Rear Bumper

Ed · 08-22-2009, 12:40 PM

Any one know or how can you tell if rear bumper on Sunline will withstand rear bumper hitch like a Curt for carring 2 bikes. Ed.

henryj · 08-22-2009, 01:26 PM

I hate to disappoint you Ed, but the factory bumper is not meant for anything more than a spare tire and I believe Sunline clearly stated that. There are some members like JohnB and Emam who carry considerable extra weight back there, but they have modified the bumper or a hitch to extend under to the trailer frame. The bumper itself is not very strong steel and the attachment points of the bumper to the frame are even weaker.

Bicycle carriers generally are not a good idea on a bumper or receiver welded to the bumper even though they are readily available. Bikes on any carrier are levered out behind the bumper which actually multiplies the weight or downward force on the bumper. Large movements of the rear of the trailer over certain bumps just makes it worse as the bumper is twisted up and then down by the weight of the bikes.

Henry

**Sunline Fan** · 08-22-2009, 01:40 PM

Your bumper is rated for 100 lbs. I'm not sure how the ratings were determined, but IMO, they are too much.

I really don't know the weight of a spare tire/carrier, but the rotational force caused by that tire/carrier bobbing up and down on the road really is too much for it already with no other attachments. I've heard of and personally experienced the damage the tire can do to the bumper.

The best way to prevent the tire from tearing off the weld joints is to put it as close to one bumper mount on a side as possible.

Jon

Ed · 08-22-2009, 07:33 PM

Thanks for the info on the bumper guys guess I have to look into a hitch underneath to the frame. I want to haul 2 bikes to Fl. this year and don't have enough room in the bed of the truck. Thanks again. Ed

Hematite · 08-23-2009, 12:29 PM

As to the practical side of a rear bumper mount hitch for bicycles, it is not good. This is probably the dirtiest place to carry anything on any vehicle. Considering that a bike has a lot of exposed mechanicals, I would recommend that you put the bikes anywhere except the rear bumper. Some people put them inside the trailer if there is no room in the truck bed.

DF5.4 · 08-23-2009, 03:23 PM

Since we got the Expedition for a TV last year I had to find a new way to carry the bikes. I carry our 4 bikes in the Sunline. I had a couple of the front fork mounts on a board set up for the bed of the pickup when I had it. I bought a couple more and mounted them to board that will fit in the TT. Two in the back next to the bunks.Two up front next to the sofa. They are the last things loaded before we leave and the first things unloaded when we arrive.

Poppy & Nana · 08-23-2009, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DF5.4

Since we got the Expedition for a TV last year I had to find a new way to carry the bikes. I carry our 4 bikes in the Sunline. I had a couple of the front fork mounts on a board set up for the bed of the pickup when I had it. I bought a couple more and mounted them to board that will fit in the TT. Two in the back next to the bunks.Two up front next to the sofa. They are the last things loaded before we leave and the first things unloaded when we arrive.

Do you have any pictures? Leo and I are trying to figure HOW we will start to take the two bikes with us on trips......after the heart surgery I need the exercise - I walk about 4 - 5 miles a day but feel that biking is a better/different exercise when I'm away!

DF5.4 · 08-23-2009, 06:45 PM

I'll get some pictures the next chance I get.

The holders are similar to this

They work like this.

Poppy & Nana · 08-23-2009, 06:57 PM

thank you - where would I search for them and what are they called???

DF5.4 · 08-23-2009, 07:17 PM

I got mine at any bike shop. Online you can I've used Bike Nashbar and Performance Bicycle.
http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...category=10000

http://www.performancebike.com/bikes..._400007_400172