# ebike without the battery, and my hybrid gravel bike is about 25 pounds. Since Ginnie's is heavier, I'll mount it on the inboard position. I'll need to turn the handle bars, but that's pretty easy to do.
Once I receive it, I'll look into installing lights on it like FlyStar shows above. Unfortunately, I don't have an electrical plug in, so I'll need to track down the wiring and install a four prong connector.
Jim
Jim and Ginnie
2024 Solitude 310GK
GDRV Technical Forum Moderator
GDRV Rally Support Coordinator
So on my trip to and from the Quartzsite AZ rally, I placed our two bikes on a front mounted receiver hitch and KUAT bike rack. The bikes and rack did fine. But even though it rode well I found that the bikes being on front were a distraction when driving. And I didn't like that the headlights were even partially obscured while driving.
So I purchased the e-spec rack from Amazon and it should arrive next week. We have two bikes. Ginnie's is a 60# ebike without the battery, and my hybrid gravel bike is about 25 pounds. Since Ginnie's is heavier, I'll mount it on the inboard position. I'll need to turn the handle bars, but that's pretty easy to do.
Once I receive it, I'll look into installing lights on it like FlyStar shows above. Unfortunately, I don't have an electrical plug in, so I'll need to track down the wiring and install a four prong connector.
Jim
Since your 297RSTS has the couch with side stands like my 315RLTS, another option is doing the brake light mod like I did on mine. I really like having the extra brake lights and even with the bikes installed (with a cover!) there's still plenty of visual indication to those behind me.
Forum moderators are not GD employees--we are volunteers and owners presumably just like yourself. Unless specifically mentioned otherwise, we have nothing to gain should you choose to purchase a product or engage a service we discuss on this forum.
Guys. I just finished assembling my e-Spec rack. Looking at Howards photos, there is a brace that was supplied with mine that I don't see mounted on Howard's. I'm adding a photo below. Howard - Is the brace something you decided not to install? Or is it a new addition to the rack? Or maybe, I just can't see it in your photos? It wes in a separate bag with supplemental instructions.
The rack fits well. I had to mount my lighter hybrid bike to the inside because my handlebars are easier to rotate than the one's on Ginnie's Pedego e-Bike. All in all, I'm quite pleased with how solid it is.
I've decided to go with lights on the rack instead of higher up the wall. I'm able to access the rear light wiring without disassembling anything or dropping the coroplast. Hopefully, I'll have the wiring installed before we head to the So Cal rally. We would take the bikes to the Texas rally next week, but Ginnie's e-Bike is prohibited from using in the RV park.
Jim
Jim and Ginnie
2024 Solitude 310GK
GDRV Technical Forum Moderator
GDRV Rally Support Coordinator
It wes in a separate bag with supplemental instructions.
Hmm...don't remember that brace, Jim. I went out and looked at the rack on the back of the trailer and there's no brace like what you show. Can you post a PDF of the supplemental instructions?
Forum moderators are not GD employees--we are volunteers and owners presumably just like yourself. Unless specifically mentioned otherwise, we have nothing to gain should you choose to purchase a product or engage a service we discuss on this forum.
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