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Lahontancut · 07-22-2010, 04:21 PM

Is there a bike rack that is recommended by A/S? I need to tow 3-4 bikes and planned to get a bumper mount 2-inch hitch receiver and then use a standard bike rack. But then I recently drove by a Class C on the side of the road with a collapsed bumper that had bikes attached to it. I want to make sure the bumper on my 2009 Flying Cloud is rated to hold that kind of weight.

Silverwanabe · 07-22-2010, 04:25 PM

From what I have read over the years,
adding a bike rack to the back of an Airstream is a major No No.
This will cause frame separation according the experts.

Hummer · 08-30-2010, 08:53 PM

I was going to do the same thing as I have a two bike rack to carry one mountain bike on rear bumper but I guess that is out now.

TankerIP · 08-31-2010, 07:02 PM

Someone in times past posted info about a stand that you can use on the inside of your trailer to neatly carry a bike. Available at Lowes or Home D. not sure. Seems the best deal we have.

I've tried to think of a way to front mount, but the tanks and batteries are just too much in the way.

If you had read the stories about cracks in the frame of my model, you wouldn't think of carrying a souvenir pine cone back there, much less a bike.

h70man · 08-31-2010, 07:08 PM

I was just at the factory at Jackson Center and asked that very question. what I got was a resounding no no no. I figure they know what they are talking about, I am not going there>

Al - K4GLU · 08-31-2010, 07:10 PM

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f161...ams-41078.html

BeBop · 08-31-2010, 08:06 PM

Best to place them in the bed/rear of your tow vehicle. The construction of an Airstream is the same as an aircraft, a careful balancing of stress and flex, due to road/travel induced factors. If you don't have area in the rear of the TV, perhaps consider a front mounted receiver and a bike carrier. A few pounds bouncing around on the end of your trailer can produce very interesting results, from the structural perspective.

64_safari · 08-31-2010, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeBop

Best to place them in the bed/rear of your tow vehicle. The construction of an Airstream is the same as an aircraft, a careful balancing of stress and flex, due to road/travel induced factors. If you don't have area in the rear of the TV, perhaps consider a front mounted receiver and a bike carrier. A few pounds bouncing around on the end of your trailer can produce very interesting results, from the structural perspective.

Dang! I was gonna put one on my airplane too!

Silverwanabe · 08-31-2010, 08:42 PM

From all the information I have read,
adding anything on the bumper of an Airstream trailer is a major No No...
No bike racks.....

I know Andy from InlandRV would agree...

**Kevin245** · 08-31-2010, 09:21 PM

Yes bikes, storage boxes, generators, etc. off the rear bumper are generally considered a no-no. Some have done it with no reported issue, but the general consensus is not to do it.

So let's turn the table on this and consider hanging an Airstream rack off the back of your bike?

Check out some of Skip's handy work.

One of my other hobbies - Airstream Forums

Kevin

SpaceEgg · 08-31-2010, 09:43 PM

I find this dilemma highly disturbing.

Why did they make the larger safari-type bumpers in the first place? Seems like they were made to haul luggage, not bicycles, which these days seem to weigh as much as marshmallows.

Did they just not understand frame separation back then? Has anyone out there actually experienced rear end separation from carrying something as light as a bike on their bumper? And what exactly separates?

My traveling water-slide idea is now totally destroyed.

FordTruck · 09-01-2010, 06:13 AM

I recently posted on a similar topic.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f42/...cab-68683.html

jwgreen · 02-18-2011, 10:49 AM

Last year I puchased a 2 in. hitch receiver from the front of my 2005 Dodge Ram 3500 dually. It was a stock receiver made by Reese/Cequent Towing products. Curt hitch manufacturing also manufactures a similar model. It requires the removal of 4 bolts, 2 on each side of the frame, where the bumper brackets are mounted. Put the new receiver frame back on, reinstall the bolts, and you've got a hitch receiver good for 500 lbs. on the front of your truck. This should be adequate for 4 bikes. My truck is 2WD but the clearance is OK. I used it on a caravan last summer and carried 2 bikes for over 10K miles with no problem. I used racheting nylon straps (3) to secure the bikes to the carrier and the eyes on the frame below the bumper. Hitch manufacturers make this receiver for all makes. Check out some suppliers and the price is reasonable and won't stress the frame of your Airstream trailer.

TouringDan · 02-18-2011, 11:11 AM

I agree with SpaceEgg. If you have a reasonable solid rear bumper, I can't see where you are going to cause any problem carrying a 50 lb bike and bumper rack on it. One of the best books I ever read was the auto biography of Bill Lear (designer of the Lear 8 track player and the Lear Jet). What drove him was designing stuff that others said was impossible to do. He did not believe what some engineers told him that could not be done, until he tried it himself. Some times he was wrong, some times he was correct!

JW- I am going to order the front Class III rack for my Tundra to carry a light dual sport motorcycle on the front of my truck. It is only $122 from Curt Manufacturint. That would be a great way to carry lots of bikes. Headlight illumination would be the only issue (new solutions have new problems ya no).

Dan