Cargo carrier 2" receiver welded to rear of 25' FB International

[Pjsepski]

Looking to see if anyone has had a 2" receiver welded on the rear of an Airstream trailer (25 foot or other length). There is steel (part of existing frame) under the storage compartment for the sewage hose that appears that a receiver could be welded to the frame. Airstream has stated that the unit will not track properly due to the disruption in the airflow. Has anyone had this done? We plan to carry 2 Honda EU2000i generators in cargo carrier. Total weight would be approx 130 lbs. Tow vehicle has Equal-I-zer sway control hitch to help control trailer sway.

[dkottum]

My Airstream Manual isn't handy but there is a warning not to put heavy weight on the rear because of stability. If the trailer would sway, the weight on the back could make it very difficult to recover and may amplify the sway condition. The Equal-I-Zer has some friction in the design to resist sway, but if force overcomes resistance it's not a good thing.

Airstream sells a rear mount bike rack that is attached to both the shell and frame but holds the bikes tight against the shell, minimum overhang, and it's weight limit is 75 lbs. Not for generators though, just an example how they do it and its limits.

The other concern is the shell detaching from the frame at the rear. The frame flexes more than the shell and the fasteners eventually give out. Common on older Airstreams, still a concern on the newer ones.

Could you carry them in the front (best location) of the truck bed. Or convert them to propane and carry them in an SUV or the Airstream.

[woodfox45]

I carry mine in the bed of the truck out of sight out of mind .

[Pjsepski]

Thank you for the responses, sounds like the generators will be continue to be carried in our truck bed.

[BicycleStream]

Originally Posted by Pjsepski

Looking to see if anyone has had a 2" receiver welded on the rear of an Airstream trailer (25 foot or other length). There is steel (part of existing frame) under the storage compartment for the sewage hose that appears that a receiver could be welded to the frame. Airstream has stated that the unit will not track properly due to the disruption in the airflow. Has anyone had this done? We plan to carry 2 Honda EU2000i generators in cargo carrier. Total weight would be approx 130 lbs. Tow vehicle has Equal-I-zer sway control hitch to help control trailer sway.

We are having a 2" receiver hitch installed on the back of the new 28' trailer so we can carry our bikes and still get into the EB hatch. The dealer is doing the work (brand new trailer) and guarantees the work up to 200lbs. It is custom made tubing welded to the frame in very specific points (I double checked and it is AS approved). We should have the trailer in a couple weeks and I could post pictures if needed.

[greghoro]

Originally Posted by BicycleStream

We are having a 2" receiver hitch installed on the back of the new 28' trailer so we can carry our bikes and still get into the EB hatch. ... We should have the trailer in a couple weeks and I could post pictures if needed.

Would very much appreciate pictures of the overall assembly as well as closeups of the attachment points.


Greg

[dkottum]

Jay, I am wondering who at Airstream approved this modification? And does the dealer guarantee that it will not cause long-term damage to the Airstream or cause stability and handling problems?

Many of us would like to carry 200 lbs of gear, generators, spare tire, extra water etc there but it is warned as unsafe in our Owners Manual. I think I understand why such weight at this position would lead to an unstable trailer.

[Ziggy2]

The physics of that much weight extended out from the trailer will probably bend the frame. About 12 years ago, I know AS quit putting kitchens in the back of the trailer because of the weight bending frames. AS was giving away frame reinforcement kits but those can only be installed at AS in Ohio or in Bell, CA. The installation is not free. If you insist on adding extended weight to the frame, you might think of reinforcing the frame (which will add some but not too much more weight.

[dkottum]

Here's a little video demonstrating the effect of moving weight within the trailer. I can imagine the results of moving weight to behind the trailer would be more dramatic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rH-g7LDHeI

[franklyfrank]

[QUOTE=franklyfrank;1770778]Again, over analysis induces paralysis.
We have a 2013 30' International. After looking at the Bike Rack offered by AS I did not like the idea of attaching anything to the body in addition to me it looks like a clothes rack so I decided to fabricate my own. I fabricated and installed a 2" receiver, bolted it to the skid plate frame piece. Purchased a Sari 2 bike Rack and the whole assembly, including the 2 bikes add up to 132 LBS which is close to what the AS unit with 2 bikes would have been. I researched the weights prior to starting the project. It looks batter and is far more functional. When we don't take the bikes I live the bike rack at home.
Been traveling all over the west up and down mountains, my usual interstate travel speeds is 70 MPH. No sway, no bounce, no frame separation no calamity. I use the Blue Ox Sway-pro hitch.
Will be loading the AS for our trip down to the Key West rally tomorrow. Will take and post pictures.
Incidentally, our two bikes and the Bike rack weigh about 95 LBS.

[B00merang]

I have a 2" receiver welded to my 20ft FC frame, and have used it for several years carrying the bikes. Have noticed no bent frame or other damage to my AS. I'd be surprised if they were built so flimsy that 100lbs of weight...solidly attached to the frame (NOT the bumper!) would do damage, least of all sway issues. On the othe3r hand, I may have been wrong before in my life. jon

[Starlight Mike]

I have 2" receiver on rear of my25AS and carry two bikes and rack. If properly installed into frame, no problem

[Schu]

The biggest concern is the hitch weight. If you add200 lbs on the back (depending on model) it can adversely affect towing with the reduction in hitch weight .

[A W Warn]

Would some of you who posted that you have added a 2" receiver, please post a photo? I would like to see what those receivers look like.

I partially fabricated this one, but never completed the fabrication or installation after reading all the warnings on this forum. I've also read on this forum that some have been doing it for years without issue.

Conflicting info here, never!

[dannydimitt]

have no idea if this picture will download or not . This site is not very user friendly to computer illiterates such as I .

[StreamDog]

I installed my 2" receiver on the front of the truck.

[SteveSueMac]

Originally Posted by A W Warn

Would some of you who posted that you have added a 2" receiver, please post a photo? I would like to see what those receivers look like.



I partially fabricated this one, but never completed the fabrication or installation after reading all the warnings on this forum. I've also read on this forum that some have been doing it for years without issue.



Conflicting info here, never!



Attachment 259828

I'm not an engineer so take this with a salt lick 😀

Wouldn't the bikes tend to bounce significantly being on the back like that? And if so - I have to imagine that constant force of bike weight X whatever multiplier applies would want to bend the frame significantly. Like sticking a crow bar in the receiver and cranking up and down.

Again - I really don't know - am just reacting based on what it appears like to me. What do you think?

[rsjmcg]

Originally Posted by StreamDog

I installed my 2" receiver on the front of the truck.

Same here. Besides being very handy for tight manuevering my AS, the front mounted receiver w/ its carrying capacity for gear & stuff on our Yukon XL 2500 makes for much easier monitoring (than rear end of trailer) and we can easily/quickly swap in the bike rack, or the fold-up cargo carrier (from Harbor Freight) for generator/firewood/what-have-you, or the big ice chest for bait/catch/game/etc. or combos of these, plus, the front mount hitch does away with these risks/issues of having a loaded up hitch on the rear of our 60 years young camper.

[Bluto]

I did the same thing and went with the front hitch idea.
Then bought a tray for it that carries my large Yamaha 3000 generator.
Here's a link to the one I will be using when I take my gen with us. It is smaller than most trays on the market although the 3000 fits perfectly. It may work for the Honda's also.


Here's a better link:
http://torkliftcentral.com/torklift-...and-load-a7752

[BicycleStream]

Originally Posted by dkottum

Jay, I am wondering who at Airstream approved this modification? And does the dealer guarantee that it will not cause long-term damage to the Airstream or cause stability and handling problems?

Many of us would like to carry 200 lbs of gear, generators, spare tire, extra water etc there but it is warned as unsafe in our Owners Manual. I think I understand why such weight at this position would lead to an unstable trailer.

Doug, I'll check with the dealer (AS Adventures NW, Portland) to see who at AS approved this application. This will be my third trailer purchased from them and they've always done a great job. Naturely, if this isn't guaranteed by the factory I would expect the dealer to stand behind any issues or damages. I will take pictures in a few weeks when the trailer is in, accessories installed and picked up.

I plan to carry only the rack and two bikes which is very similar to the weight of Fiammi bike rack with bikes. And yes, I realize it's mounted differently which has some effect but in my unengineered opinion can't imagine it causing structural damage. I'll follow up.