Bike Rack Solution for the T@B 400?

WillieontheRoad
WillieontheRoad Member Posts: 34
edited March 2018 in Products and Accessories
I'm dying to ride my bike when we are on adventures.  We have a T@B 400.  I really do not want to carry the bike inside the trailer unless I need to, because we always stop for lunches.  Has anyone found a good easily-to-install bike rack for their 400?  I need your suggestions.
Thanks,
Alan Fisher

2018 T@B 400  Jeep GC
Alan & Joan Fisher
Austin, TX

Comments

  • Homebodyatheart
    Homebodyatheart Member Posts: 2,516
    My guess is that you will want to install something on your frame between the jack and tub in front. The Tab itself really isn't built for outside add on's of that weight. Try a search to see what others have done. I'm still working on this myself!
    Good luck!
    2017 T@B 320 Max S silver and cherry red, L@dybug ("Bug" aka my esc@pe pod), TV 2015 Toyota Highlander aka Big Red
  • brookings
    brookings Member Posts: 39
    what kind of tow vehicle do you have. I have a subaru outback and I bought a great Allen ultra compact folding for $60. Off and on in minutes. Amazon and youtube have videos. If mounted on the tongue the rack and the bike weigh less than a spare tire
  • WillieontheRoad
    WillieontheRoad Member Posts: 34
    edited March 2018
    Thanks Brookings,
    This Allen Ultra Compact may be my solution, but I do want to hear what other ideas are out there.
    I was thinking about mounting on the tongue.  I have a 2016 Jeep GC and wasn't even thinking about mounting a bike rack on back of my vehicle.  I will only be carrying one bike. This rack certainly looks easy to use and doesn't cost hundreds of dollars that the other tongue mount options do.  Good option.
    Alan

    2018 T@B 400  Jeep GC
    Alan & Joan Fisher
    Austin, TX
  • newell
    newell Member Posts: 182
    I'm not sure about the 400, we have the 320 but here is a link to what we did.

    https://tab-rv.vanillaforums.com/discussion/5584/inexpensive-bike-rack#latest

                                                 
        Earl & Sue | Central NY |
    2017 T@B 320S | TV: Chevy Silverado
  • WillieontheRoad
    WillieontheRoad Member Posts: 34
    edited March 2018
    Very impressive Newell,
    But, we leave again on Saturday, 4/7 and I think that I will need to go with something on the market that can easily be installed by me or our RV dealer.
    Thanks,
    Alan

    2018 T@B 400  Jeep GC
    Alan & Joan Fisher
    Austin, TX
  • gooddogs74
    gooddogs74 Member Posts: 76
    We are probably going to buy this one, have been researching the same thing.  Seasucker.com
    2018 T@b 400
  • JCALD
    JCALD Member Posts: 132
    A few weeks back I built a bike rack for the Tab 400.  Works really well and might even help prevent the front window from deflecting and damaging itself.  The rack is high enough to allow me access to the propane valve.
  • DenisP
    DenisP Member Posts: 542
    edited November 2019
    Nice bike rack.
    2018 T@b 400, 200ah Lithium with Solar
    2013 Tundra TRD 5.7L
    Massachusetts
  • N7SHG_Ham
    N7SHG_Ham Member Posts: 1,261
    @JCALD your rack looks kind of like https://www.lci1.com/lets-go-aero which a lot of folks use. I do wonder about longevity of ANY single support bike rack. There is a lot of force generated bouncing around going down the road. I believe someone earlier this year reported failure of the  Jack-It brand when transporting a heavier e-bike. Keeping weight down is probably a key factor in using one of these.
    2019 T@B 400 Boondock Lite
  • JCALD
    JCALD Member Posts: 132
    Load is a definite concern on any bike rack and needs to be seriously considered.
  • Cbusguy
    Cbusguy Member Posts: 771
    while they do not own a tab,  Long Honeymoon on youtube use a bike rack over their tonneau  cover on their truck.     They have a large cargo bin on the opposite side.    Looks like a solid more secure option than most of the tab solutions I have seen.   
    2009 GMC Canyon,   3.7 liter 
    2020 320s Boondock lite, With Lots of mods
  • Tundra57
    Tundra57 Member Posts: 640
    I have a 1 to 2 reciever adapter to allow towing plus a reciever for a bike rack. What do you all think about using that towing a tab 400? My Toyota tundra has airbags so tongue weight is not a problem.
  • Verna
    Verna Member Posts: 6,876
    I would consider the 1-2 way adapter to be a weak point. On a lesser powerful vehicle, the towable weight is cut in half by using one of those adapters, which gives me the impression it is a weak point. The 400 is easy to haul with my F-150, but to tow in today’s winds of 40+ mph, the weak point might concern me. 

    This is my personal opinion, for what it is worth. 
    Verna, Columbus, IN
    2021 T@B 320S  Boondock “The T@B”
    Towed by a white 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 Supercab, 3.5L V6 Ecoboost “The Truck”
  • N7SHG_Ham
    N7SHG_Ham Member Posts: 1,261
    @Tundra57 re airbags. They do not increase vehicle ratings, all that does is level the vehicle. With the Tundra I doubt you will be overloaded adding bikes to the receiver, but that is regardless of airbags.
    2019 T@B 400 Boondock Lite
  • Tundra57
    Tundra57 Member Posts: 640
    Yes Airbags do not increase the mechanical ratings but help with leveling when you are at the max tongue weight which often you can't use as the hitch  and suspension may be too low for comfort. Without them I cannot reverse up my sloped driveway.
  • Tundra57
    Tundra57 Member Posts: 640
    I was also worried about stability as the leverage length is longer.
  • N7SHG_Ham
    N7SHG_Ham Member Posts: 1,261
    @Tundra57 you get that much sag with a 400 onna Tundra? Are you carrying a lot of weight in the pickup?
    2019 T@B 400 Boondock Lite
  • Verna
    Verna Member Posts: 6,876
    @N7SHG_Ham, according to the service department at my former Toyota dealer, both the Tacoma and the Tundra “squat” when towing. Installation of Air bags is a good way to accommodate  the squat. 
    Verna, Columbus, IN
    2021 T@B 320S  Boondock “The T@B”
    Towed by a white 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 Supercab, 3.5L V6 Ecoboost “The Truck”
  • ontheroad
    ontheroad Member Posts: 489
    @Restless_Native had one on her 320 and I believed she installed it on her 400...

    Former 2017 T@G Max XL
    2021 T@B Boondock CS-S
    2018 Nissan Pathfinder
    Ontario, Canada
  • N7SHG_Ham
    N7SHG_Ham Member Posts: 1,261
    @Verna it just seems odd that the 'full' size truck from Toyota would squat enough with a 500 ish pound hitch weight to require air bags. Certainly don't require that with the big 3 1/2 ton trucks.

    Must be very soft suspensions? I can't say as I have been in a Toyota pickup in years so I have no idea how they ride.
    2019 T@B 400 Boondock Lite
  • DenisP
    DenisP Member Posts: 542
    I tow a 400 with a 2013 Tundra TRD with a tow package. Last winter towed to Florida and back (3500 miles) with a full bed of supplies under a tonneau cover and two bikes on a Jack-it bike rack without squat. Late this summer I replaced the tonneau with a fiberglass cap (weighing 185# instead of 40# of the tonneau) and with the typical load in the 400 and the truck bed, the truck did squat a bit. Must have been at the tipping point. 
    2018 T@b 400, 200ah Lithium with Solar
    2013 Tundra TRD 5.7L
    Massachusetts
  • Bill_F
    Bill_F Member Posts: 40
    edited April 2021
    Telescoping, adjustable trailer tongue with removable motorcycle rack. Reinforcement of NuCamp's 'v' shaped connection to the trailer frame was required.

    @Bill_F - photo too large and deleted.  Please reduce your photo size and repost.  https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/47/what-size-should-my-posted-forum-photos-be#latest   Moderator
  • gulfarea
    gulfarea Member Posts: 524
    We had 2 foldable bikes and carried them in the TV. Art
    2019 TaB 320 S Boondock Edge

Categories