Attach Hitch to Bambi

[dsaxon22]

Just wondering if anyone has any experience with having a hitch installed to the back of the bumper on a bambi. I would like to have a 2 inch receiver installed to either have a bike rack or tow our small jetski. We miss being able to take that with us during the summer.. Thoughts?

[TwinkytheKid]

Originally Posted by dsaxon22

Just wondering if anyone has any experience with having a hitch installed to the back of the bumper on a bambi. I would like to have a 2 inch receiver installed to either have a bike rack or tow our small jetski. We miss being able to take that with us during the summer.. Thoughts?

This has been beaten into the ground. Airstream and most people that work on them say absolutely NO.

[bredlo]

A friendly tip would be to start with the search function - TwinkytheKid is right, most people have picked a side on this one.

I think you'll find about 8 out of 10 folks against the idea... though there's always the possibility that those aren't the real numbers - but that those of us against it are just far more vocal.

[easyride]

NO_NO_NO_ Recently saw one that had spare tire mounted on back bumper,hairline cracks where frame meets body.NO_NO_NO Dave

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by dsaxon22

Trying this again.. Posted this in the wrong forum.

Just wondering if anyone has any experience with having a custom 2 inch receiver hitch installed to the bumper of a Bambi (installed to frame of course). It would be used to attach either a bicycle rack OR to pull a small jetski. We really miss having that with us during our weekend summer trips to the area lakes.

If the frame held up the shell, then you might get away with that weight on the rear bumper.

However, the principal type of manufacturing of an Airstream trailer, is called "monocoque."

It means that the shell is load bearing.

The shell holds the frame up.

Therefore if you add weight to the bumper, the frame will pull away from the shell, resulting to start with, a rotten floor at the rear.

In 3 words, DON'T DO IT.

Or, in a differnt 3 words, "we told you."

Or, in a different 4 words, "You will be sorry."

This subject has been gone over and over again. The vast majority of owners, agree with the above.

There are a few that disagree, but they also still don't really believe that 2 and 2 is 4, because of the lumber industry, who say that a 2 x 4, is not really a 2 x 4.

Andy

[flyfisher]

If you are thinking of doing it....

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f238...ing-34020.html

[dsaxon22]

Hi All.. Thx for the replies.. I figured that was the case but wasn't able to find anything specific on the topic.. We'll continue to take 2 tow vehicles on our trips..

[Silvertwinkie]

Originally Posted by dsaxon22

Trying this again.. Posted this in the wrong forum.

Just wondering if anyone has any experience with having a custom 2 inch receiver hitch installed to the bumper of a Bambi (installed to frame of course). It would be used to attach either a bicycle rack OR to pull a small jetski. We really miss having that with us during our weekend summer trips to the area lakes.

I actually called the factory very recently and asked this very question due to the question coming up in a different thread.

The factory said it is not designed for it and to do so would damage the Airstream. The additional comments the tech told me went something like... "anyone doing it would be asking for problems because of the way the unit is designed".

I know folks do it and the factory guy told me that it's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when frame separation will occur.

[Airhog1]

Hey Dustin,

Welcome to the forums...here is a link with lots of discussion on this topic!

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f464...ler-42072.html

G