|
03-22-2014, 01:30 PM
|
#1
|
Rivet Master
2013 28' Flying Cloud
Central
, Canada
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,082
|
Flying Cloud (28) with Bike Rack....
Greetings:
I'm considering purchasing the Fiamma Bike Rack and having it installed on a 28' FC. That said, the main storage compartment for this trailer in on the rear also. As a result I'm concerned about the compartment door not opening all the way or the rack being so much in the way that is renders this compartment unusable.
Can anyone give me a little input into this as would really like to carry bikes but don't want to have this installed and then not be happy with it.
I watched the install video from Airstream and note they start the video using a unit with a back compartment, but actually don't install the rack on that unit.
Thanks in advance for your input
Cheers
Doug
|
|
|
03-24-2014, 08:28 PM
|
#2
|
2 Rivet Member
2014 25' Flying Cloud
2012 20' Flying Cloud
Vero Beach
, Florida
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 29
|
Doug,
I currently have a 2012 Flying Cloud 20 with the rear compartment and the Fiamma Bike Rack. My compartment door is about 24" wide and maybe 16" high. You can open the door with bikes on the rack, or with the rack folded up and no bikes. When bikes are loaded, I find it is best to access the door from the right side of the trailer. The access is not as easy as it would be with no rack, but you can take things in and out without a great deal of trouble.
With the rack loaded with bikes, you do reduce the visibility of the brake and turn signal lights, and cannot see the license plate well enough to read it. That said, I haven't been stopped by highway patrol yet, and people do seem to see the turn and brake lights well enough.
I decided not to add a bike rack to the rear of the new 25 we have on order. We decided to carry a couple of folding bikes in the back of our Sequoia.
Good Luck
|
|
|
03-24-2014, 10:32 PM
|
#3
|
Rivet Master
2013 28' Flying Cloud
Central
, Canada
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,082
|
Thanks Feq Flyer - Very valued input! I did not consider the licence plate or more important the signal lights.
Folding bikes might also be a better way for me to go as they don't cost much more than a rack (installed)
Thanks again
Doug
|
|
|
03-24-2014, 11:37 PM
|
#4
|
Rivet Master
2012 25' Flying Cloud
Battle Lake
, Minnesota
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 7,714
|
Folding bikes take space somewhere and are mediocre bikes at best. We like our Fiamma rack a lot, easy to use and the bikes take no space. We can carry our mountain bikes or short wheelbase recumbents on it. Really easy to use, tail lights show well, haven't heard of the license plate causing any problem.
__________________
Doug and Cheryl
2012 FC RB, Michelin 16, ProPride 1400
2016 Ram 1500 Laramie Crew Cab 4X4 Ecodiesel 3.92 axles
The Truth is More Important Than the Facts
|
|
|
03-25-2014, 10:11 AM
|
#5
|
Rivet Master
2013 28' Flying Cloud
Central
, Canada
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,082
|
Thanks for your thoughts on this Doug.... It seems everyday that goes by I have a different opinion on this.
That said, I do agree with your logic that even folding bikes will take up space someplace and in my case would be the box of my truck. So I guess at the end of the day, I just need to make a decision and stick to it....
Thanks again
Cheers
Doug
Quote:
Originally Posted by dkottum
Folding bikes take space somewhere and are mediocre bikes at best. We like our Fiamma rack a lot, easy to use and the bikes take no space. We can carry our mountain bikes or short wheelbase recumbents on it. Really easy to use, tail lights show well, haven't heard of the license plate causing any problem.
|
|
|
|
03-27-2014, 09:31 AM
|
#6
|
Rivet Master
2015 25' FB Eddie Bauer
2013 25' FB Eddie Bauer
2012 20' Flying Cloud
Small Town
, *** Big Sky Country ***Western Montana
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,860
|
The low pressure area at the rear of the AS causes a l ot of dust and road debris to collect ... often right on the freshly oiled chain and other mechanicals of the bikes. Not the best place for any expensive bike. YMMV.
__________________
2015 25' Eddie Bauer Int'l FBQ / 2023 Ford Lightning ER
2022 Ford F350 6.2 V-8; equalizer hitch + Shocker air hitch
Honda Eu3200; AIR# 44105; formerly WBCCI 2015.1
Terminal Aluminitis; 2-people w/ 3+ dogs
|
|
|
03-27-2014, 10:06 AM
|
#7
|
Rivet Master
2012 25' Flying Cloud
Battle Lake
, Minnesota
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 7,714
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by mefly2
The low pressure area at the rear of the AS causes a l ot of dust and road debris to collect ... often right on the freshly oiled chain and other mechanicals of the bikes. Not the best place for any expensive bike. YMMV.
|
Actually we completed a cross-country trip in November with our bikes on the Airstream rack. Bikes were not dirty at all.
__________________
Doug and Cheryl
2012 FC RB, Michelin 16, ProPride 1400
2016 Ram 1500 Laramie Crew Cab 4X4 Ecodiesel 3.92 axles
The Truth is More Important Than the Facts
|
|
|
05-05-2014, 05:05 AM
|
#8
|
2 Rivet Member
2014 28' Flying Cloud
2021 16' Basecamp
Millsboro
, Delaware
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 95
|
We ordered the '28 with the bike rack.
It's arrived at dealer and we pick it up in two weeks, I'll let you know how it works out
|
|
|
05-05-2014, 08:01 AM
|
#9
|
Rivet Master
2013 28' Flying Cloud
Central
, Canada
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,082
|
Hi Schuhouse - We did the same and went with the 28' and the bike rack. We picked in up a couple weeks ago and the rack is a very well put together affair. I'm glad we went that route
__________________
Trying to use my camera to create memories - not photographs!
|
|
|
05-06-2014, 05:37 AM
|
#10
|
2 Rivet Member
2014 28' Flying Cloud
2021 16' Basecamp
Millsboro
, Delaware
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 95
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Arcticfox
Hi Schuhouse - We did the same and went with the 28' and the bike rack. We picked in up a couple weeks ago and the rack is a very well put together affair. I'm glad we went that route
|
Excellent...
I am a little concerned that access to storage will be compromised, have you had any issues?
|
|
|
05-06-2014, 07:51 AM
|
#12
|
Rivet Master
2013 28' Flying Cloud
Central
, Canada
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,082
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by SchuHouse
Excellent...
I am a little concerned that access to storage will be compromised, have you had any issues?
|
So far I'm okay with the restriction one deals with having the bike rack. The door completely opens and it is a bit of a pain with bikes on. Without them on it's not much of an issue at all.
__________________
Trying to use my camera to create memories - not photographs!
|
|
|
05-06-2014, 08:39 AM
|
#13
|
Rivet Master
2013 28' Flying Cloud
Central
, Canada
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,082
|
In addition to the above - The restriction on the back compartment is really dependent to the size of items one puts in this compartment. In my case, I normally have "outdoor" type things (power cord, adapters, hoses, level blocks, chocks etc. So there is really nothing to big and having the rack there is not an issue.
Hope this helps
__________________
Trying to use my camera to create memories - not photographs!
|
|
|
05-06-2014, 08:30 PM
|
#14
|
2 Rivet Member
2014 28' Flying Cloud
2021 16' Basecamp
Millsboro
, Delaware
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 95
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Arcticfox
In addition to the above - The restriction on the back compartment is really dependent to the size of items one puts in this compartment. In my case, I normally have "outdoor" type things (power cord, adapters, hoses, level blocks, chocks etc. So there is really nothing to big and having the rack there is not an issue.
Hope this helps
|
Perfect. Thanks. It's what I was betting on
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|