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Topic ClosedBicycles (2) on pod

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Swhalen2 View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Topic: Bicycles (2) on pod
    Posted: 29 Mar 2017 at 7:05am
I have been criticized for carrying my bicycles on a bicycle rack using the hitch the spare tire resides in. Is there anyone who is doing that and is this a bad thing to do?
Wilderness does not have a compromise.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Mar 2017 at 9:10am
It can be a very bad thing.  The issue seems to be that the bikes are cantilevered off the rear end of the trailer and they bounce around a lot when traveling.  this creates a lot of leverage that will be transmitted from the hitch receiver  to the frame.  It has been known to crack the frame.  It may also void your warranty if you are still covered by the warranty.

There are several ways to address this issue.  Many people get a bike rack that is mounted on the trailer tongue A frame above the battery and propane tank.  There are several different companies that have these type of racks available. Forest River does have one model they sell that is approved for the rear receiver.

I did it a different way by welding additional 2"x2" cross members  to the frame and adding a gusseted 2" receiver.  I also use 2 nylon webbing cam straps that go from the bike rack to eye bolts on each corner of the pod to stop movement.  I also use a hitch quieter to keep the shank tight inside the receiver.  all of these changes make the bikes and bike rack more rigid.  I have carried the 2 bikes cross country several times and no issues.  I do check the welds very carefully periodically.  there are pictures of the installation in my mods listed in my signature.

This is not to say that my system is perfect or will not fail.  The biggest issue is that with bikes on the rear, they are totally out of sight.  If there is an issue, you will be the last to know-they will be falling off and flying down the highway without you.  It can be very dangerous.

check out the search feature  in the top right section of the page and you will find many posts about bike racks.

good luck-travel safe
Vann



Vann & Laura 2015 RPod 179
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Swhalen2 View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Mar 2017 at 9:37am
Vann,

Thank you for the timely response. It verifies what we have been hearing from other campers. I will look into another type of hitch/carrying system.

Sean

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Mar 2017 at 10:24am
We met a couple at an R-Pod rally this past weekend who have a bike rack that mounts to the tongue jack bolts. I think it's this one:

http://www.campingworld.com/browse/skus/index.cfm?skunum=95634

On their rack, the rear bike cleared the front of the Pod by 8-10 inches.
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Swhalen2 View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Mar 2017 at 11:37am
Thank you again for the quick responses.

Sean
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mjlrpod View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Apr 2017 at 4:16pm
I purchased straumann-carlson tongue mount to carry 2 bikes on the tomgue 
2017.5 Rp-172
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Apr 2017 at 4:23pm
I just bought a folding bike(schwinn Loop) which I can throw in the back of the truckThumbs Up
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birderdiane526 View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Apr 2017 at 9:02pm
We have been carrying two bikes using the hitch where the spare was, but have heard regularly that it's a bad idea. Plan on changing this when we reach family in NJ next week. We have been lucky so far, but you know how these things go!!
Diane and Michael
2016 179 "PIP" (PODDING IN PARADISE)
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birderdiane526.blogspot.com
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