Bike rack on a popup camper

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TXLX470

TXLX470

Joined
Oct 31, 2006
Threads
60
Messages
548
Location
Austin, TX
What kind of bike racks do you'll use on popup campers?? Is the roof strong enough to hold three bikes and do I have to drill the roof to fix the racks? I have seen some spare wheel bike racks but not sure how strong they are .
 
Im using the yak system, with a reinforcing / brace in the middle.
Im not sure how you would get away with not drilling.:frown:
Normally Im running 2 bikes 1 tricycle and a box.
I think I could fit at least 5 bikes, That being said the pop up roof is not the stout est of things , spreading the load is a good idea in this arena.


ken





MMMMuummmmm stock............ and no scratches.............
P1010053.webp
 
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Thanks for picture. So this bike rack is permantly fixed to the roof or is it removable?
 
I've seen them use some sort of wide towers as feet. Surely bolted on. Wondering as to how well that would hold given that the roofs look like a thin sheet of plastic over some insulation.
Been pondering also about the special hitch extensions that have a dual receivers so you can use a bike hanger, at the expense of a longer rig.
 
TXLX470 said:
Thanks for picture. So this bike rack is permantly fixed to the roof or is it removable?
Click to expand...


The rack is bolted down, It would prolly take 5 minuets to remove.
The bars are also removable from the towers.
For extra peice of mind you could make a support plate to mount under the towers, there by spreading the load. Take a look at the yak web site ,good stuff.



ken
 
e9999 said:
I've seen them use some sort of wide towers as feet. Surely bolted on. Wondering as to how well that would hold given that the roofs look like a thin sheet of plastic over some insulation.
Been pondering also about the special hitch extensions that have a dual receivers so you can use a bike hanger, at the expense of a longer rig.
Click to expand...

Naaa. stick it on top of your trailer, yak also make long mounting rails ($$)

If I did that dual hitch thing I would defnitally jackife that thing and,,,,:mad:



ken
 
e9999 said:
Been pondering also about the special hitch extensions that have a dual receivers so you can use a bike hanger, at the expense of a longer rig.
Click to expand...

My trailer did not come with rackrails and rather than drill I did the hitch thing. This pic shows it installed as it was built, the hole you see near the receiver is one I drilled to move it closer to the truck...
hitch001.jpg


Here it is with the carrier installed using my hitch pin hole....
hitch002.jpg


Positives - Dont have to take the bikes off the trailer to pop it up and I can take the bikes to the trailhead if the camper is sitting at the campsite.

Negatives - The maker of the adaptor says it cuts hitch capacity by a 1/3. The adaptor weighs 26 lbs, my rack with extension for 3 bikes weighs 48 lbs and 3 bikes are around 85 lbs ... so I hang an extra 168 lbs (plus the trailer tongue) out past the bumper. That causes the a$$end of the truck to sag quite a bit when I'm all set-up (w/OME 2.5 heavy springs)
 
I'm going to put a rack on my pop-up as well, and I called the dealer I bought it from to ask the best way to do it. They said that the towers should be bolted to the side of the roof, because the roof is just 1/2" plywood with little extra support.
 
got a shot of both connected?

what's your reaction to the Fleetwood? BEen looking at them alot, I'm 6'4" would I fit?
 
PabloVTA said:
got a shot of both connected?

what's your reaction to the Fleetwood? BEen looking at them alot, I'm 6'4" would I fit?
Click to expand...

No I don't (my ROTW has a pic of the trailer attached but no bike rack still gives an idea of the space available)
I had already moved the battery box back next to the propane tank so I could open the tire carrier with the trailer attached and with that done there is no major issue with clearance for 3 bikes.

I love it. I have tented all my life and wasn't sure about making the switch but I am happy I did. I'm 6'0 and so are the beds (tight fit). I think the Element series (this is a Cobalt) might be too narrow for you unless you sleep alone, at an angle ;).
 
From where did you buy that hitch thing or did you get it custom built?
Thanks
 
I have a Fleetwood Utah with an ABS roof (no cracks or leaks), with an AC unit. I mounted a Thule system to the rear of the AC. This is my fourth camper and although the roofs have been different on the outside, the structure is essentially the same - about an inch of styrofoam between the outer shell and essentially a contact paper like veneer inside. There are no beams at all. The AC support is an added beam inside to keep the roof from sagging.

Consider the bike rack in reverse - it stiffens the roof by adding cross beams to the outside. However, never lift the roof with the bikes on top.

My rack is four short rails that mimmick gutters, to which you clamp a standard gutter mount foot to. Both Thule and Yakima sell these in long or short form for adjustability. The cross bars are over 6 feet long, so I have mounted as many as 8 bikes on mine or 4 plus a carrier, etc.

When I attached the rails to the top, I coated the plates inside and outside with silicone to prevent leaks and I have had none.

BTW the camper is for sale! Time to upgrade to a travel trailer.
 
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