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Msmoto · 08-21-2008, 12:15 PM

As a total newbie who just returned from 5886 miles on a motorcycle to the left coast, I want to purchase an Airstream and carry one or two motorcycles, each weighing about 350 lbs. Does anyone have experience with this , mounting carriers on an Airstream? Oh, the tow vehicle is a Porsche Cayenne Turbo, Thanks...

cameront120 · 08-21-2008, 12:17 PM

I don't think the frame of an Airstream trailer is up to the task.

BillTex · 08-21-2008, 01:31 PM

Two words; "BaseCamp"

and....uh...whatever the new AS Toy Hauler is called...

Bill

mustang · 08-21-2008, 01:46 PM

I have a buddy that use to tow with a chevy conversion van. He took out the interior and put in a rail and a mount for his front tire. Van was Black windows Black couldnt even tell. Looked Bad towing a shiney Silver airstream. If you can get the motorcycle inside you would be fine. No gas though. and deffinatly not off the back of the unit. You would play hell trying to get the tongue weight right or crack it in half

Jaxon · 08-21-2008, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Msmot

As a total newbie who just returned from 5886 miles on a motorcycle to the left coast, I want to purchase an Airstream and carry one or two motorcycles, each weighing about 350 lbs. Does anyone have experience with this , mounting carriers on an Airstream? Oh, the tow vehicle is a Porsche Cayenne Turbo, Thanks...

Hummm... not enough info... which Airstream? Bambi, Safari, Classic? 16' to 34' and/or everything in between? What's the tow rating of your vehicle?

You're talking about 700lbs. of added weight for 2 bikes on a carrier? No matter what size A/S you get, that's a bad idea, even with just one. Either too much additional weight on the rear or on the tongue. I doubt the Cayenne can handle it. Not to mention the weight of the Airstream & occupants/gear.

How 'bout a flatbed trailer?

Bambi_Bandit · 08-21-2008, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Msmot

As a total newbie who just returned from 5886 miles on a motorcycle to the left coast, I want to purchase an Airstream and carry one or two motorcycles, each weighing about 350 lbs. Does anyone have experience with this , mounting carriers on an Airstream? Oh, the tow vehicle is a Porsche Cayenne Turbo, Thanks...

I'd get a new tow vehicle and the new Airsream PanAmerican:

http://blogs.trucktrend.com/6252759/...ing/index.html

Lumatic · 08-21-2008, 04:33 PM

I have a hitch mounted on the back of my AS for occasional towing of a light traler. But this is not recommended. But be that as it may, you would be better off towing the bikes behind the AS on a utility trailer than mounting on a carrier on the rear of the AS. Maybe you could get away with one bike but I'm sure may will advise against hooking anything to the back of an AS. Also check the statutes about pulling 2 trailers in your area, If you have the time and $ you could check into beefing up the frame to handle the extra load. I don't know anything about your Porche but it is hard for me to imagine a Porsche towing anything but babes.

john hd · 08-21-2008, 07:14 PM

buy a pick up truck and put the bikes in the back.

works for me.

john

lewster · 08-21-2008, 07:24 PM

I carry my Suzuki V-Strom inside my Sprinter van. It just fits, with full tool chests on either side. I would think that you could easily put 2 smaller bikes inside an empty one with no problems. The net CCC of the Sprinter is 3000 lb, so no problem in the weight area. Plus, you can tow a 5000 lb trailer as well. I tow my '06 19CCD across the country each yaer with no issue.

Personally, I would not add as muchg as a bicycle rack to the frame of ANY Airstream! The frame is very light when compared to almost any SOB as a result of the monocoque construction, which creates a strong structure by combining the strengths of the frame with the shell.

You have been warned!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Foiled Again · 08-21-2008, 08:47 PM

What Lewster said - Gospel.

Do a search for "rear end failure" or "rear end sag". You'll destroy an Airstream by putting that kind of weight on the rear of the frame. (Or are you talking about an Airstream Motorhome? Those you could use a utility trailer and have two cycles instead of a toad car.)

Utility trailer behind an Airstream? No. In about 47 states it's not legal to pull two trailers at a time except on interstates by common carriers with CDL licenses.

Carry the cycles in the bed of a pickup tow vehicle.

Paula

jerrypeterma · 08-21-2008, 08:56 PM

put the motorcycles in the truck bed and enjoy the AS

Lumatic · 08-21-2008, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foiled Again

Utility trailer behind an Airstream? No. In about 47 states it's not legal to pull two trailers at a time except on interstates by common carriers with CDL licenses.

Paula

FYI
I don't know about the other 49 but it is legal in NM on any road as long as the first trailer has brakes, the second lights and the total length is less than 60 feet. I have been told the 1st trailer has to be a 5th wheel, but that's not true. I did this with my F350 dually, 73 Soverign and 17 foot catamarran. was my own parade and never got looked at a second time by the constabulary. Whether it was a good idea is an altogether different question.

It used to be that a trailer under 300# did not have to be registered in NM but not any longer. However on a camping trip in which I towed an unregistered utility trailer full of stuff for a trip on Lake Powell AZ I asked Arizona about their trailer laws. What Arizona officials told me is a trailer is covered by the state laws in it's state of origin while in Arizona.

Msmoto · 08-22-2008, 06:44 AM

Thanks to all who have responded to my quiry. The solution is to purchase a pickup with enough capacity to tow the Airstream (23' Safari SE) along with two small motorcycles in the bed. I think I will try the Airstream without the motorcycles and just carry a pedal bike... probably better for me anyway.. Thanks for all your help!

FreshAir · 08-22-2008, 10:11 AM

Years (eons) ago I placed a bicycle rack on the back of our trailer for 3 bikes, mine and 2 kids. It was just unbelievable what the accentuated bouncing did to the bicycles (one came partially off). The trailer was ok and it was a TENT trailer! Since then I have never even considered placing anything on the rear of any trailer.
Neil.

mustang · 08-22-2008, 03:59 PM

It is hard to see what is going on back there sometimes but you get a surprise when you arrive.

greyhound · 10-10-2008, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by john hd

buy a pick up truck and put the bikes in the back.

works for me.

john

I have a '08 Chevy 1500 silverado 4door with the short bed with the factory tow package. I would like to buy an Airstream to haul and carry motorcycles in the bed. The only problem is the tailgate remains open.
What is the best solution?
Thanks

easyride · 10-10-2008, 02:10 PM

Does the rear tire sit on the bed or tailgate,if on the bed,remove the tailgate ,and use a mesh taildate to hold the other items in.Dave

Wayne&Sam · 10-10-2008, 03:11 PM

The in-floor anchors in a PanAmerica will only accommodate one motorcycle but I'd think you could modify it to carry two, if it doesn't cause a weight and balance issue.

Mainstream · 10-10-2008, 04:17 PM

If you use a Hensley Hitch it extends the trailer one foot further back. I can have my tail gate down and do a 90 Deg. turn with out hitting my LP tank cover. The hitch costs about $2700 new but I have seen them on ebay for 1500 or so. Believe me it is worth it . I can do a U turn on a highway with my 29 foot A.S. Also if the trailer sways it can not make your tow vehicle sway. You can tow with your tail gate down with a Hensley Hitch.

Aage · 10-10-2008, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Msmoto

As a total newbie who just returned from 5886 miles on a motorcycle to the left coast, I want to purchase an Airstream and carry one or two motorcycles, each weighing about 350 lbs.

What are the two bikes, by the way?