Receiver on back of A/S Travel Trailer

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by rp709

Bike rack pictures.

Looks nice, but the fact remains that it is helping to pull the frame away from the shell, as per Airstream engineers and Airstream's warranty administration.

However, it's your trailer, so you can ignore all the facts, if you wish.

Make sure you have tons of liability insurance, in case a bike falls off and kills innocent people.

Andy

[wbrownrr]

OK... here is my 2 cents.... My view of the whole bike rack thing is similar to my view of increasing mpg in my tow vehicle... simple is better. I increase mpg by slowing down... towing at 60 mph rather than 65. After considering all the options for carrying our tandem bike, which is too long to fit in the bed of my pickup, and not finding any satisfactory way to add/use a bike rack, I finally tried to fit the tandem inside our AS. Guess what? With a little maneuvering and help from my stoker (back seat on the tandem, for the uninitiated) we easily fit it inside the AS, where it nestled comfortably for our recent trip to and from Yosemite. Transported inside like that, bike is safe from the elements and thieves... and is a simple, no-cost solution. What could be better???

[Silvertwinkie]

Originally Posted by GStephens

Testosterone is a powerful hormone. It clouds the thinking processes, plugs the ear canals and causes vision loss.
GStephens

Cute. Been guilty of that myself sometimes.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by wbrownrr

OK... here is my 2 cents.... My view of the whole bike rack thing is similar to my view of increasing mpg in my tow vehicle... simple is better. I increase mpg by slowing down... towing at 60 mph rather than 65. After considering all the options for carrying our tandem bike, which is too long to fit in the bed of my pickup, and not finding any satisfactory way to add/use a bike rack, I finally tried to fit the tandem inside our AS. Guess what? With a little maneuvering and help from my stoker (back seat on the tandem, for the uninitiated) we easily fit it inside the AS, where it nestled comfortably for our recent trip to and from Yosemite. Transported inside like that, bike is safe from the elements and thieves... and is a simple, no-cost solution. What could be better???

I bet that bike gets fabulous fuel mileage.

Andy

[wbrownrr]

Only going downhill. Uphill the stoker is sure to whine... and your mileage may vary.

[Silvertwinkie]

Originally Posted by wbrownrr

Only going downhill. Uphill the stoker is sure to whine... and your mileage may vary.

Too bad you can't tow yer Airstream with it like in the old vintage photos with the guy yanking a shell on wheels with a bike. I suspect if we could, it would add a whole new meaning for Miller Time.

[wbrownrr]

I've tried to get my wife to try towing the Airstream with the tandem, but she flat out refuses. Go figure!!??

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by wbrownrr

I've tried to get my wife to try towing the Airstream with the tandem, but she flat out refuses. Go figure!!??

Be careful with a request like that.

She might decide to ask you to give her a demonstration of how to do that, for a few miles.

Andy

[gowyn]

Originally Posted by HowieE

Garfield

That a good looking and well engineered rake. The one I use and have use as an illustration is no longer available so if you would can you post the maker and modle number. There are lots of Airstreamers looking for this.

Can you post a closer picture of how it attaches to the upper section to the rear of the trailer.

I can speak to Garfields set up.

It was done at Canamrv in London. It's a very nice and clean install.

Parts are Pop Top bike carrier (out of Quebec), and Zip Dee awning brackets.

The bike rack is connected to the rear bumper (very light rack btw) with Zip Dee brackets and the top portion of the rack is connected to the trailers internal bracing below rear window, again with Zip Dee brackets.

End result is the whole rack can be disconnected quite easily if need be because the pins are removeable in the brackets.

I was quoted $700 for one to be built and installed on my trailer.

I inestead went with a front reciever for $150.

[Lumatic]

As far as towing 2 trailers legally it depends on the state. Here in NM it is legal to tow 2 trailers as long as the 1st trailer has brakes and the total length of the rig is 60' or less. You too can be your own parade.

Now I'm really going to stick my neck out. I have a 2" receiver on the back of my Tradewind. It comes in most handy for displaying my moosehead ball cover. It is also quite handy for towing my blue boy to the dump station. But, I also occassionally use it for towing a small sailboat. No apparent damage yet. I believe the tongue weight is more significant than the trailer weight, which in my case was about 50#. This thread has caused me to reconsider, and I am in general agreement it is not a good idea. If I had it to do over I probably wouldn't. I am now figuring a way to car top my boat on my TV. But I don't buy the engineering of ASs are so crtical an extra 50 or 100# occasionally will necessarily damage the coach. Certainly the AS was designed to take the extra weight of a full black tank plus a little more for stuff in the bathroom closets etc. If you are going to tow anything (like it was said before, it's my trailer) at least make the rear end as light as possible. Also there will be less of a cantelever effect with a shorter trailer than a Sovereign which is prone to rear end separation anyway.

I'm just a cynical ex hippy now working for the establishment. I guess I still have enough 60s rebelliousness to go ahead and do it when everyone else says don't. But I feel it is worth saying that I have a hitch I have occassionally used to tow small trailers for years with no apparent damage. Long term???. The hitch was welded to the frame and is neatly inside the bumper storage area. I think I will, however keep my towing to a bare minimum. I find it hard though to believe a bike or 2 will hurt anything. But that's just me.

[bredlo]

I gotta say, I don't get it. I'd think the little time it takes to secure your bikes in your trailer (and pull 'em out) would easily be worth the confidence that you're not causing rear separation, worsening your aerodynamics, and quite frankly (IMO) making the back of your rig look cluttered and hodge-podge. To me it almost defeats the whole point of that clean, wind-cheating shape we're all so proud of.

Besides, with a bunch of bikes hanging on the back, how do you expect people following you down the road to gaze at their own reflections?

[Road Ruler]

Originally Posted by Jim Clark

Your calculated risk of towing at 105% of you TV capacity is endangering you and everyone on the highway. You may be willing to take the risk but you are forcing everyone else on the road to take the risk with you. The fact that you even mention it seems to give the impression you are proud of your disregard for safety of yourself, family, and others. BTW that is not a calculated risk that is a sucker bet.

I wonder if these kinds of knee jerk, bashing post are really necessary???

We all drive on the highways of North America.

Over 95% of the drivers are “exceeding” the posted speed limits by 5 to 20% or more. Some even do it with TT's in tow. It's not right that this goes on but it does seem to be a way of life.

When you see one of these drivers on the roads around you, which is every few seconds do you think about the risks and safety concerns that are being forced on you? Maybe yes, maybe not.

In the bigger picture:

What I like about Garfield’s combination is the high regard for safety that you have missed????

He is using a pro setup which includes a "State of the Art", connection system.

He has a reinforced, HD receiver that was modified and improved to compliment his TT requirements.

He is using a top of the line Hensley Arrow.

The Jordon brake controller is one of the best available.

I believe ??? he has upgraded to a right sized LT tire.

He is towing the most advanced, best towing trailer available on the market and it was set up and put together by one of the worlds leading towing specialists.

I would have no problem whatsoever traveling on the same highway with Garfield and his rig and would appreciate it if all the other rigs on the road had similar details to safety.

By evaluating his complete setup I would speculate that it is one of the safest performing rigs on the roads today.

[wbrownrr]

Andy,
I see you've met my wife! (see post #68)

[MJBear]

Thanks Garfield for the great pictures of your rack. We have been trying to figure out where to put bikes as well. Since the kayaks have to go on the TV that doesn't leave many options. Putting them on the front of the TV is negative...blocks lights and they get really dirty. We were also thinking a bit of weight in the back might be a good thing since we added about 50lb in the front with an invertor. I don't like them inside as they aren't terribly clean after riding them and it makes living inside difficult when traveling. We don't always go to a destination and park. Being on the move means the bikes stay put. The rack over the tanks looks interesting, thanks for that info as well. It is a difficult process to get all the necessities on the road. MJ

[Plano-Mark]

I have a very light, 12' aluminum Jon boat I'd like to have a solution for carrying when I take the AS. The boat and its trailer weigh less than 400 lbs. I had many of the same thoughts as you.

In Texas, the maximum length of trailer(s) and the tow vehicle is 65'. Double-trailering is allowed. I also called the State of Arkansas and they have no restrictions to preclude what is allowed in Texas. I consulted a local marine dealership and got some good advice from a man who has a 32' receiver hitched travel trailer and his bass boat on the back. He suggested the use of sway bars, as a minimum, on the TT-to-boat connection for maintaining control. He also suggested keeping the speed of travel down on highways (i.e. 55 mph), and traveling secondary roads and nighttime travel when/where there would be less large truck traffic to cause wind turbulence.

The other issue I've found is finding a welder who is willing to attach the receiver to the frame of the TT. Many welder are not willing to take the liability risk. If you do find a we;der who is willing to do the job, please let me know.

Otherwise, I'm still considering other options, like an easy-to-put-up-and-easy-to-take-down rack for my truck to carry the boat.

Mark

Post note:
Well, after going through to read more of the replies to this thread, I think I'll steer towards the rack for my truck. No need for the welder.

[Mikethefixit]

I think U have made a wise decision Mark the Airsteam frame is just not suited for adding racks to the back of or hitches to make doubles or triples even if states allow it. I also have a Vintage Overlander that I would not modify in any way except for lighting or safety concerns. I know pple with SOB's do it but thats them,most SOB's have either a full frame or heavier frame therefore they are much heavier than Airstream.
GOOD DECISION !
Roger

[WineStream]

This seems to be the most appropriate thread for my request since it's mentioned many times here. Could someone who possesses and uses a roof-top bike rack on a full-size SUV please describe to me how you load the bikes up there?

I've got an Excursion and it has the factory roof rails. I'd like to get a bike rack for up there since I put a multitude of other things inside the AS and inside the Excursion when us and our two little ones go camping. However, what's stopping me is that I can't envision myself loading two bikes (two for now, will be four later) up there without needing a ladder and I'm not going to start hauling a ladder with me everywhere just so I can load & unload the bikes!

[Silvertwinkie]

[quote=atobols;720655]This seems to be the most appropriate thread for my request since it's mentioned many times here. Could someone who possesses and uses a roof-top bike rack on a full-size SUV please describe to me how you load the bikes up there?/quote]

I grab a ladder while at home and put them up there. The with what I have there is a track that I place both tires on and roll it forward into the front tire brace. It takes maybe a minute or two per bike and to set up the whole bike carrier now that I have some exp takes maybe 10 minutes. When at the campsite I either use my 3' ladder or I pull up next to the picnic table and unload them.

I have the Yakima King Cobra setup on my 2004 Suburban and have hauled 3 bikes up there several times totaling more than 2000 miles with the bikes up there with zero issues. I am sure there are easier ways than the roof, but it works great and I don't pull my rear end on the Safari apart.

If you are looking at a roof carrier, you start with the carrier clamps, then two poles, then one bike mount rack for each bike. I got my gear from a place called rackattack at www.rackattack.com ...at the time they had the lowest prices I could find several years ago. I like the fact that the roof carriers are not limited to just bikes...there are many accessories that Yakima makes that can carry many other things up there too.

[HowieE]

Originally Posted by atobols

I've got an Excursion and it has the factory roof rails. I'd like to get a bike rack for up there since I put a multitude of other things inside the AS and inside the Excursion when us and our two little ones go camping. However, what's stopping me is that I can't envision myself loading two bikes (two for now, will be four later) up there without needing a ladder and I'm not going to start hauling a ladder with me everywhere just so I can load & unload the bikes!

I have an Excursion and when I bought it there were 5 things that I was advised to do to it before I drove it. Most importantly was redesign the front suspension system to correct the inherent steering problems, four wheel drive, and the second was never use the factory roof rack for anything. Any load on the rack will damage the roof and the roof is super thin metal.

I replaced the factory rack with a Thule system that I had to make additional supports for in order to hold my kayak and cargo box.

[Ag&Au]

This is how I do it.
I have attached an image I hope it works.
The lush vegetation is in Washington state not Colorado.
Regards,
Ken
PS: there are only two bikes. The two wheels in the center are the two front wheels.