Bicycle rack

[tport40]

Does anyone have a hitch or rack on the back bumper of their Safari for bicycles? When we purchased our unit, the salesman said it was not recommended to put anything on the bumper, but he's seen people do it and didn't think it would be a problem.

Teresa

[Wayne&Sam]

I carry mine inside. I use a board on the floor with a mount bolted to it (the kind you put on a truck bed). The board has a non-skid base on it and I fit it across the floor so it can't move. More than one bike might be a problem.

[InsideOut]

I'd vote with the "It's not a good idea" camp. The added weight on the rear stresses the entire trailer by bouncing around so much...think of riding in the last row of an old school bus.

As we speak, this week we are having a front receiver hitch placed on our Yukon to carry our bikes with us w/o having them loaded either into the trailer or TV. They are Crusiers so are too heavy to lift up onto the roof.

Shari

[Pecos Pete]

We always travel with two bicycles. Don't carry them on the bumper, but have seen it done also. We bought nice back-of-the-pickup racks from jensonusa.com. Take a look there, they probably have something that would work for you. Good luck!

[HowieE]

If you have a true bumper and not a drawer this will work.
http://www.airforums.com/photos/show...?i=15044&c=507

The problem with most of the Airstream bumpers is they will not support the rotational load that a bike rake imparts. My rake only uses the bumper for the vertical load. The rotational load is taken by the window sill. The clips I make are screwed to the window sill and strapped to the rack. This rack has 10,000 plus miles on it.

At the bottom of the rack a 2 pieces of 2x6 cut to the contour of the bumper and bloted through it.

I think I bought the original rack from Wal Mart for lees than $40.00

[Airhog1]

I have a 25' Safari in my shop right now for a panel replacement with a bike rack on it...the weight does appear that it could cause a problem bouncing on the frame...



G

[henw]

I carry up to three bikes without problem inside the AS. I got a 47" floor rack from Nashbar. Mounts front fork with wheel removed. Fork mounts are an extra fee. Mounted it on a board with rubber backing. The bikes and rack don't move at all.

[bhayden]

We've put three bikes inside just leaning them against the rear bulkhead and each other with appropiate rags for padding and bungee cords if required. The advantage is the bikes are out of the weather and out of sight of would be thieves. The disadvantage is it limits access inside the trailer when on the road. However, with them in the back we can still park and access the fridge, stove and sink.

I added roof racks but haven't used them with the trailer. In fact we still haul our receiver mounted Yakima rack to put on after we unhook. It's just way easier than lifting the bikes up on the roof of the van. I've thought about adding a front receiver to the van. Not only would it increase our options for carrying the bikes but the front hitch can be really handy puting the trailer into tight spaces.

I've also looked at mounting a rear rack to the frame. Besides the separation issue there's also the added length to think about when you're in tight situations (loading on a ferry, some gas stations, etc.). Depending on how it's done it also compromises access to the sewer and electrical hookups.

[InsideOut]

Originally Posted by henw

I carry up to three bikes without problem inside the AS.

Guess it depends on your trailer...with our 19-footer, it doesn't work well to put them inside, unless we lay down the bed and put lots of moving blankets down to protect the upholstery, wall and cabinets...too much effort & worry.

Shari

[henw]

With floor rack all you need is aisle length equal to bike(s) and width equal to handle bars. I easily put my tandem in as well.

[InsideOut]

Originally Posted by henw

With floor rack all you need is aisle length equal to bike(s) and width equal to handle bars.

Therein lies the problem...

A 19' trailer is a whole different animal than a 28' - thus our decision to go with a front mount hitch/rack. You also need maneuvering space to get the bikes in the trailer without wedging them in or damaging everything in sight - trailer & bikes.

Your results may vary ~ depending on the size, configuration of both trailers & bikes. Whatever works...I just know it's not recommended to attach them to the back of the trailer.

Do people do it? Yes.
Is it recommended? No.

Shari

[Silvertwinkie]

It been suggested by a number of folks in the know, NOT to add any bike racks to the exterior rear of the Airstream. Not no place, not no how. No hitches, not nothing. If you must transport bikes, get a roof rack or carry them inside. I know folks do it, but it is not recommened and a number of folks have eventually found out that rear seperation can and does happen. The only exception that I know of would be a Motorhome. All the more recent trailers are a no no. I can't speak to the vintage equation, but since the shell is support system is similar, I'd say no there too, but not 100% for sure.

Think about it for a second. How easy would it be to place the spare tire on the bumper? Really easy right?

Then why does Airstream go through the trouble of mounting, welding and installing a tire carrier under the front "A" frame? If you've read the post above, I think you'll understand one of the reasons.

Unlike Nike, Just Don't Do It!

[ZoominC6]

Teresa, We have no idea what your TV may be but if it's a pickup or 'burb' the front hitch idea may work well for you. We carry two bikes on ours and with the seats removed have no visibility problems.

[bhayden]

Originally Posted by henw

With floor rack all you need is aisle length equal to bike(s) and width equal to handle bars. I easily put my tandem in as well.

How do you get it through the door of the trailer? That seems to be the biggest issue we have.

[henw]

Take the front wheel off. Then pick it up and bring it in head first. I swing the rear over the table and set it down in the aisle.

[mojo]

Since it is not advisable to mount a bike rack on the rear bumper of the TT, could you mount a bike rack on the trailer tongue?

My thought is to move the propane tanks on my 19 CCD back up against the front of the trailer over the battery box. That would open up space to attach a bike rack to the trailer tongue and maybe supported by the trailer tongue jack. Thus allowing enough space to hang two bikes between the TT and the TV mounted high enough to clear tight turns.

It will add about 80 lbs. to the tongue weight but since the tongue weight on the 19’ is about 510 lbs., I believe that it would be doable. My VW Touareg has air suspension so it automatically levels the load and the hitch is rated for 660 lbs.

I don’t want to mount the bikes on the roof of the car or inside the trailer. A front bumper hitch is not an option.

So what is the feasibility of making this work?

[PWRSTRK]

I don't have much to add to this conversation except to say that I've heard nothing but BAD things about mounting bikes to Airstreams and the ultimate results. If you want your trailer to last a lifetime, don't do anything to create bad karma with the balance, etc. Front OR rear.

We're spoiled, but I think it's fun so I'll report it: we're able to carry our two bikes, front wheels removed, fork mounted to mounts on a 2x8 board, upright in our Excursion. The golf bags go between the bikes. Works amazingly well. I realize this is a solution for very few people.


Tom

[RedTruck]

I use the same set up for the bed of my truck.

[goldwing70]

I spent about 30 min scanning all the results regarding bike racks here. I would like to take a motorcycle in the bed of my truck along with 4 bicycles. Looks like I'm going to have to compromise, huh?

[LI Pets]

I have the same setup on my rear bumper as Howie pictured above, I'm pretty sure he's gone like 20,000+ miles with no problem.

I've gone about 1900 miles and all is good.

I think this rear bumper no no is not based on anything, I haven't seen anyone post anything negative other than an opinion.