Airstream Chat Room Airstream Links Campground & Product Reviews Airstream Classifieds Airstream Articles Blogs Photo Gallery Forum Listings Portal - Home Page

Go Back   Airstream Forums > Airstream Restoration, Repair & Parts Forums > Towing, Tow Vehicles & Hitches




Check out our new sister site AirstreamCentral.com. To contribute an article click here.


Quick Links
- Forum Listings
- Register - it's FREE!
- View Member's Map
- Airstream Articles
- "Live" Chat Room
- View Classifieds
- Post a Classified
- Airstream @ eBay
- Upcoming Rallies
   - Add A Rally
- Rally Discussions
- Repair Discussions
- Search Forums
- Member List
- AIR # Directory
- Member Search
- Profile Photos
- Airstream Photo
- Airstream Links
- Fun & Games
- WBCCI Websites
- WBCCI Unit Forums
- Courtesy Parking
- Campgrounds
- Support & FAQs
- Community Policies
- Helpers Needed




Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 05-11-2006, 08:20 PM   #1
AndreS
New Member
Profile:  2006 19' Safari SE
Los Altos , California
Posts: 1

Bicycles & Mirrors

We just purchase a 19' Bambi and will be towing it with a 2000 Expedition.

We're very excited, but are now moving to the next level of detail. Any recommendations on towing mirrors?
We would like to travel with two mountain bikes.....suggestions/recommendations on how to accommodate them?

Thanks. Andre.
AndreS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-11-2006, 08:30 PM   #2
lewster
Rivet Master
Commercial Vendor

lewster's Avatar
Profile:  2006 19' International CCD
Marco Island, FL , Hood River, OR
Posts: 3,135

Don't hang anything on the rear of the trailer. Get a rack for your tow vehicle, whether a rail rack for your pick-up or a roof rack for your SUV (or similar vehicle). I just stuff mine into the Sprinter along with the motorcycle .
__________________
Lew Farber - contact
Certified Master RV Tech

BACK IN THE 'HOOD' FOR A WHILE !!
"Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez"
www.islandmetalworks.com

WBCCI #1032/VAC (assoc) #1032
AIR # 10325
CHARTER MEMBER: FOUR CORNERS UNIT
lewster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-11-2006, 08:59 PM   #3
ZoominC6
Rivet Master

ZoominC6's Avatar
Profile:  2004 30' Classic Slideout
Blacksburg (College Town USA) , Virginia
Posts: 874

Andre,
One option would be to install a receiver hitch to the front of your Expedition. You may then simply purchase a bike rack that will fit the hitch and carry two bikes. Works great for us when the bed of our truck is loaded with dog crates and generator etc.
__________________
HAPPY TRAILS ONE AND ALL
ZoominC6 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-11-2006, 09:03 PM   #4
peegreen
Rivet Master

peegreen's Avatar
Profile:  1998 31' Excella 1000
South Berwick , Maine
Posts: 708

I used the Swagman towing bike rack. It holds three bikes, but I only would carry two while towing since on very tight turns the bike wheels would touch the LPG tanks. This rack mounts to your hitch draw bar. Check it out at Camping World.
__________________
WBCCI 24291
New England Unit
Metropolitan NY Unit
peegreen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-11-2006, 09:07 PM   #5
65GT
Supposititious Blue

65GT's Avatar

Profile:  1953 21' Flying Cloud
1965 20' Globetrotter
WBCCI Metropolitan New York Unit #072 , New York
Posts: 1,577
Images: 26

Oooohhh this Basecamp has me sooo excited I decided to haul our bikes inside the GT. Right now I'm just throwing a moving pad over and between them and leaning them down on a gaucho, but making a quick little stand up carrier out of 2x2's should be pretty easy. I've got to add it to my list. A 1965 Toy Hauler -- who would have thunk it? I was carrying a stack of Aluminum stationary chairs in the isle but swapped them to the van in trade for the bikes.

__
__________________
7000+ Airsteam families having fun!
1100+ Airstream Events including 650+ Rallies in 2008!
SaveWally's WBCCI Unit Guide
65GT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-11-2006, 09:18 PM   #6
SilverRanger
Rivet Master

SilverRanger's Avatar
Profile:  2005 19' Safari
1968 24' Tradewind
Milton , Delaware
Posts: 721

Congratulations on the Bambi, and welcome to the forum. I'm partial to the McKesh mirrors. They're stable, and easy on, easy off. I break down my bike and haul it in the back of my truck. I could just as easily fit it inside the Bambi if properly secured. The front receiver hitch is a good idea, and one I have been considering because it could have other uses.
SilverRanger is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-11-2006, 09:24 PM   #7
ZoominC6
Rivet Master

ZoominC6's Avatar
Profile:  2004 30' Classic Slideout
Blacksburg (College Town USA) , Virginia
Posts: 874

Andre,
SilverRanger mentioned other uses for the front hitch. What would that be you might ask. Some have difficulty backing anything. I have a friend who would rather push his fishing boat down the ramp with his front hitch than back it down with his rear hitch. There may be those who would rather park their Airstream with a front hitch as well. Enjoy your Airstream and this forum.
__________________
HAPPY TRAILS ONE AND ALL
ZoominC6 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-11-2006, 10:14 PM   #8
SilverRanger
Rivet Master

SilverRanger's Avatar
Profile:  2005 19' Safari
1968 24' Tradewind
Milton , Delaware
Posts: 721

I suppose using a front mounted hitch for backing a trailer into a tight spot would be a good use, one I hadn't considered. It might even save wear and tear on a marriage. Here on the Delaware coast, we can use our 4WD vehicles to go surf fishing on some of the state park beaches. Some purchase or build elaborate racks to go on the front of their vehicles, locally known as "front porches", to haul their surf fishing rods, coolers, etc. I also already have a receiver hitch mounted bike rack that I can't use when towing. Hey, I think I just talked myself into getting the front receiver hitch.
SilverRanger is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-12-2006, 12:50 AM   #9
SilverToy
Rivet Master
Profile:  1992 34' Limited
Falls Church , Virginia
Posts: 945

Surf fishing and gear ....

SilverRanger -

Yes, I too have a friend in the N. NC area that LOVES his toys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In fact he is a confirmed toy fanatic.

Cigarette boat (uses 2 times a year, maybe), bass boat w/ twin 90's, 3 campers, 2 race cars, 2 off road Jeeps, 9 trailers, 6 cars/ trucks, 4 GTO's incl. 2 Judge's - ALL REALLY NICE!- with about 40 motors/trannys, and several storage places to cover it all.

All he needs is a plane!

He actually has 3 front hitches on his "burb . The center is for the MEGA cooler and the wing ones are for 6 or 8 rods each. It is a wonder he can see the road, much less the beach or the ocean!

He also has Hella lights on the bumper corners (F & R) plus on top (6 I think) along with the aimable "spots" on the "A" pillars. He must have 10 dash swithches for them all.

Doran pressure monitors with intergrated compressor - for deflation/ inflation for beach conditions. Wang Winches front and rear. There is NOTHING this guy ISN'T ready for.

Except the payments. Whines up and down about the expenses! I just laugh!

For course when I'm in a jam - I call him. He can do it all!

Gotta hand him that.

Had to chime in on the 'fishing' crowd that I know.

Peace

Axel
SilverToy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-12-2006, 05:06 AM   #10
Happycampers
Rivet Master

Happycampers's Avatar
Profile:  1979 30' Argosy
Peterborough, , Ontario
Posts: 1,183

Exclamation Beware

Regarding front hitches.. We have one on our Ford 3/4 ton and thought it would be a great idea for the bikes...BUT the bikes are in our line of vision for driving.. had a near miss accident due to this.. we will not use them for bikes but love the idea of being able to manvuer (sp) the trailer into some tight spots... Please be careful with these front hitches if using for bikes...Annie
__________________
Marvin & Annie
Toby & Niki (fur babies)
1979 Argosy 30
WBCCI 10103

2005 F250 Lariat Power Stroke Diesel Crew Cab 2wd

"Happiness is a warm Puppy" Charles Schulz
Happycampers is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-12-2006, 05:22 AM   #11
AYRSTRM2
Rivet Master

AYRSTRM2's Avatar
Profile:  1966 22' Safari
Armada , Michigan
Posts: 939
Images: 4

AND, as I have found out, with my '04 Expy, the front hitches are not possible or available for every model. We're going to throw the bikes in the back of the Expy for now.
__________________
John

Visit my Camping Blog!
AYRSTRM2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-12-2006, 06:27 AM   #12
ZoominC6
Rivet Master

ZoominC6's Avatar
Profile:  2004 30' Classic Slideout
Blacksburg (College Town USA) , Virginia
Posts: 874

Axel,

Does your friend have the tee shirt he obviously needs? He Who Dies With The Most Toys Wins!
__________________
HAPPY TRAILS ONE AND ALL
ZoominC6 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-12-2006, 08:36 AM   #13
Rod Pease
2 Rivet Member
Profile: 
Posts: 53
Images: 3

Front Hitch for bicycles

We have a 2003 Bambi and our tow vehicle is a GMC pickup. When we are fully loaded we have a canoe over the cab and truck bed, and a 2" receiver hitch mounted Hollywood folding bike rack with two mountain bikes on the front. It is a good set up, however it does stick out in front of the truck about 28-30". The only draw back that I have found is the bikes are in front of the headlights and reduce the amount of light thrown by the headlights 10 or 15%. Mostly we avoid towing in the dark so it is not a factor but front mounted bike racks do reduce the amont of light that gets to the road from your headlights and if you tow a lot at night you need to consider this. We will be fully loaded when we go out on Memorial Day weekend and I will take a picture to post then. We aren't planning to take the bikes, only the canoe when we go out this weekend for Mothers Day. (Our two dogs are taking their "Mother" to hiking in the woods for Mothers Day.)
__________________
Rod Pease
19' Bambi
2001GMC Z-71 5.3L 3.73
5W-30 Synthetic
Rod Pease is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-12-2006, 08:42 AM   #14
sander17
4 Rivet Member

sander17's Avatar
Profile:  1996 28' Excella
Okemos , Michigan
Posts: 277
Images: 42

Andre,
We went with the Yakima roof rack and their "king cobra" bicycle mounts. The advantage of the mount is you do not have to dismount the front wheel when loading. Their customer service is excellent. Just avoid drive-thru windows when the bikes are up there..........Don't ask......
__________________
Dave
Okemos, MI
T.V.:'05 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 Quad Cab Cummins
AIR#2276
sander17 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
1981 Airstream Excella Diesel dienst1 Airstream Motorhome Forums 6 10-02-2003 05:45 PM
Dodge Dakota Sport Towing Mirrors (2002 model) Paul and Sue Tow Vehicles 1 05-15-2003 11:25 AM
Options for hauling bicycles?? 2003 International CS rmmm68 2003 International 4 02-07-2003 08:54 PM
Towing Mirrors 53flyingcloud Towing, Tow Vehicles & Hitches 8 01-03-2003 05:28 PM
side mirrors ALANSD Airstream Motorhome Forums 5 04-20-2002 08:38 PM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.0.1

All times are GMT -6. The time now is 02:19 AM.

Other Social Knowledge forum communities:
Cooking Forum - Sailing Forum - Early Retirement - Airstream Trailer - Aquarium Forum - Royal Forum - Book Forum - Volkswagen Touareg Forum - Jeep Wrangler Forum - Whitewater Kayaking & Rafting Forum - Fiberglass RV Forum - RV Forum - Truck Conversion - U2 Music Forum
Social Knowledge Networks
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.2
Copyright ©2000 - 2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Friendly URLs by vBSEO 3.2.0

Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.

test

eXTReMe Tracker

Other recommended Airstream sites:
Airstream Forums - Airstream Classifieds - Airstream Articles
Airstream Central - Airstream Photos