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?

[Wayne&Sam]

The bumper storage can be accessed, there wasn't a rear storage compartment on the trailer that had the rack so I don't know. It didn't look like it was easily unassembled.

[Schu]

Originally Posted by Wayne&Sam

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

The bike racks are light weight,carry two bikes.Will work on Flying Clouds,Safari's,International and Bambi Models.Should be available the middle to end of December.

[tkowalyk]

Pattonsr and others.

Here is information on the Arvika bike rack

Here is there email address: info@arvika.ca

I sent in an information request:

We came across the following photo on one of your bike racks. Please see the attached photo. Here is a link to the post on AS Forums.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f238...r-67233-4.html

I don't see this configuration on your website, with the front support bar and the aluminum support brackets.

What is the price for this rack?

Thanks,

Tom Kowalyk

I received this email from Caroline in October 2011:

Hi Tom

The price for a 3 bike for airstream trailer is 613.00$ + shipping (for a quote I need your city and zip code) also we paid 50% of shipping price

For a 2 bike the price is 500.00$

Thank you
Caroline

1-888-690-0096

I did not take the leap yet and buy the bike rack...yet. still thinking this one over. We have a roof mounted rack, but think that the Arvika rack would be easier to load / unload the bikes. If we buy the rack, we would opt for the 2 bike configuration.

Good Luck

[GerryH]

Originally Posted by Saltydogs

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

Hi,
This is the blog of a Airstream owner just recently.
I am sorry that the picture did not come across.

At long last Airstream is introducing an approved bike rack. They haven’t had one since the 1970s. Various people have for years been spreading the misinformation that Airstreams cannot carry any weight on the rear bumper without risking frame separation. This may have been true at one time, especially in the dark days of the Beatrice era, but all modern Airstreams in good condition (no floor rot) have a certain loading capacity at the rear. Airstream hasn’t been active in discounting the myth because if they do they’ll run into the “idiot factor,” meaning someone who overloads the bumper and then wants warranty repairs on it. ’ve got a bike rack that is truly factory approved up to 77 pounds, which is more than enough for two bicycles. Only Airstream will be able to sell it initially. It is aluminum, of course. The retail price wasn’t yet available, but I’d guess it will go for $200-300.
The rack requires permanently mounting four brackets to the bumper and body (drilling required). The rack will be easily removable, although the four mounting points will stay. Even with the rack installed, you’ll still have access to the bumper compartment and any rear body compartments on the trailer. We played with it a bit and it seems very sturdy. I may get one next year for evaluation purposes

[Antique Pedaler]

Here it is, the Airstream bike rack. Price has not been revealed.

[blmitch5]

Nice! I like it.