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06-10-2016, 07:22 PM
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#1
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Stay CazuaL
2018 25' Flying Cloud
2014 19' Flying Cloud
Reseda
, California
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 961
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Bike rack
I had the AirStream dealer install a 2" Hitch for me on my AS FC19. I purchased a Swagman four bike mount. The Bike Mount and the Hitch has about 1/8" play, which makes the mount sway a little side to side. From what I can tell this is normal for all hitch to have some sort of play.
My question is: Do I leave it and let the bike mount have movement or do I use a Hitch Tightener?
I installed the the tightener because it make it feel more solid.
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06-10-2016, 07:23 PM
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#2
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3 Rivet Member
2015 16' Sport
Upper Sandusky
, Ohio
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 205
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I cannot see a down-side of using the tightener. I use one on my tow vehicle hitch and it firms up the connection and gets rid of the noise.
__________________
2015 Airstream Bambi Sport 16J
Past Travel Trailers:
*1992 Dutchmen 30' Bunk
*2003 Jayco Designer Series 32' Rear Living
*2015 T@B Sofitel S (exchanged after 3 days for Bambi)
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06-10-2016, 11:18 PM
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#3
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Stay CazuaL
2018 25' Flying Cloud
2014 19' Flying Cloud
Reseda
, California
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 961
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Here is a picture
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06-11-2016, 05:52 AM
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#4
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Site Team
2009 25' FB International
2018 27' Globetrotter
Tavares
, Florida
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,725
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cazual6
Here is a picture
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I think it is good idea to keep it tight. I saw SOB with a bike rack in a receiver and it was bouncing extensively!
Would you have any pictures from underneath as to how it was attached to the frame and bumper?
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06-11-2016, 05:54 AM
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#5
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Rivet Master
2014 30' Flying Cloud
Tampa
, Florida
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 1,364
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I'd love to see a beneath picture also.
__________________
2014 Airstream Flying Cloud 30 Recliner - WBCCI #4850 - AIR #110821
2018 Nissan Armada SL Tow Vehicle, Equal-i-zer Hitch
Visit Our Flying Cloud blog for my latest adventure!
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06-11-2016, 07:48 AM
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#6
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2 Rivet Member
Currently Looking...
Barrie
, Ontario
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 29
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I too would like to see how they attached the hitch please!
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06-12-2016, 11:25 AM
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#7
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Stay CazuaL
2018 25' Flying Cloud
2014 19' Flying Cloud
Reseda
, California
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 961
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Here are the pictures.
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06-12-2016, 11:27 AM
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#8
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Stay CazuaL
2018 25' Flying Cloud
2014 19' Flying Cloud
Reseda
, California
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 961
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Here are more
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06-12-2016, 12:47 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
2014 30' Flying Cloud
Tampa
, Florida
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 1,364
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Outstanding! Thanks!
__________________
2014 Airstream Flying Cloud 30 Recliner - WBCCI #4850 - AIR #110821
2018 Nissan Armada SL Tow Vehicle, Equal-i-zer Hitch
Visit Our Flying Cloud blog for my latest adventure!
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06-12-2016, 01:28 PM
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#10
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Living Riveted since 2013
2016 Interstate Lounge Ext
Green Cove Springs
, Florida
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 8,210
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Bike rack
Yes, I would use a hitch tightener to reduce/ eliminate wobbling as much as possible. I would also be cautious about how much weight I put back there. You will inevitably get warnings here on the forum that this arrangement may torque your trailer frame, but the deed is done. So, now just be cautious about that weight and hopefully everything will be just fine.
Looks really good though, and I will look forward to reading more about your experience with this over time. Please do follow up!
FYI, we went with the Standard Fiamma bike rack . More expensive though it is connected to both the bumper and the trailer body to help minimize that potential torque. OTOH we still have to watch our weight back there, carrying no more than 2 standard bikes (e.g. No electric bikes, no mopeds, etc.). Some folks have reported broken body mounts with their Fiamma racks, we hope due to excessive weight on the rack, so this rack isn't perfect either.
__________________
Rocinante Piccolo is our new-to-us 2016 Interstate Lounge 3500 EXT
(Named for John Steinbeck's camper from "Travels With Charley")
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06-12-2016, 11:40 PM
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#11
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Stay CazuaL
2018 25' Flying Cloud
2014 19' Flying Cloud
Reseda
, California
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 961
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rocinante
Yes, I would use a hitch tightener to reduce/ eliminate wobbling as much as possible. I would also be cautious about how much weight I put back there. You will inevitably get warnings here on the forum that this arrangement may torque your trailer frame, but the deed is done. So, now just be cautious about that weight and hopefully everything will be just fine.
Looks really good though, and I will look forward to reading more about your experience with this over time. Please do follow up!
FYI, we went with the Standard Fiamma bike rack . More expensive though it is connected to both the bumper and the trailer body to help minimize that potential torque. OTOH we still have to watch our weight back there, carrying no more than 2 standard bikes (e.g. No electric bikes, no mopeds, etc.). Some folks have reported broken body mounts with their Fiamma racks, we hope due to excessive weight on the rack, so this rack isn't perfect either.
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I had AS dealer install it so I am confident it will hold. It is rated for 200lbs. My total combine weight is under 200lbs. There was no bike mount to support four bikes, I had to use a Hitch Mount. My first hitch was a Saris, I learned that it had to be a specific mount for trailers. Unless stated, never assume it will work with RV or Trailers. Most will say not intended for RV or Trailer.
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06-19-2016, 11:12 PM
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#13
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Stay CazuaL
2018 25' Flying Cloud
2014 19' Flying Cloud
Reseda
, California
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 961
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Well, here is the update on my trip. Almost a catastrophic failure as the weight of the bike, just shy of 200lbs, made my AS sway uncontrollably. I ended up putting three of the bikes inside the AS. I need a counter weight like my two Yamaha gens in front of my AS. Still a good idea, just poorly executed on my part.
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06-20-2016, 05:25 AM
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#14
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"Cloudsplitter"
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 20,000
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IMHO....it is NOT a good idea to hang 200lbs off the rear of your 19FC.
Smaller, lighter single axle trailers are more prone to sway, especially if not properly set up, proper tongue weight distribution & sway control VERY important.
A rack on the front or roof of the TV... a better solution.
An aside...the welds are not the most professional I've seen.
Plus...
Work by an AS dealer does not automatically= quality or confidence.
Stream Safe....
Bob
__________________
I’m done with ‘adulting’…Let’s go find Bigfoot.
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06-20-2016, 06:25 AM
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#15
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Rivet Master
2010 25' FB Flying Cloud
Davenport
, Iowa
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,148
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when I had my 30', the PO had welded a platform style rack to the rear and there was frame separation. I was a newbe at the time and didn't know the trouble it had caused.
One learns quickly.
mike
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06-20-2016, 06:29 AM
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#16
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Rivet Master
2012 25' Flying Cloud
Battle Lake
, Minnesota
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 7,714
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X3.
A poor idea that can be made worse with the counter-weight scheme, which masks the poor idea.
__________________
Doug and Cheryl
2012 FC RB, Michelin 16, ProPride 1400
2016 Ram 1500 Laramie Crew Cab 4X4 Ecodiesel 3.92 axles
The Truth is More Important Than the Facts
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06-20-2016, 11:21 PM
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#17
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Stay CazuaL
2018 25' Flying Cloud
2014 19' Flying Cloud
Reseda
, California
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 961
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS
IMHO....it is NOT a good idea to hang 200lbs off the rear of your 19FC.
Smaller, lighter single axle trailers are more prone to sway, especially if not properly set up, proper tongue weight distribution & sway control VERY important.
A rack on the front or roof of the TV... a better solution.
An aside...the welds are not the most professional I've seen.
Plus...
Work by an AS dealer does not automatically= quality or confidence.
Stream Safe....
Bob
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But as a first time AS owner, I can only rely on the AS dealership. I knew it wasn't the best weld, but from visual view, it looked sufficient.
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06-20-2016, 11:24 PM
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#18
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Stay CazuaL
2018 25' Flying Cloud
2014 19' Flying Cloud
Reseda
, California
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 961
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dkottum
X3.
A poor idea that can be made worse with the counter-weight scheme, which masks the poor idea.
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It was the only solution I can could think of to be able to bring four bikes. Counter-weight may be an option, but the wife says no. So bikes will have to be inside the AS. The wife says no to the roof rack on the TV. Any other suggestions? Throwing the wife out is not an option :-)
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06-21-2016, 03:01 AM
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#19
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Rivet Master
2012 27' Flying Cloud
W
, New England
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 7,402
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cazual6
But as a first time AS owner, I can only rely on the AS dealership. I knew it wasn't the best weld, but from visual view, it looked sufficient.
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I would recommend a call to Jackson Center directly and get their read on this. I can't imagine an authorized AS dealer suggesting such a mod let alone performing it. While I don't see a specific prohibition in my (2012) user manual, I do see warnings about voided warranty for mods not approved by AS, overloading, misloading, not observing capacity labels, etc. and that only AS can determine warranty claims (meaning, a buyer/dealer isn't authorized to do a mod without written permission from AS and then claim it doesn't void your warranty).
If the factory approved the rear hitch, that's great. If not, your dealer has some explaining to do.
Either way, I think you'll find the general consensus is that a rear hitch is not recommended for an AS.
Good luck and happy camping.
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06-21-2016, 09:04 AM
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#20
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Living Riveted since 2013
2016 Interstate Lounge Ext
Green Cove Springs
, Florida
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 8,210
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With a Fiamma rack you could put two bikes on the back and then two more inside, vs all four inside. Might be worth a shot.
Wishing you the best in a tough situation, sorry the dealer's bike rack implementation didn't work out better.
__________________
Rocinante Piccolo is our new-to-us 2016 Interstate Lounge 3500 EXT
(Named for John Steinbeck's camper from "Travels With Charley")
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