mtngal
CA/TX
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Joined: 12/30/2008
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Just finished reading the recent thread about bikes and "Bs', and was interested to note no mention of ladder bike racks. Because I will be taking along just one bike I have been thinking this type would be a quick and easy solution. Of course, this depends on actually having a ladder! Which I don't at this point. Does anyone have a ladder AND use a ladder bike rack?
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Handbasket
Asheville, NC
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Joined: 01/17/2003
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You may want to specify which RT model, since there are ~ a half-dozen different rear door configurations. But I installed a 'normal' van-type rear door ladder on the right rear of my '02 C190P. I'm pretty sure it would have supported a bike & rack. The older Dodges _might_ have problems with getting around the spare rack & tire.
Try some van customizing shop web sites for the ladder, and RV supply sites for a rack that will fit. Measure your door top-to-bottom before ordering.
Jim, "Don't be irreplaceable. If you can't be replaced, you can't be promoted."
'06 Tiger CX 'C Minus' on a Silverado 2500HD 4x4, 8.1 & Allison ('Loafer's Glory'); '07 Forester 2.5 ( the 'HANDBSKT'); '95 Toyota SR5 V-6 4x4 pickup, ARB locker, Bilsteins, Warn hubs & M8000, etc;
'94 968, M030 swaybars ('DOPPLER')
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wsfurrie
Arizona
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Joined: 09/14/2007
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I have seen numerous rvs with bikes hanging off the ladder over the years. It has always bothered me. I had the ladder on a large 5th wheel come loose many years ago. It was held to the rv with screws. My thought is that the rear end of an rv is subject to severe up and down motion, the more rear overhang, the worse the motion. A 30 pound bike would exert many times that weight when being whipped up and down. I have never seen a ladder that looked like it was made to stand up to that kind of beating. I realize that 200 pound men climb those ladders, but they are not jumping up and down on them for hours at a time. Carrying aluminum lawn chairs is one thing, bikes another. There are many bike racks made that will fit a class B, that would be my recommendation.
Wayne
Wayne
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seraphim
Ohio
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Joined: 02/03/2008
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Yes we use ladder mounts to haul Gail's RANS Stratus XP - a 96" LWB recumbent bike. The two mounts clamp on to the vertical rods of the ladder - you can find them at any RV store. The clamps work for regular diamond frame bikes also. Eack clamp is rated at 50 lbs, but I use two for security. It's an extremely expensive bike. A couple of bungee cords add to the security.
I don't have a photo online at the moment, but I can post one later when I get home, if you like.
Growing old is no excuse for growing up.
1995 Intervec Falcon 190
The GyrFalcon
(pronounced jer-falcon}
Jerry and Gail Hartwig (with Ben in the middle)
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Handbasket
Asheville, NC
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Joined: 01/17/2003
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I think the rear of a B is subject to much less severe up and down motion than the rear of a trailer, due partly to the much shorter distance from the rear axle to the rear of the vehicle. This is probably even more true of the short-overhang units built on the Express chassis.
But if I was planning to hang a bike off a ladder, I'd probably install it with machine screws or small bolts, and nuts and flat washers, and Loctite, if at all possible. If I had to make a choice, I'd locate the ladder on the door so that these were at least used for the top mounting points. I put mine on with just self-tapping screws, and it stayed solid for the ~two years I used it.
A cautious person might also put one or two small eyebolts directly into the upper edge of the door to hook bungees into. This'd give a 'second chance' _if_ the ladder came loose.
Jim, "If it's dangerous, makes noise, and scares Mom, it must be fun!"
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loggenrock
New Hampshire
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Joined: 06/28/2007
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Here's my experience hanging a bike rack (NOT a ladder with a rack) off the rear door on my 03C190P... awoke one morning to a nasty thunderstorm, made worse by water pouring in thru the top of the rear door (drivers side - "Less used") of the van - the door that had the rack mounted to it... Not pretty. Turns out I needed a replacement gasket around the door opening to solve this. My opinion - hanging the rack off the door pulled it just far enough away to let the gasket seal "break". My next move was to install a hitch-mounted rack for the bikes - since then no leak issues! I'd vote "No" for mounting anything on the rear doors! ST
2003 Roadtrek 190P Chevy 3500, and a pair of Limmers...
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