Bumper bikes

[gypsydad]

[QUOTE=OTRA15;2233904]Please follow up with Kyle about Airstream’s position on that dealer installing rear hitches. Thanks.

Highly unlikely that AS will sign off on this dealer wandering off-course like this IMO.

If any manufacturer says “No” to a particular practice like this, owners who then proceed with the practice are going way out on a limb IMO.



“Eyes wide open,” that’s all . . .



I'm not spending more time on this, since I don't plan on messing with this controversial modification anyway...don't need it. My setup with the Fiamma is just fine, and I don't have a need to test the limits of everyone here nor do I care to risk any warranty violations...because I don't care.

[OTRA15]

Originally Posted by gypsydad

. . .
I'm not spending more time on this . . .
. . .

Understood . . . thanks for your earlier updates.

Peter

[Zeppelinium]

Originally Posted by Aviator

One item not mentioned thus far is the structure of the Airstream. Zep's picture appears to be one of his older trailers. The frame rails are both of heavier gauge and larger dimensions (stiffer) than newer airstreams. The difference in my 1970 vs the 1997 are huge! ... These two details make the older Airstreams much more accommodating to modifications such as this as opposed to the newer (weaker) trailer frames.

Thanks for mentioning this. I would never have guessed. With all the frame separation issues in the longer 70s Airstreams, I would have thought the new frames would be stronger. I was getting ready to do this same mod on my wife's 2018 Flying Cloud--I guess I better go get the bumper off and take a closer look. Durn it.

Zep

[GOUSC]

Ptek - what are you towing with these days? Do you still have the Lexus or have you changed to a different TV.

[pteck]

Hi GOUSC. Same Lexus Land Cruiser at 106k miles now. With hitch and bike rack on the rear of the AS, carrying a tandem bike and childs bike. No stability or structure issues to speak of.

Funny, cause there's been posts elsewhere poking fun at my "old" '09 Lexus. Yet I regularly have coworkers or friends asking if its new, even in 2019. I could upgrade if I desired to, but it still looks and drives as fresh as it did off the factory floor and I continue to be satisfied with its excellent performance.

[pkm123]

Check out my post on Fiamma bike rack failure - has this happened to you. I posted a Fiamma mod for an e-bike.
Ken

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, my trailer has rear bumper storage; Mine only holds sewer hoses, but who knows what other people put in there? My trailer also has a rear storage compartment which is under my bed. I have some tools, odds and ends, and two folding chairs in there. In my opinion, it's not so much the weight, but the hammering from bikes bouncing on the hitch trying to separate the frame from the body.

Now the Fiamma bike rack, and one built by a forum member named Howie, have brackets mounted to the body below the rear window. This helps to stop bouncing and connects the body to the frame.

[xrvr]

I have never read of rear separation on any trailer built in the 2000s. Anyone else have?

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by pteck

Hi GOUSC. Same Lexus Land Cruiser at 106k miles now. With hitch and bike rack on the rear of the AS, carrying a tandem bike and childs bike. No stability or structure issues to speak of.

Funny, cause there's been posts elsewhere poking fun at my "old" '09 Lexus. Yet I regularly have coworkers or friends asking if its new, even in 2019. I could upgrade if I desired to, but it still looks and drives as fresh as it did off the factory floor and I continue to be satisfied with its excellent performance.

No one's poking fun at your Lexus...just wondering when your going to get a newer PU so you can carry the generator, fuel, firewood, bbq grill, kayaks, camp table, smoker, extra tent, and the kitchen sink! (just kidding, Ptek)

[nryn]

Nothing wrong with keeping a perfectly functional car! Many years ago I finally let go of one of my old Saabs at 260k miles, and the Saab prior to that at 197k. But you know, it’s just all a big saab story... [emoji849]

[pteck]

Originally Posted by Aviator

One item not mentioned thus far is the structure of the Airstream. Zep's picture appears to be one of his older trailers. The frame rails are both of heavier gauge and larger dimensions (stiffer) than newer airstreams. The difference in my 1970 vs the 1997 are huge! Also the 1970 has a gusset plate in the front and rear reinforcing the frame/body connection. These two details make the older Airstreams much more accommodating to modifications such as this as opposed to the newer (weaker) trailer frames.

Are you sure about this?

The new trailers are larger (wider), heavier, and have less reported occurrences of frame separation (perhaps because they're newer?).

That would make me highly suspect that AS would spec a smaller and weaker frame rail?

I'd be happy to measure the size of the rails on my '07 27FB if someone wants to compare measurements.

[OTRA15]

Originally Posted by nryn

. . .
. . . But you know, it’s just all a big saab story...

[ROBERT CROSS]

The real Saab story...they and Volvo are now Chiknees. 😟

Bob
🇺🇸

[GOUSC]

Originally Posted by pteck

Hi GOUSC. Same Lexus Land Cruiser at 106k miles now. With hitch and bike rack on the rear of the AS, carrying a tandem bike and childs bike. No stability or structure issues to speak of.

Funny, cause there's been posts elsewhere poking fun at my "old" '09 Lexus. Yet I regularly have coworkers or friends asking if its new, even in 2019. I could upgrade if I desired to, but it still looks and drives as fresh as it did off the factory floor and I continue to be satisfied with its excellent performance.

The only reason I asked was that in the pic of your AS with a large carry container on the back the TV in the pic looked more like a truck with a cab on it than a Lexus. I always thought your Lexus TV was a cool idea and was wondering if you changed. It's probably just the angle of the pic.

When we were in Santa Fe we met a woman solo AS owner that towed her Bambi with a Porsche. It was also a great set up.

[pteck]

Ah. That pic was in jest. It's just a rig I found on the interwebs and I can't take credit for its....awesomeness?

[Aviator]

pteck,

I've been in the belly so to speak of both of my trailers. The 1970's main frame rails are both larger dimensionally, and appear thicker in gauge than on my 1997. That is where my comments come from. These would be the same rails that Zep's hitch fits into.

I believe 1996 was the first year for the wide body, so mine would be only a year into that design run. Changes may well have been made since.

[GOUSC]

Originally Posted by pteck

Ah. That pic was in jest. It's just a rig I found on the interwebs and I can't take credit for its....awesomeness?

I like your humor!

[ctaulborg]

Any reason not to go with an over the bed type bike rack?

[nryn]

Originally Posted by ctaulborg

Any reason not to go with an over the bed type bike rack?

Nope. They are great. I researched and looked at the Retrax Pro and the Pace Edwards before deciding to get a bed cap and bikes that fit under it. I thought the Retrax pro was better but it was the only one of those I‘ve seen in person.

[tim c]

About 6 years ago after a lot of study time, I built a new bumper for our 75 tradewind out of 8 inch channel iron. I attached it to a couple of pieces of 2 inch angle iron 1/4 inch thick and bolted this setup all the way inside the frame up to the rear axle. (on both sides)By doing this I do believe the rear frame is much stronger, as is also the rear bumper. I welded a receiver hitch under the bumper so I could tow a couple of jet skis behind the AS. We put somewhere around 1200 miles on that trip. The setup really worked well. The only minor problem I had was if you were doing over 80 on the interstate around some of the curves in the mountains the jet skis would want to sway a bit more than I felt comfortable with. The AS trailed just fine. On this post we are talking about bikes mounted on the back bumper. Seems to me that the bikes would be just fine provided that you do have a really good receiver hitch in place. I also like the idea of a bit more support up high on the AS to make the hitch a bit more solid. I would think that would help the bikes from too much bouncing around. There is always the talk of trailer sway, I learned many years ago that if you have too much weight in the rear of ANY trailer they are going to handle very poorly. Properly loaded I see NO problems with bikes on the back!