Spare tire bike carrier

['tiredTeacher]

I'm fixin' to have a friend who owns a fabrication shop to make a two-bike carrier that slips over my spare tire. Yes, I know the tire's mount, while itself is strong, is attached to a fairly flimsy pup wall and would have to be re-enforced.
I also have searched the web for mounts and am aware of just about any and every Topline, Swagman et. al. out there, including the pricey one that mounts to the frame.

That being said, has anyone actually done this?

[flyfisherman]

I've had the Topline on the rear of my little Starcraft for some time now. But it is attached (firmly) to the main frame rails, not the bumper or the spare tire. My spare tire, as it is, would not be able to withstand the riggors of the weight of two bikes bouncing along the highway. There have been a couple of members here on PUT over the years that have constructed "home made" rear racks, with sucess and where I got my ideas, but they, too, attached their's to the main farme.



Fly

[wavery]

I'm fixin' to have a friend who owns a fabrication shop to make a two-bike carrier that slips over my spare tire. Yes, I know the tire's mount, while itself is strong, is attached to a fairly flimsy pup wall and would have to be re-enforced.
I also have searched the web for mounts and am aware of just about any and every Topline, Swagman et. al. out there, including the pricey one that mounts to the frame.

That being said, has anyone actually done this?

You've certainly identified the reason that it isn't done.............not a good idea IMO.

It wouldn't be just a matter of reinforcing the back wall of the PU. IMO, you may have to reinforce where the back wall attaches to the side walls on both sides also.

I think that it would be much easier, cheaper and safer to weld a couple of long pipes to the frame (fore & aft). That would also help distribute the weight better.

Be sure to keep in mind that anything that you hang off the back of the trailer will subtract from your tongue weight and has the potential of causing swaying while towing. It's best to compensate, pound for pound, by adding weight to the front also. Be sure that your PU can handle all that additional weight.

['tiredTeacher]

You've certainly identified the reason that it isn't done.............not a good idea IMO.

I have abandoned the idea. No one has done this sucessfully and all said not to try. I've gone back to thinking about a draw bar mount (since my pup's a lightweight) to put the load on my TV.

[flyfisherman]

I have abandoned the idea. No one has done this sucessfully and all said not to try. I've gone back to thinking about a draw bar mount (since my pup's a lightweight) to put the load on my TV.

I've been interested in this doohickey ever since others have posted it on this board in the past. Although I have no experience with it, if I were in the market for another bike carrier, this would have my interest.


http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_492929_492929




Fly

[wavery]

I've been interested in this doohickey ever since others have posted it on this board in the past. Although I have no experience with it, if I were in the market for another bike carrier, this would have my interest.


http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_492929_492929




Fly

That's the way to go.  :sombraro:

['tiredTeacher]

That's the way to go.

Did I mention I was cheap?

I'm now looking at this

[wavery]

Did I mention I was cheap?

I'm now looking at this

Check this out:  :yikes:
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-60x20-CARGO-CARRIER-BASKET-3-BIKE-RACK-COMBO-HAULER_W0QQitemZ230227848723QQihZ013QQcategoryZ56198QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1713.m153.l1262

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Dual-Hitch-Receiver-Bike-Rack-Carrier_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6763QQihZ024QQitemZ370027125224QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

[JohnandLeann]

I have seen some hitch receiver applications that bolt onto the front frame of some vehicles.  If that can work and you don't mind looking through bicycle parts on the front of your vehicle, then that is also a possibility.

[Toby]

Check this out:  :yikes:
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-60x20-CARGO-CARRIER-BASKET-3-BIKE-RACK-COMBO-HAULER_W0QQitemZ230227848723QQihZ013QQcategoryZ56198QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1713.m153.l1262

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Dual-Hitch-Receiver-Bike-Rack-Carrier_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6763QQihZ024QQitemZ370027125224QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

I bought a towable four bike rack receiver at lomita trailor supply for about 139.00.  Have yet to use it yet, I need to put longer saftey chains on my trailor, the system is rated to 3500 lbs, my Jayco is only 2000 lbs so I should be ok, It looks like I still can only put three bikes on it as the last rack may interfer with my propane tanks, and with the receiver extending a little longer I wonder if i'm going to have a problem with my trailor towing straight.  I hope to try on a short trip first just to be sure it tows well.   Keeping my fingers crossed Rob.

[kjcamper]

I bought a towable four bike rack receiver at lomita trailor supply for about 139.00.  Have yet to use it yet, I need to put longer saftey chains on my trailor, the system is rated to 3500 lbs, my Jayco is only 2000 lbs so I should be ok, It looks like I still can only put three bikes on it as the last rack may interfer with my propane tanks, and with the receiver extending a little longer I wonder if i'm going to have a problem with my trailor towing straight.  I hope to try on a short trip first just to be sure it tows well.   Keeping my fingers crossed Rob.

I made a bike carrier for the back of my PUP. I welded some steel together to mount up on the campers frame, not the bumper. It works great and the lights on the camper are visible as the bikes sit up slightly higher than the lights. I use a regular 4 bike receiver hitch bike carrier.

[beacher]

...It wouldn't be just a matter of reinforcing the back wall of the PU. IMO, you may have to reinforce where the back wall attaches to the side walls on both sides also......

You really want to watch the Fleetwood Plant Tour Video from the Discovery Channel's How it's Made program.  You will see how futile it would be to attach ANYTHING to a side/front/rear wall! :eyecrazy:



.

[wavery]

You really want to watch the Fleetwood Plant Tour Video from the Discovery Channel's How it's Made program.  You will see how futile it would be to attach ANYTHING to a side/front/rear wall! :eyecrazy:



.

That was my point.... :sombraro:

['tiredTeacher]

That was my point.... :sombraro:

... and I took it.
Seems as if that old adage about inexpensive - quick and easy - well made applies. You can have two. (e.g. if it's cheap and easy it won't be well made)

The search continues.

[wavery]

... and I took it.
Seems as if that old adage about inexpensive - quick and easy - well made applies. You can have two. (e.g. if it's cheap and easy it won't be well made)

The search continues.

The definition of "Well made" must be taken in context of the product that is being examined.

The very nature of a Pop-Up camper is...1. Light weight, 2. Low Profile, 3. Inexpensive (relatively).

In order to build a stronger box, one would either have to add weight or use more expensive, high-tech materials. Either of these two items would make the product less competitive in the market place by adding weight and/or cost.

I personally think that these campers are extremely well made, as long as the consumer understands the limitations of what he is buying. They are specifically designed to be light weight and when the consumer starts trying to modify it to be something that it is not, it is the consumer that is causing a problem. It is not a lack of quality in the product IMHO.