Fiamma Bike rack on the back of a 2016 Classic

[Clozzzer]

My dealer offered me an option to add a Fiamma bike rack to the back of the classic. Has anyone down this? Other bike hauler suggestions?

[overlander63]

That is the only Airstream-approved trailer-mounted bike rack.
You could carry bikes in the bed of your truck, or on a carrier over the top of the truck, or in front of the truck.

[Clozzzer]

Originally Posted by overlander63

That is the only Airstream-approved trailer-mounted bike rack.
You could carry bikes in the bed of your truck, or on a carrier over the top of the truck, or in front of the truck.

It appears that the classic is not on the included list of compatibility. Is it compatible?

[dkottum]

They changed the Classic bumper design few years ago to be like the other models. We use the Airstream Fiamma bike rack, especially like the convenience of use and the bikes travel very solid. If we ever bought a new trailer we would have it installed again, we use our bikes a lot and need easy access to them.

If you have a rear access hatch the rack gets in the way some, you decide, may be a trade-off of one convenience for another and which is more important to you.

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by Clozzzer

It appears that the classic is not on the included list of compatibility. Is it compatible?

We do have a Classic bike rack in the parts department. I can check Tuesday for compatibility. I do know the box the bike rack is in says "Classic Bike Rack"".

[BAB]

Just realize that if you put a Fiamma on the back of your trailer, you will have a significant challenge stowing your 50amp electric cord. If it is cold, the cable is even more difficult to manage. I had the Fiamma on my 2012 28' Intl CCD, and access to the rear trunk is virtually impossible if you have a bike or bikes on the rack. I solved the issue with my 15 Classic. I bought Dahon folding bikes. Also, if you have an "issue" with a broken cast aluminum bracket on your Fiamma, it'll cost $56 to replace it. Sorry, I had one and it didn't work well for the above reasons.


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[terryg]

I have the Fiamma rack mounted on the back of my 2016 Classic. I have the twin bed model so I don't keep much in the rear compartment. However, the bikes are easily removed if I want to stash some gear in the back. I keep most of my tools and equipment in the roomy side storage compartments.

[dugster]

We have the Fiamma bike rack on a rear twin bed FC. Access to rear storage is improved with bikes off. It will hold any bike except for electric. ( I wouldn't risk the weight of an electric bike.)

[Rabid54]

We have the Fiamma bike rack on our 2015 International Serenity 25FB. We had it installed on delivery of our AS. The bike rack is really solid and holds two bikes well, although you do have to make sure the pedals are properly situated and adjust handlebar positions to get two bikes to fit. But, once the bikes are in place, they don't move.

Being a Front Bedroom unit, the only storage at the back end is in the bumper and we can still open that hatch with the bikes secured in place.

[wcrockett]

Agree. Mine broke the 1st time I traveled with the trailer. They refused to replace it as a warranty claim after asking that I send them pictures to prove that it broke. The post is designed with a pin to shear off from the bracket. When When the pin shears off it breaks the bracket. Fiamma will only sell the post, pin and bracket as one part for $56.. They need to manfacture a bracket that does not break when the pin shears and sell the shear pin as a stand alone part. The shear pin is also to soft. I am using small aluminum bolts instead of the pins. I will never buy another fiamma product.

[nsbcpa]

Not to hijack the thread.....has anyone had an problem with the bikes blocking the trailer license plate and law enforcement taking an issue...?

[87MH]

Originally Posted by nsbcpa

.....has anyone had an problem with the bikes blocking the trailer license plate and law enforcement taking an issue...?

A problem I have had with a front hitch mount is limiting visibility over the hood. I tried two separate bike mounts (racks) and adjusted the bikes as low as possible. My front visibility was limited to the point that I could not defend it against Johnny Law.

[Riverdrifter]

I was parked next to a guy with one this spring. He was not a fan because it restricted access to the rear storage and it didn't store his road bike and mountain bike together, so he also had a roof rack on his Range Rover. I have a Yakima roof rack for my TV and I carry a small "little giant" ladder. Works great for me (I'm 67) but my wife thinks when I get older it will be problematic! Gives me a reason to hit the gym several times a week!

[Jcmohle]

I'm not happy with it. Not enough space between bikes. Had to put a bike mount on top of my tow vehicle as the bikes my wife and i often bring will not both fit on the Fiamma

[85MH325]

Bikes that are worth riding do not deserve the abuse they get on a bike rack on the back of a trailer.

They're exposed to the weather, dirt, and theft, and most racks don't do anything to help out their finish. You can't see them to know how secure they are, or whether you're dragging a bike wheel on the ground.

Any bike you care about should ride inside the cabin of the trailer if you don't have space inside the tow vehicle. You can lock them to the tongue and cover them when you're parked. There are a variety of fairly easy ways to carry them inside; probably the easiest is just to put fork mounts on a 2x6x(whatever your cabin width is.) Put the fork mount board down, bring the bikes in and attach them to the fork mounts and you're done. They'll stay put and won't damage the upholstery or woodwork that way.

[GGreen]

We have electric bikes that weigh about 60 lbs apiece. I looked at all the various options for carrying the bikes. I ended up building a simple rack for the back wheels and we carry them inside the trailer (1983 Avion 30P). They are protected from the weather and any concern over theft, and the weight is near the axles rather than behind the rear bumper. It only takes a few minutes to load or unload - no worse than putting them on a bike rack. If you have room in your trailer, it's an inexpensive and secure option to consider.

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by overlander63

We do have a Classic bike rack in the parts department. I can check Tuesday for compatibility. I do know the box the bike rack is in says "Classic Bike Rack"".

I verified today the Fiamma bike rack marked "Classic" is indeed for the post 2015 models.

[cory_can]

I've used one on my FC and it was cumbersome to use and (as already explained) difficult to get access to the rear storage trunk. If I wanted to get to anything I would have to remove the bikes and go through the entire hassle again. Also, my bikes are not inexpensive and was always paranoid about what was going on back there....even with a rear camera.

[KJRitchie]

Hi have the Arvika tongue bike rack on my 2008 Classic and it has its downsides too; added tongue weight, rack can interfere with backing in tight spots if you have an SUV or pickup with camper shell.

I'm thinking if I were to do it all over again I would purchase a couple of Montague full size folding bikes and keep in the back of my pickup. I spent about $800 on our two traditional bikes and $700 on the Arvika system. Could've purchased two Montague bikes for the same. I don't like the majority of folding bikes because of their small diameter rims but Montague are 26/27" sized.

Kelvin

[dkottum]

A tip for those who have trouble getting their two bikes to fit closely together on the Fiamma rack. The bottom rails the bike tires rest on are adjustable side-to-side, moving them around may help things fit together. The bikes sit closely together and very near the shell to minimize lading on the frame and shell. If you still cannot fit them, you can get a longer bike support arm from Fiamma to space them apart a little, so I have been told. Ours fit fine, I did move the bottom rails a little to give some extra space.