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Suzbp · 02-05-2016, 08:59 PM

Just recently bought our first AS and looking for advice on a bike rack. Don't have room to carry bikes in truck bed but wondering about having one attached to AS. Any disadvantages? Can we still access all storage compartments with a bike rack on AS? Appreciate advice from your experience.

Suzanne

Adiredneck · 02-05-2016, 09:51 PM

I think that there is only one approved one for a rear-mount, on an A/S; but I'll let those that know comment on that. Another option, if your TV is a P/U, is mounting a front hitch receiver; there are a number of hitch mounted bike racks.

aftermath · 02-05-2016, 09:55 PM

I have one and it works just fine for us. It is permanent and still allows access to our rear compartment. I suppose you could remove it and use some screws to fill the holes. This thing works great, is solid and doesn't damage the trailer.

dkottum · 02-05-2016, 10:06 PM

Discussed earlier today . . .

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f368...ml#post1745326

mpsgolf · 02-05-2016, 11:22 PM

Had the Fiama on my 25', liked it so have it on my 28' now. You can still open the rear door, but the rack makes it a little harder to get things in and out if you have the model with the rear stowage compartment.

Gillpine · 02-06-2016, 10:59 AM

I have one and it works just fine for us. It is permanent and still allows access to our rear compartment. I suppose you could remove it and use some screws to fill the holes. This thing works great, is solid and doesn't damage the trailer.

Aftermath, Which one do you have? The one I saw didn't look like it would work with the rear bumper compartment

glenrms · 02-06-2016, 11:01 AM

We used our AS Carry-Bike for the first time last summer and we're thinking of ditching it this summer. On the plus side, it carries the bikes securely with really nice straps. On the minus side, accessing the trunk storage is difficult. The access door does hit the bike rack when opening. Our bikes (Townies) fit very well but the support arm is not at the right angle to hug the center bar real well. Also, the handle bar grip is really close to the rear window glass. As it bobbles around, it actually hits the glass so I put a tennis ball on the end of the grip to help cushion the glass tapping. One more thing; in my AS, the rear window is an emergency escape and it is impossible to open that window far enough if you had to get out. Besides that, it is OK. You have to remember that the back of the trailer does a lot of bouncing and I used pipe insulation to cushion any contact between bikes and the carrier.

B00merang · 02-06-2016, 11:04 AM

I was lucky to have a FRAME-mounted (never a bumper-mounted!) receiver on my AS. So I have successfully used a slide-in bike rack for the past 5 years. Problem is, there is no good place such as a rack or hook or other protuberance on the back of an AS to secure a rope to stabilize those bikes a little more. But as far as the primary concern (damage to the AS)...there has been none. jon

Banker · 02-06-2016, 12:24 PM

It is important to use shock cords to secure the bikes. Also use a cord between the tires to keep the wheels from spinning, and causing unusual wear on the bicycle axels/bearings.

Wingeezer · 02-06-2016, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B00merang

I was lucky to have a FRAME-mounted (never a bumper-mounted!) receiver on my AS. So I have successfully used a slide-in bike rack for the past 5 years. Problem is, there is no good place such as a rack or hook or other protuberance on the back of an AS to secure a rope to stabilize those bikes a little more. But as far as the primary concern (damage to the AS)...there has been none. jon

Interesting!

When we bought our AS (used) it had a welded 2" receiver on the back.

I was gong to use it with a back rack (Not sure what the PO used it for) but in the end I cut it off the frame because I read to many negative comments on this forum!

Possibly the comments related to older trailers though. I don't think there has been damage to ours from whatever the PO used it for.

In any event, I decided to carry our bikes on the front of the truck as O had done with other trucks and other trailers before. Works fine for us.

Brian

Suzbp · 02-06-2016, 02:50 PM

Thank you everyone for your input. We are moving forward with our bike rack install. Glad to hear storage access is not compromised.

Suzanne

banderabob · 02-06-2016, 03:51 PM

We purchased an Arvika rack from Canadian company Arvika. It is visible on our avatar, mounts in front behind the tanks. Put on +/- 5,000 miles last fall with it and no problems. I'm not a whiz on uploading pics but will try (probably show upside down!). If they don't show, send me your email at jrgrimes@flash.net and I'll email the pics. Very happy with this unit.

Mrjkq · 02-06-2016, 04:55 PM

Is that Fiama easy to use, as my back ain't what it use to be?

aftermath · 02-06-2016, 05:27 PM

Gillpine,

I have the one that fits my 25FB. I don't think there are different models.

As far as access goes, the rack itself creates a minor problem but when the bikes are in place it gets really bad. I keep my electric umbilical and my water hoses back there. I don't need to get at these unless I am setting up. By that time the bikes come off anyway.

I looked into all the options mentioned here and this one best fits us.

streamintrip · 02-06-2016, 09:45 PM

We too have an ARVIKA 2- bike rack and have found that it is very stable and sturdy. Quite frankly, I like to see the bikes as we are traveling so as to know everything is OK. Yes, it is a bit pricey, about $600, but it is easy to load and unload and doesn't unduly interfere with the trailer operations. The anodized aluminum version goes quite well with the Airstream.

dkottum · 02-06-2016, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrjkq

Is that Fiama easy to use, as my back ain't what it use to be?

Easy for me and I'm no youngster (70). I lift the bike with both hands high enough to set the wheels in the lower rail, that's the only lifting. Then attach and snug two straps on the wheels and one on the frame. Removal is opposite. If your bike is too heavy, have a partner help lift a side. The rack comes with a strap to put around the bikes to the rack in case a bike strap would come loose.

FollySteve · 02-07-2016, 06:01 AM

Can a Fiamma owner tell me how far apart the rails are? They seem pretty close together and I am concerned the bikes would be touching (probably at the forks) when positioned in the rails. I have positioned our bikes as close together as possible and it looks to me like anything closer than about 7 inches wouldn't work. Also, can you slide the rails to the right or left and secure in that position? It looks like this would help to stagger the bikes so that the handle bars of one bike would not interfere with the seat of the second bike. Thanks in advance.

Steve

Pivot429 · 02-07-2016, 10:30 AM

FollySteve, my initial reaction when I saw the rack installed on the back of our new AS was "No way two 29er mountain bikes are fitting on that". Well, they fit and only touch each other in one place that I simply protect with a small piece of yoga mat (suspension fork of one touches the chain stay of the other). I attached pictures to a similar thread back in 2014. I will try to attach here.