Front Hitch
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New User
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Battle Creek, MI
Front Hitch
Hello all,
Bought a 24' travel trailer last weekend and because of the way it's designed (tent beds at each end) there really isn't a good way of mounting a bike rack on it. I was thinking of looking into front mounted hitch with a bike rack there. Anyone put on a front hitch and if so, how difficult are they? Thanks for the help.
Bought a 24' travel trailer last weekend and because of the way it's designed (tent beds at each end) there really isn't a good way of mounting a bike rack on it. I was thinking of looking into front mounted hitch with a bike rack there. Anyone put on a front hitch and if so, how difficult are they? Thanks for the help.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 125
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From: Liverpool, NY
You're probably going to block your vision of the road. Check out this link for a bike rack that works with hybrids. Or you can just place the bikes in the trailer while traveling.
http://www.velorack.com/rvrack.htm
Keith
http://www.velorack.com/rvrack.htm
Keith
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Metro Detoit, MI
I agree. I tow a 21' Rockwood Roo Hybrid and simply put the bikes in the trailer while driving.
I simply pop them in there (4 bikes) and bungee them together for stability, but if you have a bunch of bikes then you may want to assemble a travel rack for the interior. I remember some time ago a guy made a rack using aluminum angle stock to make a rack that went right over where the dinnette table goes.
In the trailer means you don't block your view and you keep all that weird geometry wind resistance out of the equation while towing.
If you put them in the trailer, put em toward the front. You don't want to make your hitch too light by piling stuff behind the axles.
I simply pop them in there (4 bikes) and bungee them together for stability, but if you have a bunch of bikes then you may want to assemble a travel rack for the interior. I remember some time ago a guy made a rack using aluminum angle stock to make a rack that went right over where the dinnette table goes.
In the trailer means you don't block your view and you keep all that weird geometry wind resistance out of the equation while towing.
If you put them in the trailer, put em toward the front. You don't want to make your hitch too light by piling stuff behind the axles.
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Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Metro Detoit, MI
A roof mount works great, but the reason I didn't mention it is that I had one for the Wife's 98 Windstar a few years back. Removing one of the bikes on a camping trip I let it slip and the scratch down the side of the paint was enough to cry about (even if it was the wife's ride)!
The Expy being even higher, I wouldn't want to risk scratching up the paint doing something dumb (or accidental).
Food for thought...
The Expy being even higher, I wouldn't want to risk scratching up the paint doing something dumb (or accidental).
Food for thought...
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 261
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From: Long Island, NY
I have a front mount hitch that works great. I use it to maneuver trailers in tight quarters as well as to carry items on a hitch mount platform. It is a draw tite and the installation wasn't too bad. No drilling at all but you do have to fish the bolts in the frame through the front. Helps to have a second person holding the frame while 1 does the fishing.
BigMan69
BigMan69
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 736
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From: Texas, USA
INside the trailer is your best bet for avoiding: theft, gravel rash, bugs, dirt, poor visibility, head light scattering, strained backs, extra weight on a front end heavy vehicle, parking lot damage or collision crushing, expense of the hitch and rack, and finding places to store them when not in use.
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New User
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Battle Creek, MI
Thanks for all comments. I hate to put the bikes inside and possible scratch up the wood work - not to mention have them in the way whenever we stop for a short while. But it's something to consider.
BigMan69 -
Did you have to do any cutting of the plastic under the bumper? I assume that you unbolt the tow hooks, mount the hitch, then reinstall the hooks. Correct? Any negatives from your view?
BigMan69 -
Did you have to do any cutting of the plastic under the bumper? I assume that you unbolt the tow hooks, mount the hitch, then reinstall the hooks. Correct? Any negatives from your view?
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Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Hendersonville,NC
I had 1 put on my 99 right after I got it to carry my fishing rack. I watched them install it, the only piece he left off was a 1" wide plastic piece that ran under the front air dam. He did have to remove the hooks and then reinstalled them after the hitch was installed. It only cost me $20 to let them put it on and they were done in less than 30 min. No problems with mine so far , its been used about 8 times.
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Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Long Island, NY
Originally posted by kc8ljc
Thanks for all comments. I hate to put the bikes inside and possible scratch up the wood work - not to mention have them in the way whenever we stop for a short while. But it's something to consider.
BigMan69 -
Did you have to do any cutting of the plastic under the bumper? I assume that you unbolt the tow hooks, mount the hitch, then reinstall the hooks. Correct? Any negatives from your view?
Thanks for all comments. I hate to put the bikes inside and possible scratch up the wood work - not to mention have them in the way whenever we stop for a short while. But it's something to consider.
BigMan69 -
Did you have to do any cutting of the plastic under the bumper? I assume that you unbolt the tow hooks, mount the hitch, then reinstall the hooks. Correct? Any negatives from your view?
BigMan69
Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 191
Likes: 1
I have a front mounted receiver on my 99 expy for the exact same reason. I hated carrying bikes inside my travel trailer ( tore my bikes and the inside of my trailer up) plus I had a $200 bike rack that I wanted to be able to use. I went with the Draw-Tite and it is a very easy intall. The frame rails are open on the end, so fishing the bolt through was easy (at least my hand I could fit into the rail). You do have to trim the lower fascia some, but it is not noticable. I also bought a 3" go-rhino chrome step to put into the receiver when I'm not using the bike rack and I think it looks good.
If you are interested, I can take some pictures and try and post them.
Philip
If you are interested, I can take some pictures and try and post them.
Philip
Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 191
Likes: 1
Here are the pictures of my front mount hitch. I measured incorrectly and trimmed a too much of the black fascia off to one side of the hitch. Either way you can't tell its been trimmed unless you climb up under it and look. The rhino hitchstep is suppose to have some black end plugs, but they fell out (or maybe someone stole them). I called Go-Rhino and they are mailing me some free ones!
Philip
Philip
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