Bike Rack help, please

[Mike Up]

I did'nt know we were even discussing a WDH ...
 
But I doubt seriously if a load bearing hitch with a proper set-up (including the TV), that it would make that much difference.

With PUP tongue weights going from 300 lbs to 400 lbs, they're already straining the suspension of most vehicles with sag. You push that weight out even further with a 1' extention, it will pull down even harder. Then add the additional weight of the extention, a bike rack, and then the bikes. It's very likely that you could be at or exceeding the class III/IV weight bearing hitch rating of 500 lbs.
 
Even if you had a vehicle with a suspension that could handle all that without pointing the headlights up in the air, you would still be close or exceeding the weight bearing hitch rating. To go over 500 lbs or to keep excessive sag from happening, you'd need to use a weight distribution hitch.
 
Have a good one.

[flyfisherman]

With PUP tongue weights going from 300 lbs to 400 lbs, they're already straining the suspension of most vehicles with sag. You push that weight out even further with a 1' extention, it will pull down even harder. Then add the additional weight of the extention, a bike rack, and then the bikes. It's very likely that you could be at or exceeding the class III/IV weight bearing hitch rating of 500 lbs.
 
Even if you had a vehicle with a suspension that could handle all that without pointing the headlights up in the air, you would still be close or exceeding the weight bearing hitch rating. To go over 500 lbs or to keep excessive sag from happening, you'd need to use a weight distribution hitch.
 
Have a good one.

First off, the extension very clearly states it has a towing capacity of 4,000 lbs. Rather it could be used with a WDH is quite another issue and would certainly have to be looked into. But for a load bearing hitch (class III for example), would fit into this hitch range. Obviously, a TV's towing capacity, rear suspension and such would all be considerations as to whether weight could be added. But assuming all was within the TV capacity, I doubt very seriously rather the additional 1" would hardly make a difference.




Fly

[Bowfin]

My Taos has a 2" receiver welded to the bumper and frame, offset from the crank. I have a hitch'n haul with a bike rack attachment that I use. It tows fine and is very solid. Not sure if it came from the dealer like that as I'm the 3rd owner.

[brainpause]

My Taos has a 2" receiver welded to the bumper and frame, offset from the crank. I have a hitch'n haul with a bike rack attachment that I use. It tows fine and is very solid. Not sure if it came from the dealer like that as I'm the 3rd owner.

I can assure you that it didn't come from the dealer that way, unless it was an unwise dealer.

That's a lot of stress on the Taos frame.

Larry

[flyfisherman]

That's a lot of stress on the Taos frame.

Larry

How do you figure that, might I ask ...?

I've had something simular for the past six years plus and the frame on my PU is like it was from the get go. And "we", the camper, the bikes and us'uns, have gone down many, many miles together. I think a false rumor got started somewhere that popup camper frames were/are so fragile, and I've just never seen that substantiated.


Fly

[Bowfin]

I can assure you that it didn't come from the dealer that way, unless it was an unwise dealer.

That's a lot of stress on the Taos frame.

Larry

I was cautious about it when I first saw it. I am very careful and inspected and tested mine before I loaded bikes and went anywhere. the hitch paint and welds are just as faded as the bumper paint, so it's been on there a long time. There's no more than 200 lbs on the hitch, there's no wiggle in the bumper or frame fully loaded.  I can stand on the hitch'n haul and bounce with no flex and I weight 275lbs, not that I'd ever put that much on the hitch and haul, but if it was going to flex or bend, it would have bent then. I added it to my pre-trip inspection checklist.

Fully loaded with 3 bikes your looking 125 lbs for the bikes plus 40 for the hitch'n haul, so a total of 165 lbs +/- .

[rebe918]

Fully loaded with 3 bikes your looking 125 lbs for the bikes plus 40 for the hitch'n haul, so a total of 165 lbs +/- .

This was almost exactly what I had in mind. I'm glad to hear a couple of fellow campers have similar set ups.  Is your received welded just to the bumper and the frame rails connected to bumper, or does it go further under for support.  I was even thinking to the hitch'n haul, and that looks to work pretty good.

We are only looking to haul 2 adult bikes and 1 childs bike.  How big is your Taos? Are most of the frames designed the same on the trailers? We have a Sedona, which is probably a smaller trailer, but will it still work?

[Bowfin]

The Taos is the smallest pop-up Coleman/Fleetwood makes.

The 2" hitch tube is welded directly to the frame rail and bumper, making one solid piece.  The welds are made on the vertical portion of the rails giving it the most strength. A single bumper  or a single frame rail is not very strong by itself and will flex some, but when they are joined and welded by the hitch tube, they are very solid. I'll try to get some better pics when it's not raining out.

You can see the main welds here (one is obscured by glare)