adam
Well-known member
Good Evening
I understand this topic has been bashed around alot regarding hitch receivers on Fifth Wheels, but hear me out.
Last week I put our childrens 2 bikes on our Allen bike rack and used the factory 1.5" mount. Our girls bikes weigh 37 and 41 pounds each - I never did try to mount the last 2 bikes as the light tube was so flimsy I dreaded adding anything else to it.
Today I fabricated a proper 2" receiver to hold our bike rack. It has 2 solid crossmembers and 3 angled supports. Much, much stronger. Our bike rack and 4 bikes weigh in at a total of 194 pounds and now I feel safe putting that relatively light load on the newly designed receiver.
Legalities and safety issues I understand so I get it why manufacturers are reluctant......while I NEVER intended to tow with the hitch it was a selling feature none the less. Bikes are a staple of our RV travels.
But the way I look at it, if you can't do it right - don't do it at all. If the current design can't be constructed as such to at least safely carry 2-4 bicycles I second the rumour to delete from future builds.
Next on the list...........fix the flimsy supports for the skirts and wheel wells, so I don't have to watch them flap in the wind while I'm driving. A bit of nice stainless flat stock and hardware and it will be fixed in no time.
Thanks for listening to my venting.
Adam,
I understand this topic has been bashed around alot regarding hitch receivers on Fifth Wheels, but hear me out.
Last week I put our childrens 2 bikes on our Allen bike rack and used the factory 1.5" mount. Our girls bikes weigh 37 and 41 pounds each - I never did try to mount the last 2 bikes as the light tube was so flimsy I dreaded adding anything else to it.
Today I fabricated a proper 2" receiver to hold our bike rack. It has 2 solid crossmembers and 3 angled supports. Much, much stronger. Our bike rack and 4 bikes weigh in at a total of 194 pounds and now I feel safe putting that relatively light load on the newly designed receiver.
Legalities and safety issues I understand so I get it why manufacturers are reluctant......while I NEVER intended to tow with the hitch it was a selling feature none the less. Bikes are a staple of our RV travels.
But the way I look at it, if you can't do it right - don't do it at all. If the current design can't be constructed as such to at least safely carry 2-4 bicycles I second the rumour to delete from future builds.
Next on the list...........fix the flimsy supports for the skirts and wheel wells, so I don't have to watch them flap in the wind while I'm driving. A bit of nice stainless flat stock and hardware and it will be fixed in no time.
Thanks for listening to my venting.
Adam,
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