Has anyone put a rack on top of your Airstream?

[19 Bambi]

We have outgrown our 19" Bambi but I don't want to go any bigger. I want to mount an aluminess rack to the top of my Bambi and put a hardshell pop up tent on the rack. Has anyone done this? My thought is that the rack could somehow mount onto the gutters. I might have have to take off the awning on one side.
Any thoughts or advice would be helpful.
Thanks
shawn

[Protagonist]

Welcome to the AirForums!

I strongly suspect that what you're proposing will generate a LOT of opposition. So to help everyone decide how best to proceed (or even IF to proceed), a few questions:
1 - How many crossbars do you plan to use to support the pop-up tent? The more crossbars, the heavier it will be (each crossbar adds weight) but the more spread out the load will be, because each crossbar has to be positioned exactly on a rib.
2 - How much do you estimate the whole thing will weigh, with people inside? You have to consider Gross Trailer Weight Rating, as well as the load on the tires vs. the tire load rating. Even if the trailer ribs will support the weight, that doesn't help if the tires can't, or if you exceed the GTWR.
3 - Knowing the answers to 1 and 2 above will also help determine how much weight each trailer rib will need to support, and whether they can do it without deflecting too far.
4 - How will people get up and down? Presumably an attached ladder. But how will it be attached, and where?
5 - I'm sure some readers will wonder why you don't just trade up to a larger trailer. So another obvious question is, why don't you want to trade up to a larger trailer?

On edit: 6 - How much height will the pop-up add to the trailer in the closed position? You need to know because if you exceed 14 feet total height on the road, the trailer becomes "oversized" and you'll have to worry more about overpasses, etc.
7 - How much height does it add when opened up? Again, don't expect campgrounds with tree cover to provide much more than 14 feet of overhead clearance at campsites, and some may provide a lot less.

[NorCal Matt]

I doubt there's a reasonable way to make what you want happen on an Airstream.

Why not put the pop up on the tow vehicle?

[Steamy1]

Originally Posted by Protagonist

Welcome to the AirForums!

I strongly suspect that what you're proposing will generate a LOT of opposition. So to help everyone decide how best to proceed (or even IF to proceed), a few questions:
1 - How many crossbars do you plan to use to support the pop-up tent? The more crossbars, the heavier it will be (each crossbar adds weight) but the more spread out the load will be, because each crossbar has to be positioned exactly on a rib.
2 - How much do you estimate the whole thing will weigh, with people inside? You have to consider Gross Trailer Weight Rating, as well as the load on the tires vs. the tire load rating. Even if the trailer ribs will support the weight, that doesn't help if the tires can't, or if you exceed the GTWR.
3 - Knowing the answers to 1 and 2 above will also help determine how much weight each trailer rib will need to support, and whether they can do it without deflecting too far.
4 - How will people get up and down? Presumably an attached ladder. But how will it be attached, and where?
5 - I'm sure some readers will wonder why you don't just trade up to a larger trailer. So another obvious question is, why don't you want to trade up to a larger trailer?

On edit: 6 - How much height will the pop-up add to the trailer in the closed position? You need to know because if you exceed 14 feet total height on the road, the trailer becomes "oversized" and you'll have to worry more about overpasses, etc.
7 - How much height does it add when opened up? Again, don't expect campgrounds with tree cover to provide much more than 14 feet of overhead clearance at campsites, and some may provide a lot less.

Protagonist Great to have you back!!!!!

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by Steamy1

Protagonist Great to have you back!!!!!

Thank you. I'm told there has been a distinct shortage of verbose, pedantic posts here on the Forums while I was gone, so I'm trying to make up for lost time!

[uncle_bob]

Hi

The alternative would be a tent next to the trailer. Both have similar issues with getting wet. Both have issues with access to and from the trailer. Both wear out in a fairly short period of time (compared to an AS). Both take time to set up and tear down.

Why not a tent? (or several tents...) It does work .....

There are a *lot* of issues with putting stuff on the roof of most RV's ... an AS is no exception.

Bob

[OTRA15]

Adding racks and that kind of weight on top of an Airstream would probably not be within the design parameters of the trailer, and would tend to cause a roll-over and/or dangerous sway.

Not a good idea IMO.

[Mollysdad]

How about a long bed truck with a shell or small truck camper to sleep more?

[19 Bambi]

Originally Posted by NorCal Matt

I doubt there's a reasonable way to make what you want happen on an Airstream.

Why not put the pop up on the tow vehicle?

I wanted the popup tent on the airstream because I don't want it on my suburban as it is my daily driver and we only camp once a month.

Thanks for everyone's help. I should probably just put the tent on my suburban as it would be much cheaper and easier to do this.

This is what I want to add on top. http://www.ikamper.com

Aluminess - http://www.aluminess.com/roof-racks/ racks are very light and would I would have one built to go around the a/c unit. I would use Yakima crossbars and put the hardshell camper on top. Total weight would not be that much but it would probably add 2 ft on top as I have to go above the ac unit.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by 19 Bambi

I wanted the popup tent on the airstream because I don't want it on my suburban as it is my daily driver and we only camp once a month.

Thank for everyone's help. I should probably just put the tent on my suburban as it would be much cheaper and easier to do this.

A freestanding tent alongside the Airstream is even cheaper, and works just as well as overflow accommodations. I've lost count of the number of trailers and motorhomes I've seen in campgrounds— especially State Parks— where the campers set up a tent for the children to sleep in right alongside the RV.

A freestanding tent makes for easier access to bathroom facilities for the tent-dwellers, is less expensive, can be larger than a roof-mounted tent for improved comfort, and can be carried either inside the trailer or inside the tow vehicle while in transit. The money you save on a freestanding tent can be spent on cots, etc. to make tent-dwelling more comfortable.

The roof-mounted tent really only becomes necessary in bear country, and even then, I think bears know how to climb ladders almost as well as they climb trees.

[tjdonahoe]

With a rack you could haul a few hay bales, or a boat....

[cazual6]

Originally Posted by Protagonist

Welcome to the AirForums!

I strongly suspect that what you're proposing will generate a LOT of opposition. So to help everyone decide how best to proceed (or even IF to proceed), a few questions:

As someone said, good to hear from you again. I hope all is well.

To the OP: I too have a 19FC and we are out growing it. We just changed our sleeping arrangement. My son and I are on the bed, while my wife and daughter are on the dinette.

Assuming this will not work for you, what you are suggesting would be like putting a tow hitch on a stock VW bug and expect it to tow a 30FC. Can it be done, yes, should it be done, I think you know the answer.

I am looking at the 25FC, however, this means a new TV as well because my current TV can not pull at 25FC. Due to our lifestyle, I can not carry two new payments: TT and a TV.

Thus, our sleeping arrangements will have to do till then.

Good luck.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

to the OP:

There is one thing I've sort have assumed you have. It is worth asking about though .... Do you already have the tent option for the Bambi? If not, that would be something to consider.

Bob

[MelGoddard]

Originally Posted by Mollysdad

How about a long bed truck with a shell or small truck camper to sleep more?

How 'bout; 'keep it simple'?"
Buy a 30 footer, or longer?
Sleeps more people.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

There is another issue that has not yet come up:

What do you do with / about the AC? To make the "rack" work, it's got to go over the top of the AC. Otherwise, there really isn't much space for a tent. You need airflow to the AC so there needs to be some clearance. Do you plan to run the AC when people are in the tent? I'd suggest that's going to be a major mess ....

Yes, we are spiraling off into who knows where. It would be nice to hear from the OP ....

Bob

[AlinCal]

Tried to find the pic but no luck, I thought it was in Airstream sightings a few mos ago but a pic was posted of a 19'? With a ladder up the back and a small platform mounted over the top rear. Would I do it? No. But someone did.
Thought it was said to be an observation deck for viewing races or runs?

[uncle_bob]

Hi

AS roof structure is pretty vulnerable. Unless you know where to walk, it's very easy to damage the roof. That is the common explanation to "why no ladders?" on an AS. The rack / platform would need to be part of any "attic' you put on. Anchoring both the platform *and* the ladder would be tricky. I suppose you could call a "weak roof" a design flaw. I'd say it's a design that meets the normal requirements for use of the trailer.

There are indeed others who approach things differently. Some Class A's are set up to survive a 360 degree roll (side to side, not end to end). I know of at least one that actually drove away after the "event". No idea how *far* it drove ....

Bob

[Tbeck11931]

My advice is don't do it for several reasons. 3 of which 1 resale value of the Airstream would drop, 2. introducing leak points into your roof and 3. design limits of the Airstream.

[Airtandem]

Does Zip Dee make a add a room in 19 foot ?

[PatLee]

That looks pretty cool. I'm thinking that attaching it to either your Suburban or your AS topside, there will be more drag and your MPG will go down a bit.