bike rack receiver

BobW · 02-21-2011, 06:31 PM

Anyone added a receiver to their 5th wheel DRV? I would like to add a double bike rack on the back, but, I don't want a ladder rack. Where do I start?

porkchop · 02-21-2011, 09:28 PM

We had our dealer install one for us. Took half a day & did not cost much. Don't remember how much. Just told him what it was for, bikes, not cars or trailers.

Cheif 2 · 02-22-2011, 04:41 AM

We had one added at the factory as part of the original purchase. It is bolted to the frame. Keep in mind the bikes get real dirty back there and you may find that you will need to add a riser to give the bikes more clearance when traveling through angled drives.

jas24 · 02-22-2011, 06:36 AM

Hi Bob,

I have the hitch, brand new mounting brackets and brand new bike rack I might be interested in selling.
The mounting brackets get welded to the frame.

Motor31 · 02-22-2011, 11:56 AM

I had one installed by the DRV factory as an option I ordered with the trailer. Very very bad idea. The hitch was never welded properly. It was held on by small "spot" welds with no penetration to the metal of the hitch or frame. It was held only by welding rod slag. The hitch also hung down below the rear of the trailer a good 4" to 5" and self removed itself when it contacted a sloping driveway exiting to the street. It then relocated itself into the rear cap.

DRV made good on the repairs only after I drove back to the factory more than 1200 miles with the hitch and threatened legal action. I kept the hitch and brought it with us. The inferior quality of the welds was painfully obvious and the folks at Charger helped to convince DRV that they were on the wrong side of the issue. That happened during the 2 year factory warranty that DRV no longer offers.

If you do use a bike hitch, keep in mind the bike(s) will be on a long arm that will be swinging on every bump. That flexing can lead to failure of the hitch, bike mount and damage to the trailer or another vehicle if it separates onto the roadway. That has happened and since it's on the back of the trailer you will probably never notice it until you stop and do a walk around.

porkchop · 02-22-2011, 09:02 PM

Bob-If all you want it for is bikes, bolt it on. No need to weld. Easier, cheaper. Get a carrier where the wheels sit in the wells, not hang by the bars or frame. Better set up and not at all wobbly. I've had mine for almost 3 years with out a bit of trouble or concern

Bill

Beachgirl · 02-23-2011, 09:45 PM

Ok, totally newbie question. :)

Since the MS has a 2" receiver, would a hitch rack be best, and avoid all the welding problems?

And Bob recommended one w/ wheel wells, so I checked Amazon and found this:

http://www.amazon.com/Swagman-Cross-...518517&sr=8-26

Cheif 2 · 02-24-2011, 04:13 AM

That is similar to the type I have, except mine holds two bikes. It has held up well and is easy to use. The bikes stay very secure on it.

missourijan · 02-24-2011, 01:00 PM

We had a receiver added at the factory, bad mistake. Very rough ride back there, our bike rack broke at the "L" and bikes fell off. We were very lucky not to have caused an accident. Will never have anything back there again. We had a machinist make one for the king pin and really like it.

tajmahaulers · 02-24-2011, 09:32 PM

We had added a receiver on the back of our last fifth wheel and carried our bikes there with no problem. We traded for a an '06 MS TK3 and it didn't look good for a receiver on the back because of the spare tire. Another MS owner suggested we add a receiver to the front of the truck. Camping World can order them and install them, too. We haven't travelled with the bikes in front yet but I've seen others on the road. Seems like a good solution to me.

The View 5046 · 02-25-2011, 10:22 AM

If you have the bikes that the front tires are quick disconnect. Its very easy to remove the front tires and roll them into the basement. We have always stored our bikes in the Basement a 26" and a 27". But we had the option of the 2.5" receiver on our 2010 MS and I can assure you if Drv did the same job in mounting the receiver it will handle bikes. Our receiver handles a lot more than a couple hundred pounds. They are rated at 3,000 lbs and it will do that....

David Schwertner · 04-23-2011, 08:41 PM

Any one try mounting a front mounted receiver hitch on the front end of your towing pickup to haul your bicycles? It mounts to the truck frame. I looked at Curt # 31008. I've seen some rv'ers doing that before.

Looks better than having a hitch on the back end of our Mobile Suites. They had a swagman 2- bike rack. Easy way to keep an eye out on your bikes too while going down the road.
Any Ideas?
I have an F450, so weight won't be a problem.

BobW · 04-24-2011, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Schwertner

Any one try mounting a front mounted receiver hitch on the front end of your towing pickup to haul your bicycles? It mounts to the truck frame. I looked at Curt # 31008. I've seen some rv'ers doing that before.
.

I wonder if this is legal? I think the bike would cover up the turn and head lights and possibility restrict the air going to the radiator. Just a thought. I gave up and added a receiver to the back of our RV. Years ago we had a ladder bike rack. The rack broke and the bikes fell half way to the ground. It also broke the ladder and grounded half my bike wheel off before I saw it. The ladders are cheep and can't hold the weight.

edt · 04-24-2011, 04:39 PM

I put one on the front of our truck no problem even easy to install, Love Bugs were added at no charge

**wingnut60** · 04-24-2011, 05:57 PM

You can get a hitch that mounts on the tow hooks on the front--appears pretty solid, as the Ford hooks are heck for stout.
Joe

David Schwertner · 04-25-2011, 05:06 PM

Just had a front mounted receiver hitch mounted on my F450 to carry two bikes. Went with the Curt Mfg. #31008; as it has a #500 lb tongue capacity. Two bikes won't even come close to that wt. Great install with no modifications needed. Hitch bolted directly to the frame. Two bolts on each side. Twenty minutes and I was on my way. Discount Hitch Inc. out of Austin,Texas.