Rear Bumper Bike Rack

[ebarchak]

The only thing I do not like about my Solitude 377MB is the lack of an integrated hitch on the bumper. I was very disappointed to see this trailer did not have an integrated hitch. I would think GDRV would make this standard for 5er's at this price point. Other than the hitch the trailer is perfect for my family. I am looking into how I can carry our bikes (2 adult and 2 kids) this summer and I have come across Mount-n-Lock. They have some very nice accessories for the rear bumper of a trailer. One item in particular is of interest for me, the 4SQUARE SafetyStruts. I understand the installation of these would void my frame warranty and may not be worth the risk. Would the warranty still cover frame issues not caused by the addition of this modification? For example, issues which might arise at the front of the trailer near the hitch assembly.

Does anyone have experience with this product? Are there any options which would not void the warranty and allow me to mount a bike carrier? Any other thoughts for carrying the four bikes?

Thanks,
Ed

 

[dloase]

I only carry two bike on my 369RL. I use something like this product http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/universal-hitch/64871 just a little bit heaver duty! This biggest issue you may run into is the weight capacity for you rear bumber. I don't remember off the top of my head what GD says is the max, but it isn't a lot. Four bikes and the rack may exceed their recommendations.

 

[Justaguy]

GD says 100lb max and they only recommend the Swagmann. I can't remember the model but I am sure it is in the searchable threads from a couple of years ago.

 

[Paul & Deb]

I know it would have been nice to have the hitch from the factory, ours did, but that's water under the bridge now. Just go to a good welding shop and have a hitch fabbed up to fit. There is no great mystery to having a hitch added. I know there are lot's of folks with racks mounted to their factory "bumpers" but I wouldn't mess with those myself. Read "been there and done that"! Fail for me.

Yeah, it will cost a few hundred bucks but, again, you need to play with the cards you're dealt. Do it right and you'll be glad in the long run.

What are the odds of having a frame failure during the warranty period? Very, very slim I suspect. Also, they (Lippert) may try to claim you voided the warranty but in reality, unless the failure can be directly contributed to the work you had done, they can't, period.

BTW, the 4SQUARE SafetyStruts look like you still need to weld some material to the back of the bumper tube.

 

[jbarnes4868]

My 2014 did not have a hitch but had a bumper. I put three bikes on the bumper, went on a 700 mile trip, came home and the bumper was hanging by a thread. All the welds from the frame brackets to the bumper had broke. I'm in the process of doing what Poppy suggested. I have pulled the bumper off the rig and will go with a welded up hitch.

 

[ebarchak]

Problem fixed. I bought a 2" receiver (12in long) and called a mobile welding shop. They installed the receiver inside (trough) the existing bumper and reinforced the receiver and bumper attachment points with gussets.

They said they do about 6 of these mods per year. They remarked to me how well the bumper and frame were built. They said they had not seen a unit built this well.

I have a sewer hose tube for my main hose and only use the bumper for spare hose sections. I can get one section of spare hose in each side of the the now divided bumper.

.

Happy camping!
Ed

2016 Solitude 377MB
2012 Ford F-350 DRW
Reese Elite 18k

 

[kevinpo]

Great pictures Ed. Thanks for sharing!

Cheers,
Kevin