Rear bike rack / cargo platform on OR 5th

GM

gmsbellpark

Advanced Member
Joined
May 7, 2006
Posts
32
Hi,

399BHS on order and I need a way to carry the bikes and stuff. Used to be able to load it in bed of truck with TT, but no longer with 5th wheel.

Please post pics of how you made a bike/rack cargo rack off the back of your OR 5th which has no bumper or receiver like some 5th wheels already have. I will end up designing something with a clever welder in town but any pointers or good ideas are appreciated.

Thank you
 
Kevin, the easiest way is to have a hitch put on your 399.
We have a bike rack that holds four bikes on ours. you could then use any platform you like.

There is many pictures and brands here if you do a search.

Here is one of many

viewtopic.php?f=26&t=2366
 
Adding a hitch...so simple. Probably why I didn't think about it. ;)

My brother in law had a hitch on his old TT with a bike rack. His bikes really bounced around at lot back there which worries me. I like to know everything is solid and won't move.
 
We ordered the hitch receiver with our OR 399BHS. We had ordered the bike rack too, but then were told it was no longer available. Bought one at a bicycle shop. Alas, the placement of the ladder on the 2012 OR 399BHS did not allow the hitch. Had to remove the ladder. Then we had problems with the bike rack straps coming undone while we were traveling on an interstate. Not a good thing! So Paul's bike is now being carried in the truck bed, right in front of the 5th wheel hitch. Fits nicely and seems to be a workable solution for now.
 
Our hitch set up was bought online. It is a Curt brand made for RV's.
It did interfere with the ladder. So I cut off the bottom loop of the ladder. Now it comes down as far as the Bumper. Works just fine. Looks fine too.
I had a friend who is a professional welder bolt it up. He also welded some on the frame to secure it better. I think he called them stich welds.

Anyway, the hitch is solid. the bike rack does move a little in the receiver, but doesn't bounce.
If I were to get another bike rack, I would get one that the tires sit in a track rather than the clamp style we have now.
 
I put a hitch on the back with some ingenuity. Two three foot long two inch angles from home depot and a two riser kit type adapters from Walmart (Reese) I put in four tie downs for ratchet straps to keep the bikes solid during travel. We have electric bikes.
 

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Like the OP I also have a 399BHS.
I finally finished installing my pin box mounted bike rack on the new fiver. It is a 4 bike rack that I had used on my previous travel trailer. I ordered the parts needed to convert from TT install to 5'er install from Arvika. Attached are a few photos.

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Thank you for the pics of the pin box bike rack...I was thinking about doing that as well. I am not sold on the fact that one receiver hitch will hold things solid enough but those pics are also nice to see..somehow I think 2 rails welded right off the frame extending back will make a more solid platform.

We have 5 bikes and one large European/Dutch bike called a Bakfiets we always take camping...and the kids bikes keep growing. We will also be purchasing a paddle board soon which will have to hang somewhere.... :D may-be on a slide out. :)
 
The rack simply bolts to the pin box using the existing holes.
I did weld an additional support to the front of the pin box to reduce/eliminate any bouncing of the rack.
 
Lantley very cool mod. Have you run into any problems when turning sharply? It looks like based on the width that it would be OK, but wondered nonetheless. I like your ingenuity, but I still think I am going to end up with racks on top of my truck instead.
 
Hello Jet, I have no issues with sharp turns. My pin box was getting caught on my Retrax tonneau cover however that was not related to the bike rack.

I prefer the pin box rack over a hitch mounted rack simply because bikes are always in view via rear view mirror vs. not being able to see a rear hitch mounted rack at all. There is very little bounce at the pin box vs. a hitch which is behind the rear axles and more susceptible too bounce.
My rig is long enough a pin box mount does not add to the length of the rig but fills available air space behind the cab of the truck.
Dollars wise the price of the Arvika pin box rack is comparable to a rear receiver and good bike rack particularly if the rear hitch requires welding.
 
Lantley,

I like your setup more now that I have had some time to sleep on the replies.
Would you by chance have a pic that shows the rig hitched to the truck with the bikes on the rack?

Thanks for your help
 
My rack is working out fine. I did discover if I turn more than 90° my pin box will hit my Retrax Tonneau cover. Nothing to do with bike rack. I have a 8' bed and there is plenty of clearance for the bikes.
Sorry I do not have any pictures of truck connected. But I will take a few next time out.I have been meaning to get some pictures anyway.
 
gmsbellpark

I see you have F350 tow vehicle. Are you aware of a front located hitch? Hitch I seen have 2 positions - 1) bolted "low" to have receiver just below the air dam in front or 2) bolted "high" to high the receiver, but need to do cut out in air dam.

TT I see you have electric bikes. Do ya'll peddle at all? Cheating. Ha
 
on our 2012 427BHS their are a set of mounts that I assume are for a hitch I will have to call and find out.
 
While many of Lippert's frames have the mounts for a hitch on the frames, they do not make hitches for all Open Range Models. I have the hitch mounts on my frame, I contacted Lippert a few months ago and was told they do not make a hitch for my 2012 345RLS.
 
captjeff":mjanri87 said:
Lantley,

I like your setup more now that I have had some time to sleep on the replies.
Would you by chance have a pic that shows the rig hitched to the truck with the bikes on the rack?

Thanks for your help
Click to expand...
Sorry Jeff it took a while but here are the requested photos.
The pictures may not clearly show it, but I can turn more than 90° without the bikes contacting the cab

[img2]http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x69/Lantley/IMG_0041.jpg[/img2]

[img2]http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x69/Lantley/IMG_0039_1.jpg[/img2]

[img2]http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x69/Lantley/IMG_0038_1.jpg[/img2]
 
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