Gooseneck on Trailer

[oxydog]

We acquired a bicycle rack this weekend (Thule 3-bike, fits onto gooseneck and can swivel to provide access to canopy). I would now like to attach a gooseneck to my offroad trailer (modified Venter), so that I can attach the rack to it should we take the trailer on holiday as well. Will the trailer's chassis be strong enough or will I have to reinforce it first? Where can I have something like this done?

[jacques kotze]

If possible, load a picture of where you want to fix the gooseneck to the trailer.

[oxydog]

Thanks Jacques, I'll do that.

[MOFASA]

Reinforce and fit........ as the tow bar on a car or bakkie is stronger than the frame of your trailer...........
Should be an easy diy

[oxydog]

Reinforce and fit........ as the tow bar on a car or bakkie is stronger than the frame of your trailer...........
Should be an easy diy

...aaaaand that's where my problems start - I'm not really a DIY kind of guy. I always end up making something that doesn't work and looks ugly and then have to get someone to fix it. But I have friends who can help me there!

[MOFASA]

...aaaaand that's where my problems start - I'm not really a DIY kind of guy. I always end up making something that doesn't work and looks ugly and then have to get someone to fix it. But I have friends who can help me there!

Hmmmmmmmmm ok well ask the friends..........

[oxydog]

Cool man, thanks for the advice.

[oxydog]

As promised...

[jacques kotze]

By the looks of it you don't need much improvement on the frame where you want to fix the goose neck, if it is only M Bikes you want to carry.

[oxydog]

By the looks of it you don't need much improvement on the frame where you want to fix the goose neck, if it is only M Bikes you want to carry.

That would be great, Jacques. Yip, just the 3 bikes.

[Maddoglips]

Hi M8

If you planning on fixing to the "steps" square frame, I would recommend putting in a cross brace either side just to give that bit extra.

If you planning on taking the 3 bikes with offroading, the jolting could be abit much otherwise.

Good Luck

[Mud Dog]

How thick is the material where the two bolts go through the valance under the tailgate?

This area of the frame's mounting is where it becomes critical. Instead of just the two lugsw and two bolts I would rather weld in a longer section of 5 x 30mm flat bar (about half the width of the trailer) centrally positioned of course, with at least 5 bolts. Then it should be able to withstand jolts with the 3 MT bikes loaded. A lot still would depend on how secure the valance itself is.

[oxydog]

Andy, I'll check the material.

On the other hand, I'm just thinking - if that step can support my body weight (which is currently under 80 kg's because I was in hospital for 3 weeks, but normally closer to 90 kg's), surely the brackets supporting that will also support a gooseneck, bicycle rack and 3 Mountain Bikes? Or is this theory flawed?

[george]

Andy, I'll check the material.

On the other hand, I'm just thinking - if that step can support my body weight (which is currently under 80 kg's because I was in hospital for 3 weeks, but normally closer to 90 kg's), surely the brackets supporting that will also support a gooseneck, bicycle rack and 3 Mountain Bikes? Or is this theory flawed?

Jarus my advice will be to make it as strong as possible. 3 bikes while jolting around creates a lot of energy. I have lost a rack before.Not the goosneck but the frame itself. Even try to fix it right at the top of the rack to the trailer.

[oxydog]

George, you're probably right. Rather over-engineer it than run the risk of losing it with the bikes! I know I won't be doing any overly rough terrain with the bikes on, but still, not worth taking any chances.