BBC3 Posted July 2, 2018 Share Posted July 2, 2018 Hello I'm wondering if anyone has had a bike rack installed on the back of their Dolphin, and if so, did they have a 'hitch' fitted, or use the place where the spare wheel is attached at the back? Any input received with gratitude. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bikemike Posted July 3, 2018 Share Posted July 3, 2018 I tried putting a spair tire mounted bike rack on our Escaper with disconcerting results. It seemed like too much torque on the back wall of the camper. I switched over to a bike rack that slides into a receiver hitch that bolts onto the square bumper. This meant that I needed to replace the rusty old bumper. It is still holding up, although I would have liked to have had a heavier gauge steel used for the 4 in bumper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhdbad Posted July 3, 2018 Share Posted July 3, 2018 I use a 2 bike Swagman that attaches to the square bumpers with U bolts ... works great. I also bungee a couple camp chairs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warrior1 Posted July 20, 2018 Share Posted July 20, 2018 I had one on my old dolphin a decade back but I needed to make some sort of mod with the spare tire. I cannot remember what it was now. Please post some pics to job my memory. My warrior just uses the Thule hitch mount rack. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markwilliam1 Posted July 21, 2018 Share Posted July 21, 2018 If you have a ladder I’ve had success using a ladder bike rack. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek up North Posted July 21, 2018 Share Posted July 21, 2018 Any rack added to rear mounted tire, ladder or even bumper should only be done after you make sure that everything is still solidly mounted. Rear walls have been known to be 'punky' and tires and ladders compromised. Adding extra weight with bikes might be the 'last straw'! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markwilliam1 Posted July 22, 2018 Share Posted July 22, 2018 I agree! On my rig the ladder is built well compared to others I’ve seen. I replaced all the mounting screws with larger SS screws. Very secure! Unless your rear bumper is reinforced I’d be concerned about a bumper rack. There’s lots of bouncing back there when driving! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bikemike Posted July 22, 2018 Share Posted July 22, 2018 Yes, I was in question of the bumper’s ability to bear the weight of two bikes over the bumps of the road. So I secured the hitch mounted bike rack to the spare tire also. It’s a quick connect/disconnect that dampens the bouncing of the bike rack and distributes the force between the spare and the bumper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek up North Posted July 22, 2018 Share Posted July 22, 2018 Also consider if you bike(s) weigh 14lb or 60lb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BBC3 Posted July 22, 2018 Author Share Posted July 22, 2018 Thanks to all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisanglehart Posted August 23, 2018 Share Posted August 23, 2018 I recently had a 2 inch receiver welded onto my 1982 Toyota dolphin. See pics below. It is solid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squirrel Posted August 23, 2018 Share Posted August 23, 2018 Wow, Chrisanglehart, that thing looks beefy. What size bike are you going to carry? I am considering doing something similar to carry around a little 180cc. I have a hitch on the back of my Dolphin as well, the previous own said that they used to tow a Honda CRX. But I would think that would have been terrible to tow with these little motorhomes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisanglehart Posted August 23, 2018 Share Posted August 23, 2018 yeah they did a good job. I want it to be strong enough for 4 bikes 2 kids and 2 adult Im not to sure if i would want to tow anything else, i think it would put quite a bit of strain on it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BBC3 Posted August 23, 2018 Author Share Posted August 23, 2018 Nice! My dolphin has a plastic bumper and not the metal one. I have not looked into a hitch, but that is my next stop. I bought a used 'spare tire rack' for 2 bikes, but the angle of the spare wheel is too much hanging away from the vehicle and so is no good, one bike wheel nearly scrapes the ground when i go out my drive, and i didn't like it anyway. Thanks for the replies!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek up North Posted August 23, 2018 Share Posted August 23, 2018 I wouldn't use a tire mounted rack on the back of a Dolphin. Bound to cause rear wall problems! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trixieandabe Posted March 18, 2022 Share Posted March 18, 2022 On 8/23/2018 at 10:38 AM, chrisanglehart said: I recently had a 2 inch receiver welded onto my 1982 Toyota dolphin. See pics below. It is solid. I know this is an old thread but figured I'd try... Who does this kind of work? Get a hitch and take to welder or a trailer shop? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda s Posted March 19, 2022 Share Posted March 19, 2022 This is a job that requires you do some research. You need to know what they can handle. There are plastic tanks and wiring under there that could be destroyed by welding. Do you just want a bike rack or will the hitch be required to hold more weight. An RV place would be the safest but probably also more expensive. This place is in Bend and they do hitches About Us | WA & OR RV Repair, Boat & Trailer Services | Pro World (prorvbend.com) Just talk to everyone you can for the best price and experience Linda S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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