Consider purchasing folding bikes, I believe this would be the most cost effective way to bring bikes along, you can store them in the trailer or your vehicle. This option would eliminate any weight issues that may result from installing a rear bumper and then having anything you attaché to it shake, jump n’ roll down the highway risking stressing your trailer.
We have a 19' Bambi with the dealer installed Fiamma and it works fine. But as mentioned earlier one drawback, some would say there are more than one, is the need for "another" rack if you want to go somewhere away from your camp for a ride. We do and that does necessitate bring another rack for our tow vehicle. In retrospect the front mounted rack might have been a better option, plus there are lots of discussions re top mounted racks too, on the TV not the trailer of course.
I am struggling with the same thing on my 27'. I know I don't want them on the back or inside the vehicle or in the bed of my truck with all the other stuff back there. I am thinking to go with a cover lid either aluminum or fiberglass, add a Yakima cross bar and gutter or bolted mount and a place for up to 5 bikes if needed. Usually it is just 2.
Dr John - if you get a chance report back on what you decided please.
I am struggling with the same thing on my 27'. I know I don't want them on the back or inside the vehicle or in the bed of my truck with all the other stuff back there. I am thinking to go with a cover lid either aluminum or fiberglass, add a Yakima cross bar and gutter or bolted mount and a place for up to 5 bikes if needed. Usually it is just 2.
Dr John - if you get a chance report back on what you decided please.
There is a cheap and easy way to have 2 bikes in the Airstream. I don’t do it all the time, because it’s harder to use the trailer while traveling and stopping for lunch etc. But we do use it when it is raining.
I have seen bikes mounted on the back of trucks with hard covers. Especially if you are going for more than 2 bikes. If you do a search I think you will find some pictures of that
The OP is specifically asking about issues with carrying bicycles with a 16’ Sport, I posted earlier about folding bicycles and should have included a link. I think post #16 strikes at the heart of what 16’ Sport owners work with ( myself included ) I have two folding Montague bikes with nylon carry bags that Montaque sell that protects other surfaces ie: interior of Airstream or tow vehicle from bicycle grease etc. It’s an investment for sure. The weight of one is approximately 32 lbs.
Hope this helps. https://www.montaguebikes.com
Thanks for the advice, but I’ve tried a few different searches and nothing has come up. I’m a newbie so I’m probably doing something wrong. John
Easy to do. Put in “bike racks on rear bumper “ in the search blank In the upper Section of the site. Or google it and add airstream forum I just did and it works. Do it and you’re deluged with advice, experiences and opinions. I would suggest following the manufacturer’s advice ( who you paid a bunch of money to) to not do it. Are there airstreams with rear bike racks? Yes. In my humble opinion they are looking for trouble someday down the line. I don’t wish that on anyone. You’ve already gotten several alternative solutions from experienced Airstreamers.
But first place to get suggestions is here but try the search function first.
We ended up opting for the $800 bike rack from Airstream, it works fine but seems excessive. Almost all of the "cheaper trailers" on the market have a 4" x 4" steel tube bumper that a 2" receiver hitch could be easily mounted to so you could use any commercial bike rack. But not Airstream! I was going to find a way to add a received to our 22' FC but decided to opt with the Airstream rack.
I really like the idea of the front mounted rack that Banderabob showed below.
I also wish I could find a place to mount a sewage dolly somewhere. Behind the gas tanks in front? Behind the bike rack in back? No room in the truck. Ideas?
Just as banderbob wrote in post #9. The Arvika rack is the way to go. I have one on my 20'. works wonderfully, and I can see where the bike is. The flim Flamma ones have dropped bikes off the them and people find the rack dragging on the ground. Check out Www.arvika.ca for more info.
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This is another one of those ongoing discussions. Should you or shouldn't you install a hitch to carry your bikes off the back of your Airstream? I went with a Fiamma Rack.
Here is how it was explained to me. We see White Box trailers going down the road with this setup. A WB has a much more robust frame under it. The whole trailer sits on top of this frame and it is plenty rigid. An Airstream gains its integral strength from the frame and the body attached to the frame. It is that monocoque construction that gives Airstreams their strength.
Now, attach something just to the frame and all of the torque and added weight as you bounce down the road is asking for trouble. Yes, some have done it but I personally wouldn't want to take the chance. This is the same reasoning why you shouldn't put a platform on the back and load it with a generator and firewood. I have actually seen one of these setups going down the road. I would like to know how that individual is doing after a year or two pounding their frame.
Worth noting....you need to sift through these posts carefully some although well meaning I’am sure, but do not apply to 16’ Sports. I don’t know if this applies to new 16’ caravels, I believe they have factory rear bumpers and a more robust axle, maybe someone can speak to that.
I own a 2012 Bambi 16' Sport that has no rear bumper. Is it possible/advisable to mount a receiver hitch so that I can attach a bicycle rack to the rear of my Airstream? I'd be carrying a max of two bicycles that weighed 100 lbs. total. Thanks for any advice. John
I struggled with the bike rack options also on my 27FB. Thought about the AS rack and also mounting a hitch on the back of the trailer to insert a bike rack. Both options had major drawbacks. Our solution was to purchase folding e bikes (Blix Vicka+). We are really pleased with them. I know many Airstreamers have opted for the folding bike option.
We ended up opting for the $800 bike rack from Airstream, it works fine but seems excessive. Almost all of the "cheaper trailers" on the market have a 4" x 4" steel tube bumper that a 2" receiver hitch could be easily mounted to so you could use any commercial bike rack. But not Airstream! I was going to find a way to add a received to our 22' FC but decided to opt with the Airstream rack.
I really like the idea of the front mounted rack that Banderabob showed below.
I also wish I could find a place to mount a sewage dolly somewhere. Behind the gas tanks in front? Behind the bike rack in back? No room in the truck. Ideas?
Mount anything to those 4x4 bumpers and you will void the warranty on most white boxes. No matter what the salesman says.
Easy to do. Put in “bike racks on rear bumper “ in the search blank In the upper Section of the site. Or google it and add airstream forum I just did and it works. Do it and you’re deluged with advice, experiences and opinions. I would suggest following the manufacturer’s advice ( who you paid a bunch of money to) to not do it. Are there airstreams with rear bike racks? Yes. In my humble opinion they are looking for trouble someday down the line. I don’t wish that on anyone. You’ve already gotten several alternative solutions from experienced Airstreamers.
But first place to get suggestions is here but try the search function first.
Why would the OP search for “bike on rear bumper”?
this is our FIAMMA AS rack on a 22fb with a bumper
i trying to make this lower support bracket this season
Hi waninae, did you get the bumper installed by a dealer or did you do it yourself?
Just wondering if a kit can be purchased and what sort of weight does it add? Is there an option to add storage to the tray between the bumper and the rear aluminum skin?
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