Front mounted bike rack with a concave bumper?

[dbsoundman]

I've been racking my brain lately trying to come up with something to transport 3 bikes for a trip that's coming up in about 3 weeks. I had originally planned to install a rear hitch on the bus but the hitch I ordered is the wrong size. I'm not sure I'll be able to find a local hitch installer that can get it done in my timeframe so now I'm considering a front mounted setup. I found this bolt-on receiver for front bumpers, but my problem is my Thomas bus doesn't have a flat bumper. The bumper is a concave shape from top to bottom. I wasn't sure if this kind of receiver would mount well on a concave surface.

I also looked up real transit bus bike racks and found a manufacturer that may sell one to me, for $1000. It would be *really* nice, but that's awfully expensive.

I would really appreciate other working ideas that I can hack together in a fairly short timeframe.

 

[fo4imtippin]

You got a picture of your bumper for inspiration? I looked through a few posts and can't find any pics.


Do you have any existing hitch bike rack?

 

[dbsoundman]

You got a picture of your bumper for inspiration? I looked through a few posts and can't find any pics.


Do you have any existing hitch bike rack?

Here’s some pictures. Looking closer I think it may just be flat enough for the receiver I posted to work. I’m just a little overloaded with projects lately so I tend to need others to bounce ideas off of.

We do have a bike rack already but it’s the kind that you hang bikes by the frame. I’m thinking of getting a different one that supports them from the wheels instead.

 

[fo4imtippin]

The hitch you listed would work and bolt right on the front.


I have used the harbor freight one below on the front of my zero turn mower mounted to some vertical steel. I drilled 4 holes on the backside of the hitch plate and bolted it on. It holds over 500lb of tounge weight fine.


https://www.harborfreight.com/5000-lb-step-bumper-receiver-69670.html


I haven't seen your bumper, but it's more substantial than an RV bumper than people mount bikes to. I think for bikes or cargo only, you would be good with no additional support. If you were putting a dirt bike or motorcycle on the front, I would maybe add some 1/4 plate or c channel between the bumper and frame bolts and bolt through all of that.




Not sure how much you wanted to spend on a tray based bike rack. I have used quite a few and the 1upUSA seems to be the best quality for the price (last I checked). They all have surged in price the last few years. The plastic ones don't typically hold up as well for durability. Some states now have laws that bike racks have to have brake lights, signals, and license plate relocation kits installed, so they are in a transition period of prices and features..

 

[Kentucky Dreaming]

I think that hitch receiver will work ok with your bumper. If it doesn't sit flush on the center part of the bumper you should still be able to make it work. Might be frustrating drilling holes on location on the angled top & bottom. I would just weld across the top & bottom and call it done. Be done in 15 minutes once you find a clamp or two. That would take 3 hours in my disorganized basement.

Good luck.

 

[jimmythomas]

Those 2 big bolts hold on the front bumper. Just take off the bumper, take it to a welding shop (along with a receiver) and have them cut a hole in the middle of the bumper - they are usually 2 layers of channel back to back - and weld in the receiver plug flush.
That way you won't have a knee breaker in the middle of the front bumper.
I don't think it's easy to drill holes in those bumpers.

 

[dbsoundman]

Those 2 big bolts hold on the front bumper. Just take off the bumper, take it to a welding shop (along with a receiver) and have them cut a hole in the middle of the bumper - they are usually 2 layers of channel back to back - and weld in the receiver plug flush.
That way you won't have a knee breaker in the middle of the front bumper.
I don't think it's easy to drill holes in those bumpers.

I already ordered the parts but now I’m wondering if I can cut a square hole in the bumper and bolt the mounting plate on the back side of the bumper. I’ll still have a knee breaker but it won’t be quite as long.

 

[nocoasty]

For what it's worth, I did the same thing on my old Thomas MVP Saf-T-Liner. Sorry in advance that I don't have better pictures, I had to go through instagram story archives to even find those, haha.

My wife and I carried two Schwinn hybrid road/mountain bikes and never had an issue. I just drilled holes for the bolts and mounted it directly to the front bumper as best in the middle as I could. I used this receiver. It looks like it's unavailable, but practically the same as what you linked.

I didn't use the hardware supplied. I never really trust the chinesium that comes in the box, so I bought some grade 8 nuts, washers, and bolts from the hardware store.

We used a hitch mount bike rack for up to 4 bikes, but it was floppy as ****. Should have looked a little better at the time and found one that had an adjustable insert to tighten up in the receiver.

 

[dbsoundman]

For what it's worth, I did the same thing on my old Thomas MVP Saf-T-Liner. Sorry in advance that I don't have better pictures, I had to go through instagram story archives to even find those, haha.

My wife and I carried two Schwinn hybrid road/mountain bikes and never had an issue. I just drilled holes for the bolts and mounted it directly to the front bumper as best in the middle as I could. I used this receiver. It looks like it's unavailable, but practically the same as what you linked.

I didn't use the hardware supplied. I never really trust the chinesium that comes in the box, so I bought some grade 8 nuts, washers, and bolts from the hardware store.

We used a hitch mount bike rack for up to 4 bikes, but it was floppy as ****. Should have looked a little better at the time and found one that had an adjustable insert to tighten up in the receiver.

Ahh, the Tioaventurabus! I followed you guys closely, I was always looking for more Thomas MVP inspiration.

I bought the parts basically just like this, so I’m glad it worked relatively well for you. I did also get in touch with a transit bus rack manufacturer who may sell me a used rack for a good deal. We will see.

 

[nocoasty]

Ahh, the Tioaventurabus! I followed you guys closely, I was always looking for more Thomas MVP inspiration.

Oh Heck yeah! I love and miss that bus. It's propped up permanently in Cedar Creek Texas now as an AirBnB

I looked at transit style ones, too. Couldn't find any at the time I was looking, but that's what I REALLY wanted.

 

[CheckMinus]

Those 2 big bolts hold on the front bumper. Just take off the bumper, take it to a welding shop (along with a receiver) and have them cut a hole in the middle of the bumper - they are usually 2 layers of channel back to back - and weld in the receiver plug flush.
That way you won't have a knee breaker in the middle of the front bumper.
I don't think it's easy to drill holes in those bumpers.

Do you know what size the nuts are on those 2 big bolts? My biggest socket is 1-3/4 but it's slightly to small. I'm guessing it's 45mm?

 

[Mat7783]

Need carbide tip bits to get thru those Thomas bumpers.i used a carbide hole saw to make holes for amber running lights and it was a bear getting thru that bumper

 

[nikitis]

This is why I think it's easier to just fab something up. I'll probably remove my front bumper, weld in a recessed hitch, and grind a square hole in the middle of the bumper so nothing sticks out when not using it with a rubber plug.

Once hitch is done, then I can mount anything like a wench, bike rack, whatever.

 

[Kentucky Dreaming]

Once hitch is done, then I can mount anything like a wench, bike rack, whatever.

Doubt that the wife would like to see you mounting a "wench."

 

[nikitis]

Doubt that the wife would like to see you mounting a "wench."

The wife is the wench lol. At least when she's angry, so she can ride on the front bumper.