As a family, we were looking for a better way to carry four bikes with our camper but we didn’t want all four bikes hanging off the back. The Jack-It double bike carrier system didn’t only solve this problem but it solved the problem easily.
Our only other concern prior to purchasing the Jack-It bike carrier system is how it would work with our 2016 Shamrock (or Roo) campers hybrid beds, electric tongue jack, allow the tailgate of the truck to drop and clear the 30 lb propane tanks. The Jack-It system solved all our problems!
Not only does it fit the Jack-It fit over the electric tongue, but with one pin bolt the “Y” piece of the Jack-It system can come off which allows the hybrid beds to still fold down. It also still allows the tailgate on my 2019 Silverado to drop down and still clear.
Items Needed to Install the Jack-It Bike Carrier on Camper
- Jack-It Bike Carrier Kit
- 9/16″ Socket or Impact
- 3/4″ Socket or Impact
- 2 Jack Stands or Vehicle to Hook Camper up To
Installing the Jack-It Double Bike Carrier System w/ Photos
The first step is to get the weight off your campers electric / crank tongue jack. While you can put jack stands under the hybrid campers frame I found it much easier and safer to simply back the truck up and let the camper rest on the ball.
Once the weight is off the tongue jack you then need to remove the jacks plate so you can pull the jack out of the tongue once the bolts are removed. On my 2016 Shamrock 231KSS this is simply done by just removing the pin and letting the foot drop.
This next step you’ll need a 9/16 socket in which you can use either an impact or a ratchet.
Simply remove the 3 bolts holding the tongue jack to the A frame. If the bolts are stuck, spray a little WD-40 on them and let them absorb the lubricant.
Once the 3 bolts are removed you can then lift the tongue jack out of the hole, slide the Jack-It base piece under, align the holes and put the tongue jack back in the A frame of your camper.
Once complete, simply line up your 3 bolts.
When holes are lined up grab the three new screws that come with the Jack-It, put the locking washer on the bolt and then the regular washer.
Place them in all three holes and tight everything back up.
Don’t forget to install the tongue jack foot again if you have one in which your camper can be removed from the truck or jack stands at any point from here on out.
Now it is time to start assembling the part that “Jacks” the bikes back over the top of the propane tanks. Start out by placing the locking washer on the two bolts.
Followed by the regular washers.
Insert the Jack-It’s angle piece and start the lower bolt in which you can finger tighten it.
Insert the “Y” piece of the Jack-It’s parts and finger tighten this bolt as well.
Grab a 3/4″ socket and ratchet.
Tighten the two bolts until they are tight.
Now, both bolts have a hole on the end of them in which they are designed for a safety pin. These safety pins are in place so that should the bolts ever loosen up while you are going down the road you don’t lose the whole bike rack. Be sure to insert these on both bolts!
Now it is time to install the two arms that hold the arms of the Jack-It’s bike system. Please them over the “Y” piece and insert the pin.
Once inserted, wrap the safety hook around the arms and hook it to the back side of the pins.
After this, you can now install the hooks that actually hold the bikes weight. To do this, insert the hooks in the holes and put the pins in the back side.
From here, you can hang your bike to get it to a good height that works for the frame on that particular bike. This process will take a good 15 minutes unless you get lucky.
Once you find the height that works for both bikes you can then install the tire supports. In this step you simply push them up to the bottom of the tires to help support the bikes.
Put the rubber security straps on all connections, wrap them around the tire and place back on the hooks are you are ready to go down the road.
Other Jack-It Double Bike Carrying System Specs & Information
According to Lippert, the Jack-It double bike system has the following features and specs:
- Carrier system has a total weight of 25 pounds
- Load rating of 80 lbs
- Carries your bikes by the wheels for balance, stability and ease of use
- Fits most A framed travel and cargo trailers
- Fits all bike frames
- Frees up travel trailer’s rear hitch / cargo area
- Frame protects tong jack from impact
- Comes with foam bumpers and the new SwayControl system that enhances the bike rack’s natural stability all while protecting the finish
- Comes with adjustable wheel cradles and SwayStop straps that secure the bike wheels to the bike carrier for a secure ride
- Easy installation
Jack-It Double Bike Carrier System
As a family we were looking for a better way to carry four bikes with our camper but we didn't want all four hanging off the back. The Jack-It double bike carrier system didn't only solve this problem but it solved the problem easily.
Materials
- Jack-It Double Bike Carrier System Kit
Tools
- 9/16" Socket or Impact
- 3/4" Socket or Impact
- 2 Jack Stands or Vehicle to Hook Camper up To
Instructions
- Start out by getting the weight of the camper off the tongue jack. This can be done with jack stands but just hooking the camper up to the vehicle is the easiest way.
- Once the weight of the camper is off the tongue jack remove the tongue jacks foot.
- Use the 9/16" socket to remove the 3 bolts holding the tongue jack in place.
- Lift the tongue jack out of the hole, slide the Jack-It under it and reinstall the original tongue jack.
- To reinstall utilized the newly provided bolts in the Jack-It kit. Once the 3 bolts are tightened and the foot is reinstalled on the tongue jack the camper can be removed from the vehicle at any time.
- Insert the Jack-It angle piece and finger tighten the bolt. Insert the "Y" piece and tighten and finger tighten the bolt.
- Take a 3/4" socket and tighten both bolts and then insert the safety pins.
- Next install the two wing arms by installing the pin and then wrapping the safety latch around and attaching it to itself.
- Once complete, install the bike hooks at the top of the wings. From here you can hang the bikes and then install the lower tire supports.
- Wrap the rubber security straps around the tire at both the bottom tire support and the upper tire hook and this should complete your installation of the Jack-It double bike carrying system .
Ben has a bachelor’s degree in construction engineering. When not constructing or remodeling X-Ray Rooms, Cardiovascular Labs, and Pharmacies, you can find him at home with wife and two daughters. Outside of family, He loves grilling and barbequing on his Big Green Egg and Blackstone Griddle, as well as working on projects around the house.
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Nathan Wehr
Tuesday 18th of May 2021
Hey Ben just trying to pull the trigger on a jack it bike rack. Great install video. I have a 2017 roo 183. Just curious if you have pics with Bed down over the bike rack. I'm assuming you have to disassemble some of the bike rack frame before lowering the bed.?
Ben Esman
Wednesday 19th of May 2021
Good morning,
I'll try to take a photo of this sometime this week and add it to the post, but yes, there is one bolt that needs to be removed if you have a drop down bed in the front of the camper. I keep a socket in my truck when we go in which the "bike wing" easily comes off and the bed has no problem folding down. At this point, I store the "bike wing" right under the bed on the camper frame so it is off the ground keeping it nice and dry.