Bike Rack

[accordionman]

We are taking delivery of our new ( to us) 2015 Classic on the 26th or 27th of June and we would like to bring our bikes with us when we're off to somewhere. I noticed on the Airstream company site, they have bike racks. I suppose I should expect since our coaches cost an arm and a leg, so shouldn't the bike racks. Just looking to see what everyone else is doing for a bike rack.

Thanks in advance for the help.

Ed

[AirstreamJim]

We had the (Airstream) Fiamma bike rack installed on our 25FB by Colonial. So far we've had no trouble, we love it. Just make sure your bikes don't overload it - the total weight limit is 75 lbs, I believe. No heavy bikes.

Figure about $800-900 installed.

Jim

[Wingeezer]

I prefer carrying our bikes up front on our truck and have done this for the last 20 years or so on three different tow vehicles. GMC Safari van, GMC 1500, GMC 2500HD.


Works for us but the we don't have $6000 bikes! They can get a bit dirty up front. But for us a quick wash if needed when we arrive does the trick.

Weight of the bikes is not a potential issue. I have heard of some problems with heavier bikes on the AS-approved Fiamma rear racks.

Legality could be questioned, as I suppose it could be argued that they affect the headlights - but we find the impact minimal, and in any case are not often on the road with the trailer after dark.

It has never been an issue all the time we have carried the bikes that way, and I do like the fact that up front, I can keep an eye in them, and I know they are causing no damage to my trailer.

You can get front hitch receivers for all trucks, and probably many other vehicles - as mentioned, we also had one on a Safari Minivan.

Pros and cons to all solutions though!

Whatever suits your needs best!

[AWCHIEF]

Arvika. Mounts on the front tongue. Puts the bikes above the propane tanks.

[Hans627]

Last weekend I just happened to be following an AS that had the Fiamma bike rack installed with two bikes on it. I followed it for a few miles to see how securely the bikes were attached and I must say there was absolutely no movement whatsoever.

We don't have a bike rack on our AS yet but if I get one it will most likely be the Fiamma.

[dkottum]

We have used the Fiamma Airstream rack since the trailer was new on many, many cross-country trips. Bikes are held very secure, very easy on and off, and are lockable with a chain. Good place to store bikes in camp, and they do not get bugs and road grease while traveling.

Be sure to install it as per instructions and do not load over 75 lbs.

[LBelle]

We have the Fiamma and love it. There are several other threads/discussions about hauling bikes on Airstreams so I will not repeat myself but be sure to check them out.

[OTRA15]

FYI there have been many other threads on bike racks:

https://www.google.com/search?q=bike...=airforums.com

For a rear bike rack, the Fiamma is the only Airstream-approved solution IMO, and it compromises access to the rear storage area on some AS models, like our FC20.

Good luck!

Peter

FYI

[trumpetguy]

I use a Swagman bike rack on the front receiver of my truck. Less than half the price of a Fiamma plus if I ever need to push a trailer, boat, or other I have the added flexibility. I keep the rack stable with some Curt locking pins. An added benefit is the effort to mount the bikes is minimal due to the low height. Total cost was $250 for the receiver (installed) plus about$150 for the Swagman.

[GayandDan]

Originally Posted by AirstreamJim

We had the (Airstream) Fiamma bike rack installed on our 25FB by Colonial. So far we've had no trouble, we love it. Just make sure your bikes don't overload it - the total weight limit is 75 lbs, I believe. No heavy bikes.

Figure about $800-900 installed.

Jim

Did Colonial use screws, rivets, or both to attach the upper brackets to the trailer? Thanks in advance.

[Rorschach]

Originally Posted by GayandDan

Did Colonial use screws, rivets, or both to attach the upper brackets to the trailer? Thanks in advance.

I'm curious about this as well.

[thoreau2104]

colonial installed ours and it is clean and neat. All the connections to the skin are essentially covered by the rack. It is very sharp looking.

Some of the bike racks I see on SOB are complete head scratchers.

Howie has a pic of a bike rack on his trailer that looks quite simple and works well for him.

[GayandDan]

Originally Posted by Rorschach

I'm curious about this as well.

I installed the rack myself. Since I received no reply about screws vs. rivets, I had both on hand. Ended up using screws in the outer two holes because they anchor in the frame. The inner holes anchor only in the trailer's skin providing very poor support. Thus, I used rivets there. My feeling is rivets in all holes would also be quite adequate.

Hasn't been tested rigorously; but, after about 4k miles with a single bike, all is well.