Getting close... and a few more Qs

[m.hony]

I sold my road bike very easily.
'Bents don't have much of a following here.
We still have mountain bikes and a beach cruiser for the campgrounds.

[Texasdiver]

I would think the ideal travel bike would be a folding bike like a Brompton or Bike Friday. Rather than spending hundreds on rack systems and having the bike bounce around on the back of the trailer or truck, one just folds it up and tucks it under the dinette or some other convenient place inside the trailer. Then when one is traveling one has a bike that can navigate taxis, buses, subways, elevators and the like.

I have a garage full of expensive bikes but if I was contemplating a long extended airstream adventure or full time lifestyle I would most definitely take a very hard look at folding bikes.

[m.hony]

My original vintage built in Iowa by Kann manufacturing Linear recumbent bicycle folds, but I can't do it without getting greasy from that really long chain. Our campground bikes are just ordinary diamond frame mountain bikes that go in the bed of the pickup.

[Rocinante]

My recumbent trike folds very easily. Thus, we agree, folding bikes are a good idea. Due to neck issues I can no longer ride conventional bikes for any length of time, but I can spend all day on a recumbent.

[SilverEagle6]

X2 on the folding bikes. After many hours of researching, we bought tow Dahon 7 speed bikes. I can bold them and put them in a Rubbermaid tub for transport in the TV Really enjoy them

[Jack46]

We have this bike rack. It works great!

http://www.arvika.ca

[mefly2]

Originally Posted by streaminlife

Silvery Moon- I know what you mean about keeping an eye on payload. We are in the same position. We were thinking of getting a topper/cap for the truck but may end up with a tonneau cover instead, not sure yet. We would like to take bikes with us, and one of the forum members mentioned they have the AS bike rack that goes on the back of the trailer. So, no extra payload weight. Could be a good option for us 1/2 tons. I just found this link for truck stop locations - click on the state of interest, and you get listings by city. I haven't yet explored the site much, but maybe it will have some info on scales: Truck Stop Info Plus - find a great truck stop!

The bed cap plusses "outweigh" any negative impact on your potential payload reduction even for a 1/2 ton ... YMMV

The topper will allow easy access to your bikes as well as easy covered access to a generator located in the rear of the bed. We like the security for all our gear in there and have utilized a cap on all of our trucks for the last 40 years. It is really mandatory when you live where there is either much snow or rain - most folks find that whereas the toppers are pretty much water tight - the same can not be said for most tonneau covers. It is nice to be able to simply open the door / tailgate and not have to worry about where the snow load will dump!

[Rocinante]

Thanks! We have a cap on order now for those very reasons. It's a top of the line lightweight fiberglass product, so we feel the trade-offs will be positive overall.

[mefly2]

Originally Posted by Silvery Moon

Thanks! We have a cap on order now for those very reasons. It's a top of the line lightweight fiberglass product, so we feel the trade-offs will be positive overall.

Hey you have this all figured out - much better than when we got our first. Tell the folks at AS NW / Covington ... hello from the EB with Helos from MT!

[streaminlife]

Thank you, mefly2 - great advice. I did not even think of the snow/weather/water-tightness of the truck cap vs. the tonneau cover. We would much prefer the cap but were a little concerned about max payload.

Silvery Moon- what type of cap did you order for your truck? (If you do not mind sharing.) I am curious about the lightweight ones.

[streaminlife]

Nice bike rack, Jack46! I had not seen one like that before - so many great options out there.

[SeeMore]

Originally Posted by m.hony

Every time I "unstick" the windows and close them again, they become stuck again.
Basically I have to "unstick" them every time I open them.
I even tried putting baby powder on the rubber.
I have also tried rubbing petroleum jelly on the rubber.
Maybe it's our 100% humidity environment.
I keep an expired credit card in my wallet for the "unsticking".

Use 303 Protectant. Jelly has petroleum in it which further decays the gasket. 303 works great on rubber and is a UV barrier as well so tires are another target application.

[m.hony]

Where do I buy 303 protectant?

[SeeMore]

Originally Posted by m.hony

Where do I buy 303 protectant?

CampingWorld just added it to their inventory. Most any aviation supplier has it (it was originally made for that industry) and I have seen it in auto parts stores recently.

[PharmGeek]

I heard someone say my name

I never heard of a folding bike - sounds cool

[SeeMore]

Originally Posted by PharmGeek

I heard someone say my name

I never heard of a folding bike - sounds cool

Its sorta like half a pill. It was whole until someone broke it.

[Rocinante]

Originally Posted by streaminlife

Silvery Moon- what type of cap did you order for your truck? (If you do not mind sharing.) I am curious about the lightweight ones.

Hi there! We have this one on order: Z Series Truck Caps : A.R.E. Truck Caps and Tonneau Covers

Of course, lightweight is a relative term. Anyway, we take delivery / installation later this month. Can't wait!

[streaminlife]

Very nice, thanks! Hope you enjoy your new purchase, that is exciting! I hope you will us in on how you like your new cap/cover

[streaminlife]

That is, I hope you will FILL us in on your new purchase

[mefly2]

Originally Posted by Silvery Moon

Hi there! We have this one on order: Z Series Truck Caps : A.R.E. Truck Caps and Tonneau Covers

Of course, lightweight is a relative term. Anyway, we take delivery / installation later this month. Can't wait!

Good choice and it will look great with the color match to your PU. It is well worth the wait ... heck, you deserve it!