Starcraft RV Owners Forum

mobilemedic22 wrote:

jcarlilesiu wrote:I just noticed the bike rack on the back of your camper.

Did you do anything to reinforce the bumper?

I am about to order a 2 bike rack for mine too and found these:

http://www.mount-n-lock.com/products/4s ... fetystruts

I would be curious to find out if these brackets do in fact help with putting a bike rack on the back end. Did you end up getting them?

I havn't yet, but I understand the theory. I am an architect by trade.

The biggest issue with the bumper is torsional load applied to the weld between the camper frame and the bumper. Since it isn't supported on the bottom, and rather on the side of the bumper, the vertical load of the bike rack wants to twist the bumper away from the seams.

The theory is, if you strengthen the resistance to the torsional load, that will prevent failing the weld joint. As discussed though, the bumper itself is constructed of light gauge steel, so there could be structural damage to the bumper too from failing the rolled sheet metal of the bumper itself.

I haven't got these yet, as we just welcomed 3 young children into our home last week. (we are a licensed foster home). So... all camping related stuff has been getting less attention (including this forum).

I need to get back into it though, and will let you know when I pickup a set.

jcarlilesiu wrote:I just noticed the bike rack on the back of your camper.

Did you do anything to reinforce the bumper?

I am about to order a 2 bike rack for mine too and found these:

http://www.mount-n-lock.com/products/4s ... fetystruts

I would be curious to find out if these brackets do in fact help with putting a bike rack on the back end. Did you end up getting them?

Those travel stars do appear to sit very high on the frame. Virtually no wheel wells, which probably buys some extra space on the interior.

The trailer is very tall, 3 stairs to get in, 11 1/2 feet tall. When I brought it to storage this fall, I knocked every light bulb off in the building as I backed it in. I guess I owe them a few light bulbs. I like the ground clearance, it is the same as my old Jayco trailer. No chance of scraping on any driveway entrance.
7 foot ceilings, so plenty tall inside.

Those travel stars do appear to sit very high on the frame. Virtually no wheel wells, which probably buys some extra space on the interior.

y jcarlilesiu » January 26th, 2015, 8:21 am

I just noticed the bike rack on the back of your camper.

Did you do anything to reinforce the bumper?

I am about to order a 2 bike rack for mine too and found these:

http://www.mount-n-lock.com/products/4s ... fetystruts

I had a welder install the receiver. they welded a cross bar across the frame, the forward end of the receiver is welded to it. They then welded a large plate onto the vertical rear face of the bumper and welded the rear part of the receiver to the plate. Even though the receiver is welded to the bumper, the key is to keep the bumper from twisting from the weight and bouncing of the bike rack. I know it is generally discouraged from having the receiver attached to the bumper, but the bumper is strong enough if you stop the twisting motion. This job was done by a certified welder and he has given a rating of 300 lbs tongue weight and a towing weight of 3000 lbs (in Wisconsin you can tow a boat behind a bumper pull trailer). As far as bike rack brands go, I would use nothing but the Swagman RV Rack, it is the most solid rack I have ever used. http://www.etrailer.com/RV-and-Motorhom ... 64663.html. I also use a anti rattle device to eliminate all movement between the receiver and square tube inserted http://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Accessori ... M-061.html. I carry up to 4 bikes, so I have two Swagman racks bolted to a special extended section of square tubing. Might be a lot of rear extension on your smaller trailer. On my old Hybrid, I had two bikes on the rear, and two on the same Swagman rack mounted on a custom bracket above my propane tanks.

I just noticed the bike rack on the back of your camper.

Did you do anything to reinforce the bumper?

I am about to order a 2 bike rack for mine too and found these:

http://www.mount-n-lock.com/products/4s ... fetystruts

I love the way those campers look. The design, color scheme. THey look sharp.

Just trying to figure out why they don't increase the size of the wheel well and push the floor down. That would give more headroom in the trailer. It looks like its really high up off the ground.

Maybe good for ground clearance though for those boondocking adventrures.

That is a great looking trailer. Tell me more about your trip out west. Any lessons learned? Any tips? Considering taking the same trip soon.

Nice trailer, love to hear more about your 4000 mile trip. I been looking at a trip from Canada to colorado and back in the next few years..

We purchased a 2015 Travel Star Galaxy 299BHU Black Pearl Edition back in June of 2014. We towed it about 6000 miles last summer on many camping trips including a 4000 mile round trip adventure from Wisconsin out to Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone, and Glacier National Park. This summer we look forward to a trip out to Colorado, Utah, and the Grand Canyon area of Arizona, another 4000 mile adventure. This is our third travel trailer and biggest one yet.
We picked this floor plan for three main reasons: 1. The couch is across from the dinette, this makes for a much better conversation area than the traditional "bus stop" arrangement where the couch and dinette are next to each other. 2. The top bunk is not closed as much as the end is not covered by a cabinet as on other floor plans. My daughter loves to lay on the bunk feel like she is part of what is going on, have conversations easily with us, plus watch tv. 3. The bedroom has doors on each side. My wife likes to sleep in and me not so much. I can get up early and hang out in the camper without greatly disturbing her sleep.



I haven't taken any interior pics yet, and it is in storage for the winter. But here are a few of the outside. I have done several mods that I will post when I get some good pics.