What Receiver Hitch for a bike rack

[raineysranch]

Have a 2011 3670 Big Horn. Looks like brackets welded on frame at rear are for a hitch to be mounted but the brackets looks kinda thin. Any ideas out there? We want to carry bikes with us but don't know what receiver to install and bike rack would be best for two bikes. Anyone who has made this happen please advise.

 

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Raineysranch, welcome to the Heartland Forum. Heartland has since discontinued adding the hitch mount brackets. However, if you call Heartland Parts they may have a hitch that will bolt onto your brackets. 877-262-8032 / 574-262-8030

Peace
Dave

 

[raineysranch]

Thanks for the suggestion. I checked with parts and they have no receivers for this model. I'm now looking at the concept of a pin box receiver. I have seen several on the web and it looks like good option. I'm worried about the clearance between the bikes (2) and the truck cab (long bed) on tight turns. Anyone with any experance in this area?

 

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Yes, I have a pin box receiver mount. I have a short bed and have had now issues with cab clearance.
You need pics?

Peace
Dave

 

[raineysranch]

The pics would be great. Our big horn pin box is stock. I dropped a plum bob from the most forward part of the front cap and the line fell in front of the box by about an inch. I'm thinking that would be the location of the front of the receiver when mounted. Then when the bike rack is inserted, it should be a safe distance from the front of the cap.

 

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k, I don't have pics on file of my new rig position, but check back tomorrow. I will take a few pics in the morning.
My old rig had the long pinbox and my new one has the short pinbox. Both are Trail Alir but I think you should be able to mount a rack on the standard pinbox.

Peace
Dave

 

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Raineysranch, here are a couple of pics of my bike rack. I coppied the design from Terry H. here on the forum. One thing you might want to modify is, if your pinbox is not level, then build the mount so the bike rack will be level.

Peace
Dave

 

[raineysranch]

Thanks for the pics. I picked up a 12 inch long two inch receiver from Tractor Supply. Now all I have to do is find a welder / fab shop that will do the work. Thanks again.

 

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FYI, I used a 6 inch receiver as I wanted to keep the bike rack as close to the front cap as possible. Also I used grade 3/8" grade 8 bolts to attach it.

Peace
Dave