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05-21-2007, 10:45 AM
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#1
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2 Rivet Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 25
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Bicycle rack
Does anyone have a hitch or rack on the back bumper of their Safari for bicycles? When we purchased our unit, the salesman said it was not recommended to put anything on the bumper, but he's seen people do it and didn't think it would be a problem.
Teresa
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05-21-2007, 10:53 AM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2014 25' Flying Cloud
Cuddebackville
, New York
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 4,346
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I carry mine inside. I use a board on the floor with a mount bolted to it (the kind you put on a truck bed). The board has a non-skid base on it and I fit it across the floor so it can't move. More than one bike might be a problem.
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05-21-2007, 10:54 AM
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#3
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Rivet Master
1956 22' Safari
2015 27' Flying Cloud
Vintage Kin Owner
Conifer/Evergreen
, Colorado
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 12,707
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I'd vote with the "It's not a good idea" camp. The added weight on the rear stresses the entire trailer by bouncing around so much...think of riding in the last row of an old school bus.
As we speak, this week we are having a front receiver hitch placed on our Yukon to carry our bikes with us w/o having them loaded either into the trailer or TV. They are Crusiers so are too heavy to lift up onto the roof.
Shari
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05-21-2007, 10:54 AM
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#4
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3 Rivet Member
2007 34' Classic
Pecos
, New Mexico
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 124
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We always travel with two bicycles. Don't carry them on the bumper, but have seen it done also. We bought nice back-of-the-pickup racks from jensonusa.com. Take a look there, they probably have something that would work for you. Good luck!
__________________
Pecos Pete
Cow Creek, NM
'07 34' Classic
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05-21-2007, 10:54 AM
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#5
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Rivet Master
1991 34' Excella
Princeton
, New Jersey
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,070
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If you have a true bumper and not a drawer this will work.
http://www.airforums.com/photos/show...?i=15044&c=507
The problem with most of the Airstream bumpers is they will not support the rotational load that a bike rake imparts. My rake only uses the bumper for the vertical load. The rotational load is taken by the window sill. The clips I make are screwed to the window sill and strapped to the rack. This rack has 10,000 plus miles on it.
At the bottom of the rack a 2 pieces of 2x6 cut to the contour of the bumper and bloted through it.
I think I bought the original rack from Wal Mart for lees than $40.00
__________________
WBCCI 12156 AIR 3144 WACHUNG TAC NJ6
2004 Excursion 4x4
1991 34 ft. Excella +220,000 miles, new laminated flooring, new upholstery, new 3200 lbs axles
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05-21-2007, 11:02 AM
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#6
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Rivet Master
Airstream Dealer
1975 31' Sovereign
Searcy
, Arkansas
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,714
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I have a 25' Safari in my shop right now for a panel replacement with a bike rack on it...the weight does appear that it could cause a problem bouncing on the frame...
G
__________________
Airstream of Arkansas
www.airstreamofarkansas.com
877-Air-hog1
877-247-4641
Keeping the Airstream Dream Alive!
AIR #8844
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05-21-2007, 12:08 PM
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#7
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Cyclist
2007 28' International CCD
Windermere
, Florida
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 457
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I carry up to three bikes without problem inside the AS. I got a 47" floor rack from Nashbar. Mounts front fork with wheel removed. Fork mounts are an extra fee. Mounted it on a board with rubber backing. The bikes and rack don't move at all.
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05-21-2007, 01:09 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
1978 24' Argosy 24
Woodinville
, Washington
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 682
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We've put three bikes inside just leaning them against the rear bulkhead and each other with appropiate rags for padding and bungee cords if required. The advantage is the bikes are out of the weather and out of sight of would be thieves. The disadvantage is it limits access inside the trailer when on the road. However, with them in the back we can still park and access the fridge, stove and sink.
I added roof racks but haven't used them with the trailer. In fact we still haul our receiver mounted Yakima rack to put on after we unhook. It's just way easier than lifting the bikes up on the roof of the van. I've thought about adding a front receiver to the van. Not only would it increase our options for carrying the bikes but the front hitch can be really handy puting the trailer into tight spaces.
I've also looked at mounting a rear rack to the frame. Besides the separation issue there's also the added length to think about when you're in tight situations (loading on a ferry, some gas stations, etc.). Depending on how it's done it also compromises access to the sewer and electrical hookups.
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05-21-2007, 01:44 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
1956 22' Safari
2015 27' Flying Cloud
Vintage Kin Owner
Conifer/Evergreen
, Colorado
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 12,707
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Quote:
Originally Posted by henw
I carry up to three bikes without problem inside the AS.
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Guess it depends on your trailer...with our 19-footer, it doesn't work well to put them inside, unless we lay down the bed and put lots of moving blankets down to protect the upholstery, wall and cabinets...too much effort & worry.
Shari
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05-21-2007, 02:36 PM
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#10
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Cyclist
2007 28' International CCD
Windermere
, Florida
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 457
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With floor rack all you need is aisle length equal to bike(s) and width equal to handle bars. I easily put my tandem in as well.
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05-21-2007, 02:49 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
1956 22' Safari
2015 27' Flying Cloud
Vintage Kin Owner
Conifer/Evergreen
, Colorado
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 12,707
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Quote:
Originally Posted by henw
With floor rack all you need is aisle length equal to bike(s) and width equal to handle bars.
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Therein lies the problem...
A 19' trailer is a whole different animal than a 28' - thus our decision to go with a front mount hitch/rack. You also need maneuvering space to get the bikes in the trailer without wedging them in or damaging everything in sight - trailer & bikes.
Your results may vary ~ depending on the size, configuration of both trailers & bikes. Whatever works...I just know it's not recommended to attach them to the back of the trailer.
Do people do it? Yes.
Is it recommended? No.
Shari
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05-21-2007, 02:59 PM
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#12
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Aluminut
2004 25' Safari
.
, Illinois
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,477
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It been suggested by a number of folks in the know, NOT to add any bike racks to the exterior rear of the Airstream. Not no place, not no how. No hitches, not nothing. If you must transport bikes, get a roof rack or carry them inside. I know folks do it, but it is not recommened and a number of folks have eventually found out that rear seperation can and does happen. The only exception that I know of would be a Motorhome. All the more recent trailers are a no no. I can't speak to the vintage equation, but since the shell is support system is similar, I'd say no there too, but not 100% for sure.
Think about it for a second. How easy would it be to place the spare tire on the bumper? Really easy right?
Then why does Airstream go through the trouble of mounting, welding and installing a tire carrier under the front "A" frame? If you've read the post above, I think you'll understand one of the reasons.
Unlike Nike, Just Don't Do It!
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05-21-2007, 03:45 PM
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#13
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Rivet Master
2004 30' Classic Slideout
2021 33FB Classic
Colleyville
, TX
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 1,540
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Teresa, We have no idea what your TV may be but if it's a pickup or 'burb' the front hitch idea may work well for you. We carry two bikes on ours and with the seats removed have no visibility problems.
__________________
In dog years, I'm dead!
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05-21-2007, 04:13 PM
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#14
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Rivet Master
1978 24' Argosy 24
Woodinville
, Washington
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 682
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Quote:
Originally Posted by henw
With floor rack all you need is aisle length equal to bike(s) and width equal to handle bars. I easily put my tandem in as well.
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How do you get it through the door of the trailer? That seems to be the biggest issue we have.
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05-21-2007, 04:30 PM
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#15
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Cyclist
2007 28' International CCD
Windermere
, Florida
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 457
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Take the front wheel off. Then pick it up and bring it in head first. I swing the rear over the table and set it down in the aisle.
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07-22-2007, 03:36 PM
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#16
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Lost in America
2015 27' FB International
2006 25' Safari FB SE
2004 19' International CCD
Santa Fe
, New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,156
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Bike rack on the trailer tongue?
Since it is not advisable to mount a bike rack on the rear bumper of the TT, could you mount a bike rack on the trailer tongue?
My thought is to move the propane tanks on my 19 CCD back up against the front of the trailer over the battery box. That would open up space to attach a bike rack to the trailer tongue and maybe supported by the trailer tongue jack. Thus allowing enough space to hang two bikes between the TT and the TV mounted high enough to clear tight turns.
It will add about 80 lbs. to the tongue weight but since the tongue weight on the 19’ is about 510 lbs., I believe that it would be doable. My VW Touareg has air suspension so it automatically levels the load and the hitch is rated for 660 lbs.
I don’t want to mount the bikes on the roof of the car or inside the trailer. A front bumper hitch is not an option.
So what is the feasibility of making this work?
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07-22-2007, 04:05 PM
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#17
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3 Rivet Member
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 233
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I don't have much to add to this conversation except to say that I've heard nothing but BAD things about mounting bikes to Airstreams and the ultimate results. If you want your trailer to last a lifetime, don't do anything to create bad karma with the balance, etc. Front OR rear.
We're spoiled, but I think it's fun so I'll report it: we're able to carry our two bikes, front wheels removed, fork mounted to mounts on a 2x8 board, upright in our Excursion. The golf bags go between the bikes. Works amazingly well. I realize this is a solution for very few people.
Tom
__________________
Tom and Frank
Evanston, Illinois
2004 Safari 28 ft Slideout "Lucy" 4 HI CAMP
2004 Ford Excursion 6.0 PSD PWRSTRK,
and Brittany, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
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07-31-2007, 09:21 PM
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#18
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2 Rivet Member
Currently Looking...
Lubbock
, Texas
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 25
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I use the same set up for the bed of my truck.
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08-02-2007, 08:09 PM
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#19
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2 Rivet Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 29
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I spent about 30 min scanning all the results regarding bike racks here. I would like to take a motorcycle in the bed of my truck along with 4 bicycles. Looks like I'm going to have to compromise, huh?
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08-04-2007, 12:05 AM
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#20
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Silver Mist
Currently Looking...
Riverhead
, New York
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,011
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I have the same setup on my rear bumper as Howie pictured above, I'm pretty sure he's gone like 20,000+ miles with no problem.
I've gone about 1900 miles and all is good.
I think this rear bumper no no is not based on anything, I haven't seen anyone post anything negative other than an opinion.
__________________
Bob
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