How to Carry Bikes on the Front of a Minnie Winnie with Ford E-450 Chassis

Question:

I do have a solution for you to carry some bikes at the front of your Minnie Winnie (on a 2017 Ford E-450 Chassis) but all trunk mount bike racks like the Thule Raceway PRO # TH9001PRO you referenced have only been tested and approved for installation on the trunk or hatch of a vehicle. Even if you could find a way for this rack to fit there is no way to guarantee that it would be able to safely transport your bikes. For your application you need to install the Draw-Tite Front Mount Hitch # 65053 and then use a hitch mount bike rack. If you want to stick with the Thule brand then I recommend using the Thule Apex XT # TH9024XT because it comes with integrated locks and a very sleek design. If you'd like to go with a more cost-effective option then I recommend the Thule Roadway # TH912XTR instead. This is more of a rugged bike rack with a very basic design. You can add locks to it using parts # THSTL2 and # TH538XT. You may also need to use an adapter bar like part # TH982XT if any of your bikes does not have a horizontal top tube. Attached are some sample videos that you can check out.

asked by: Don

Expert Reply:

I do have a solution for you to carry some bikes at the front of your Minnie Winnie (on a 2017 Ford E-450 Chassis) but all trunk mount bike racks like the Thule OutWay # TH45JV you referenced have only been tested and approved for installation on the trunk or hatch of a vehicle. Even if you could find a way for this rack to fit there is no way to guarantee that it would be able to safely transport your bikes.

For your application you need to install the Draw-Tite Front Mount Hitch # 65053 and then use a hitch mount bike rack. If you want to stick with the Thule brand then I recommend using the Thule Apex XT # TH9024XT because it comes with integrated locks and a very sleek design.

If you'd like to go with a more cost-effective option then I recommend the Thule Camber 2 # TH9058 instead. This is more of a rugged bike rack with a very basic design. You can add locks to it using parts # THSTL2 and # TH538XT.

You may also need to use an adapter bar like part # TH982XT if any of your bikes does not have a horizontal top tube.

Attached are some sample videos that you can check out.

expert reply by: Jon G

Don

8/13/2019

Jon G.

8/13/2019

Yes, the Thule Doubletrack # TH92BJ is an excellent option that will work great with the Draw-Tite # 65053 on your Minnie Winnie. When we installed this on a 2017 E-Series Cutaway there was 2" of bumper clearance so you should even be able to use the Doubletrack in the folded position!