Towing Gear

Joe Camper · August 04, 2010, 06:40:47 AM

I'm looking for a bike rack to carry the most possible bicycles.

I need it to attach to a short Reese hitch extension or it needs to be an extension itself.

I will using it to pull a 1/2 ton PU on a tow bar along with/behind the bikes.

I did some looking last night and all I found was up to 5000lb.

Any sources?

Thanks in advance

belfert · August 04, 2010, 06:56:55 AM

Why not put the bikes in the back of the pickup or attach the rack to the hitch on the pickup itself?

JohnEd · August 04, 2010, 12:45:10 PM

Call Ron at Ron's Hitch-n-Tow in Eugene. If you are going to buy ready made he has very good prices. If you want it installed....he does that. If you have some sort of special needs he is the best place to have a hitch fabracated and designed. You owe it to yourself to check him out. I have talked to people in his shop that camein from Texas for a marathon visit and arranged to have him do their motor cycle lift ($4K for the lift) done while they were there. One Texan said " believe me, I can have this work done anywhere in the country I wish and Ron is my choice". I rated the Redneck out to Ron after he left. (joke buried there in case redneck is a PC forbidden noun"

541 463 8469

Tell him Joe sent ya,

John

Joe Camper · August 04, 2010, 04:49:09 PM

Belford I already have the back of the PU carring bicycles and we would like to take 4 more.

I would just like to find a rack that I can attatch or clamp to a 1 foot Reese hitch extension so I can safty pull about 6000lb

of Dodge PU on a tow bar too.

If I find it I'll post it.

Joe Camper · August 04, 2010, 05:06:34 PM

This would be good accept it is only rated for 3500lb.

I suppose I could take it off of its reciever and mount it to the solid 1 foot extension I have. I would have to drill a couple of holes.

http://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Bike-Racks/SportRack/A30404TW200.html

thomasinnv · August 04, 2010, 05:49:42 PM

Quote from: Joe Camper on August 04, 2010, 05:06:34 PM
This would be good accept it is only rated for 3500lb.

I suppose I could take it off of its reciever and mount it to the solid 1 foot extension I have. I would have to drill a couple of holes.

http://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Bike-Racks/SportRack/A30404TW200.html

drilling holes through the extension may change it's weight towing capacity.

Joe Camper · August 04, 2010, 06:31:16 PM

Ya......but not by much. We are talking about a solid 2in piece of steel. I have safely towed 1/2 ton pu's with the hollow style receivers many times. Two small holes drilled in a solid receiver will be o/k.

I have also seen somewhere a receiver that has 1 male end going into the bus and 2 receiver ends, one on top of the other.

Has anyone seen or have a source for this attachment.

Thanks in advance

desi arnaz · August 04, 2010, 06:33:07 PM

think this through.if you put the bikes on the rear of the coach you will have loads of diesel soot on them when you get to where you are going. i say attache them to the rear of the p/u.

Joe Camper · August 04, 2010, 06:35:10 PM

Thanks for the insite, i'll suggest a good coat of wax.

Joe Camper · August 04, 2010, 06:58:33 PM

Found what I was looking for.

http://www.hitchcorner.com/trailer-hitch-accessories.htm

Now I can buy whatever bike rack I want.

belfert · August 04, 2010, 07:31:46 PM

Modifying any item from the original design can move the stress to a place that isn't designed.

I worked at a place that replaced the surge brakes on some trailers with a different manufacturer because they couldn't get the old ones. The new surge brakes caused the frames on two trailers to crack. They were passenger carrying trailers and it was lucky I noticed the issue before we lost a trailer.

It sounds like you found something that will do what you want without making changes.

robertglines1 · August 04, 2010, 07:47:21 PM

roof rack on truck?

Joe Camper · August 05, 2010, 03:47:54 AM

Yes Bob yes.

Positive input, this is what I seek.

How many bikes can a 1/2 ton with a cap in tow carry? 10? 12? LOL

So they loaded up the truck and they went to burning man.

Crazies that is, goofy clothes, nutty bikes.

JackConrad · August 05, 2010, 06:31:39 AM

You could look at a Thule or Yakima rook rack system. The crossbars come in several lengths and are usually available at pretty good prices on Ebay. I purchased crossbars, mounting towers and kayak mounts by getting what I needed in several different auctions.
In addition to hauling the bicycles, you would have the capability to haul other things on the rack if neccessary, and keep the bicycles out of the diesel soot. We carry 4 kayaks on top of our Grand Cherokee behind our MC-8. Only time we have had to clean the kayaks after towing was when it rained. Jack

Joe Camper · August 06, 2010, 07:07:03 AM

Thank you for the suggestions.

If I can ever figure out how to post photos (not a complaint but complete ignorance on my part) I will defiantly take some photos of the final solution and the burning man festively of fire we will be going to.

We added an additional roof air to the bus and also installed an additional 100gal holding tank in the base of the bed giving him almost 250 gal of fresh water.

I am looking forward to the drive out and seeing these nuts in the desert but I am also very happy not to be staying when I get there