Bike rack, problem solved

[jeffe]

I found that I could not lower my tailgate without it striking my bike rack even in the lowered or stowed position. Here's my Amazon (Prime!) solution:

Towever 84433 Trailer Hitch Extension Receiver Tube Extenders, 12" Length, 3,500 lbs. GTW


DOH!! Looks like my "stowed position" pic didn't upload...



Price: $28.48 Free Shipping for Prime Members

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[P. A. Schilke]

I found that I could not lower my tailgate without it striking my bike rack even in "stowed" position. Here's my Amazon (Prime!) solution:

Towever 84433 Trailer Hitch Extension Receiver Tube Extenders, 12" Length, 3,500 lbs. GTW






Price: $28.48 Free Shipping for Prime Members

Scary!!!!

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Company Retired

 

[jeffe]

Scary!!!!

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Company Retired

Should I be scared too?? Did your engineering eye see a fault in my adaptation?

 

[Marc F]

Glad I read this. I have the exact some rack, but hadn't tried to install it yet on my Ranger. Good to see that there is a cheap solution.

 

[P. A. Schilke]

Hi

I understand what you wished to accomplish, but the extension creates a cantilever load on the receiver. this creates a high stress point at the receiver. I would recommend you monitor the attachment closely and if signs of cracking appear, remove or beef up the area with welded plating. I am concerned with cyclic fatigue of the metal.

Good luck!

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Company Retired

 

[RedlandRanger]

Hi

I understand what you wished to accomplish, but the extension creates a cantilever load on the receiver. this creates a high stress point at the receiver. I would recommend you monitor the attachment closely and if signs of cracking appear, remove or beef up the area with welded plating. I am concerned with cyclic fatigue of the metal.

Good luck!

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Company Retired

It seems like the load is very light - it is only 2 bikes - much lighter than a normal hitch load. Am I missing something?

 

[t4thfavor]

It seems like the load is very light - it is only 2 bikes - much lighter than a normal hitch load. Am I missing something?

You can go a long way towards reducing the cyclic load by making sure the hitch is shimmed properly. Possibly have someone (or DIY) drill and tap a hole for a bolt on the TOP of the adapter, so that the hitch can be stopped from bouncing around. Then I would shim the truck adapter (if needed) with regular door shims (new ones each time obviously). It will help, but it won't fix it completely. If the extension is rated for 3500# then expect it to be able to handle a non-dynamic 350# basically forever.

The engineer above knows that bikes bounce around, so stopping them from doing that would be paramount.

 

[P. A. Schilke]

It seems like the load is very light - it is only 2 bikes - much lighter than a normal hitch load. Am I missing something?

Hi

No you are not missing anything. Think of this like a metal coat hanger that you bend back and forth until it snaps. Even with a light load of bikes it may result in the extension failing...that is why I suggested he monitor closely. There was an aftermarket bike rack with provision for a trailer ball to tow a trailer...it caused a couple hitch cracking issues . We just don't know if this will work long term..thus best to closely monitor.

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Company Retired

 

[jeffe]

Hi

I understand what you wished to accomplish, but the extension creates a cantilever load on the receiver. this creates a high stress point at the receiver. I would recommend you monitor the attachment closely and if signs of cracking appear, remove or beef up the area with welded plating. I am concerned with cyclic fatigue of the metal.

Good luck!

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Company Retired

Thanks for the input Phil! I will keep an eye on it for sure

 

[jeffe]

You can go a long way towards reducing the cyclic load by making sure the hitch is shimmed properly. Possibly have someone (or DIY) drill and tap a hole for a bolt on the TOP of the adapter, so that the hitch can be stopped from bouncing around. Then I would shim the truck adapter (if needed) with regular door shims (new ones each time obviously). It will help, but it won't fix it completely. If the extension is rated for 3500# then expect it to be able to handle a non-dynamic 350# basically forever.

The engineer above knows that bikes bounce around, so stopping them from doing that would be paramount.

Shimming and adding a bolt to the top of the adapter are excellent ideas. I'll have to look in to that further.

 

[t4thfavor]

Shimming and adding a bolt to the top of the adapter are excellent ideas. I'll have to look in to that further.

You just want it not to bounce around. Like the coat hanger analogy, one that sways in the wind breaks long before the one holding up some static load where it doesn't move around.

 

[cult67]

Something like this may help. https://www.amazon.com/RETECK-Tight...985636&s=gateway&sprefix=hitch,aps,412&sr=8-3

 

[jeffe]

Something like this may help. https://www.amazon.com/RETECK-Tightener-Anti-Rattle-Stabilizer-Installation/dp/B01KZ25Y26/ref=sr_1_3?crid=OX5H3DFMW2BE&keywords=hitch+tightener&qid=1562985636&s=gateway&sprefix=hitch,aps,412&sr=8-3

Ha! Exactly what I installed yesterday! I actually got two of them but found that the built in bolt on the bike rack to the receiver all but cancels any movement there. I also got a anti rattle hitch pin shim (similar to what is built in to the bike rack) but it is too shallow to line up with the hitch pin on the extension. The single hitch tightener does the trick. When I lift or try to move the rack side to side, the whole vehicle moves. Virtually no play anymore.

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