Bike Rack for 21RBS

[charliem]

[font size="3"]Gregg,

It sounds like you and the factory did everything right. Sounds like the welding was done in the correct and important places. You should be good to go, but I doubt you would get the factory to sign up to any real numbers. Mine is rock solid and shows no signs of weakness or deterioration. It's comforting to see the bike handlebars not moving in my rear view camera while driving. I use the Swagman bumper hitch

[a href="http://www.etrailer.com/RV-Hitch/Swagman/S64025.html"]http://www.etrailer.com/RV-Hitch/Swagman/S64025.html[/a]  and

[a href="http://www.swagman.net/product/bumper-adaptor/"]http://www.swagman.net/product/bumper-adaptor/[/a]

though Curt also makes one [a href="http://www.etrailer.com/RV-Hitch/Curt/E-100.html"]http://www.etrailer.com/RV-Hitch/Curt/E-100.html[/a].

Either should work on the 4x4 bumper, but I like the Swagman because it has four bolts and thus can accommodate more tolerance in the bumper. It also has an added anti-rattle bolt that I don't see on the Curt. My bumper has a weld top dead center so the hitch is offset a few inches to one side. No big deal and I won't tell if you don't.     I also swap the bike carrier to the back of the TV when camped for hauling to a trail head. Takes some effort and a wrench, but it works.
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[gbpack]

Thanks Charlie. Your original posts and this response are very helpful. Yes, we are planning on purchasing the Swagman mount as well. I like the design and the good reviews it gets. Fortunately, there is no weld in the center of our bumper so we should be able to mount it right in the middle. We are looking forward to taking our bikes along with us now on campouts, and it will be nice to be able to transfer the bike rack to the back of our Jeep once we have the trailer disconnected at the campsite. Will report back with how it works as soon as we give it a try!

We are also looking into getting the Voyager rear view camera that you and Merlin have, so that we can see what is going on behind us as well as to keep an eye on the bikes! Thanks again.

[charliem]

[font size="3"]Sounds like a plan, Gregg. [/font][font size="3"]I have so much fun thinking these things through and [/font][font size="3"]I really like it when someone benefits from my efforts. You'll like the Voyager. It works perfectly and helps cure that Fat Wallet Syndrome we suffer from.    Have fun with the bikes and keep us informed.
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