Mount n lock safety struts

Yes, I installed them and also installed a good Curt bumper hitch receiver so we can carry our two 65 lb Lectric ebikes. The bike rack also weighs about 60 lbs and so far so good. 

One note of caution...our ladder is positioned in the middle of the back wall which enables us to secure the bikes with a cinch strap. I would not even think of carrying such a heavy load on the bumper if we couldn't secure the bikes in this fashion.

thank you for your help.

On Tue, Aug 25, 2020 at 11:21 AM Lance Owners of America <
admin@lanceowners.org> wrote:

R&V Spyker and any others that have installed the Safety Struts made by Mount N Lock.  Now that you have been on the road with them for a while, any additional pros or cons?

We are picking up our new to us 2017 2285 this week.  Our previous non-Lance had a convenient, very solid rear bumper.  I am looking for a safe way to carry our bicycles.  Can't say I'm comfortable using a ladder rack and would like to do something other than taking up room in the truck bed.

Happy New Year and Thanks!

Have used the safety struts and logged many miles.  But no bike rack and bikes- mounted spare tire/wheel and spare mount.  All well and solid.

@diamonds posted:

Have used the safety struts and logged many miles.  But no bike rack and bikes- mounted spare tire/wheel and spare mount.  All well and solid.

Thanks diamonds

Here is a link to buy the safety struts on Amazon

Eric, thanks for the Amazon links.  Now that I have the trailer home, I can see that the bumper is not the more typical 4x4 tube design.   It is probably about 4 inches tall with an inch lip on the top and bottom.  I've attached a picture, looking down at the top of the driver's side of the bumper.

Thank you for the suggestions.  I hope someone has other ideas. 

Bob

Great thread.  I am thinking about Mount-n-Lock safety struts and a bumper hitch receiver on my 2285.  I have the Lance factory installed  1 1/4" hitch receiver.  Has anyone removed the factory installed hitch to use the safety struts and if so was it a difficult process.

Interesting product - I wish I had seen this considerably cheaper alternative to the Curt product I installed. I'm only hauling 2 eBikes on my rear rack, so I'm thinking the Curt hitch solution may have been overkill, but it's definitely very, very stable. I'm just posting this as another option for you to consider.

Here's the link https://www.amazon.com/gp/prod...le?ie=UTF8&psc=1

We upgraded the bumper with Mount N Locks aluminum bumper. A little more cost and well worth it.

@Tom & Janice 2465 posted:

We upgraded the bumper with Mount N Locks aluminum bumper. A little more cost and well worth it.

Would you mind sending a couple more pictures so I can see how the mount is attached to your bumper (and I assume the TT frame)? Looks like you're carrying about 150lbs back there??

Here you go. There are 5 struts that are sandwiched together with the frame (3 on bottom & 2 on top of the bumper). This makes the attachment very strong and an integral part of the frame. The total weight of the bikes and the carrier are approximately 120 to 125 lbs. I remove the batteries from the bikes when traveling.

I'm starting my mods to my 2020 Lance 1985 and the first one is what I did for my Imagine TT: install Safety Struts PLUS running a treated 90 inch 4x4 thru the bumper so it won't collapse in the middle from the weight. Installed  the Valterra A04-5094BK RV Adjustable EZ Hose Carrier with Lockable Door Cap, Black for the Sewer Hose.

I'll be carrying 1 e-bike with the battery removed and will also use my new spring-loaded TORK STRAPS to secure the bike to the ladder (RATCHET LEVEL TENSIONING WITH NO RATCHETING!). This should reduce bouncing around and swaying. I'll monitor it with my rear camera (next mod).

@Papa_D posted:

....PLUS running a treated 90 inch 4x4 thru the bumper so it won't collapse in the middle from the weight......

That's brilliant!   

Safety Strut Installed on 2019 Lance1685

-Checked that bumper seam was full length welded. It was.
-Installed Safety Struts
-installed 2” Receiver  
- Carry 2 30lb mountain (or 2 20lb gravel bikes) on a Trailer Rated Swagman Platform Bike Carrier. Max weight is 98 lbs.

-A PVC stabilizing arm connects nearest bike to Ladder to insure rack remains stable. It does.

No issues with 7000-8000 miles traveled.

With the several threads about frame cracks, I would be reluctant to add additional weight to rear of frame.

I would at least read, the threads, before deciding to add more weight.

Starting with the 2017 mid-year models the dual axle trailers received a frame upgrade. A 1-1/4” receiver with a 130lb weight limit became available for this frame change. I’ll continue to limit my bike and carrier weight to be within what Lance felt was a weight appropriate to the frame.

Trailer rated bike racks require a 2” receiver.

Starting in 2022 the frame was changed to a much heavier build with a 2” receiver with a 300lb limit being standard.

When loading heavy cargo (bikes, generators, trays, cargo boxes, etc) keep in mind that every lb of weight added behind the rear axle will reduce your hitch weight by 80% to 100% of that weight. Don’t add rear cargo weight that will cause an unstable sway prone trailer from the hitch weight dropping below 10% of the trailer’s full weight.