FJ40 front bumper mount idea

[ErikinSC]

So, I've been toying with this idea for carrying my Mtbike on my FRONT bumper...

Need a fork clamp (would weld a small bracket to bumper then bolt bracket), a section of tire channel and a heavy duty cinch strap for the rear wheel.... Similar to a roof mount, just turned 90* and .... Thoughts?

 

[Fast Eddy]

I put a front receiver on my tow rig. It puts the bikes right in your view. No bueno and probably not legal.

 

[ErikinSC]

Maybe I'll find a local traffic cop, and ask first.... Thanks @Fast Eddy

 

[JohnVee]

I put a front receiver on my tow rig. It puts the bikes right in your view. No bueno and probably not legal.

City buses carry bikes that way in front, but the driver is obviously a little higher up over the bumper than we'd be.

Why not just buy a drop receiver hitch and a rack that plugs in? The carrier could at least be used on different vehicles and should be able to be sourced cheap on CL.

 

[ErikinSC]

City buses carry bikes that way in front, but the driver is obviously a little higher up over the bumper than we'd be.

Why not just buy a drop receiver hitch and a rack that plugs in? The carrier could at least be used on different vehicles and should be able to be sourced cheap on CL.

Yes, @JohnVee - I think that is where I got my inspiration.

@Fast Eddy - I've also seen some Canadians hauling tow-behind campers to Fla with bikes on the front of duallys also.

I looked at the North Shore racks, but it wont suppot a road bike...

I am also liking the Yakima, Thule, Tuff Rack,and http://www.isi-carriers.com/contact.html racks.... (isi gives great access and clearance)

but something OTHER THAN a simple front or rear receiver mount just seems more 'Land Cruiser"-like....

From a more practical perspective, with the front mount I have some concerns about the lateral stress on the fork due to the wind... the LC is NOT as big as a bus, and additional bracing is a concern (i have the 8274 to mount still). This would be the same mounting method I use with my pickup truck

-but tuned 90* and it is not protected by the cab. The roof mount oprion is not likely - bike would be really high and I dont want to risk dropping onto the hardtop when loading.

 

[Fast Eddy]

If you're looking for a receiver rack, they don't get much better than Kuat. They're too tall for the front, but since they're tall you could likely wheel most places with them installed and loaded.

 

[JohnVee]

4x4 Labs might be able to modify his bike rack...

 

[ErikinSC]

@JohnVee - yes i considered this :

but really liked David @lcwizard stuff even better.... so i got this :

Now, I have considered HOW i could modify Dave's setup to carry one bike vertically.... but I keep looking at the front bumper.... UGHH.

 

[dukmon]

Uh oh...... Looks like ErikinSC has a HeyBo cooler...... I like it.


Did a little bit of dirt road riding just a little south of you this past weekend, Erik.

 

[ErikinSC]

I drank beer this weekend.... (that's kinda bike related...). I really need to get back on my whip.

 

[dukmon]

Where do you go to ride? Sumter?

The Poinsett Park there is pretty nice.

The pictures above are by the Edisto and Penny Creek, not far from Jacksonboro.

 

[ErikinSC]

@dukmon - I've ridden and raced The Knot at Poinsette, but typically we ride Marrington Plantaion on the Naval Weapon Station or Wannamaker North, a newer (2yr old) 8+ mile trail also in Goose Creek, part of the Charleston Parks & Rec system. It is near Crowfield Plantaion. I made one trip to Paris Mtn - that was epic. Ridden Dupont once before - but wth kids and a wife on vacation - dont get there enough.

We often skinny tire ride the SawBranch Trail early on Sat mornings, before the kids get up - a nice 20 mile paved trail next to a runoff ditch.

Last year, a small group of us rode from Summerville to Folly Beach to one of the guy's family's house. They stayed and spent the day.

Wev'e also got some small groups that ride the Francis Marion Nat'l forest, and Gravel Grind, some that road ride the FMNF on the road when it gets too hot during the summer early on Sat or Sun mornings. FATS is always a favorite, or Harbison in Cola. You definetly have more options from G'ville.

 

[dukmon]

My wife podiumed at The Knot the other week. I think it was our 4th or 5th year there.

I'll have to try the trail by Crowfield Plantation.

 

[ErikinSC]

on Facebook look for the group : Low Country Fat Tire Freaks....

 

[dukmon]

Roger that. PM me next time you may make it up this way. We ride DuPont/Pisgah every week but there are great places close to town too that I'd be happy to point you towards.

We just completed an almost 6 mile loop at a county park and are flagging out 3 additional miles right now. It's in northern Greenville county and is probably the closest thing to Pisgah without actually being in Pisgah. Pleasant Ridge County Park. You can find it on facebook along with our club, Upstate SORBA.

 

[ErikinSC]

I have an old classmate your way. Do you happen to know an Anesthesiologist that also rides up your way, Allen Smith? He's a Citadel grad, and former wrestler. He skinny rides and fat tire rides.

 

[dukmon]

Not super sure, would probably have to see his face.

 

[corleykj]

I always liked the north shore racks but wanted a road bike compatible one as well. I had some free time, a couple fork clamps and made this. I emailed north shore about there rear wheel cinching mechanisism and they said it was rope wih a marine cleat. Mine doesn't fold down like nicer racks, but works great with the top off. I have a nicer thule one that locks bikes and drops down, but making one is way more fun. I have more pictures somewhere. Sorry for the bad angle.

My point in sharing is to say, I think you could make a simple mount for your front bumper, roll bar, or edge of the body (like above the quarter panel). And my rack may have a couple ideas you can use.
Good luck.

 

[dukmon]

Shamelessly using my non unique bike rack to show off some bikes.

Wife's 9's off to the shop for a going through before the race season gets fully underway. My Stickel in tow too. G

ot up to DuPont for our Wednesday Night Drinking Club ride.

I've been using these wide wheels for a couple of months now. I can get by with 18 - 19 #s of pressure, making the hardtail that much smoother.

 

[QuarterPint]

On spare wheel could you mount a bar to the three unused lug holes that could support a fork mount? Run tire channel along the rear edge of your basket and your set. Would be way high enough for trail issues and in the rear the wind load would be negated. Prolly sketchy when you have to change a tire but that sucks on a good day. It would also kill the swingoutness of your swingouts, but hey I've done worse to get to the trail!