R-pod Owners Forum Homepage

This site is free to use.
Donations benefit a non-profit Girls Softball organization

Forum Home Forum Home > R-pod Discussion Forums > Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed: Class 2 hitch/ Bike rack re-enforcment
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Calendar   Register Register  Login Login

Topic ClosedClass 2 hitch/ Bike rack re-enforcment
 Post Reply Post Reply
Author
Message
  Share Topic Share Topic  Topic Search Topic Search  Topic Options Topic Options
Bboudens View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie
Avatar

Joined: 30 Sep 2016
Location: Calgary AB
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 39 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Class 2 hitch/ Bike rack re-enforcment
    Posted: 30 Sep 2016 at 2:02pm
Hello All. I'm thinking of re-enforcing the rear hitch on the back of the trailer. I'm an avid cycling enthusiast and one of the main reasons for purchasing the rpod was this hitch at the back. The authorized bike rack will not cut it for me. I'm thinking of something that carries 4 bikes and a total combined weight of 200 lbs. Has anyone done something similar or uses a different bike rack? Does anyone have a way for me to contact Forest River to see if they have any recommendations or reasons why I shouldn't beef it up? Any thoughts?        
Keep your stick on the ice
2016 178HRE
2011 Silverado 1500
Back to Top
Podster View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 16 Sep 2014
Location: San Antonio
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1108 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Sep 2016 at 6:45pm
My first thought is that modification will probably void some parts, if not all of any warranty you may have. If that is important to you then you probably have some time to consult somebody truly qualified to guarantee such a modification. Good luck! 
Cliff & Raelynn
Ranger 4.0/178
(1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity)
Back to Top
techntrek View Drop Down
Admin Group - pHp
Admin Group - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 29 Jul 2009
Location: MD
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 9062 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Sep 2016 at 7:24pm
Someone here a while ago reinforced the rear hitch to do that.  Others have had custom racks build above the tongue.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
Back to Top
Bboudens View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie
Avatar

Joined: 30 Sep 2016
Location: Calgary AB
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 39 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Oct 2016 at 12:27am
Ya, this is what is great about this forum. the reinforcement is not a huge priority and will probably wait until the warranty is done anyway. I'm just trying to find out what others have done. Any body use a Thule rack on the back? Any issues? cause for the time being two bikes is fine.    
Keep your stick on the ice
2016 178HRE
2011 Silverado 1500
Back to Top
Pod People View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member


Joined: 22 Sep 2011
Location: Chapel Hill,NC
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1091 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Oct 2016 at 2:46pm
We reinforced the original rear hitch. We added welded triangle gussets ,  1.5 inch square cross member to the frame and a 2 inch receiver. Look at the mods pictures on our page  we carry 2 bikes and have had no problems,
Vann

Vann & Laura 2015 RPod 179
Back to Top
Donnie View Drop Down
podders Helping podders - pHp
podders Helping podders - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 03 Oct 2016
Location: Deep Run NC
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 43 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Oct 2016 at 8:00am
Hi group, We are picking up our 180 today.  We would like to carry two bikes on the back with a carrier that will fit in the 1 1/4" receiver.  The bikes total about 75 pounds.  Should I be concerned about placing that much weight on the spare tire receiver?  Would I have any warranty issues because of this?
Donnie & Tina Hill
2016 R-Pod 180 "STAR POD" sold
2018 Ford F-150 STX
2013 Ford F-150 Eco-Boost
2020 R-Pod 192 “STAR POD 2”
2020 Coachmen Apex 265RBSS
Deep Run, NC
Back to Top
furpod View Drop Down
Moderator Group - pHp
Moderator Group - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 25 Jul 2011
Location: Central KY
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6128 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Oct 2016 at 8:45am
The hitch has a weight sticker on it, ours says 125 pounds max, FR also requires you use their bike rack, which holds only two bikes. Pretty sure the FR recommended rack is a Swagman Titan 2. Or something very similar.
Back to Top
DaveS View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie
Avatar

Joined: 06 Nov 2014
Location: Vermont
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 17 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Oct 2016 at 8:54am
I have the recommended bike rack that FR requires.  It isn't the best rack I have ever seen but it carries two bikes ok with a little work aligning them so they don't rub.  Just did 7K miles with it and 2 bikes no problems.  I thought I would try it because it is inexpensive and would say it is acceptable for us.  

Cheers, Dave
Back to Top
Donnie View Drop Down
podders Helping podders - pHp
podders Helping podders - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 03 Oct 2016
Location: Deep Run NC
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 43 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Oct 2016 at 9:00am
Thanks all for your comments!
Donnie & Tina Hill
2016 R-Pod 180 "STAR POD" sold
2018 Ford F-150 STX
2013 Ford F-150 Eco-Boost
2020 R-Pod 192 “STAR POD 2”
2020 Coachmen Apex 265RBSS
Deep Run, NC
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Bulletin Board Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 9.64
Copyright ©2001-2009 Web Wiz