Bike rack??

[dkottum]

Search frame and shell separation for more recommendations.

[rostam]

Originally Posted by dkottum

I'm jealous of folks who can overload the tongue weight of their trailer, possibly the axle weight of their truck, use no weight distribution hitch and never get in trouble. I would never be that lucky.

What makes you think the tongue weight of the trailer or rear axle are overloaded? Looks ok to the naked eye.

As for the weight distribution, it looks as if the trailer might be a 19 ft Bambi. Shorter/lighter trailers do not need weight distribution hitch as much a the longer/heavier ones. Specially if you drive at 55 mph (rather than 75 mph).

[silverbp]

Sure will I'm out of town now but will send a few more pictures when I get back. You might want to run them by Andy and get his approval.


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[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by rostam

What makes you think the tongue weight of the trailer or rear axle are overloaded? Looks ok to the naked eye.

As for the weight distribution, it looks as if the trailer might be a 19 ft Bambi. Shorter/lighter trailers do not need weight distribution hitch as much a the longer/heavier ones. Specially if you drive at 55 mph (rather than 75 mph).

During my working days with Caravanner Insurance Company, one of the saddest claims I had to settle, was paying the family for the loss of a 17 foot Caravel.

The driver, who was the owner, was towing it with a pickup, with just a ball, and lost control at an estimated speed of less than 50 mph, and rolled it.

He was killed along with his wife in that accident.

BE SAFE, NOT SORRY.

Walk barefooted on glass, if you wish, but don't encourage others to do it.

Andy

[Keith Gantt]

Built a custom hitch costing less than a $100 at my house with the help of my neighbor and his welder.


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[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Keith Gantt

Built a custom hitch costing less than a $100 at my house with the help of my neighbor and his welder. Attachment 226114Attachment 226115Attachment 226116


The Streaming Gantt's on Airstream Forums

It appears that you added the steel to the chassis.

If that's correct, then you have added addition weight for the shell to support.

Unless you have beefed up the shell to chassis supports correctly, then in time, your Airstream will suffer rear end separation.

Many others have experienced that problem, and it can be very costly to repair the damage.

Andy

[BASE729]

Originally Posted by dznf0g

This is the latest iteration of the Arvika. This one is a 3 place with the inmost wheel track removed so I can carry my scooter ramps. It's just test fitted in this photo at the storage lot, so some pieces are missing .

Attachment 153559
Attachment 153560

I have a 2015 27FB that has the storage door right behind the propane tanks that drops down over the battery cover. Does anyone know if the rack from Arvika permits that door to still be used, and/or are you able to retrieve anything out of it?

[FastEddieB]

The couple of times I've carried bikes, I've done so with a homemade rack that fits inside the trailer.



(In our CampLite, but you get the idea)

Unless it was some sort of beach cruiser or beater, out there in the weather, dirt and road spray is a miserable environment for a bike.

Lots of people do it, but I do kinda cringe when I see it!

[richarus]

We have the Flamma Bike Rack on our 20 ft. FC and plan on taking some extended trips with our Canon Bikes mounted. Any suggestions for covers to protect our bikes from the elements?

BTW - The Flamma was a bit pricey but does a really nice job for hauling bikes. I recommend it.

Thanks

[subfan1]

I just bought a new bike as well and am looking for a good bike cover too. I'm tagging this thread.


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[Arcticfox]

A good bike cover for my two bikes would also be of interest as we carry our bikes with the airstream carrier all the time.


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[dkottum]

Bike Cover - Fiamma

[richarus]

Originally Posted by dkottum

Bike Cover - Fiamma

Well that sure looks like a nice cover. I was not able to find where it is available in the U.S. so I emailed a query to Fiamma USA. I will post the response here when/if I get one.

[subfan1]

The response I received from Fiamma USA was we don't sell a cover for Airstream bike racks and if I try to buy a cover from the Fiamma web site outside of USA I can't because the site won't allow me to check out because USA is not on the country menu. I've sent emails and received these responses.
This is why I'm asking here for alternatives.


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[dkottum]

Hmmm, I wonder if Can-Am Airstream in Ontario can get one. We use the Fiamma rack but I don't find the bikes get messed up traveling so don't have a need for a cover. The bikes have to take some rain on our extended travels and do, I use Corrosion X on the gears, chains etc to protect them. We traveled with them for 10 years and they still look real good.

[Phoenix]

Some of the covers for big BBQs might work (sometimes discounted in the off-season), if you don't mind the "Char-Broil" logo over your bikes.

[NMSUMIKE]

Bought one from Airstream in Jackson Center and installed it myself. Very easy to do, but you need a 1/2 drill to get the holes drilled through the frame. Pretty easy to do.

[nvestysly]

I was initially very interested in a bike rack on the rear of our Airstream - particularly the Fiamma/Airstream rack as it appears to be an extension of the Airstream. The Fiamma design is made of tubular aluminum and fits nicely on the rear bumper.

However, there is one safety concern in my mind and I wanted to remind people of the potential problem. When bicycles are on the rear of an Airstream you are most likely creating a partial blockage of the turn signals and tail lights. That issue alone has kept me from installing a rack on the rear of our trailer. Using a cover to protect the bicycles would almost certainly block all vision of the rear trailer lights.

Please keep this in mind when installing bike racks on the rear.

[Tincampers]

Isn't that true of most bike racks that are mounted to the rear or front of a vehicle?

[nvestysly]

Originally Posted by mrprez

Isn't that true of most bike racks that are mounted to the rear or front of a vehicle?

Yes, it is. And I don't put bicycles in either of those locations for the same reason.

When I saw comments regarding a cover to protect bicycles on the rear of an Airstream I thought I'd add my two-cents. I wouldn't want one of us to spend $$$ on a rack and cover thinking they were doing a good thing when they may be creating a safety problem. One could make a case for a rack on the rear of an Airstream even though it partially blocks the lights. A covered bicycle on the back of an Airstream sounds like a recipe for problems.