Adding a rear "bike carrier" receiver - Page 3

**B_and_D** · 11-15-2011, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barb&Tim

To carry our bikes in the bed of the TV, we opted for a DIY bike rack made from pvc pipe obtained from Lowes.

Now that's something I'd like to build. Did you have instructions, or just go for it? I built a collapsible travel bed out of PVC for my daughter when she was a baby, it was fun to build and design. What size PVC did you use?

countrygirl · 11-15-2011, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barb&Tim

To carry our bikes in the bed of the TV, we opted for a DIY bike rack made from pvc pipe obtained from Lowes.

I like it!

Barb&Tim · 11-15-2011, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B_and_D

Now that's something I'd like to build. Did you have instructions, or just go for it? I built a collapsible travel bed out of PVC for my daughter when she was a baby, it was fun to build and design. What size PVC did you use?

Been a few years ago but it was patterned after the design found here:

http://www.utahmountainbiking.com/go...edBikeRack.htm

The pattern is for a three bike rack but we modified it for our two bikes and also had to alter the measurements to fit our truck and bikes. Dry fit the pipes and test fit the whole thing (with the bikes & Rack in truck) because once the cement is applied it's a done deal. Used 1" schedule 40 pipe as per the pattern.

**B_and_D** · 11-15-2011, 07:50 PM

I showed DH & he really likes it. I guess we have another project to build.

Philip · 11-21-2011, 03:57 PM

Hello JWSwift,

I have a 2008 2720 TM which I have had since new. Shortly after I purchased the TM I purchased a rear hitch from the TM factory and installed it myself. It is no a big job. It is installed on the end of the frame just below the sheet metal pan where you store your electric power cord and dump hoses etc. There are two bolts on each end. The hitch comes with the bolts and the holes are drilled into the hitch mounting plates on each end of the hitch. It is best to clamp the hitch in place(I believe I used vise grips) on the frame and drill one hole in the frame using the hitch mounting plate hole as a guide. Install this bolt and tighten before drilling one hole in the frame for the other hitch mounting plate on the other end of the hitch. Put this bolt in and tighten. Drill another hole in the frame again using the hitch mounting plate as a guide and install/tighten this bolt. Drill the final hole in the frame and install the final bolt. Installing the bolts in this manner will assure that all the holes line up.

The only alterations to the TM you may have to make is cutting a small piece of the thin sheet metal bottom holding the dump hoses to allow the hitch mounting plates to slip between the the end of this sheet metal and the frame on each side. I had enough clearance on one side but not the other.

The hitch and installation is heavy duty and I would not worry about the strength required to carry any bikes and rack. That being said, the bike rack itself can be a real problem as I experienced. I purchased a Thule Revolver model bike rack that can hold four bikes. This style rack allowed me to rotate the bikes away from the rear of the TM without taking the bikes off the rack. I could than open the TM with the bikes rotated to the side of the TM. After buying this rack I started on a three month trip out west to the National Parks with three bikes on the rack. I did notice from the start that there is quite a lot of violent motion at the rear of the trailer. About halfway through the trip, the bike rack failed where the vertical section joins into the horizontal section that goes into the hitch receiver. The bikes fell to the ground and were dragged along the ground for a short time before I was alerted to the problem. Fortunately I was going slow(~15MPH) when this all happened but I still did considerable damage to the bikes.

Perhaps this particular bike rack was just not up to this duty(although Thule has a good reputation), and another desigh/style would work fine. I know some folks here tow bikes behind with no problem.

As for me, I have removed the hitch and do not intend to tow bikes again. I would be willing to sell the hitch. which is like new, if you are still interested. Just let me know.

Take care,

Phil Friess