Has anyone installed a receiver hitch to the back of a FF?

[twinster2]

So has anyone figured out a way to install a receiver hitch on the back of a bumperless FF 189? I would like to use it for a bike carrier but I cannot find any space to mount it due to the black water tank that's between the frame.

 

[profdant139]

I thought about welding something onto the back, but the frame members do not look sturdy enough. Other folks who have put racks onto bumperless frames have experienced metal fatigue and failure -- the vibration is too much for the metal.

 

[dnto]

http://www.funfinderclub.com/forums/f11/rear-2-inch-receiver-2342.html about half way down, reposted by tcp.

Instead I had a receiver welded on to my 189fbs last week but will likely have to modify it as it sits very low and I'm not real happy with how it turned out. Torn though as I like the 5" abs hollow post mod for the sewer hose that looks perfect in the underhang space at the back so would hate to give up that space. Maybe I could move the spare tire up/to the side (if that is possible?) where it wouldn't interfere with the bicycles and then shorten the receiver length at least?

 

[dogs_rule]

I think somewhere I've seen some kind of hitch 'extender' thing that goes between the tow vehicle and the trailer, upon which a bike can be mounted. But not really sure as I wasn't looking for that, I was looking into WD/AW hitches online and scanning through tons of sites...

 

[dnto]

I tried to post a link yesterday to an earlier thread which showed an adjustable Curt towing receiver and how they attached it. However my post didn't pass scrutiny or perhaps just not yet? So this may repeat.
The title of that post, from 04-11-2015 is ' rear 2 inch receiver'. Halfway down pg 1 thread tcp gives a great description of how he added a curt adjustable hitch receiver and has links to photos and the receiver.
I tried to have a receiver welded underneath but am not happy with the result. Too low and the job wasn't the greatest. Perhaps there is a way to move the spare up/to the side to get it out of the way of the bikes and I could shorten the length of the receiver?

Here are some photos.

 

[Chirpz]

If you get a final solution to this issue that you just love, I'm all ears. This is one of the things I don't like about my 189FBR...no bumper.

 

[M&M3]

I have experimented with rear mount bike racks for some time. I am now of the opinion that mounting a bike rack in any manner on the back of most campers risks damaging both the bikes and the camper.

 

[Dakota 1120]

Some who have found mounting a bike rack on the back is not possible or a failure, have opted to put the bicycles inside the camper or, when possible, bed of the tow vehicle.

I've seen some even mounted in a "rack" on the roof of a vehicle.

 

[dogs_rule]

thanks!

thanks for all the comments AND those photos. VERY helpful. I think I will forego it. Seems like a lot of structural additions for a bike rack.

 

[dnto]

we like to mountain bike and they get covered in mud etc and as we want to carry a light canoe on the roof of our tow vehicle so there isn't easy space there either for 2 bikes. We are hoping a workable, secure rack at the back solution can be found

 

[LJAZ]

There are racks available that attach to the A frame so you can mount the bikes over the propane tanks. Like this one:https://www.etrailer.com/RV-and-Motorhome-Bike-Racks/Stromberg-Carlson/CC-275.html

 

[APD]

There are racks available that attach to the A frame so you can mount the bikes over the propane tanks. Like this one:https://www.etrailer.com/RV-and-Motorhome-Bike-Racks/Stromberg-Carlson/CC-275.html

That looks like a nice mount! And they also make a cargo rack for the front that's rated at 300#. https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Cargo-Control/Stromberg-Carlson/CC-255.html

 

[mthiker33]

Twinster2,
I installed a 2 inch receiver hitch on the back of our 189 FBS by bolting the ends to the square tubing that supports part of the rear stabilizer jacks. I had to do quite a lot of rework to truck type hitch to make it work and used grade 8 bolts and nylock nuts to attach. Basically installed hitch to support bike rack that slides into the receiver on the bottom. Fabricated a bracket to attach upper part of bike carrierc to spare tire mount. Mounted the spare tire under the front of the trailer using the factory installed frame cross member to support most of the spare tires weight. My spare fits between this cross member and the bottom of the trailer. Of course I had to make a swing down bracket to keep the spare tire from falling out. Removing spare tire now requires crawling under the trailer to retrieve it but how often are you going to need to do that. Would like to post pics here of these mods but not sure how to do it. We've been traveling for over two years with this setup and have had no problems. Also, if you do put a hitch on the rear of your trailer I would not put too much weight on it. Our Funfinder's rear spare tire mount carries most of weight of loaded bike rack (maybe 30 - 35 lbs.) because of the bracket that attaches upper part of bike rack to Funfinder spare tire mount.
Good luck with your trailer.

 

[shawno-FUN]

I had a hitch professionally installed on the back of my 189 FBS FF so I can tow my boat in tandem when we go to the lake ( This is legal in SK ) I believe the cost to do this was around $800.00. It is wired for trailer lights as well. I'll try and track down a pic or two and post them so you can see what it looks like.

 

[billyt-FUN]

i used a reese 44531 hitch...easy to install
https://www.amazon.ca/Reese-Towpower-44531-Custom-Fit-Receiver/dp/B000RNSBTW

 

[Chirpz]

i used a reese 44531 hitch...easy to install
https://www.amazon.ca/Reese-Towpower-44531-Custom-Fit-Receiver/dp/B000RNSBTW

Could you post a picture of the installed hitch please? Curious to see how it all looks.

 

[billyt-FUN]

install of hitch

hope these pictures are o.k. i attached the cargo carrier with with an additional clamp for stability and safety...the box is also bolted down for the same reason

don't know if pictures uploaded

 

[billyt-FUN]

it also sticks out a bit because needed access to get inside the storage box...but again nothing too heavy , sewer hoses, leveling blocks, chainsaw and a bit of gas

 

[Chirpz]

That is very nice, thank you. Do you have any problem with the tail dragging on that carrier when you go up a shallow drive such as turning into a gas station etc?

 

[billyt-FUN]

funny you should mention that...i have raised my axle (spring above the axel) 3 "...i do a lot of off road (dirt) travels, not 4x4 stuff but where there is large ups and downs so it is no problem at all...here in british columbia we have lots of off the beaten track areas to explore