Bicycle cover/ protection for rear trailer rack that won’t obscure tail and brake lights?

[John E Davies]

My wife is shopping for an ebike, I will be mounting a single 1-Up Super Duty roof tray onto the back of “Mouse” in place of the existing cargo box, it will simply bolt down to the cross beam. Test with my old Trek “analog bike” circa 1998. We will be carrying just one bike, for her use, though I may poke around on it a little. I have neuropathy issues…😤

Has anyone found a solution for a cover that doesn’t flop around and/or completely block the trailer lights? 1-Up sells one with clear windows for the wheel parts, but it is $329 😳

If not a full cover, do you use anything over the seat, drivetrain or rotors to keep crud off them? Remove the seat and post, along with the battery? How do you keep crud out of the open battery compartment? This ebike stuff is new for me, I haven’t carried bikes for over 20 years and that was on top of a hard top utility trailer. Pictures or links would be most welcome. I do have a pic of Pete (and Bosker)’s setup, maybe you can post some details? And did you ever post a full thread about your cool custom receiver?

BTW, that rear fender looks unhappy, were you aware that 1-Up makes a Wheel Stop that will take care of fendered bikes? It lifts up and jams against the back part of the front tire.

Thanks.

John Davies

Spokane WA

 

[John E Davies]

Forgot this, has anyone mounted a single bike tray across the tongue, just in front of the electric jack? It would bolt down hard where the factory tongue cargo tray goes. I plan to experiment when the 1-Up tray arrives. I would much rather carry the ebike there, if it could work, it is way cleaner because of the Stone Stomper, and a lot less bouncy, and then I could retain the rear cargo rack. And use a solid bike cover without worrying about the lights….

The fiberglass doghouse cover might have to be cut away there, so the tray could mount directly onto solid aluminum. Any ideas on how difficult that would be, with it in situ? I would rather not remove the entire unit.

The 1-Up tray is exactly 24” shorter than the SS. Unfortunately I am pretty sure the only way this will work would be by extending the tongue a foot. I would not mind that at all, I would make it removable for storage, but I would also have to buy a new longer Stone Stomper mesh panel from Au$tralia…😤 this could get expensive very fast.

Pictures would be welcome. I am fine with fabricating brackets 😁

John Davies

Spokane WA

[Steph and Dud B]

Was looking at the same thing. How about this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000WENDUS/?coliid=I3M7OYXJTF68L3&colid=3HP9GD89VQ4XP&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it  

In the end, I think we're going to put a small cargo tray on the rear receiver and mount our bikes on top of our tonneau cover instead.

[topgun2]

Mossemi is THE GUY you want to talk to regarding mounting bikes up front. 

Good luck!

Bill

[mossemi]

9 hours ago, John E Davies said:

Pictures would be welcome. I am fine with fabricating brackets 😁

This was my second bike rack mount using bike racks I already owned.  Then I found a used BikeWing I could modify.  I was never comfortable with the reduced turning radius, but that shouldn’t be an issue for you.  The Andersen long shank ball mount helped, but the tray was unusable.

Mossey

[mossemi]

And here is a different mount.

Mossey

[John E Davies]

1 hour ago, mossemi said:

And here is a different mount.

Mossey

Thanks - this pic?

That is downright beautiful, and overbuilt even by my standards. It appears to be 2" x 3/8" plate, sandwiched a bunch of times for super rigidity. Pretty welds too. I guess if the intent is to have the bike trays act as the fuse in a collision or severe jackknife, to save the frame from damage, that sure would do it.

My intent, if it will work, is to use this stuff, securely bolted to the frame with stout backing plates, with the single tray bolted directly on top. The size approximates a 2" x 4" rectangular tube..

It is super super rigid and very easy to work with, compared to welding a big support frame. These extrusions are used in overland expedition racks, they absorb a lot of abuse.

John Davies

Spokane WA

 

[mossemi]

I’m pretty sure this was donthompson’s LEII at the Oliver Rally in 2018.  And you may remember that he sold his LEII and bought a Conqueror trailer and sold it and now has a Kimberley T3.

I think the 80/20 products will make a excellent base for a 1-Up.

Mossey

[Mike and Carol]

Don pops in here every now and then.  You can PM him to see if it was his and he could probably answer any questions.  Mike

[mossemi]

3 hours ago, Mike and Carol said:

Don pops in here every now and then.  You can PM him to see if it was his and he could probably answer any questions.  Mike

If I remember right, Don threatened to bring his new camper to the rally.  Of course that could have been last year’s rally.

Mossey

[Mike and Carol]

9 hours ago, mossemi said:

If I remember right, Don threatened to bring his new camper to the rally.  Of course that could have been last year’s rally.

Mossey

If I remember right (that’s a stretch these days), Raspy might be bringing his Xplore to the rally.  Mike

[mossemi]

8 hours ago, Mike and Carol said:

If I remember right (that’s a stretch these days), Raspy might be bringing his Xplore to the rally.  Mike

I’ll bet one us is right and we’ll find out next month.  Of course both of us could be right as well.🤔

Mossey

[John E Davies]

Updating, here is the new ebike….

I am going to add two tie down extension arms sticking 12” out the back and a tie-down rail along the top of the sewer compartment opening. That way I can run straps to the seat post and to the stem. The 1-Up Super Duty tray bolts directly to the beam. The bike tires and aero rims definitely will block the trailer lights!, I am going to need an add-on light bar, to install on the crossbeam (where the red reflector strips are now). I found this one, it is very bright with central backup light and  SEQUENTIAL amber turn signals! Woohoo! The LEDs should add some welcome lumens when reversing the trailer at night.

49" LED Tailgate Light Bar for Trucks [Rigid Aluminium Frame] [Amber Sequential Turn Signal] [Tail & Reverse Light]

Before I order, has anyone use this, or can you recommend a more suitable one for around $50-$75?

BTW, the bike is a Gazelle Ultimate C380+, a fast Class 3 (28 mph pedal assist only) with 85 Nm Bosch mid-drive motor, Enviolo stepless hub, Gates carbon belt drive, four caliper brakes, and a 500 wh battery. We have steep hills everywhere - the main road just a half mile from our house is 14 to 16% - so my wife picked a bike with big motor, big battery and big brakes😬 I guess I am going to have to invest in some extra locks. … https://www.bicycling.com/bikes-gear/a37039662/gazelle-ultimate-c380-plus/

With the added lights I can cover the bike😬. Thanks for any suggestions,

John Davies

Spokane WA