How to pack a bike along?

[kawb]

Hi,
We are brand new to owning an Airstream and will be going out on our first trip this weekend. We are very excited! Question: those of you who bring bikes, how do you do it? Do you put them inside your AS while traveling and strap them down to something? Ours is a 2005 28', if that helps. I'm not really interested in putting a bike rack on the AS, so am looking for an alternative.

Thanks!
Kelley

[dkottum]

Congratulations on the new Airstream. We use a simple two-bike stand under the rear bike wheels inside the pickup bed, then one strong strap wrapped around the seat posts and to each side of the bed, to keep them on place.

doug k

[SteveH]

We bought these: Jack D7 | Dahon Global

They ride in there own bags in the back of the truck and we still have space for lots of other "stuff", all secure under the locked camper cover.

Well, as secure as any other lock.

[Kevin245]

We have a Yakima tower system on the roof of our TV for our kayaks and mountain bikes. It works very well for us as the kayaks are 10' to 14' long.

[webspinner]

My old lady bike with the girl's style frame and the wide basket rides on our front dinette bed in the trailer. Other bikes usually ride under the shell in the back of the pickup. Once in a blue moon, we've used the hitch mounted bike rack in our front hitch receiver, but that makes us a really long load and hampers visibility.

[triterra]

The road bikes go in the truck bed on the "Hollywood" brand truck bed rack (expandable locking bar $135+) and the beach cruiser rests against the front gaucho. The kid bike usually lays on the front gaucho. 5+ bike family! The road bike front tires fit nicely in the tub with the pump and beach chairs. We use a cable lock on the bikes in the truck bed and then secure them with the cable lock to the A-frame while camping.

[Flying Gypsies]

We made a PVC rack that goes in the bed of the truck for travel and comes out to serve as a stand when we are set up.

[Wingeezer]

Trailer hitch on the front of our truck, plus a standard bike rack that fits into it.

Brian

[Robert warne]

Here's how we do it.

[lcurrie]

This is how we carry our bikes:


Carrying Bikes in Airstream by LToTheYnn, on Flickr

Lynn

[tphan]

Of all the ideas I've seen here, all seem sensible except for the tow vehicle front-bumper rack. (I know, it's not mounted to the bumper) I wouldn't want my bikes to be receiving the full brunt of rain, hail, bugs, birds, deer, road debris, sand and gravel, etc., never mind the obvious vulnerability to front-end collision with another vehicle, all the while obscuring my vision as I'm driving my huge and heavy truck and trailer down the road in traffic.
I put our bikes either in the back of the Suburban or in the trailer, safe from the elements and thieves, leaving my view of the road unobstructed.

[kawb]

Thanks everyone! We don't have a pick-up with an open bed in the back, so that isn't an option for us. I like the folding bikes idea and how Lynn mounted a bike to the trailer in the inside--not sure how that works though.

[RUMSHIP]

Thule and Yakima make racks that go on the top of any car and SUV. I'd keep them out of the rig in case of damage inside.

http://www.thule.com/en-US/US/Products/Bike-Carriers

http://m.yakima.com/#bikes-types

[Wingeezer]

Originally Posted by tphan

Of all the ideas I've seen here, all seem sensible except for the tow vehicle front-bumper rack. (I know, it's not mounted to the bumper) I wouldn't want my bikes to be receiving the full brunt of rain, hail, bugs, birds, deer, road debris, sand and gravel, etc., never mind the obvious vulnerability to front-end collision with another vehicle, all the while obscuring my vision as I'm driving my huge and heavy truck and trailer down the road in traffic.
I put our bikes either in the back of the Suburban or in the trailer, safe from the elements and thieves, leaving my view of the road unobstructed.

Actually none of the things you mention have ever turned out to be a problem for us - mind you we don't have $6000 bikes! Just inexpensive mountain bikes that serve our purpose very well in every respect.

I can appreciate that if someone has a small tow vehicle visibility could be a problem, but we tow with a 2500HD, and I can barely see a bit of handlebar poking up above the hood line - just enough to be sure all is well with teh bikes.

For us, the biggest advantages are that our whole truck bed (with cap) is free for storage, and we make very good use of the space to keep clutter out of the railer. No possible damage to the interior of the trailer by moving bikes in and out, no worries about trailer structural problems that some have warned about when carried bikes on the back of the trailer.

As well, the bikes are extremely easy to get on and off without need to get them up on the roof - which would be a chore with our tow vehicle.

Certainly it may not make sense in your particular situation but I considered all the various options and we have been very happy with this arrangement for over 15 years!

I am sure there is no perfect solution that would suit all!


Brian.

[Alphonse]

I have been looking at the folding bike solution and have become interested in full size folders and bought a used one locally for evaluation. Here is the maker that I have landed on. If my trial works out, I will likely buy a new one as well.

They fold up, are full size, weigh less than 30 pounds, are robust, and store in a bag. I could put two in the trailer without having too much concern.

There are very well made 20" wheeled folding bikes but the cost is prohititive and we also prefer to have full size mountain bikes. BTW, I am also hoping to try taking one on the airlines as checked luggage in a hard case since I travel a lot in my work.

Folding Bikes by Montague and Bicycle Commuting Accessories. - Montague Bikes

[ventport]

Originally Posted by robertwarner

Here's how we do it.

Is that even legal? Looks like it blocks the drivers vision by quite a bit.
(Edit) See post #9 for photos of what I am commenting about.

[Wingeezer]

Originally Posted by ventport

Is that even legal? Looks like it blocks the drivers vision by quite a bit.
(Edit) See post #9 for photos of what I am commenting about.

Yep,

Those do seem to be carried very high. I put bikes up front too, but I cut the bike rack main tube down sufficiently so that the tires are just maybe 6" or so above the road. In this configuration, I can just barely see the handlebars of one of the bikes above the hood line. Much less interference with vision than, say, a gps on the dash or windshield.

I think that you are right in that technically an LEO could take exception to carrying the bikes this way from the standpoint of both visibiity and headlight interference, but neither seem to be an issue in my case and as mentioned in a previous post we have never had the slightest issue in fifteen years. Had police cars in front of me and along side many many times and often wondered if one might take exception, but none ever have..... yet, anyway!

Brian

[lcurrie]

Originally Posted by kawb

I like the folding bikes idea and how Lynn mounted a bike to the trailer in the inside--not sure how that works though.

It took me months of thinking about how we wanted to carry our bikes to come up with this but it's really amazingly simple.

I bought 2 bike fork mounts like these Amazon.com: Delta Bike Hitch Pro 2 Locking Fork Mount: Sports & Outdoors
I got them at a local sporting goods store.

I laid down the table and drilled holes in the base, near the wall of the AS where there is nothing under the base. Then I attached the fork mounts. They're pretty much in the area where we keep the trashcan.

When I installed them, I used wingnuts so that I could remove them withouth tools when we re-setup the table on the road. I've never actually removed them though. I just throw the cushions on top of them. There's a slight bump, but it's really just visual.


Carrying Bikes in Airstream by LToTheYnn, on Flickr

Lynn