Bike rack bumper modification - for ebike/heavy rack

[janeparkenator@gmail.com]

Hello,
I know this has been posted and I have seen the extra 2x4 aluminum weld behind the bumper to add a bike rack, but wondering if someone can confirm this modification will work with a combined total of about 160lbs (59lb bike rack plus a 40 and 60 lb bike).
I see the old posts but the bike racks seem lighter and with newer ebikes being heavier I wanted to make sure it still would work without damage.

[Merlin]

I don't have the technical expertise to say whether or not the double bumper would safely support that. From practical experience, I would say no. First, the bike rack is going to be live weight and bouncing 160 lbs with leverage off a bike rack hitch or mount is really significantly more stress than 160 pounds just sitting there. Second, that 160 lbs off the back of the camper is going to really significantly reduce the tongue weight up front and cause serious sway unless you compensate somehow. Keep tongue weight at least 10-15% of the loaded camper weight. Bottom line is the rear of the camper is a bad place to add a lot of weight.If you have to do it, I would ask a professional RV tech at a dealer about the bumper issue and I would add at least 160 lbs to the tongue to compensate.

[Chappy133]

I purchased our camper used and the first owner went to a camper manufacturer in Indiana and had the rear bumper strengthened.  They added the Swagman receiver with a steel plate that is under the Swagman mount and screwed into the rear frame crossmember next to the black tank.  I use a Kuat bike rack that you tighten down in the receiver so it has no play or bounce.  Our ebikes weight in at 42 lbs each.  I remove the batteries from the ebikes to bring the weight down too.