Bike rack

[cazual6]

I had the AirStream dealer install a 2" Hitch for me on my AS FC19. I purchased a Swagman four bike mount. The Bike Mount and the Hitch has about 1/8" play, which makes the mount sway a little side to side. From what I can tell this is normal for all hitch to have some sort of play.

My question is: Do I leave it and let the bike mount have movement or do I use a Hitch Tightener?

I installed the the tightener because it make it feel more solid.

[remphoto]

I cannot see a down-side of using the tightener. I use one on my tow vehicle hitch and it firms up the connection and gets rid of the noise.

[cazual6]

Here is a picture

[Hans627]

Originally Posted by cazual6

Here is a picture

I think it is good idea to keep it tight. I saw SOB with a bike rack in a receiver and it was bouncing extensively!

Would you have any pictures from underneath as to how it was attached to the frame and bumper?

[FCStreamer]

I'd love to see a beneath picture also.

[Polaris]

I too would like to see how they attached the hitch please!

[cazual6]

Here are the pictures.

[cazual6]

Here are more

[FCStreamer]

Outstanding! Thanks!

[Rocinante]

Yes, I would use a hitch tightener to reduce/ eliminate wobbling as much as possible. I would also be cautious about how much weight I put back there. You will inevitably get warnings here on the forum that this arrangement may torque your trailer frame, but the deed is done. So, now just be cautious about that weight and hopefully everything will be just fine.

Looks really good though, and I will look forward to reading more about your experience with this over time. Please do follow up!

FYI, we went with the Standard Fiamma bike rack . More expensive though it is connected to both the bumper and the trailer body to help minimize that potential torque. OTOH we still have to watch our weight back there, carrying no more than 2 standard bikes (e.g. No electric bikes, no mopeds, etc.). Some folks have reported broken body mounts with their Fiamma racks, we hope due to excessive weight on the rack, so this rack isn't perfect either.

[cazual6]

Originally Posted by Rocinante

Yes, I would use a hitch tightener to reduce/ eliminate wobbling as much as possible. I would also be cautious about how much weight I put back there. You will inevitably get warnings here on the forum that this arrangement may torque your trailer frame, but the deed is done. So, now just be cautious about that weight and hopefully everything will be just fine.

Looks really good though, and I will look forward to reading more about your experience with this over time. Please do follow up!

FYI, we went with the Standard Fiamma bike rack . More expensive though it is connected to both the bumper and the trailer body to help minimize that potential torque. OTOH we still have to watch our weight back there, carrying no more than 2 standard bikes (e.g. No electric bikes, no mopeds, etc.). Some folks have reported broken body mounts with their Fiamma racks, we hope due to excessive weight on the rack, so this rack isn't perfect either.

I had AS dealer install it so I am confident it will hold. It is rated for 200lbs. My total combine weight is under 200lbs. There was no bike mount to support four bikes, I had to use a Hitch Mount. My first hitch was a Saris, I learned that it had to be a specific mount for trailers. Unless stated, never assume it will work with RV or Trailers. Most will say not intended for RV or Trailer.

[OTRA15]

Further discussion of the bike weight issues follows here FYI:

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f238...ay-152451.html

[cazual6]

Well, here is the update on my trip. Almost a catastrophic failure as the weight of the bike, just shy of 200lbs, made my AS sway uncontrollably. I ended up putting three of the bikes inside the AS. I need a counter weight like my two Yamaha gens in front of my AS. Still a good idea, just poorly executed on my part.

[ROBERT CROSS]

IMHO....it is NOT a good idea to hang 200lbs off the rear of your 19FC.
Smaller, lighter single axle trailers are more prone to sway, especially if not properly set up, proper tongue weight distribution & sway control VERY important.

A rack on the front or roof of the TV... a better solution.

An aside...the welds are not the most professional I've seen.

Plus...
Work by an AS dealer does not automatically=quality or confidence.

Stream Safe....

Bob

[Airtandem]

when I had my 30', the PO had welded a platform style rack to the rear and there was frame separation. I was a newbe at the time and didn't know the trouble it had caused.
One learns quickly.
mike

[dkottum]

X3.

A poor idea that can be made worse with the counter-weight scheme, which masks the poor idea.

[cazual6]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

IMHO....it is NOT a good idea to hang 200lbs off the rear of your 19FC.
Smaller, lighter single axle trailers are more prone to sway, especially if not properly set up, proper tongue weight distribution & sway control VERY important.

A rack on the front or roof of the TV... a better solution.

An aside...the welds are not the most professional I've seen.

Plus...
Work by an AS dealer does not automatically=quality or confidence.

Stream Safe....

Bob

But as a first time AS owner, I can only rely on the AS dealership. I knew it wasn't the best weld, but from visual view, it looked sufficient.

[cazual6]

Originally Posted by dkottum

X3.

A poor idea that can be made worse with the counter-weight scheme, which masks the poor idea.

It was the only solution I can could think of to be able to bring four bikes. Counter-weight may be an option, but the wife says no. So bikes will have to be inside the AS. The wife says no to the roof rack on the TV. Any other suggestions? Throwing the wife out is not an option :-)

[SteveSueMac]

Originally Posted by cazual6

But as a first time AS owner, I can only rely on the AS dealership. I knew it wasn't the best weld, but from visual view, it looked sufficient.

I would recommend a call to Jackson Center directly and get their read on this. I can't imagine an authorized AS dealer suggesting such a mod let alone performing it. While I don't see a specific prohibition in my (2012) user manual, I do see warnings about voided warranty for mods not approved by AS, overloading, misloading, not observing capacity labels, etc. and that only AS can determine warranty claims (meaning, a buyer/dealer isn't authorized to do a mod without written permission from AS and then claim it doesn't void your warranty).

If the factory approved the rear hitch, that's great. If not, your dealer has some explaining to do.

Either way, I think you'll find the general consensus is that a rear hitch is not recommended for an AS.

Good luck and happy camping.

[Rocinante]

With a Fiamma rack you could put two bikes on the back and then two more inside, vs all four inside. Might be worth a shot.

Wishing you the best in a tough situation, sorry the dealer's bike rack implementation didn't work out better.