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jhart657 · 02-17-2007, 11:15 PM

We carry our bikes on our truck using a Yakima rack system that mounts directly to the pickup box. The rack locks on to special foot mounts. The bikes (front wheels removed)in turn lock on to the Yakima fork mounts. The rack's foot mounts have a very small footprint allowing the use of a tonneau cover over the cargo area. We love the ease of securing our bikes. No high lifting either!

Juergen

lewster · 02-18-2007, 02:22 AM

I'm surprised that no one uses a roof rack system. I have used them to carry tons of stuff,from bicycles to winsurfing equipment, kayaks, ladders, you name it. Look at either Yakima or Thule. They have loads of carrying options for bikes and the best part.....you get ALL of your storage space on the inside of your TV.

klattu · 02-18-2007, 08:30 AM

Great vortex generator!

TomW · 02-18-2007, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by klattu

Great vortex generator!

Since this is the second time you have made the same comment, why, in your opinion, should I care about vortex generation?

Tom

klattu · 02-18-2007, 09:50 AM

Sorry,
Did not know I already had.
Just makes me think that when I see it.
Don't worry, be happy.

I do the same thing, hang bikes out front.

Is a good thing, vortex, not negative.

Silvertwinkie · 02-18-2007, 10:32 AM

In our case I broke down and bought one of those Yakima roof carriers. The King Cobra is most likely one of the most simple, yet strongest carriers out there. Not sure how you'd mount one to a pickup roof, but on the Burb, after some wrangling (first time), it was an excellent system.

JeffandSuzanne · 02-19-2007, 09:31 AM

Thanks to all who have responded. We are fulltimers, and we have a camper shell over the bed of our TV, so carrying cycles in there won't work since that is our "basement" storage area. Looks like the trailer may be our only choice, at least until we lose enough stuff to clean out the back of the TV. NEVER HAPPEN!

BillTex · 02-19-2007, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff and Suzanne

Thanks to all who have responded. We are fulltimers, and we have a camper shell over the bed of our TV, so carrying cycles in there won't work since that is our "basement" storage area. Looks like the trailer may be our only choice, at least until we lose enough stuff to clean out the back of the TV. NEVER HAPPEN!

Why not the front thitch?
Several have commented on this option. We did this for year and it worked very well. Take the bike seats off, this helps vision.
For us, there were no problems with line of sight, head lights etc. I would do this again in a heartbeat if we go back toa Suburban. It was very convenient, safe, and no heavy lifting...

Bill

Fyrzowt · 02-19-2007, 10:13 AM

Bill,
I agree this can be a good option. We have also done this with success. We have also had problems though, depending on the model of bike. Some are just long enough to block either one headlight or the other. Taking the seat off is a good idea.
Dave

Poprivet · 02-19-2007, 10:16 AM

Carry my bicycle?? No NO, it carries me.
Actually if you have a camper shell, why not get a couple of the front axle clamps and carry them on the camper shell roof. Might need a slight amount of reinforcement on the shell.

tphan · 02-19-2007, 12:12 PM

Gee, I thought we were supposed to be pulling our coaches WITH the bike, though I have to admit I wish I had a truck sometimes! I made a fork-clamp thing out of a length of 1X4, a couple blocks of 2X4 screwed to it, with a hole bored through it lengthwise and a 6" or so piece of 3/8" all-thread shoved through it, with a couple washers and wing-nuts to secure the fork after slipping it over the all-thread (minus the front wheel obviously). Works as good as any bike-store product, but only cost a few bucks. We haul 2 bikes this way in the back of our van, or Rav4, and works swell in the back of a truck too. It helps if the whole deal is on a piece of sticky carpet or something, so it doesn't slide around on corners and such. I would think it would work fine inside the AS too- again, on a piece of carpet, maybe with a couple bungee cords to keep them in the center of the "living room". I've never been a fan of having bikes up on the roof, or hanging off the front or rear- but then, we have expensive bikes! Anyway- glad to hear there's more people interested in using bikes when they're parked- it's a good thing. -tim

ZoominC6 · 02-19-2007, 01:46 PM

Front hitch works just fine for us when the pickup bed is loaded.
HAPPY TRAILS

GlenCoombe · 02-19-2007, 03:52 PM

o.k. I've been following this thread for a while now and I believe David Alan gets the prize. I'd second his idea for a roof mount on the TV. I employ a pair of boards with Biketights (front fork clamps). We can carry four bikes inside via the nice clamshell door on Airstream One. We also use the boards in the Honda Odessy for day rides or when Julie comes to meet me on the road for a weekend. We nest the bikes fore and aft on the boards to accomodate the handle bars when carrying all four.
The only downfall to carrying bikes outside is the collection of environmental debis. If you use the front hitch method you get the bugs...ewwwwwwwwww! The rear hitch method you get the road grime. (don't ever take your rig down a limerock road... ask me how hard that stuff is to get off) The roof mount lengthwise to the route of travel lessens the collection. ALWAYS remove your seat or cover it from the elements.

Auretrvr · 02-20-2007, 09:30 AM

We're wanting to avoid bikes inside the 310 (center bath) since the dog is primary passenger. For 2 bikes we thought to get a rear hitch rack (we don't have a toad). I saw some trailer posts concerned about frame separation. Is this an issue to be concerned about with a moho? We hope to be heading for the Chippewa Century ride this spring, so we need to figure something out.

GlenCoombe · 02-20-2007, 12:44 PM

Tail sag is only an issue with trailers not motor homes. Check the thread "trailering with a 345" http://www.airforums.com/forum...ing-25348.html for some nice shots of a first class....er Class III hitch setup.
Just don't do any dusty damp roads..... you've been warned.

It really makes a mess of a nice bike.

HowieE · 02-20-2007, 12:47 PM

If this works out you will see a picture of the bike rack I use. The secret is the lateral support straps that take the rotational load. Thus the aluminum bumper only takes the vertical load.

I made small clips that are screwed to the rear window sill and have straps through them and around the top bar on the bike rack. The bike rack is fitted to the bumper with 2 blocks of wood and bolted through the rack and bumper.

JeffandSuzanne · 03-07-2007, 09:29 AM

Thanks HowieE. . .does your Airstream have the slide out tray in the rear?

HowieE · 03-07-2007, 10:05 AM

No, my trailer has an aluminum bumper. Thats way the need for the straps. The bumper will support the vertical load of the bike rack but will not support the rotational load on the bumper produced by the rack.

If the top of a slide out tray could take the vertical load, or add an angle bracket to the top for support, the same thing could be do.

The picture shows one of the clip I made to accept the straps. The clip is screwed down to the bottom of the window sill and does not interfere with the window.

LI Pets · 03-07-2007, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HowieE

If this works out you will see a picture of the bike rack I use. The secret is the lateral support straps that take the rotational load. Thus the aluminum bumper only takes the vertical load.

I made small clips that are screwed to the rear window sill and have straps through them and around the top bar on the bike rack. The bike rack is fitted to the bumper with 2 blocks of wood and bolted through the rack and bumper.

Howie, I was looking at your setup at Topsail.

I like it then and yours is the model for the one I'm fabricating up now.

chuck schmit · 03-11-2007, 08:22 AM

anyone else have input on mounting some sort of a bike rack on the back of my 18' 59 traveler to cary bikes? I keep hearing it is hard on the frame but I have a steel bumper,a short trailer and small bikes. Sure would be handy if it works. prevous owner welded a mount and carried the spare tire back there for years with no apparent problem.