Bike carrier problem solved.

[NW Scamp]

I posted about finding a place to put my bikes on my 13' Scamp. A lot of great replies but Kenny Strong told me about a couple great ideas with my hitch. I attached the links below. This is great for what we need. Happy Scamping and thank you everyone for the help!

Dual Hitch Extender & Other Dual Hitch Receivers - Harbor Freight Tools

Multi-Use Ball Mount

[john warren]

yep,,good solutions, i'm, getting one even though i have a hitchmount on the rear of our scamp. there may be times i want the bike up front and a cargo tray in the rear.

[David B.]

You might want to check out "Hitch Vice", as this will eliminate all the slop in a set-up like you are looking at. I purchased one because of the instability in my drop-down hitch....it really works!!

[cpaharley2008]

The problem with these adapters is that they reduce your hitch capacity.

[lamimartin]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

The problem with these adapters is that they reduce your hitch capacity.

True, but such hitch adaptor is a good solution for very light 13' Scamp and a couple of bikes. It is loaded at less than half hitch capacity.

[LukeP]

With either of these snazzy adapters - are you able to actually put a bike rack into the top receiver, without the bikes hitting the tank/battery etc on the front of the camper? (if you have a tank/battery upfront, that is)

[lamimartin]

Originally Posted by LukeP

With either of these snazzy adapters - are you able to actually put a bike rack into the top receiver, without the bikes hitting the tank/battery etc on the front of the camper? (if you have a tank/battery upfront, that is)

I've got a Suzuki Grand Vitara with a spare tire over the bumper, attached on the rear door. I can carry two bikes by using a spare tire rack mount without problems. If I wanted to carry a third bike, I would need an extension bar. Otherwise, it will hit the front of the Trillium while steering. I've got two propane tanks

[Donna D.]

The spare on a Scamp is bolted through the rear of the body and there's a piece of plywood fiberglassed on the inside that the bolts run through. I wouldn't add a bike to the spare with that kind of mounting. That's a lot of up/down, wobbly weight constantly tugging on the tire.

and Martin, I realize you're talking about your tug... but, I didn't want newbies to think it might be a good idea for the back of their trailers.

YMMV

[LukeP]

great, thanks martin!

Originally Posted by lamimartin

I've got a Suzuki Grand Vitara with a spare tire over the bumper, attached on the rear door. I can carry two bikes by using a spare tire rack mount without problems. If I wanted to carry a third bike, I would need an extension bar. Otherwise, it will hit the front of the Trillium while steering. I've got two propane tanks

[avfn]

Hey I wonder if I can put this on my car and still use my hitch box on my car. hmmmm anyone know how much space there really is between the hitch and the tank? pictures of someone using this mount? here's the box i'm talking about. I think the box may just be TOO BIG.

[Raz]

I don't think I would buy any type of hitch from Harbor Freight. Also, remember you don't want to hit anything hanging off the tow vehicle when you turn. Raz

[Carol H]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

The spare on a Scamp is bolted through the rear of the body and there's a piece of plywood fiberglassed on the inside that the bolts run through. I wouldn't add a bike to the spare with that kind of mounting. That's a lot of up/down, wobbly weight constantly tugging on the tire.
and Martin, I realize you're talking about your tug... but, I didn't want newbies to think it might be a good idea for the back of their trailers.

YMMV

Donna is correct. When I looked at my options for bike rakes in reading reviews etc the tire mounted bike rakes where to be avoided if the spare tire mount was not totally reinforced and designed for the extra weight - I know the Scamp isnt and using it and hitting a bump could result in major fiberglass cracking or worse a big hole in the back of the trailer where the tire use to be. I also noted during my research that a number of auto manufactures that do have their spare tires mounted at the rear also dont put in enough re-enforcement to safely use this type of mount either. Processed with caution...

[lamimartin]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

(...)Martin, I realize you're talking about your tug... but, I didn't want newbies to think it might be a good idea for the back of their trailers. YMMV

Very good point Donna,
This is the way I found on my towing vehicle to remain safe and not to risk overloading the hitch with a dual attachment of some sort.

Even on my case, the spare tire rack is limited to 75 lbs total capacity, so the third bike, if any, must be very light.

I checked the frame of my 16' Trillium very carefully: it is fine for now, but it is definitely made of VERY THIN metal. Even if the spare tire tire rack is properly soldered to the Trillium bumper, I would definitely not risk to install a spare tire rack on the RV.

[lamimartin]

Originally Posted by avfn

Hey I wonder if I can put this on my car and still use my hitch box on my car. hmmmm anyone know how much space there really is between the hitch and the tank? pictures of someone using this mount? here's the box i'm talking about. I think the box may just be TOO BIG.

I agree with your conclusion for several reasons:
1- The box is quite likely to interfere with steering motion
2- The hitch tongue weight capacity would be exceeded with more than just the loaded hitch box alone.
3- The extension lenght under the box is so long that it would be unsafe to attach a trailer on it by any means. This is why cargo extensions instruction manual says it is designed for a maximum load of 500 lbs, for instance.

[avfn]

Originally Posted by lamimartin

I agree with your conclusion for several reasons:
1- The box is quite likely to interfere with steering motion
2- The hitch tongue weight capacity would be exceeded with more than just the loaded hitch box alone.
3- The extension lenght under the box is so long that it would be unsafe to attach a trailer on it by any means. This is why cargo extensions instruction manual says it is designed for a maximum load of 500 lbs, for instance.

yeah that's what I figured guess I'm gonna have to get rid of the hitch box when I tow the boler. I LOVE THAT BOX it has SO MUCH STORAGE!!!.

[LukeP]

Originally Posted by avfn

yeah that's what I figured guess I'm gonna have to get rid of the hitch box when I tow the boler. I LOVE THAT BOX it has SO MUCH STORAGE!!!.

What brand of hitch box is that?

[avfn]

it's a THULE but they no longer make it. they make a different one now. this one swings out (it's broken so it's now held shut with ratchet straps) but the new ones just tilt down. this is the current model Amazon.com: Thule Transporter Combination Hitch Cargo Carrier: Sports & Outdoors

[Donna D.]

Ana.... can you strap the box to the roof of the tug? Or maybe get a different box for the tug? I understand the "want" to store stuff in a box, not on the hitch and not in the trailer. So, this is just MY idea...

[avfn]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

Ana.... can you strap the box to the roof of the tug? Or maybe get a different box for the tug? I understand the "want" to store stuff in a box, not on the hitch and not in the trailer. So, this is just MY idea...

Yeah thought of that the issue is that the hitch box allows my dogs to be inside (I have 3 total 2german shepherds and a boxer pit mix) and putting anything IN the car with them is asking for it to be TRAMPLED. I love the box as a travelling trunk for my stuff that is protected from the dogs. the element is too tall. I can't reach the top roof racks and I feel unstable with them. I'll just leave the hitch box at home. i'll survive.

[LukeP]

Originally Posted by avfn

Yeah thought of that the issue is that the hitch box allows my dogs to be inside (I have 3 total 2german shepherds and a boxer pit mix) and putting anything IN the car with them is asking for it to be TRAMPLED. I love the box as a travelling trunk for my stuff that is protected from the dogs. the element is too tall. I can't reach the top roof racks and I feel unstable with them. I'll just leave the hitch box at home. i'll survive.

I can't tell from your pic if something is hidden behind the open door - but could you put a box on the tongue? The Thule (thanks for the link, by the way!) or any other box, that could be mounted or have a mount to fasten to? Other folks here have found it useful to have a box up there for. I would love to but have the battery/lp tank there.