My TT doesn't have a hitch on the back of it or a ladder. In any case, I want more weight at the front of the trailer. Anyone have suggestions for racks that go between the vehicle and trailer?
Winnebago 2101DS TT & 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71, WindyNation 300 watt solar-Lossigy 200 AH Lithium battery. Prefer boondocking, USFS, COE, BLM, NPS, TVA, state camps. Bicyclist. 14 yr. Army -11B40 then 11A - (MOS 1542 & 1560) IOBC & IOAC grad
The Stromberg Carlson Bike Bunk appears to be the best option, but I'm skeptical it will work for me. I'm towing with a Toyota Sequoia and I'm worried the bikes would be in the way when we turn...
Anyone use one of these? Looks like it should work?
by: Dennis D.07/08/2015
This item performs exactly as I hoped it would. It took some work to assemble but we'll worth it. Because I tow with an SUV, I am able to only carry two bicycles, but I expected this. I also reversed my bike rack to ensure a clear turning and backing radius. (A pick up truck should not have any trouble hauling 4 bikes. ) I am very pleased with this bike bunk and would recommend it to anyone who desires to tamend bikes along but has no other place to put them. Shipping was fat and free. I have been very pleased with Etrailer and prefer them to CW. 210270
oyarsa wrote:
I'm towing with a Toyota Sequoia and I'm worried the bikes would be in the way when we turn...
I'm towing with a Toyota Sequoia and I'm worried the bikes would be in the way when we turn...
Arvika Bike Rack Systems, a quality Canadian product that will accommodate 2 to 4 bikes over the trailer's A-frame. I tow with a 1/2 ton truck and back when I took bikes for the family would carry them in the back of the truck, with an SUV that's obviously not possible so the BEST alternative is firmly secured over the trailer's A-frame - an Arvika will do exactly that for you.
![[emoticon]](http://www.coastresorts.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/biggrin.gif "biggrin")
I also thought of a roof rack, as that would keep your tongue area a bit less cluttered. A friend of mine warned me about roof racks - they are WAY up there! So make sure that height is okay before buying one.
_________________________________________________________
2021 F150 2.7
2004 21' Forest River Surveyor
Tvov wrote:
I know you are asking about tongue racks, but... Have you thought about carrying the bikes in the TT?
I know you are asking about tongue racks, but... Have you thought about carrying the bikes in the TT?
Carrying a couple of bikes inside pretty well any travel trailer with a walk around bed is as simple as leaning the bikes against the bed. This is a pic of our previous K-Z Spree ...
![[image]](https://i.imgur.com/DJf3cxpl.jpg)
... but my wife last season wanted to take a couple of bikes along again for the 2 of us so I simply propped them against the bed in our Coachmen as I had in our Spree ... leaning over like this they don't shift in the slightest. Kids' bikes, if small enough, can go in the back of the SUV or perhaps likewise find a spot inside the trailer. The price - FREE - certainly is a big advantage.
2012 Silverado 1500 Crew Cab
2014 Coachmen Freedom Express 192RBS
2003 Fleetwood Yuma * 2008 K-Z Spree 240BH-LX
2007 TrailCruiser C21RBH * 2000 Fleetwood Santa Fe
1998 Jayco 10UD * 1969 Coleman CT380
oyarsa wrote:
I want to get a bike rack for the trailer. Preferably 4 bikes, but at least 2.
My TT doesn't have a hitch on the back of it or a ladder. In any case, I want more weight at the front of the trailer. Anyone have suggestions for racks that go between the vehicle and trailer?
I want to get a bike rack for the trailer. Preferably 4 bikes, but at least 2.
My TT doesn't have a hitch on the back of it or a ladder. In any case, I want more weight at the front of the trailer. Anyone have suggestions for racks that go between the vehicle and trailer?
Rather than using the Stromberg-Carlson Bike Bunk, I used the Stromberg-Carlson Trailer Tray and attached a bike rack to the tray platform. (My rack only holds 2 bikes, but you could attach one that holds 4). That way, when I am not hauling bikes, I can remove the rack with 4 bolts and use the trailer tray for hauling stuff.
And the trailer tray was on sale for less than the bike bunk.
Here's a link to the trailer tray for less than $200 w/free shipping. Link to rvupgradestore here. https://www.rvupgradestore.com/Trailer-Tray-p/92-1577.htm
![[image]](http://i.imgur.com/RRwZ3B3l.jpg)
2017 Grand Design Imagine 2650RK
2019 F250 XLT Supercab
Just DW & me......
I am now currently considering the "Jack It" system manufactured by Lippert, or the Arvika system manufactured in Canada. Does anyone have any first hand knowledge about either of these?
rirish1 wrote:
I am now currently considering the "Jack It" system manufactured by Lippert, or the Arvika system manufactured in Canada. Does anyone have any first hand knowledge about either of these?
I am now currently considering the "Jack It" system manufactured by Lippert, or the Arvika system manufactured in Canada. Does anyone have any first hand knowledge about either of these?
The Arvika is a first rate system. A friend of mine has owned one for several years and at the time he installed it he did a comprehensive review, from opening the box onward! He now has a different trailer and has transferred his Arvika to that trailer, still totally happy with it.
Arvika Bike Rack System Installation
See here Bike rack for front of TT
Heads up, my rack and 2 adults bikes added 110# to the loaded tongue weight. My camper A frame, truck and WD hitch can handle this. The bikes do ride very well on the front. 4 bikes, if you can actually fit 4, will add more. Carrying bikes with an SUV is always a problem. We had a 2500 Suburban and had the same issue. The F350 which was needed for our current camper solved the problem by allowing added TW to make the A frame rack work.
A place in Canada called Top Rails or Top Pop Rails used to make this too. A very good system. I do not know if Arivka bought them out or not. I cannot seem to find that brand any more.
Stromburg makes this https://www.strombergcarlson.com/cargo-s........cargo-management/bike-bunk-model-cc-275/
I would not use a top hanging rack, but Swagman makes rack that hold by the tires see here https://www.swagman.net/products/rv-racks/
Hope this helps
John
John & Cindy
2005 Ford F350 Super Duty, 4x4; 6.8L V10 with 4.10
CC, SB, Lariat & FX4 package
21,000 GCWR, 11,000 GVWR
Ford Tow Command
1,700# Reese HP hitch & HP Dual Cam
2 1/2" Towbeast Receiver
2004 Sunline Solaris T310SR
(I wish we were camping!)
There is a fair amount of side play to contend with and of course they are up front and center. I consider this a good thing,rather than out of sight behind the TT.
Twenty six foot 2010 Dutchmen Lite pulled with a 2011 EcoBoost F-150 4x4.
Just right for Grandpa, Grandma and the dog.
oyarsa wrote:
The Arvika looks interesting and promising, but their website isn't letting me look for a dealer in the US. Where do you get one?
The Arvika looks interesting and promising, but their website isn't letting me look for a dealer in the US. Where do you get one?
Use the Arvika Contact Page and ask them.
![[image]](https://www.carid.com/images/articles/front-hitches/buick-front-hitch-bike-rack.jpg)
2019 Dutchman Kodiak 293RLSL
2015 GMC 1500 Sierra 4x4 5.3 3.42 full bed
Equalizer 10k WDH
1. The bikes do block the radiator area. The transmission temps rise when the bikes where on. 2 bikes was manageable as the 3/4 ton GM's give you a temp gage so you can see what is going on. I only had a 3 deg rise. One of my camping buddies had 4 bikes on his Burb and one hot summer day he was close to boiling over the truck. He ended up taking 2 kid bikes apart and putting them inside to get himself home and then started on Plan B for carrying bikes.
2. The bike tires blocked the headlights. In my case I modified the bike rack so the headlights would shoot over the tires. Being on a 3/4 ton truck I had the ground clearance to lower my wife's bike down about 3" and that helped but it did not totally solve the problem. Ending up getting stuck having to tow after dark one time and the reflection of the headlights on the tires killed the idea.
3. I was alerted by others there are DOT lighting laws that the car directionals lights have to be able to be seen from certain directions and blocking them is not allowed. I found the law back then and I had an issue. I was about ready to mount front directional lights on the bike rack but we changed trucks and the problem went away. I now have the front of the TT rack.
Being a SUV tower has it's issues when it comes to bikes. And a family with kids camping makes it even harder. PS. Don't put them on the back of the camper either. It has issues too.
Hope this helps
John
I did have an issue with the down drop of the hitch, it would just barely clear a curb when parking and also checked the distance it extended past the bumper. I flipped the down drop to an up rise.
I never had issues with the airflow or temp.
It takes a bit of creativity if you want to carry your bikes and haul a TT.
Putting them inside is not a bad option either if you can clear the door way.
A & A parents of DD 2005, DS1 2007, DS2 2009
2011 Suburban 2500 6.0L 3.73 pulling 2011 Heartland North Trail 28BRS
2017 Subaru Outback 3.6R
2x 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV (Gray and Black Twins)
It was a great set up. I use the same rack with my current 5'er.
19'Duramax w/hips,12'Open Range,Titan Disc Brake
BD3,RV safepower,22" Blackstone
Ox Bedsaver,RV760 w/BC20,Glow Steps, Enduraplas25,Pedego
BakFlip,RVLock,5500 Onan LP,Prog.50A surge,Hughes autoformer
Porta Bote 8.0 Nissan,Sailun S637
Correct Trax,Splendide
JBarca wrote:
I went with a 2 adult bike rack on the front of my prior K2500 Suburban. The bikes rode great there but there was 3 issues that finally killed the idea.
1. The bikes do block the radiator area. The transmission temps rise when the bikes where on. 2 bikes was manageable as the 3/4 ton GM's give you a temp gage so you can see what is going on. I only had a 3 deg rise. One of my camping buddies had 4 bikes on his Burb and one hot summer day he was close to boiling over the truck. He ended up taking 2 kid bikes apart and putting them inside to get himself home and then started on Plan B for carrying bikes.
2. The bike tires blocked the headlights. In my case I modified the bike rack so the headlights would shoot over the tires. Being on a 3/4 ton truck I had the ground clearance to lower my wife's bike down about 3" and that helped but it did not totally solve the problem. Ending up getting stuck having to tow after dark one time and the reflection of the headlights on the tires killed the idea.
3. I was alerted by others there are DOT lighting laws that the car directionals lights have to be able to be seen from certain directions and blocking them is not allowed. I found the law back then and I had an issue. I was about ready to mount front directional lights on the bike rack but we changed trucks and the problem went away. I now have the front of the TT rack.
Being a SUV tower has it's issues when it comes to bikes. And a family with kids camping makes it even harder. PS. Don't put them on the back of the camper either. It has issues too.
Hope this helps
John
I went with a 2 adult bike rack on the front of my prior K2500 Suburban. The bikes rode great there but there was 3 issues that finally killed the idea.
1. The bikes do block the radiator area. The transmission temps rise when the bikes where on. 2 bikes was manageable as the 3/4 ton GM's give you a temp gage so you can see what is going on. I only had a 3 deg rise. One of my camping buddies had 4 bikes on his Burb and one hot summer day he was close to boiling over the truck. He ended up taking 2 kid bikes apart and putting them inside to get himself home and then started on Plan B for carrying bikes.
2. The bike tires blocked the headlights. In my case I modified the bike rack so the headlights would shoot over the tires. Being on a 3/4 ton truck I had the ground clearance to lower my wife's bike down about 3" and that helped but it did not totally solve the problem. Ending up getting stuck having to tow after dark one time and the reflection of the headlights on the tires killed the idea.
3. I was alerted by others there are DOT lighting laws that the car directionals lights have to be able to be seen from certain directions and blocking them is not allowed. I found the law back then and I had an issue. I was about ready to mount front directional lights on the bike rack but we changed trucks and the problem went away. I now have the front of the TT rack.
Being a SUV tower has it's issues when it comes to bikes. And a family with kids camping makes it even harder. PS. Don't put them on the back of the camper either. It has issues too.
Hope this helps
John
I had no problem with airflow, max transmission temp I saw was ~190F climbing the Beartooth mountains. As far as blocking light, zero problem on my Z71 equipped 1500 using this bike rack. I made sure to get one that would keep the bikes as low as possible. The only real downside to the setup was that it made steep driveways much more difficult, I scuffed up some blacktop a few times entering or exiting a restaurant or gas station.
afidel wrote:
I had no problem with airflow, max transmission temp I saw was ~190F climbing the Beartooth mountains. As far as blocking light, zero problem on my Z71 equipped 1500 using this bike rack. I made sure to get one that would keep the bikes as low as possible. The only real downside to the setup was that it made steep driveways much more difficult, I scuffed up some blacktop a few times entering or exiting a restaurant or gas station.
JBarca wrote:
I went with a 2 adult bike rack on the front of my prior K2500 Suburban. The bikes rode great there but there was 3 issues that finally killed the idea.
1. The bikes do block the radiator area. The transmission temps rise when the bikes where on. 2 bikes was manageable as the 3/4 ton GM's give you a temp gage so you can see what is going on. I only had a 3 deg rise. One of my camping buddies had 4 bikes on his Burb and one hot summer day he was close to boiling over the truck. He ended up taking 2 kid bikes apart and putting them inside to get himself home and then started on Plan B for carrying bikes.
2. The bike tires blocked the headlights. In my case I modified the bike rack so the headlights would shoot over the tires. Being on a 3/4 ton truck I had the ground clearance to lower my wife's bike down about 3" and that helped but it did not totally solve the problem. Ending up getting stuck having to tow after dark one time and the reflection of the headlights on the tires killed the idea.
3. I was alerted by others there are DOT lighting laws that the car directionals lights have to be able to be seen from certain directions and blocking them is not allowed. I found the law back then and I had an issue. I was about ready to mount front directional lights on the bike rack but we changed trucks and the problem went away. I now have the front of the TT rack.
Being a SUV tower has it's issues when it comes to bikes. And a family with kids camping makes it even harder. PS. Don't put them on the back of the camper either. It has issues too.
Hope this helps
John
I went with a 2 adult bike rack on the front of my prior K2500 Suburban. The bikes rode great there but there was 3 issues that finally killed the idea.
1. The bikes do block the radiator area. The transmission temps rise when the bikes where on. 2 bikes was manageable as the 3/4 ton GM's give you a temp gage so you can see what is going on. I only had a 3 deg rise. One of my camping buddies had 4 bikes on his Burb and one hot summer day he was close to boiling over the truck. He ended up taking 2 kid bikes apart and putting them inside to get himself home and then started on Plan B for carrying bikes.
2. The bike tires blocked the headlights. In my case I modified the bike rack so the headlights would shoot over the tires. Being on a 3/4 ton truck I had the ground clearance to lower my wife's bike down about 3" and that helped but it did not totally solve the problem. Ending up getting stuck having to tow after dark one time and the reflection of the headlights on the tires killed the idea.
3. I was alerted by others there are DOT lighting laws that the car directionals lights have to be able to be seen from certain directions and blocking them is not allowed. I found the law back then and I had an issue. I was about ready to mount front directional lights on the bike rack but we changed trucks and the problem went away. I now have the front of the TT rack.
Being a SUV tower has it's issues when it comes to bikes. And a family with kids camping makes it even harder. PS. Don't put them on the back of the camper either. It has issues too.
Hope this helps
John
I had no problem with airflow, max transmission temp I saw was ~190F climbing the Beartooth mountains. As far as blocking light, zero problem on my Z71 equipped 1500 using this bike rack. I made sure to get one that would keep the bikes as low as possible. The only real downside to the setup was that it made steep driveways much more difficult, I scuffed up some blacktop a few times entering or exiting a restaurant or gas station.
Glad yours worked out for you. Mine was not as good.
My 2003, K2500 Suburban (6.0 with the 4.10 rear axle) towing my camper at the time, (6,600# @ 27ft long) would run 190 to 200F in the summer regularly with no bikes on the front towing the flat lands of Ohio doing 55 to 60mph. This was the tranny pan temp, the Torque converter output would be much higher. The GCW was 13,640# against a GCR of 16,000. When the bikes were added, 203 to 205F was seen in the pan. It was a GM thing as that was a stock setup with their aux tranny cooler.
I finally found the post I made at the time with pics of the setup. The headlights snuck over the top of the tires, but was still a bad reflection at night in the driver's seat. The directional signals had issues. The bikes for sure rode and loaded nice up front just the other issues were a draw back.
You can see this post with pics of the setup on the 2500 Suburban. Bike Rack - TT rear to front of TV
I'm just passing this along to maybe help others think through how to overcome the issues I had. I no longer have the truck and now carry the bikes on the front of the TT.
Hope this helps
John