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Bike Rack on rear bumper

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  • #1

    Bike Rack on rear bumper

    I have a Imagine XLS 22RBE. I emailed GD about the ability to mount a bike rack on the rear bumper, they said as long as it is not welded to the frame and it did not equal 300 lbs or more, I would not void the warranty. The problem is we mounted the hitch receiver as per the install instructions and the bumper is now bent. In some forums we had read that the bumper could separate from the frame on some TTs due to the bouncing.

    The bike rack we have is also not RV rated, Swagman XC Cross-Country 2-Bike Hitch Mount Rack, does this really matter?


    Anyone have any experience or knowledge of these issues? Will the bumper fall off?

    First time trailer owner, please be nice. I am trying to do the right thing and not ruin our camper or bikes.
    Tags: None
  • #2
    ontheroad

    Welcome to the forum. Sorry for your bent bumper.
    The bumper on any RV is not really suitable for attaching a bike rack. I will stress though that many do it. The bumpers are fairly thin wall material and when welded to the frame rails makes a weak point on the bumper , a good place for a crack or break. If you have mounted to the center of the bumper this is the worst place , but the only really good place to mount a bike rack. Unfortunately all RV manufactures say you can mount a bike rack there , but in reality it should not be done. If your bike rack and bikes are over the 300# weight limit that is bad. If you also have a spare tire mounted to the bumper , along with the bike rack , this will overload the bumper as well.
    You could get a weld shop to add some support to the bumper or add a hitch of some kind to the rear frame of the camper. You may also just want to transport the bikes inside the RV , I do this quite often.

    Good luck and I hope I have helped you in some manner.

    Brian
    Brian & Michelle
    2018 Reflection 29RS
    2022 Chevy 3500HD
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    • #3
      Originally posted by ontheroad View Post
      The bike rack we have is also not RV rated, Swagman XC Cross-Country 2-Bike Hitch Mount Rack, does this really matter?
      When I queried Swagman about the difference between Swagman XC2 and the Traveler XC2 (the Traveler is RV rated) they said it was the amount of "bounce" the rack can take before it breaks. While weight is an issue, what breaks bumpers (and tears off racks) is the leverage applied to the rack as the trailer bounces over our roads and bridges.

      Originally posted by ontheroad View Post
      Anyone have any experience or knowledge of these issues? Will the bumper fall off?
      Could the bumper fall off or bend even more? I agree with Brian--yes, it could. As an alternative, consider a tongue-mounted rack like the Jack It from Lippert. (I have no personal experience with the product, but given you don't have room in the truck bed or just want the bikes on the trailer, this may be an option.)

      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.

      2017 Ford F-350 DRW, '19 315RLTSPlus

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      • #4
        We have been considering the Jack-IT or Stromberg as well since we don't feel comfortable with the bikes on the bumper after seeing the bumper bend and watching the bikes bounce in the rear camera. I had been reading this is a smoother ride for bikes. With these A frame platforms, do I still need an RV rated bike rack? My hesitation about putting them in the RV is damaging the inside.
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        • #5
          Andi Andi and Mike Rudy had a pretty nice bike rack on their 337 when we were at the National Rally. I do not recall the manufacturer but suspect they will respond to this and share that. They are avid bike riders and have top shelf bikes, rack, etc.

          Dan
          Dan & Carol
          2014 303RLS Reflection #185 (10/2013 build)
          2012 Silverado LTZ Crew Duramax 2500HD - 2700/16K Pullrite Superglide

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          • #6
            Originally posted by ontheroad View Post
            We have been considering the Jack-IT or Stromberg as well since we don't feel comfortable with the bikes on the bumper after seeing the bumper bend and watching the bikes bounce in the rear camera. I had been reading this is a smoother ride for bikes. With these A frame platforms, do I still need an RV rated bike rack? My hesitation about putting them in the RV is damaging the inside.
            I would assume a-frame and rv rated are synonymous...
            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.

            2017 Ford F-350 DRW, '19 315RLTSPlus

            Comment

            • #7
              Originally posted by Canyonlight View Post
              Andi Andi and Mike Rudy had a pretty nice bike rack on their 337 when we were at the National Rally. I do not recall the manufacturer but suspect they will respond to this and share that. They are avid bike riders and have top shelf bikes, rack, etc.

              Dan
              Our rack is from 1UP USA. https://www.1up-usa.com/product-category/bike-racks/ The Heavy Duty and Super Duty racks are rated for RV use with a maximum of 2 bikes. We did use this with a Curt bumper hitch on our old travel trailer. But I don't think that will help the OP as they stated they don't want to mount on the bumper. For anyone with a frame mounted receiver hitch, it's a fabulous bike rack!
              Andi
              Brookings SD
              2018 Reflection 337RLS
              2019 GMC Sierra 3500HD Duramax

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              • #8
                Going with the Jack-It, appreciate the suggestions!
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                • #9
                  I installed these Safety Struts to support the bumper with the added weight of the bike rack and 2 bikes, https://www.amazon.com/Mount-n-Lock-.../dp/B071WK9CD3

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                  • #10
                    Originally posted by ontheroad View Post
                    I have a Imagine XLS 22RBE. I emailed GD about the ability to mount a bike rack on the rear bumper, they said as long as it is not welded to the frame and it did not equal 300 lbs or more, I would not void the warranty. The problem is we mounted the hitch receiver as per the install instructions and the bumper is now bent. In some forums we had read that the bumper could separate from the frame on some TTs due to the bouncing.

                    The bike rack we have is also not RV rated, Swagman XC Cross-Country 2-Bike Hitch Mount Rack, does this really matter?


                    Anyone have any experience or knowledge of these issues? Will the bumper fall off?

                    First time trailer owner, please be nice. I am trying to do the right thing and not ruin our camper or bikes.
                    I've been there with a Jayco. I did add the Safety Struts mentioned by TNGSolitude and they did add strength to the bumper. However I also used
                    Mount-n-Lock's HiLo Bumper Mounted Hitch, which failed. The company claimed I either hit something or some vehicle hit me. According to the insurance investigator, it was metal fatigue which resulted in dropping 2 mountain bikes (valued at approx. $2k) dropped onto the interstate in Montana. And you want a RV rated bike rack, such as the Yakima Longhaul rack we have and which held the 2 bikes on the rack after it hit the pavement at 60mph. We still use the rack which suffered 1) some scratched and the need to replace one of the bar saddles (which one bike sat on) and a top tub holder (bar to hold bike that runs between seat and handlebar post). It is on the expensive side, but we have hauled our bikes (the ones dumped on the interstate and the new replacements) over 15K miles without an issue with the rack.

                    Here is the Yakima site:
                    www.yakima.com/long-haul. You might want to shop around for pricing. It is carried by REI and other outlets. (About $60 less expensive on Amazon).

                    Hope this helps.
                    2020 F-250 Lariat 2WD SuperCrew 6.7L, Blue Ox SwayPro hitch w/ 1000lb bars
                    2020 Imagine 2600RD w/ Road Armor + wet bolt suspension, Yakima Longhaul Bike Rack, MicroAir EasyStart 364 for AC, Lion Energy 105 amp Lithiium Ion X2
                    Amateur Radio Call N9XGZ
                    FMCA # 489460

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                    • #11
                      The Swagman rack you chose IS actually one of very few allowed on trailers, but it voids the warranty.

                      I have two Swagmans myself, and used to run one on the back of the trailer (no a GD) and on on my front hitch. No problems.

                      The Imagine series bumpers are not rated for 300lbs. That number is from GD's 5th wheels with built in hitch. Ours was more like 100 or 150lbs.

                      And keep in mind the moment arm (extra torque/weight multipled by the length of rack) increases actual weight applied to the bumper. Now add in a bumpy road...and things will go bad in a hurry.

                      In short, dont do it on the stock bumper.

                      The best option is to install a universal receiver hitch directly to the frame, or have one welded on directly to the frame.

                      The next caution is adding that much weight to the very back of a light bumper pull trailer. 100-200l** hanging of the furthest rear extent can lead to very poor load distribution and result in significant sway and poor handling.
                      Last edited by howson; 12-19-2019, 01:11 PM.
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                      • #12
                        The option I went with was to add a front receiver to our tow vehicle (bought a bolt on for our F150 from etrailer). No added hitch weight, easy to load/unload.
                        Mark & Judy
                        2021 F350 Lariat 4x4 7.3L Crew SB SRW
                        2021 GD Imagine2500RL

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                        • #13
                          Originally posted by mbergthold View Post
                          The option I went with was to add a front receiver to our tow vehicle (bought a bolt on for our F150 from etrailer). No added hitch weight, easy to load/unload.
                          Do you have some pictures and a model name or number?

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                          • #14
                            I got it from eTrailer.com. Now that we're trading the F150 in on an F350, I'll be purchasing a front receiver for it also, they carry that one also.
                            Mark & Judy
                            2021 F350 Lariat 4x4 7.3L Crew SB SRW
                            2021 GD Imagine2500RL

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                            • #15
                              Originally posted by ontheroad View Post
                              Going with the Jack-It, appreciate the suggestions!
                              Great choice. I have a Thule bike rack and asked the question and it was not rated for the violent motion on the back of an RV. There is the leverage (moment) that Howard mentioned but also the impact loading that is applied to the thin bumper. The Jack-It places the bike where you can see them and where they will receive a gentle ride. Important for those with expensive mountain bikes.

                              Jim

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