Front mount bike rack?

gophergrad

Have any of you ever tried a front-mount hitch receiver?  I've seen them with carrying trays for coolers and generators, and I've seen pictures of hitch mount bike racks. Like this:

  

Michigan_Mike

That'd be a safe way to do it and efficient but would muck up the front of my 16 Silverado.  I'm happy with my Arvika bike rack and it seconds as a water fill rest for the trailer.

  

2Cougs

We love our bike rack (see our previous post)... It is like Mike's.  Good luck figuring out what will work best for you.

TerryV6

Michigan_Mike said:

That'd be a safe way to do it and efficient but would muck up the front of my 16 Silverado.  I'm happy with my Arvika bike rack and it seconds as a water fill rest for the trailer.

  

With the snow still on the ground and the camper in storage, there is time to cast my eyes on improvements.  I have a Ram pickup and saw some racks that would fit on the bed without getting in the way of the cover.  Most ran 500 and up.  Then I saw your post here.  This would be perfect for our two bikes.  My first thought was that it would perhaps sway back into the camper, but I watched some assembly videos and there is a support you can get to firm this up, supposedly for 3 bikes but would be great for two.  It looks like you just tied it off however.  I have the diamond plate storage cover, but don't see that getting in the way.  Looks like you have one there?  Also, I have my spare mounted on a post on the left front side but again, perhaps no problem.  So, where did you order yours from and is the there a specific model number?  I'd appreciate any help in this direction..  Wow, this looks like the ticket for us.. and our two bikes....  Now, someday will want to transport our tandem... grin..

TerryV6

Looking around so far, I've seen this...

https://www.racksforcars.com/15148/Arvika-Tab-Travel-Trailer-Bracket/  -  $299

https://www.racksforcars.com/15148/Arvika-Tab-Travel-Trailer-Bracket/   $319

In the ballpark?

TerryV6

Just for interest sake, this is what I had considered..

 as you can see, the racks slide forward when not in use.  I'd probably mount my two Thule bike mounts I still have from when I used the car...

But, then I would certainly run into height problems etc.  More complication..

newell

     I made this bike rack to go on the tongue of our T@B  and it works great but when we're not towing and just out for a bike ride I put it inside the truck box of my Chevy pickup right under the cap.  It's so stable, I don't even have to tie it down.  Just remove the mounting bolts for the trailer tongue installation.  The most expensive thing you'll have to buy is the bike fork mounts that can be had at etrailer for about $18 bucks each.
      I also made a wider version of this that holds both bikes in the forward position for just the truck box but the down side is it takes up more room.

TerryV6

Nice mount.  Great to see other ideas.  I have the diamond plate add on for the fork, plus a small carrier for my set up items.  So that might not work for me.  Last summer I built a double rack for in the bed, but it under performed.  The one Mike is showing looks versatile for my needs.  Over the years we’ve had a number of racks.  I have two truck hitch racks, one for two bikes and one for a tandem.  I have a nice Thule roof rack, that if I sell, I’ll be able to finance this new one.  My wife is shopping for new material for blankets...  I asked, didn’t you make some last summer?  I almost got voted off the island for that one...

ericnliz

@TerryV6, Hmmmm, seems to me you kinda have this out voted thing down, huh? Just keep repeating these words: "Happy wife, happy life, happy wife, happy life". Continue repeating until the dog house syndrome goes away! 

Vikings

Newell, mine very similar to yours, though I used aluminum...not too much more expensive, and still cuts with a carbide tip saw blade.  Advantage...weather, after sitting outside all winter, has not bothered it.   

WilliamA

Here's a thread I did a bit ago about front (box mount) bike racks.  The important thing to remember when doing this is the side stress on the box lid or mount.  I've done two of these now and the cheesy side-load eliminator I've been using has made hauling the bike a no-headache affair.  Also low-buck...

http://teardrop-trailers.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/73/bike-rack#latest

I also did a write-up on this bike mount procedure in the LG forum.

http://golittleguy.com/forum/#/discussion/5186/heading-out-to-utah-for-a-winter-trip

In the LG thread, I'm using two different bike mounts.

WilliamA

Vikings

William, I too had to strenghten/secure lid with a rubber t-handle latch to each side.  Bikes are secure with just fork mount and rear tire tied down.  

TerryV6

I can see the inexpensive easy solution of mounting a rack right to the box.  Your box is diamond plate though and will give you a lot more strength.  I have the stock version and the plastic wouldn't do that for me. 

TerryV6

WELL, we looked at a number of them.  I liked the one that Mandy Lee has, but it goes down as a single pole right thru the middle of the angle, and I have a compartment installed.  I like that and it is staying.  I looked at the bike bunk ( think that was the name), and the brackets had a problem with the battery tub.  I checked out the Arvika and liked it.  It’s made in Canada and the shipping is $102 Canadian.  In fact, with the exchange rate you can probably subtract 25%.  But, there is no return possibility.  Finally looked at the one in the teardrop shop and the Person on the phone said it “was” an arvika.  But the mounting plate looks different.  We just have to decide if the mounting plate will interfere much with the gray water drain.  It’s funny how the length of the frame was bigger in my memory.  We went out to take measurements, and was surprised on how it had gotten smaller...



You can see the bracket in the second picture...

Oh, and they take returns...

ScottG

WARNING: shameless hijack pending--not like anyone has actually responded to the OP's specific question anyway...  ;-)

What's the story with the "Magic Hat" edition T@B in the background???

TerryV6

HiJack excuse...  Making whining noise..  I didn't do it. 

Michigan Mike started it by posting his Arvika pic and recommendation... That's how those things get started.  In fact I try not to start new threads, but follow those already started.  My comments however don't have anything to do with a front mounted carrier, so perhaps I would get more response if I had..

Anyway, I got the pictures from the Teardrop shop.  They told me they would check for clearance and I might contact Arvika too.  I'm worried though, I don't speak Canadian...  ( Just a joke btw, for those whose who live there)

ericnliz

@TerryV6....Ehh? Good thing I have friends from the Great White North that have an awesome sense of humor!!!

ScottG

No worries @TerryV6-- I was referring to my own hijack of the thread!

I really wanted to know about the "Beer T@B" in the photo! Does the fridge come fully stocked?

TerryV6

Neat photo for sure...

2Cougs

@terryv6 check out this post for our solution that we simply copied from @jason330i
Bike Rack

TerryV6

2Cougs, we had narrowed it down to 3.  1. The Arvika.  2. The Teardrop shop model and 3. the one you are mentioning.  Personally, I'd be all for the one you have.  It is a bit cheaper and still has the features we want.  However, as we progress down the T@B mod road, I find we make choices that affect other items and thus narrow the field for things.  We added the diamondplate addon that was offered by a group member here that adds storage for stuff right in the Angle of the aframe ...  It has worked well for us for hose storage etc.  and locks.  So, by having that, it narrows down the field.  The bracket on the bike bunk would not work for me then.  Sadly, I went to the other two options.  I then found out that they are both the same model, or so I've been told.  They look the same.  The Arvika company sells theirs thru the Racksforcars site and doesn't offer a return.  Also, while they have free shipping, I'd have to live in Canada to take advantage of that.  I don't want to make a drive to the border to take advantage of that.. grin..  The Teardrop model is about the same price (if you figure in the exchange rate for the Arvika one) and Teardrop gave us a signup coupon.  I'm thinking we will pull the trigger this Thursday.  My wife is excited because I mentioned that we could go out to the storage and clean out T@bby etc.  

dsfdogs

@TerryV6, are you only looking for something that attaches to the trailer? Someone (either Forums or Facebook group) had this rack that I thought looked promising and easy that attaches to hitch: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007EA6JMM/?coliid=I3ECJ3O4BXB3PZ&colid=J5OBWTJ1JL4E&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

Homebodyatheart

I saw this model and it looks intriguing! I want to make sure whatever I get, that I don't hurt myself using it!    https://www.etrailer.com/Spare-Tire-Bike-Racks/Hollywood-Racks/HRSR2.html?feed=npn&gclid=CjwKCAjwnLjVBRAdEiwAKSGPIzWvfOFJIaJSVdf5h3FaQipzVsQQ0cAQruRucHwG8JIX4Bt71V7BIhoCoMAQAvD_BwE

AnOldUR

gophergrad said:

Have any of you ever tried a front-mount hitch receiver?  ... 

Old thread, but looked like a good place to drop this.

None of the other great ways for carrying bikes that members have posted would work for us so we went with the front mount. Turn signals were blocked so I added motorcycle lights to the fenders. Unfortunately, New Jersey is one of the states that requires a front license plate. The plan is to get a third plate from motor vehicle and mount it to the rack.

Just hoping that the lights don't get torn off by brush while off road.

rcuomo

I added one to my 2017 Ridgeline and made it removable as I don’t often use it. 

AnOldUR

@rcuomo That looks like the same bike rack that I have. I did a couple of mods to get the bikes a little lower to increase visibility. First was to flip over the wheel brackets. The other was to weld a drop hitch to the hitch mount. This might not work with your tow vehicle, but something to consider if you feel your sight line is bad.

rcuomo

AnOldUR said:

@rcuomo That looks like the same bike rack that I have. I did a couple of mods to get the bikes a little lower to increase visibility. First was to flip over the wheel brackets. The other was to weld a drop hitch to the hitch mount. This might not work with your tow vehicle, but something to consider if you feel your sight line is bad.

Actually my LOS is pretty good.  I don’t really want to lower it much more than stock as it is pretty close to the ground now. 

Bill_F

Trailer tongue was modified to telescope out when e-bike rack is in use.  Slides back in to original length and is secured by a pin when not in use.  There's also a motorcycle rack attachment used for this trailer in place of the bike rack, also held in place by a heavy pin.