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KerriO · 04-16-2012, 01:57 PM

Just came to read this thread after receiving a response from Adam about one of my questions, so figure I'll post here, for the benefit of everyone else, too.

Our Fiamma rack is working out great (after a bit of trial and error with positioning). Anyway, our next quest is to find a soft cover that will work with the rack (we full-time, so the bikes are constantly exposed to the elements). Fiamma makes one, but Adam has informed me that they are unavailable in the US. Has anyone had any success with figuring out a cover to use?

Bluto · 05-03-2012, 01:15 AM

Just noticed that Airstream is now selling the new bike rack for the Classic on their web site.

Bluto · 05-03-2012, 07:33 PM

Fiammausa/
Adam,
After looking at the pictures more closely, that show the new bike rack on the Classic, it seems to me like the base plate of the bike rack that bolts thru the bumper and into the frame was a quick fix design for the Classic trailer. It could use some trimming and shaping to fit the contours of the bumper a little better.

nwprtbch · 05-06-2012, 12:22 PM

Does anyone know how far beyond the rear bumper the bike rack would extend from a Flying Cloud 27FB (2010)? I have mine parked in a garage and I have a maximum additional length of about 6 inches. If the rack extends more than 6 inches beyond the rear bumper, I may have to pass even though this is exactly what I have been waiting for. Appreciate advice/counsel. Thank you.

ELee1 · 05-12-2012, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GetOutDoors

... OK, I thought putting bikes on the back bumper was a NO NO.....

What's the deal?

I custom fabricated a receiver for a bike rack. It meant sacrificing most of the storage in front of the "bumper" (not meant to hold any load at all). I have not seen an 'off the shelf' bike rack adapter for A.S. Hint: Too much modifying/ drilling/ cutting will take away from the re-sale value of the A.S.

Ag&Au · 05-12-2012, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluto

Just noticed that Airstream is now selling the new bike rack for the Classic on their web site.

Please post a link to the bike rack for the Classic. I was not able to find it.

Thanks,

Ken

Bluto · 05-12-2012, 03:32 PM

w7ts,
It's my pleasure. Here it is: https://store.airstream.com/index.php?cPath=42s:

I did not order it as I don't like the way the mounting plate looks. I guess it's possible to purchase it then trim that plate, but I don't think I should have to fix it, it's new.
See my other post #183 above, where I asked Adam about it, and have not received a response.

TBRich · 05-12-2012, 04:57 PM

It looks to me like the "plate" is not just a plate that the tube is attached to, but a piece that is rolled to form that tube... And the length of the plate/tube assembly that over hangs the bumper might be necessary to provide adequate support. Just a thought.

Ag&Au · 05-12-2012, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluto

w7ts,
It's my pleasure. Here it is: https://store.airstream.com/index.php?cPath=42s:

I did not order it as I don't like the way the mounting plate looks. I guess it's possible to purchase it then trim that plate, but I don't think I should have to fix it, it's new.
See my other post #183 above, where I asked Adam about it, and have not received a response.

Thanks,

I agree on the appearance. Also it's pretty pricey for a bike rack.
We used to carry ours on the tonneau for the bed of our truck. (see my profile photo). However, we replaced the tonneau with a canopy. I bought two of these:
Yakima Racks & Carriers › Shop › Bike › Truck Bed › BlockHead .
However not wanting to drill holes in the bed, I mounted them on a couple of 1x4's with carpet on the bottom. the bed has a very sticky sprayed on bed lining, so it would take some pretty violent forece to move them fore and aft. They are tied left and right to the bedside tie downs. The two separate mounting boards allow the bikes to be staggered fore and aft, therfore they can be moved closer together side by side. It is a bit of a pain to get stuff in and out with them in there, but I like the fact that they are under cover. We have pretty much trashed our travel bikes with various weather and road crap. Now I feel comfortable about taking a good bike. It makes riding more enjoyable.

Ken

Bluto · 05-12-2012, 11:05 PM

Ken,
I have been wrestling with the idea of buying one of these new bike racks. The things that are holding me back are: cost, bikes getting dirty, brake lights getting blocked from view by tires, license plate relocation solution, and the bumper brackets extend beyond the back of the bumper.

Your solution sounds like a good option, using the Yakima parts and the 1x4's in the bed of the truck.
Currently I just put the bikes in a cheap Lowe's floor rack in between the twin beds in the trailer. It's not perfect, but it works.

I think I've just talked myself out of the purchase.

Frank&Mike · 05-13-2012, 08:39 PM

Attached is a photo of our newly installed bike rack. Yea! Looking forward to not having to lift the bikes into the bed of the truck, no more strapping bikes in the bed of the truck, and again freeing up space in the bed of the truck again!

Ag&Au · 05-13-2012, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frank&Mike

Attached is a photo of our newly installed bike rack. Yea! Looking forward to not having to lift the bikes into the bed of the truck, no more strapping bikes in the bed of the truck, and again freeing up space in the bed of the truck again!

Yeah, but I think it makes your butt look big.

Ken

Hibby · 05-14-2012, 07:35 PM

I'd love to see that same view with trunk open, as well as a back & side view with bikes on it! If you have time...

TBRich · 05-14-2012, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frank&Mike

Attached is a photo of our newly installed bike rack. Yea! Looking forward to not having to lift the bikes into the bed of the truck, no more strapping bikes in the bed of the truck, and again freeing up space in the bed of the truck again!

Looks great! Congrats!

Frank&Mike · 05-15-2012, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by w7ts

Yeah, but I think it makes your butt look big.

Ken

I'm kind of feeling like that's a compliment. Thank you.

Hibby · 05-15-2012, 06:49 PM

I know initially there were some comments about using a front mounted receiver hitch. I am curious as to whether or not anyone has experience with a brand they recommend. My TV already has a receiver on the front, and this would be a great solution for me.

Frank&Mike · 05-15-2012, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hibby

I'd love to see that same view with trunk open, as well as a back & side view with bikes on it! If you have time...

Yes, absolutely. We will be glad to do that. As soon as we pick up the Airstream from Lance, of "Top's Texas Vintage Campers" (where all of our service work is being done) we will take additional photos as requested.

hissilver · 05-15-2012, 07:44 PM

I certainly love to bike...but has any one considered a Segway carrier?

Hibby · 05-15-2012, 08:16 PM

Funny thing... I was JUST on the Segway website because we had a speaker at our Rotary meeting on Monday that does Segway Tours in Grand Rapids. Amazing fun!