Bike rack on spare tire
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9230
Printed Date: 30 Apr 2024 at 1:34am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Bike rack on spare tire
Posted By: JET
Subject: Bike rack on spare tire
Date Posted: 19 Jan 2017 at 12:06am
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My search shows that bike racks have been discussed but I didn't find posts to my specific questions. I just bought a new 178. My wife and I are avid cyclists and plan on having two bikes with us on most camping trips. I am trying to decide which way to carry two bikes. The most appealing set-up to me is where the bikes are mounted on the front of the TT on the A frame. I have pretty much ruled that out though as it is the most expensive and complicated way to do so. The choices I am considering are either to remove the spare and utilize a two bike carrier that occupies the hitch receptacle or leave the spare alone and mount the two bikes on a bike rack that is designed to attach to the spare tire. I think that the bike rack that attaches to the spare tire is my first choice other then I am concerned about the weight on the hitch especially when it is in addition to the spare tire and it's components for mounting. The two bikes weigh about 60 lbs together along with the addition of the bike rack. I am just wondering what the thoughts are of those of you who take a couple of bikes with you (I don't want to carry the bikes on the TV) and how you do it. I suppose that removing the spare tire and storing it or re-locating it on say the A frame might be easier in the long run and safer? Hmmm. John
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Replies:
Posted By: ribet
Date Posted: 19 Jan 2017 at 1:07am
| I mounted my spare tire under the pod in front of the wheels and modified the tire rack on the rear to accept the bike rack that I could take off and use on the back of my TV. Slide out rack costs about $80 from Amazon. |
Posted By: ribet
Date Posted: 19 Jan 2017 at 1:08am
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Spare tire weighs more then two bikes |
Posted By: JET
Date Posted: 19 Jan 2017 at 1:19am
That is why one of my concerns (weight of spare) is the ability of the factory hitch to safely hold Both the bikes and the spare if I decide to mount the bikes on the spare. Also I am interested in specifically how you mounted you spare when you say you did it under the pod in front of the wheels. |
Posted By: ribet
Date Posted: 19 Jan 2017 at 1:34am
| 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. |
Posted By: ribet
Date Posted: 19 Jan 2017 at 1:38am
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https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KPRBBRO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1 - BAL 28215 Hide-A-Spare Tire Storage - Recessed Mount Amazon |
Posted By: ribet
Date Posted: 19 Jan 2017 at 1:41am
| 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. |
Posted By: Don Halas
Date Posted: 19 Jan 2017 at 7:24am
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I moved the tire to the front hitch and added a Thule Helium.
Seems to be working well, but the Helium is $400. |
Posted By: JET
Date Posted: 19 Jan 2017 at 7:33am
Don, I would be interested in hearing what specifically you did in moving the spare to the front hitch.
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Posted By: JET
Date Posted: 19 Jan 2017 at 7:34am
Thanks so much for your reply and the link to the recessed mount on Amazon. I really appreciate it.
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Posted By: Pod People
Date Posted: 19 Jan 2017 at 8:34am
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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 ------------- Vann & Laura 2015 RPod 179 https://postimg.cc/0zwKrfB9"> 
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Posted By: Don Halas
Date Posted: 19 Jan 2017 at 10:39am
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https://www.lowes.com/pd/Carry-On-Trailer-Spare-Tire-Wheel-Carrier/3120555
I had pictures in older posts but it appears that a lot of purging has been done recently. Seems anything older than about 5 or 6 months is gone, or at least not searchable. |