Is there any Bike Carrier for Classic 31'

[mlo57]

Hello,

I am hoping to get a 2007 Classic 31, however the last issue I have not resolved is how to carry my 2 mountain bikes. On the current travel trailer I have, it has the squar box bumper on the rear which I was able to strengthen and add a simple receiver to the bumper to hold the receiver type bike carrier.

Is there any Airstream approved unit which I could use to hold a bike rack without compromising the frame or bumper or body of the unit?

Is there any way to mount the bikes behind the front propane tanks where it is mounted to the "A" frame.

Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

[Silvertwinkie]

There isn't. It's strongly suggested you place nothing on the bumper.

Have you looked at roof top carriers?

Yakima

[mlo57]

I take it a frame receiver that mounts below the storage drawer isn't a good solution either? I worried a frame receiver on the rear would be to low and hit tire stops, speed bumps, etc.
Thoughts?

[Colonial Airstream]

Have you explored mounting to the front of the tow vehicle?

[Colonial Airstream]

Here is another example, but I would not work on the 31' Classic because of the forward bottle cover. If you look closely the head of the Electric Hitch jack was spun.

[ScottW]

mlo,
There has been a lot of discussion re: bike carriage. Most agree that either cartop racks or front recievers with a bike rack are the only way to go. Do not put anything on the rear bumper. Go to the search function on the left margin and enter 'bicycles' for previous threads/replys on the subj.
Be safe, enjoy.
Rgds,
Scott

[BillTex]

We used front hitch with the Suburban-worked great. And now put them in the bed of the truck with the pick-up-also works great.
Our kayaks are on the roof, so that was not an option.

I am guessing with a 31' you will be towing with a 3/4 ton?

I used an old roof top bike rack, mounted it to a couple of 2x4's cut to fit the bed slots, and the bikes stand up nice and neat in the bed. I can lock them with a cable to the bed tie downs if I feel it is necessary. And wes till have room for firewood, lawn chairs etc in the bed.

Bill

[LI Pets]

I respectfully disagree, yes you can do it.

Attach uprights to the bumper (above the frame) don't use the reciever that just makes it all heavier. Use alum like 1" square tubing and use supports like nylon to the rear window frame.

I'm in the process of fabricating mine now if you can wait a week or two I'll post the pic's.

Now the reason I say you can do it is a saw several that have done so without problems.

Secondly, if AS can build a rear bath in thse that weigh a few hundred pounds why can't you put a 100 lbs of bikes on it.

Just get on the bumper and jump up and down

[oakwood]

MLO57:
I share your pain. We carry a kayak and mountain bikes on our '03 Classic 30' and are a little tight for space in the truck bed, not to even mention getting the bikes out of the truck with the trailer still hitched. If the truck and trailer are even slightly off center, I can just barely clear the tailgate on the propane tank cover.
Has anyone ever tried putting the bikes on some kind of "ho-made" rack behind the propane tanks? Fastened to the frame, but one bike over the other. Every time I look at that space I think what nice, but wasted space, real estate that is.

[MamaCass]

I have a 2007 Classic 31' with a 2008 Chev Silverado 2500HD CrewCab 8' box Diesel w/A.R.E.cap. The truck weighs ~9,000 pounds, loaded. I'm continuously tempted to put stuff "out back" (bikes, ladder, generator, laundry line rack) behind the AS. I'd do it by attaching steel framing at where the skid plates attach to the rear frame. This framing would extend rearward. But, in all cases, I stop!! Why? Because, my tongue weight is 800+ pounds. This is too low. My AS is ~9,000 pounds. (I can still add ~1,000 lbs.) The tongue weight should be 900 to 1,150. Anything I put "out back" will just decrease my tongue weight. So, I've done this: 1. I have a roof rack on the truck cab with gear to carry two bicycles and the rear end of a canoe. 2. I have a front hitch that carries a Honda moped carrier and a post for the front end of the canoe. 3. On the roof of the capper, there is a roof rack with a huge basket in which I carry the messy odds & ends, 2 feet deep all covered with a custom made vinyl cover and bungee netting. 4. In the truck bed: carpeting, shelves, lights. I carry the heavy stuff here. (I recommend that you weigh your tow vehicle, AS, and tongue every year, loaded. It gets heavier every year. Don't let the weights get out of spec.)