Bike rack for A/S bumper?

[Road Geezer]

When we were taking delivery of our AS, I asked the dealer about mounting a bike rack on the rear aluminum bumper. He said don't do it; the bumper itself is not strong enough to handle the torque. Instead, he said mount--weld or bolt-- the receiver hitch cross bar to the two steel chassis extensions that are just below the bumper.

You might look into this approach.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Road Geezer

When we were taking delivery of our AS, I asked the dealer about mounting a bike rack on the rear aluminum bumper. He said don't do it; the bumper itself is not strong enough to handle the torque. Instead, he said mount--weld or bolt-- the receiver hitch cross bar to the two steel chassis extensions that are just below the bumper.

You might look into this approach.

The steel chassis extensions are the same thing as the bumper as far as the construction is concerned.

The shell is where the strength is, NOT the frame.

That dealer needs to learn more about Airstream's construction, and quit the guess work. It's monocoque, which means "load bearing shell."

The shell supports the frame and the bumper as well.

Sorry.

The new style bike rack, also attaches to the shell, which is a giant step in the right direction.

Andy

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by teagues

Andy,
Do you like the design of the Fiamma bike rack?

Absolutely.

Andy

[teagues]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

Absolutely.

Andy

Thanks, Andy. I appreciate your input. Great to hear that there's finally a well designed bike rack solution available. Now if I can find somebody around here to install one.

[Garfield]

Originally Posted by JFScheck

Just announced - Airstream is now selling a bike rack for International's & Safari's ( no Classic's) that mount on the Airstreams rear body & bumper!

Check it out on their web site!

I hope Airstream paid Andy Thomson a decent royalty....I've been using his design since we got our Safari 4 years ago ... everything is rock solid and it works great!

[rp709]

Please check out the Airstream website: They now offer a bike rack that mount at the rear on the frame and body. What happened to the major no-no? Mounting a hitch receiver between the frame members and then using a bike rack works fine for many Airstreamers. The reason for Airstream's position is they don't want a hitch receiver installed because someone might tow another trailer behind the Airstream. That would stress out the frame. The new option avoids that potential liability but is clumsy and in the way. But bicycle weight in that location is not a problem.

[mikeandnora]

One heck of an ending to this ongoing debate by airstream huh?

[rp709]

Your bike rack idea should work fine. That is what I have done as have other friends. Can you imagine a vehicle with a gross weight rating of 7,000 plus having a frame that can't handle 50 lbs. on the back? An Airstream trailer has 90% of its weight below the floor. The frame is very strong. The shell provides stiffening to the structure, but not significant load bearing. Airstream's position is no doubt written by lawyers, worried about damage caused by towing another trailer behind. This leads some to assume engineers had a say in this position. Have fun! Ron