Bumper Extension

I needed to be able to carry a couple of bikes along with some sort of storage.  I had a bike rack on the rear bumper but it was so tight to the back the bikes kept banging into the camper.  So the solution I came up with was to extend the bumper out and add a shelf, storage box and bike rack.

I first removed the rear bumper cut it to length.  The advantage to using this was the width was sized to fit right into the frame in the back.  I clamped these two pieces in place.

Next I marked up the box tube spacing and length then cut the square tube.  Then I welded the two cut pieces to the tube.

Once welded I laid out the aluminum extrusion cover and pop riveted it to the box tube.  I then drilled out bolt holes to mount the whole assembly to the frame.

I weld a box receiver to the box tube to be able to use a hitch type bike rack.  This also makes it easily removable.  I also use a parcel tray I had around the shop and clamped it down using some fender washers between the grid through the brackets.

In the plastic box I carry the fresh water hose, a screen tent and a host of light essentials.  This solution goes a long way to reduce clutter in the motor home.