I need to install a reciever on the back of my 5er for a bike rack. My rear bumper is 4" square box. Can anyone comment on what type of hitch/bikerack combo I should be looking at.

Thanks
John

Oh, I should mention that I need to be able to carry 2 adult and 2 children bikes.

 

Be careful if that box is your sewer hose storage. They are usually quite thin and have a wonderful habit of rusting out. You are usually better off having something welded together that goes to the frame.

 

Listen to Fiver Bob,

You can not imagine how much bouncing goes on back there. We knew that our bumper was too thin to attach a bike rack too. I scrounged a factory hitch from a 99 2500 that had the electrical box damaged in an accident. I went the the scrap yard and found two very thick C channel bars, I welded then frame to frame, and bolted the hitch to them. Took off to Niagra Falls NY from St. Louis with two bikes. The trailer bounced so much it caused the C channel to flex and the bike straps loosened damaging the bikes. I was really supprised we did not leave them on the highway. I will not put the bikes back on the hitch until I weld up some box tubing to the hitch to bolt to. As for for the rack it self go and get a good one from a quality bike store. Higher quality, easier to strap the bikes on and off too.

James

 

I agree with FiverBob, I would not attempt to weld to the sewer hose compartment. Due to the difference in thickness, you are very **** to blowing weld holes through the sewer compartment. On mine, I welded a piece of channel iron on both the front and back of an old CJ-7 receiver hitch. This assembly was then welded to the channel iron that was holding the fifth wheel bumper on. If you want any pictures, let me know and I will go out this afternoon and take some.

Bryan

 

I welded a 2"x36" reciever tube to two 1 1/4" tubes that bolt under the frame.
Then I used a U-bolt to the bumper and the reciever tube.
Basically 5 points of connection to the FW.

I've seen those 4" bumpers rip right off at the welds. Twisted like pretzels...

 

I put mine on my self took 2 pieces of square tubing and made a H patteran then welded the 2" reciever to that then weld all of it between your frame channels. It's very stout I pull my 17' bass boat with no promblems

 

I wish we could pull trailers here in Washington with our Fivers

 

I put our bikes in the underneath storage compartment. If the distance is short, they go inside, one on the bed and one on the couch (after they are covered of course). Have you considered a roof rack for the truck?
Bob

 

Bob....I havent given that any thought yet. The kids bikes I can fit in the underneath storage, but not mine or my wifes. I had been laying them in the bed just forward of the hitch. I just want something that is clean and convienient. If I can get a reciever welded to the frame of the fifth wheel, I'll probably go that route.

Thanks for all the replies.

John