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Topic: Front hitch for bicycles (Read 569 times) previous topic - next topic

Front hitch for bicycles

I would like to take along my Rans recumbent bike as well as our 2 Day6 bikes. Problem is that my 17 foot Folbot sits on the roof of the Subaru and as it's a skin on frame, I have to provide support for the bow & stern. So I can only have a 2 bike rack behind the coach and the rear kayak suport pole will not allow a bike rack on the Subaru.

Sooooo, Wondering if anyone has done a front receiver on a uni-coach. The rans is about 30-35 lbs.



Jerry & Nona and Kimeru the cat that thinks she's a dog
1998 36' WTFE U320  #5314 Motorcade #17711
USAF 1975-1995
2019 Subaru Crosstrek 'toad'
2003 Subaru Legacy touring car
jerry Fincher | Flickr

Re: Front hitch for bicycles

Reply #1 –
Too many toys.  Time to start thinking about a enclosed trailer that would hold everything?
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Front hitch for bicycles

Reply #2 –
I use the front twin receivers for a front scooter rack.

Re: Front hitch for bicycles

Reply #3 –
Bigdog has a '98 Unicoach - different setup.  Not as easy to access the front receivers...if indeed they even exist?
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Front hitch for bicycles

Reply #4 –
Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie –
Too many toys.  Time to start thinking about a enclosed trailer that would hold everything?
Got rid of my trailer due to it always being a gambit on whether a campground will have room for it. A roof rack would work, But would be a PITA throwing it up there.
Jerry & Nona and Kimeru the cat that thinks she's a dog
1998 36' WTFE U320  #5314 Motorcade #17711
USAF 1975-1995
2019 Subaru Crosstrek 'toad'
2003 Subaru Legacy touring car
jerry Fincher | Flickr

Re: Front hitch for bicycles

Reply #5 –
No receivers on the uni.  It might be possible to fabricate something that attaches to the down tubes of genset support.  I wouldn't install anything that is lower than the generator slide, though.  It's already easy to ground out on down dips in the road.  Short answer....very tough to do. 

Seems like there are lots of ways to do a rear carrier on coach that will work with toad. 
"Not so  long ago we were a nation of risk takers, riding five million pounds of  thrust straight into space."  Joe Gresh
Chuck Pearson
1996 U295
2018 Can Am X3 TurboRS

Re: Front hitch for bicycles

Reply #6 –
Ladder rack .

Re: Front hitch for bicycles

Reply #7 –
put it in the bedroom during travel?
'99 U320 40 WTFE
Build #5462,
1500 Watts Solar 600 amp Victron lithium
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Hemi
Instagram bobfnbw
Retired

Re: Front hitch for bicycles

Reply #8 –
It's the kayak and it's support poles that are creating the problems. Having to tie down the Bow & Stern causes this kayak to bend in the middle. It's starting to put too much stress on some of the fittings. With a two bike rack on the coach, The rearmost bike just touches the support pole in a sharp turn. add a third bike and it would likely even contact the car.

A ladder rack wouldn't work as the two bikes on the rear of the coach are only about 1ft away from the ladder.

Putting it in the coach is difficult without making a mess. The wheel base is standard diamond frame size, But the boom with the crank set make this bike very long and removing the front wheel nets nothing. But that crank is sharp and oily.

The world won't end if I leave the Rans behind. Definitely a first world problem to have.

I'll have to look at some other possibilities for the hitch/support pole set up on the rear of the Subaru when we get to Tucson.
Jerry & Nona and Kimeru the cat that thinks she's a dog
1998 36' WTFE U320  #5314 Motorcade #17711
USAF 1975-1995
2019 Subaru Crosstrek 'toad'
2003 Subaru Legacy touring car
jerry Fincher | Flickr