Best way to carry bicycles?

[oledawg]

Swagman mounted on the front of my TV...


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[kscherzi]

Got the Airstream Fiamma rack. Carries the road bikes. Surprisingly not that dirty after driving in the rain half the day. Room in the truck for the mountain bikes.

[Ampman]

I don't know if anyone else has tried it but we just carry our bikes on the receiver hitch. We use the extra long Pro Pride adjustable stinger and slide a modified double receiver tube assembly over it. Then a regular hitch mounted bike rack slides into the top tube. Plenty of clearance and no problems with jack knifing the trailer around. Then when we truck around with out the stream the bike rack goes into the regular receiver hitch. Been on the road about 10-12k with no problems. After all of the work we did cutting down the double tube unit I came across one online at E-trailer already made for the stinger. Go figure.

[stellar1dan]

Ampman can you take a few pictures of your set up?

[Ampman]

Not sure if this will come out. Consider this a test picture.

[Ampman]

Modified bike rack adapter that fits over our extended length propride stinger. Still enough room for the Enkay mud flaps bracket. We use a Swagman standard bike rack for this. Can only fit two bikes though. Works great for us since I'm still packing everything but the kitchen sink when we travel. Will ad some pics of the installed unit with bikes later when time allows.

[Krusty Buns]

I've got one of those rear bike racks and it's not for everyone. Holds two adult bikes with no problems, but it restricts access to the rear storage (under the bed). I wish there was more thought put into the design.

[Ampman]

Finally got a photo with bikes installed. All weight is on the receiver hitch and can even open the back of the topper.

[Wingeezer]

Originally Posted by Ampman

Finally got a photo with bikes installed. All weight is on the receiver hitch and can even open the back of the topper.

Looks like a great solution, but I recall looking at something similar some years back and was about to go that route when I read a statement from the manufacturer (not sure if it was the same) saying that use of the hitch extended would reduce the hitch capacity by 50%.

Is this an issue at all?

Brian.

[Ampman]

The extended stinger is the solid shank piece. My previous truck I used a similar setup on the solid steel bumper but all the new trucks have fake bumpers. So dropped on a Curt class V receiver and away I went. This would still work on a regular length stinger but wouldn't have room for the Rock Tamer bracket.


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[MontyV]

we bought a THULE plastic rack from REI. It has huge rubber pads and long attachment wires that can be securely adjusted. We put it on the back of the TV and lift the arms that hold the bikes up one notch from level and they have significant clearance from all parts of the TT. It is adjustable enough to go on the front of the TV too.

[Tincampers]

I wonder how this would do:

Swagman XP Towing Rack - Folding 3 Bike Rack for 2" Trailer Hitches Swagman Hitch Bike Racks S64955

[Ampman]

That's the one I would have bought had I not made my own. Same concept. You can use a regular receiver stinger too when your not towing. For more clearance I carry the front bike tires in the bed of the truck. Bikes on the back, canoe on the top. Good times.


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[JamuJoe]

A fork mount tray on cross bars on the roof of the tow vehicle is my choice. More protected than front or rear carriers, and the bike(s) stay much cleaner. The bike goes with the tow vehicle, rather than being stuck in a campground. Use a quality, locking fork mount (Thule , RockyMounts, Yakima). Remove the seat. A bike with no seat and no front wheel is much less of a temptation to a casual thief.

Safe Travels,
JamuJoe




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[Jim Flower]

Like this JamuJoe, Jim.


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[reelfastgreg]

i have read a bunch about the construction issues with AS trailers. then, in the real world, i have talked with several owners who are hauling a variety of items off that back bumper area. one guy had a platform made so he could take his motor scooter along on trips. given all of that, and the fact we own a high quality Yakima bike rack, i simply fabricated a simple receiver bolted to the exact same location as the expensive rack from AS. difference is, i didn't drill any holes in the exterior skin. and if you believe that 4 sheet metal screws are going to keep problems from occurring down stream, well what can i say. this Yakima rack actually bolts to the receiver so there is virtually no wiggle from the rack. i suppose it is further back than the AS rack by about 12-14" and if that is enough to create a problem, i'll be quite surprised. you can check out my jpegs on another thread on this exact topic.

[reelfastgreg]

in case you didn't find the thread on my receiver fab:

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f44/...ng-129036.html

[dkottum]

Actually the Airstream bike rack is held from downward rotation by 8 screws and attach to the inner shell ribs. The close location to the shell of the bike rack reduces the moment arm significantly.

My Airstream Owners Manual cautions carrying heavy items behind the bumper because of its effect on handling in a sway condition.

[JamuJoe]

Aye, Jim - and like this with the Thule as well.


Safe Travels,
Jamu Joe

[Jim Flower]

Hi JamuJoe, here is the Jeep fleet in Fort Lauderdale at Christmas. The Thule was taken by my son who needs it for a place to put his blue tote for Globetrotter discharge. The other 08 is my old one with now 370,000 k. It is my other son's daily driver. Out to pasture, retired from towing the Signature. Your recommendations on the cargo box, bars and bike mounts turned out to be excellent. Thanks. Jim


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