Bighorn - Bike Rack for ladder

We have a 2011 3585. We are wondering why there is no way attach bikes to this 5th wheel. No hitch, no bumper to install one. The only option is to attach to the ladder. Do you have a suggestion on which one to buy? How frustrating this is. Heartland, you need to add the bumper back so people can load their bikes.
Thank you.

Re: ATF: Bighorn - Bike Rack for ladder

Hi Toni,

The Bighorn has never had a separate bumper under the rear cap. For about a year, we had our frame supplier (Lippert) weld brackets on the bottom of the I-beams at the rear of the coach. Then we offered a bike receiver option. Honestly, so few buyers took the option that we removed it rather than charging 100% of the buyers for the brackets when only a few percent took the receiver option.

We don't offer any other options at this time. That said, many owners have taken upon themselves to implement a variety of solutions. While we don't endorse any solution and some can even void certain warranties, below is what we've seen owners do. Each have their advantages and perils:

- Add a bike carrier to the rear ladder
- Add a bike rack to the roof of the tow vehicle
- Add a receiver to the front of the tow vehicle and add a receiver style bike hitch there
- Add a receiver on top the pin box and add a receiver style bike hitch there
- Add a receiver to the rear of the RV and add a receiver style bike hitch there

Here again, none of these may be what you are looking for, but they are solutions we've seen owners use in the past. Consider working with your Heartland dealer to find a solution that works for you.

Best of luck,

Jim

Re: ATF: Bighorn - Bike Rack for ladder

Thank you for your suggestions. We will consider all of them. Thanks, again.

Re: ATF: Bighorn - Bike Rack for ladder

Toni,

Here's a couple of links to forum searches that may be of additional assistance to you:

Link 1 - Bike Rack

Link 2 - Bike Hitch

Link 3 - Bicycle

Jim