Bike rack on spare tire

If you will do a search in the forum for bike racks you will find a wealth of information and ideas.  Lots of podders carry their bikes with them with many different solutions.

There are a lot of different opinions about the use of the rear receiver for the bikes. the main issue is not only the weight, but also the fact that the weight is cantilevered and not stable-the bikes are bouncing around which adds a lot of dynamic loading  .  this can cause frame cracks and metal fatigue.  I think I have also read/heard that using any bike rack other than the unit sold by Forest river will void your warranty.

I did a very different thing for our bikes.  If you will check out the mods in my signature you will find pictures of my receiver modifications.  I basically added a 2" receiver below the existing 1!/4" stock receiver. Before doing this, I added triangular gussets top and bottom of the stock 1 1/4" receiver and also added a 2" tubular cross member from frame to frame horizontally.  The cross member is welded to the back end of the 2" receiver with a short piece of angle iron. the pictures will make this explanation clearer. I also use 2 web cam straps attached to each side of the bike rack and attached to an eye bolt at each corner of the pod.  these straps stop almost all of the excess movement of the rack, both sideways and front to back.  the bikes are clamped onto the bike rack and then a small rope is also tied to the down tubes and back to the rack to eliminate as much movement as possible. the idea is to stop all movement of the bikes and the rack itself. Feel free to ask if you have questions.

I have used this system for 2 bikes on several cross country trips with no apparent issues.  I take the seats /seat posts off to eliminate weight. I have thoroughly inspected all of the welds before , during and after each trip. I am not recommending that you void your warranty-I bought my pod used and it was already out of warranty. whatever you do, make sure it is safe and secure.  bikes and racks falling off at 60 mph is not pretty.
Travel safe
Vann

Vann

Originally posted by Don Halas I moved the tire to the front hitch and added a Thule Helium. Seems to be working well, but the Helium is $400.

I am a automobile mechanic and use many forums, but this forum has been the most fun and informative.  Late at night with wife sleeping and I am at my screen reading and typing away.  Life is good. 

Amazon sells a spare tire slide out holder that fits under your rPod.  Easy to install and costs about $80.  Then I attached a bike rack to the empty spare tire rack on the back of my rPod.  The bike rack can be removed and fitted to the back of my tow vehicle for use on side trips.

Spare tire weighs more then two bikes