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lcurrie · 10-24-2011, 06:22 PM

When I first got my AS, I was really perplexed on how I was going to travel with two bikes. My TV is an SUV, so I couldn't put them in the car and I had read that adding a hitch to the back of the AS was a major no-no.

After a bit of thinking, I came up with the following:
I added two locking fork mounts under my cushions at the kitchen table. I break the table down into sleep mode and put the cushions on the bed when I needs to have the bikes mounted for travel. I've used wingnuts on the bottom so that I can remove the mounts if needed but we've actually found that they don't get in our way.

Here's a link to the mounts:
http://www.amazon.com/Delta-Bike-Hit...9501877&sr=8-1

Here are some photos of the bikes after returning from a 5 hour drive this weekend:

Carrying Bikes in Airstream by LToTheYnn, on Flickr

Carrying Bikes in Airstream by LToTheYnn, on Flickr

Hope that helps some of y'all still trying to work out how to solve this problem!

Lynn

Goal15 · 10-24-2011, 06:50 PM

Nice solution.

Just bought an Xport rack for the back of the Tundra this weekend.... worked great. Will add the wheel forks later but four zip ties kept the removed front wheels nice and snug to the rack cross bar.

Dana

65CV · 10-24-2011, 07:32 PM

Lynn,

That is a really great idea. Even though we just sprung for a roof rack for the bikes, we may do this as well this January. We're running south from Connecticut to Austin in January and it would be great to keep all the salt and stuff off the bikes on the drive there.

I have to commend you -- I looked at a bunch of boat parts that might work, but required a lot of tying lines. In case you are looking for another cool part that may help on another project, see this : Seadog Brass Round Ring Pulls

John

knunut · 10-25-2011, 06:23 AM

Two great ideas. We have Dahon Folding but securing them with Seadog rings ,or could do a partial fold and use the Fork Mounts. Cool

TouringDan · 10-25-2011, 06:51 AM

Lynn

Thanks for the neat bike carrying idea.

Terry

Thanks for the link to the round ring pulls. I may install two of these to hold down my microwave while traveling.

Dan

Wayne&Sam · 10-25-2011, 07:52 AM

I've done a similar thing (but on the floor) for years and it works well. But mine only works for one bike. The boards interlock for stability but lift right out.

MrUKToad · 10-25-2011, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lcurrie

Hope that helps some of y'all still trying to work out how to solve this problem!

Lynn

Excellent idea, Lynn. I'm filing that one away for when we travel without the kids because four bikes in the trailer might be a problem!

lcurrie · 10-25-2011, 11:49 AM

Wayne&Sam,

The way you've done it Is similar to my initial idea but I hadn't come up with the interlocking idea and couldn't figure out how to keep the board from sliding without somehow attaching it. Your solution is genius.

Lynn

mutcth · 10-25-2011, 11:52 AM

Thanks for the clever solutions. If we go to an SUV from our minivan, we'll need to figure out where the bikes will go. Our sea kayaks take up the whole roof of the tow vehicle...

Tom

Scott J-24 · 10-25-2011, 12:19 PM

Great idea, we have been thinking about this and were leaning towards a bike rack on the front of our TV but I think i like this method more. Very cool idea.

Ginga69 · 11-15-2011, 10:52 AM

I had a chat with my AS Dealer up here in Canada and he told me that AS have brought out a bike rack for either 2 or 4 biles. He didn't have a picture but he said it mounts to the A frame in the front, it sits above the LPG tanks and folds down behind the tanks when not in use. I am concerned about the height and subsequent ease of access to the bikes? I am still in debate mode and looking for alternatives?

Paul

dkottum · 11-15-2011, 12:37 PM

We had a rack from Fiamma on our VW camper. It was light, solid, and exceptionally user friendly not only good for carrying the bikes, but a good place to keep them locked securely and from blowing over in the wind when not riding.

I see they make a model for the Sprinter vans that mount on body supports rather than on the frame. I wonder if this mounting system could be riveted or attached somehow to the back of the Airstream shell so the whole shell/frame assembly carries the weight, rather than just the frame? This system with careful weight management of bikes and inside storage to keep within normal load parameters for the trailer rear section ought to be a solution ?

doug k

Wayne&Sam · 11-15-2011, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ginga69

I had a chat with my AS Dealer up here in Canada and he told me that AS have brought out a bike rack for either 2 or 4 biles. He didn't have a picture but he said it mounts to the A frame in the front, it sits above the LPG tanks and folds down behind the tanks when not in use. I am concerned about the height and subsequent ease of access to the bikes? I am still in debate mode and looking for alternatives?

Paul

I saw the prototype of the AS rack when I was at Jackson Center several weeks ago. It will mount on the bumper and also attach to the back of the trailer.

FinnSwede · 11-15-2011, 02:55 PM

I also have been looking for ways to carry bikes.
I considered mounting a rack on the back, but after calling Jackson Center and being told that bike racks are "not recommended", I have carried a bike in the back of my truck.
I am also trying to find a way to carry a motorcycle.