I am looking for a 2 bike rack that will mount to the rear storage bumper of my 1989 32' Excella. Can anyone recomend one and how to mount? Has anyone had any problems with mounting/trailering this way?
I am looking for a 2 bike rack that will mount to the rear storage bumper of my 1989 32' Excella. Can anyone recomend one and how to mount? Has anyone had any problems with mounting/trailering this way?
There have been hundreds of previous posts that say, DON'T, DON'T, DON'T.
If you insist, be prepared to spend considerable money to correct the untimate rear end separtion, that "will happen."
Hello GJ Excella. Yes it's been done and tolerated by some units. I see pictures of rear bumper cargo extensions or bike mounts with some regularity. There is much more advice saying not to do this. Longer trailers have greater frame length without any more structural strength. The 60-80 pounds on the rear bumper and the physics principle of moment arms causes a significant amplification of forces when going over road bumps. Longer trailers like yours are more subject to frame failure & the infamous rear end separation. Carrying bikes seems convenient. Repairing rear end separation is a major $$$ undertaking. Like Dirty Harry asked, "Do I feel lucky?" Can you figure out a different way to carry bikes? Yakima or Thule rack on the tow vehicle?
I agree, it's not designed for that kind of application. I think that is why they spend the extra time to mount the spare under the A frame up front.
I like to haul bikes too, and I found that when possible, a roof carrier works great. I bought a Yakima King Cobra system and have been very pleased with it. I can haul up to 4 bikes with the standard width bars.
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Computers manufactured by companies such as IBM, Compaq and millions of others are by far the most popular with about 70 million machines in use worldwide. Macintosh fans note that cockroaches are far more numerous than humans and that numbers alone do not denote a higher life form. -NY Times 1991
I am looking for a 2 bike rack that will mount to the rear storage bumper of my 1989 32' Excella. Can anyone recomend one and how to mount? Has anyone had any problems with mounting/trailering this way?
Well, I guess I'll have to add some "spice" to this thread just to prove the world is not flat and not everyone thinks the same way.
Anyway, for an alternative you might want to check out the solution my dealer Can-am RV provided. No guarantees of course, so you'll have to make up your own mind.
If you look at this How do you carry bicycles?
post 36 & 38
You will see how I attached my bike rack. The limiting factor on the Airstream bumper is the fact that the aluminum will not support a rotational load but will support the vertical load.
I used straps to tranfer the rotational load to the windo sill. This rack has worked well 50,000 miles or better and cost about $39.00 for the basic rac at Wal Mart.
Wally may have not gotten the memo, but rear end seperation is an issue and putting extra weight on the bumper can lead and contribute to body seperation which Andy is right, isn't an easy or cheap fix...but hey, it's your RV, do what you want.
Here is an idea, someone contact the factory and see what they tell you.
__________________
Computers manufactured by companies such as IBM, Compaq and millions of others are by far the most popular with about 70 million machines in use worldwide. Macintosh fans note that cockroaches are far more numerous than humans and that numbers alone do not denote a higher life form. -NY Times 1991
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