Bike rack??

[Saltydogs]

Has anyone ever installed a bike rack on the back of a 23 flying cloud? Any suggestions?

[SteveH]

There are many long discussions about this topic, and a search would turn up most of the threads.

Personally, we bought folding bikes to avoid the problems associated with a bike rack.

[worldinchaos]

Originally Posted by SteveH

There are many long discussions about this topic, and a search would turn up most of the threads.

Personally, we bought folding bikes to avoid the problems associated with a bike rack.

We use invisible bikes. The best part is that they fit in the center console between the front seats of the TV. Better yet, they require zero annual maintenance. However, we did have one stolen last year which was unfortunate. Either that or we just couldn't find it.

Yes, please use the search function in the upper right.

[GerryH]

The Airstream Rep at the Dallas RV show about 10 days ago said
Airstream had just come out with a bike rack that would look like
what you would think a Airstream Bike Rack should be like. Dont
have any other info/details. I think you would have to call Airstream.
I dont know if it was just for New models or what year Airstreams
it would be for.
I dont know where it would mount. I got the impression it was a
rear mount but I could have misunderdtood him.

[asianmack]

I've talked with 2 dealers (Airstream of Chicago and Woodland Travel Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan) about this.

What they do is install a reinforced steel beam onto the frame. It'll take up space inside your bumper compartment. On this steel beak they will then bolt on a class 3/4 hitch. Then you can buy any type of hitch bike rack to put on your Airstream or on your car when you don't have the Airstream.

The amount that was quoted to me was around $200 for installation. A Saris bike rack (http://www.saris.com/en/bike-racks/v...&category_id=8) is around $430. Pricey I know.

I think we're just going to use a bike rack that attaches to our car (http://www.saris.com/en/bike-racks/v...&category_id=7) Mercury Mountaineer. I believe there is enough clearance between the rack and the propane tank enclosure.

[GerryH]

I had that done to my trailer. Added a steel bar inside the
bumper from frame to frame with a 2" reciever that comes
out of the bumper about 4 inches. Works great. I limit the
weight to about $100 lbs for alluminum basket, Rubbermaid
chest, and payload in the chest. The Airstream rep said it
would not hurt the frame and the reason they say not to add
anything on the rear bumper is liability reasons and because
too many peope will try to overload the basket and cause
trailer sway. Up to about a couple of hundred pounds you should
be ok according to the rep.

[Ginga69]

I have just made a post on another thread but I was talking to my AS Dealer and AS have brought out a bike rack that mounts on the A frame and will hold the bikes above the LPG tanks in front. It is $770 installed here in Canada (for a 2 bike option). One of my concerns with this is the height for access? The dealer said it would not interfere with battery or the LPG access not sure about the window access though.

Paul

[tyggeln]

Originally Posted by GerryH

I had that done to my trailer. Added a steel bar inside the
bumper from frame to frame with a 2" reciever that comes
out of the bumper about 4 inches. Works great. I limit the
weight to about $100 lbs for alluminum basket, Rubbermaid
chest, and payload in the chest. The Airstream rep said it
would not hurt the frame and the reason they say not to add
anything on the rear bumper is liability reasons and because
too many peope will try to overload the basket and cause
trailer sway. Up to about a couple of hundred pounds you should
be OK according to the rep.

I think we as owners need to be very careful about cantilevering things off the back bumper. I would LOVE to have a bike rack on the rear, which would also reduce tongue weight some, but...

Its like putting too much junk in the trunk and may cause bent frame or worse dreaded rear end separation for older units, especially in light of our failing interstate system. The weight on the frame aft of the wheels is magnified by hanging stuff off the rear (increased moment; 100# here is like 200# in the rear storage) when driving over undulating freeway surfaces. What else will be in your trunk? Will Airstream also install the $400 frame reinforcement kit prior to installation of the bike rack?

I'm having my insurance company look at my TT this week for a sagging rear end to evaluate as road damage from I-280/680 in San Jose and Fremont CA. Better to prevent than correct.

Chris

[Jack46]

I agree that a rear mounted bike rack is a no-no. Here is what we went with
http://www.arvika.ca/ Expensive, but for us, it was the answer for carrying our two bikes. Jack

[pattonsr]

How did you order from Arvika? The web site is pretty vague.

[Antique Pedaler]

I visited with a family last summer who had their Airstream equipped with an Arvika and carry a tandem bike. Quite impressive and they said it works well for them.

[MervM]

I have designed and had a bike rack built for the rear of our 28' 2009 Flying cloud. It has been in place for two years and 10,000 miles now with no apparent adverse effects. The part that holds the wheels is made of aluminum and attached to the rear bumper , the cross rack cross tie down is made of thin wall steel square tubing and is attached to the bumper frame supports. If anyone is interested in pictures of the rack, please e-mail your address and I will be happy to send pictures.I donot know how to send pictures with this reply. My e-mail is mervmel@sasktel.net.

[Wayne&Sam]

Airstream's bike rake mounts on the rear, over the bumper. I saw the prototype in JC.

[pattonsr]

Is there any problem folding down the bike rack so the rear storage area can be accessed?