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01-01-2017, 12:56 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 854
SUN #1546
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Bicycle Rack
I have heard that you can not place a bicycle rack on the back of a Sunline TT because the bumper is a "break away bumper". Not exactly sure what that means? I have my 10 speed bike with me now and carrying it the back of my long bed truck but that is not very convenient at all and takes up quite a bit of room.
Is there any way to have a bike carrier in the back?? I know there are special bike carriers that are used upfront between propane tanks and hitch but they are quite expensive. and I know there are bike carriers for the roof of cars/trucks but that isn't a viable solution for me
Thought??
thanks!
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Joan & Miss Emme Lu Who
Full Timing in T-1950 2005 Anniversary Model
1997 6.5L Chevy Turbo Diesel Truck
"Pure Michigan"
Facebook: Apackof2 for the Rd
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01-02-2017, 09:29 PM
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#2
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Moderator
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Michigan
Posts: 6,155
SUN #123
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The break away bumper means if you put something that weighs more than about 100 lbs on the bumper, it will probably break the welds holding the bumper on. It won't be right away, but it will stress the bumper over time and miles. Bouncing down the road will cause the bike to bounce up and down, essentially levering on the bumper. I've actually seen pictures of this happen on a vintage trailer- they lost both of their bikes and bumper on the highway before someone was able to flag them down a couple miles up the road.
You'd have to have the bumper mounts reinforced by a welder, or the better option, have a trailer hitch welded or bolted onto the back frame. Some RV dealers carry hitches designed just for the purpose of welding on the back of a trailer or fifth wheel for mounting a standard hitch mount bike rack.
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2007 T-286SR Cherry/Granola, #6236, original owner, current mileage: 9473.8 (as of 6/18/21)
1997 T-2653 Blue Denim, #5471
1979 12 1/2' MC, Beige & Avocado, #4639
Past Sunlines: '97 T-2653 #5089, '94 T-2251, '86 T-1550, '94 T-2363, '98 T-270SR
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01-03-2017, 09:04 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 854
SUN #1546
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Thank You! I decided to put it in my trailer anchored with a bungee cord between the bed and the bathroom vanity and so far that is working out great so far. Much easier to load it up and doesn't take up all that room in my truck
Happy New Year!
__________________
Joan & Miss Emme Lu Who
Full Timing in T-1950 2005 Anniversary Model
1997 6.5L Chevy Turbo Diesel Truck
"Pure Michigan"
Facebook: Apackof2 for the Rd
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01-03-2017, 09:37 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Florida
Posts: 1,279
SUN #1830
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Check your rear bumper to see if it is bolted on or welded. Either way the metal used can be so thin as to not withstand the back and forth stresses of those bouncing bikes. The answer is to go big or go home. Thicker metal fastened to the frame. Even if you do get the bumper to support the bike do not forget to adjust onboard weights for proper hitch-weight/balance.
The cheaper, easier way to carry the bike is with a truck bed carrier. Since there are many styles you may fine one to suit your needs.
My T-2363 has the bumper reinforced and a 2" receiver welded on. Even so I have chosen to not carry bikes back there because of stresses not only to the TT but to the bikes. I carry inside and store inside when away from the campsite. no problems with the camper or the tow vehicle and bikes are secured out of view.
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Beverly & Jim
Sebring, Florida
1991 T-2363 Solaris
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01-03-2017, 09:48 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Florida
Posts: 1,279
SUN #1830
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Maybe you can see how my bumper is reinforced.
The 2" receiver welded tp a 3" heavy angle too spread weight even with the bumper welded to the frame.
I almost forgot about where you will carry the spare tire? Bikes take up the space on the bumper so the tire must go to the truck or camper storage. Tire and mounting bracket in truck might offset the weight balance some.
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Beverly & Jim
Sebring, Florida
1991 T-2363 Solaris
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01-03-2017, 09:51 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Florida
Posts: 1,279
SUN #1830
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__________________
Beverly & Jim
Sebring, Florida
1991 T-2363 Solaris
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01-03-2017, 09:53 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Florida
Posts: 1,279
SUN #1830
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__________________
Beverly & Jim
Sebring, Florida
1991 T-2363 Solaris
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01-03-2017, 06:20 PM
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#8
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Moderator
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Ohio
Posts: 12,643
SUN #89
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Quote:
Originally Posted by apackoftwo
I have heard that you can not place a bicycle rack on the back of a Sunline TT because the bumper is a "break away bumper". Not exactly sure what that means? I have my 10 speed bike with me now and carrying it the back of my long bed truck but that is not very convenient at all and takes up quite a bit of room.
Is there any way to have a bike carrier in the back?? I know there are special bike carriers that are used upfront between propane tanks and hitch but they are quite expensive. and I know there are bike carriers for the roof of cars/trucks but that isn't a viable solution for me
Thought??
thanks!
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Hi Joan,
Yes, your camper has the breakaway bumper. There are very thin plates that will give way when the load gets too big. They look like this
There is also another reason it is not a good idea, by adding a good strong hitch, bike rack and bike, it creates weight at the back of a small camper. That weight will lower your tongue weight and depending what your current tongue weight is, it may get too low and create trailer sway. This all has to figured out before hand.
If at all possible, find a different way then the back of the camper. Your T-1950 is not a good model to do this too. It sounds like you found a way inside the camper. As long as you can keep it secure, that will work well.
I forget what kind of tono cover you have, do you have a picture of it? A number of years ago, PTHutch made a bike rack for his pickup that went behind the cab on top bed rails and over his type of tono cover. There are pics on the forum here somewhere. That may be a possible option if it works with your tono cover.
Hope this helps
John
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Current Sunlines: 2004 T310SR, 2004 T1950, 2004 T2475, 2007 T2499, 2004 T317SR
Prior Sunlines: 2004 T2499 - Fern Blue
2005 Ford F350 Lariat, 6.8L V10 W/ 4.10 rear axle, CC, Short Bed, SRW. Reese HP trunnion bar hitch W/ HP DC
Google Custom Search For Sunline Owners Club
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01-05-2017, 06:28 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Ohio
Posts: 1,125
SUN #4040
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Hi Joan
This was my solution to mounting bike rack. I welded heavy square tubing from frame to frame with a 2 inch hitch receiver weelder in the center. this way there is no weight on bumper.
IMG_0333.jpg
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Jim and DW Darlene
2001 T-2553 Sunline Solaris
2006 GMC Sierra Duramax 2500HD 4X4
Firestone Transforce AT tires
Reese Dual Cam Sway Control
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01-05-2017, 07:28 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Florida
Posts: 1,279
SUN #1830
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jim44646
Hi Joan
This was my solution to mounting bike rack. I welded heavy square tubing from frame to frame with a 2 inch hitch receiver weelder in the center. this way there is no weight on bumper.
Attachment 3983
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Now that is the way to do it right!!
__________________
Beverly & Jim
Sebring, Florida
1991 T-2363 Solaris
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01-05-2017, 07:33 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Florida
Posts: 1,279
SUN #1830
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When buying a bike rack make sure the bike tires do not hang below the frame of the TT. Clearance was why mine is on top of the bumper instead of below.
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Beverly & Jim
Sebring, Florida
1991 T-2363 Solaris
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11-28-2017, 07:15 PM
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#12
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Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 28
SUN #10092
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You might be able to puta front hitch on your tow vehicle. My cousin did it a few years ago and says it’s the best wAy to go.
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2020 Coachman CrossTrek 20 XG
2018 Chevrolet Colorado
Previous: 2003 T1950, 1994 T2970, 1991 T-220, 1962 Apache Eagle (rebuilt), 1960 Apache Chief, 2018 Freedom Elite
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11-29-2017, 06:36 AM
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#13
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Moderator
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Michigan
Posts: 6,155
SUN #123
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tommy
You might be able to puta front hitch on your tow vehicle. My cousin did it a few years ago and says it’s the best wAy to go.
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I've seen people do that, just as long as it doesn't block much air flow for cooling. It shouldn't, as long as you don't put a huge bag cover over the bikes or something.
__________________
2007 T-286SR Cherry/Granola, #6236, original owner, current mileage: 9473.8 (as of 6/18/21)
1997 T-2653 Blue Denim, #5471
1979 12 1/2' MC, Beige & Avocado, #4639
Past Sunlines: '97 T-2653 #5089, '94 T-2251, '86 T-1550, '94 T-2363, '98 T-270SR
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11-29-2017, 07:01 AM
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#14
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 43
SUN #9658
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All this talk about break away bumpers and weak welding plates is making me double think buying a spare tire mount for my TT, lol... As everyone that has an older Sunny knows the biggest downfall is the extreme lack of outside storage, and currently my whole rear compartment is occupied by my spare tire...
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