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03-28-2015, 08:20 PM
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#1
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2 Rivet Member
1972 31' Sovereign
Racine
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 69
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Aftermarket Bike Racks
Has anyone installed a receiver hitch somehow to the rear of the trailer for an aftermarket bike rack?
I have a 4 bike yakima rack I was hoping to somehow use.
1972 Airstream International Land Yacht Sovereign
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03-28-2015, 09:50 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2016 30' Classic
Hinckley
, Ohio
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 907
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I would like to do the same thing. I was going to buy a receiver tube and make some kind of two hole straps to mount it under the bumper.
__________________
My budget won't stop me from buying something online that I don't need, but the threat of getting promotional
emails every day for the rest of my life just might!
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03-28-2015, 10:02 PM
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#3
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4 Rivet Member
1969 29' Ambassador
1985 31' Excella
1969 29' Ambassador
Crescent
, Oklahoma
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 272
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I believe I read, on this forum, that it was hard on the AS to mount any weight on the rear. I dont really know, just what I read a while back.
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Have a blessed day !
TAC OK-5
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03-28-2015, 10:02 PM
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#4
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2 Rivet Member
1974 31' Sovereign
Bend
, Oregon
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 63
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I've heard on previous posts that the frame was not designed strong enough for such additions! You may wish to verify before you install.
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03-28-2015, 10:12 PM
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#5
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2 Rivet Member
1972 31' Sovereign
Racine
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 69
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I wonder if I were to weld a bracket directly to the frame itself and not the actual bumper and bring it to the rear if that would work?
1972 Airstream International Land Yacht Sovereign
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03-29-2015, 05:00 AM
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#6
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Rivet Master
1977 31' Sovereign
1963 26' Overlander
1989 34' Excella
Johnsburg
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,944
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Many frames in the Betrice years were 4 inches. The 31 footers had a long overhang. The frame is prone to bend or break, if you put additional weight on the back end and go down the bumpy US highways. Most times it is called rear end separation or tail droop. It is not easily repairable, so do not do it. I had one. Airstream even had a recall for that model to allow the dealers to install frame stiffeners and elephant ear patches to better bolt the frame to the Aluminum super structure, due to the problem of frame separation even without adding additional weight from bikes.
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03-29-2015, 05:27 AM
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#7
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Rivet Master
2014 27' FB Eddie Bauer
Chelsea
, Michigan
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,792
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Not a good idea. Use the "Search" function on this site and do your research before attempting anything like this.
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Bob Martel
WBCCI# 5766
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03-29-2015, 06:16 PM
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#8
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2 Rivet Member
1972 31' Sovereign
Racine
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 69
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Thanks. This is why I'm asking
1972 Airstream International Land Yacht Sovereign
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03-29-2015, 07:08 PM
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#9
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4 Rivet Member
1987 25' Sovereign
Oregon
, Ohio
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 491
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How about a receiver hitch for the front of your tow vehicle. We have been using one for over ten years.
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03-29-2015, 08:06 PM
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#10
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2 Rivet Member
1972 31' Sovereign
Racine
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 69
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I don't want to worry about night driving. I think I'm just going to build an above the truck bed bike rack.
1972 Airstream International Land Yacht Sovereign
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03-30-2015, 07:04 AM
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#11
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Rivet Master
2014 27' FB Eddie Bauer
Chelsea
, Michigan
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,792
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We store our four bikes on a rack I made which fits under the cap in the truck bed. I have a bed slide to give me access and an 8 foot long bed and this works out great. The bikes are protected from the elements and thieves and are always with us when we are out and about (i.e., not stuck on the trailer.) We travel about nine months of the year.
__________________
Bob Martel
WBCCI# 5766
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04-03-2015, 08:04 PM
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#12
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samanpatty
1966 24' Tradewind
SoddyDaisy
, Tennessee
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mrrealtor
Has anyone installed a receiver hitch somehow to the rear of the trailer for an aftermarket bike rack?
I have a 4 bike yakima rack I was hoping to somehow use.
1972 Airstream International Land Yacht Sovereign
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I tried it on my 66 _ 24ft trade wind, not a good idea . Although I didn't do any damage as far as I know. the bikes bounced excessively and the weight bouncing that far back off the frame would eventually wreak havoc on the rear of the camper . I now transport the bikes in the camper without any issues .
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07-13-2015, 06:20 AM
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#13
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Site Team
2009 25' FB International
2018 27' Globetrotter
Hanover
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,727
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Quote:
Originally Posted by derf
I've heard on previous posts that the frame was not designed strong enough for such additions! You may wish to verify before you install.
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I'm trying to understand why adding a receiver hitch to the frame to carry a two bike rack would create a problem with the frame on the rear of the trailer. The two bike rack sold by AS, the Fiamma, attaches to the frame in the rear. While it is attached to the back of the AS for rigidity all the weight of the rack and the bikes is carried by the rear frame. Am I missing something?
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07-13-2015, 07:44 AM
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#14
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4 Rivet Member
1987 25' Sovereign
Oregon
, Ohio
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 491
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We have been using a tow vehicle front receiver hitch for the past 13 years and it has worked very well for us. The truck frame is already strong enough to handle the receiver, bike rack and bikes.
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07-13-2015, 08:27 AM
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#15
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
Vancouver
, British Columbia
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 4,596
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hans627
I'm trying to understand why adding a receiver hitch to the frame to carry a two bike rack would create a problem with the frame on the rear of the trailer. The two bike rack sold by AS, the Fiamma, attaches to the frame in the rear. While it is attached to the back of the AS for rigidity all the weight of the rack and the bikes is carried by the rear frame. Am I missing something?
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The centre of mass of the bikes and rack is located above and behind the mounting point on the rear frame. As you travel down the road the bikes and rack can move around, applying a twisting force to the mounting point on the rear frame. That is what can lead to separation of the frame and shell in some cases. The additional small brace from the rack to the rear shell simply stops the bikes and rack from moving, so that the force applied to the rear bumper where the rack mounts is vertical.
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