Good Sam Club Open Roads Forum: My very own 'broken bumper' story...why didn't I listen?


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SDcampowneroperator

South Dakota

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Posted: 12/01/20 09:54pm

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mild steel bumpers and frames are X 45-52 tensile strength ) steel. Weld metal is minimun X 70.. the trouble is in the weld quality and full penetration of the parent metal, the temparature shock and HAZ ( heat affected zone)that causes hardening in that zone. Hard impacts in the HAZ zone can cause fracture where in other places a flex or bend. might only happen .

I have fixed a few. None were intended to carry a load

TomG2

Central Illinois

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Posted: 12/02/20 04:58am

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trailernovice wrote:

...snip....it's the cheap 'two bicycle' rack that surrounds the spare tire.......snip....

So, you had both the spare tire and bicycles hanging off the rear bumper? Double your pleasure. I throw the spare in the back of my truck when I have my bicycle on the trailer bumper.

rhagfo

Portland, OR

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Posted: 12/02/20 06:03am

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trailernovice wrote:

First things first....I'm not posting this to antagonize the 'haters' but in hopes of bringing further light to the issue

.................

Takeways
1.) Despite my own inflated sense of smarts, turns out I DON'T know everything
2.) Should have heeded warnings of those with more knowledge and experience
3.) Even if convenient, better to find an alternative to the bumper for sewer-hose storage
4.) Just because you've got away with a dangerous practice for a long time doesn't mean it won't come up and bite at some point

The best fix to the sewer hose storage issue is 5" vinyl fence post. I got mine at Lowes it is 8' in length. I can get (2) 10' lengths of hose, a clear 45 degree elbow, and the 90 degree sewer connection elbow inside.

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MFL

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Posted: 12/02/20 08:00am

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Nice pics, nice hose storage compartment! Well done Russ!

Jerry

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Posted: 12/02/20 08:33am

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Lwiddis wrote:

An example of why I don’t follow RVs with rear bumper mounted bike racks.

Now consider all of the folks who hang a generator off the rear of their RV... [emoticon]

Like the man said, you can't fix stupid.

[emoticon]

Thermoguy

Graham, WA

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Posted: 12/02/20 08:46am

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I think the only safe - or semi safe way to have bikes on the back of a trailer is with a frame mounted hitch. However, the bike rack also has to be a solid (non articulating) kind of bike rack. I think the bike racks designed for the back of an SUV with a hinge will break after bouncing on the back of any trailer. I have a Yakima rack that is designed for trailers and have a very solid reinforced elbow to prevent that hinge from being the week spot.

rhagfo

Portland, OR

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Posted: 12/02/20 09:43am

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Better yet for bikes, are the new “A” frame mounts that carry the bikes over the propane tanks and batteries.

BurbMan

Islip, Long Island

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Posted: 12/02/20 10:06am

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I cut the bumper off, used 2 1/2" angle iron bolted to the frame and made a frame to hold the storage box. I then re-attached the OEM bumper to the back of the frame, added recessed tail lights, and PVC sewer hose storage behind the storage box. Worked great to store the generator, leveling blocks, hoses, cords, etc.

Looking at the pics, I forgot to take one after I added the sewer hose storage...
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dodge guy

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Posted: 12/02/20 11:17am

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I had my bike rack mounted to the bumper with a clamp on receiver. However I also used a set bolt to take out the play in the Exocet opening, and also had it ratchet strapped to the rear wall with angle steel behind the bunks for support. In 13 years and many thousands of miles the rack never bounced or swayed. I had a rear view camera that I could keep an eye on them. I wouldn’t do it unless the rack was tight with the trailer and properly supported!

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MikeDupont

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Posted: 12/02/20 12:47pm

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Terryallan wrote:

MikeDupont wrote:

Thanks for posting that. Note made to always air out the bumper after using and storing sewer hose in it.

bumper end caps should have holes in them to allow it to dry inside, But just about any metal will rust after 8 or 9 years.

Quicker drying is much better. Running down the road no doubt helps a lot too (with holes in the caps). But the less humidity you have in an environment, the slower steel will rust. I always try to stack the odds in my favor. (and we do the beach a lot where Humidity Rules [emoticon]

).

+1 on using vinyl fence posts. I did that on my last TT and plan on doing it to the next one we will buy shortly if they ever go back to making a model i like.

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