Installing the Jack-It Bike Rack on an AIRSTREAM! | Great HACK Idea

[@kristinekrikorian9295]

Great job and so glad it all worked out! I'll show Garrett the video 😉

[@michellefisher724]

Great! Thank you 😊

[@airstreamer]

It's working great. Our thanks again to Garret!

[@jeffs3418]

Nice job finding a solution.

[@airstreamer]

Thanks. We are happy with the rack. It’s holding together well. But- with that extension, the bikes do need to be lifted REALLY high!

[@paulcookphotography]

I'm very impressed with your DYI skills, and a good amount of research skills as well it seems. Glad you were able to make it work and have your bikes with you! Thanks for the audio files by the way!

[@airstreamer]

Thanks so much. We are having a great time.

[@michellefisher724]

It seems like any project requires a trip to the store 😮 Great demonstration and explanation! So happy we can have our bikes ride along with us❣️

[@airstreamer]

🚲🚲

[@jasonm7634]

Very Cool! Love your channel. I was thinking - How about drilling another whole for the Bike racks that travels from East to West rather than North to South so it does onto mess with he Propane cover?

[@airstreamer]

The main interference with the tank cover is the rear cantilever of the bike-wing. I might have that part modified, but it’s only a minor inconvenience. Thanks for the input!

[@toshlito]

Did you consider a folding bike? We had similar concerns with our Airstream & decided to get 2 used Brompton bikes off EBay. They store easily in the back of our truck. They are a bit $$$, but ride great.

[@airstreamer]

That's a good point. I have limited experience with the Brompton. The one I rode would be OK for short city rides, but it had no gears and hills were very difficult. Also, we have limited storage in the back of our truck. But a folding bike could be a good option for many RVers. Bonus, a Brompton can be taken on a train as carry-on.

[@TNTRVing]

Very nice install video Jim! I was expecting you to eat the Circus Peanuts on the drive home. Safe travels & Happy Camping!

[@airstreamer]

Hahaha! I tried Circus Peanuts once when I was a kid. Most vile thing I’d ever tasted. Remembering that horrific event still makes my jaws hurt. Thanks so much. The Jack-It is still working well for us. - Jim

[@TNTRVing]

@@airstreamer I can say I have never tried them. Thanks for the heads up! We will see you in a couple weeks!

[@airstreamer]

@@TNTRVing Lol! Yes, looking forward to seeing you guys!

[@thesherpadog09]

I received the newer version of the jack-it pro with the additional options for 4 bikes and other mount accessories and the clearance is now 26 3/8 inches so no need for the airstream modification. I’m looking forward to putting this on our silver bullet. Thanks for the video!

[@airstreamer]

I Did not know that Lippert had changed and improved the Jack-It. It is still working really good for us. I just changed out the angled mount for a straight one. Now I can access the propane tanks without removing the bikes. Thanks for watching. - Jim

[@thesherpadog09]

@@airstreamer Appears the new Stinger allows for the "Y" to be rotated in different position, possibly alleviating the propane access. Since we have the Airkrafter propane generator, we will be accessing the propane more frequently. I'll know more once we get some miles w/the jack it under us. Please keep doing these excellent videos! BRB7997

[@airstreamer]

@@thesherpadog09 sounds great. Keep us updated on how it’s working for you. How are you liking the Airkrafter generator? The convenience sounds great, but the price is a little steep for us.

[@thesherpadog09]

@@airstreamer After a trip with the Jack-it pro mounted to our 2011, 25 ft FB international, we are happy with it. Access to remove propane tank is possible, and I've found the easiest way for us to mount our jackrabbit electric bikes (24lbs ea) is standing on the truck tailgate. We are very please with the Airkrafter propane gen. based on our personal use case. And yes, I've mulled over the option of going solar over the last 13 years of Airstream ownership and never pulled the trigger because I wasn't satisfied with solar meeting our use case. Ultimately, total cost of ownership and our various use case needs pointed us to make the decision of the Airkrafter and we are very, very happy. Both solar and the airkrafter have their pros and cons and are good options. See ya down the road

[@airstreamer]

@@thesherpadog09 Great!

[@Bit85]

😮we have been looking at this bike mount because our Airstream has a hatch. The extra modifications are problematic though.

[@airstreamer]

I hear you. Luckily our nephew is a great welder. BTW, the rack is still going strong across six states so far. The biggest drawback is lifting the bikes, but standing on the truck tailgate helps. Also limited access to the propane tanks. Best wishes for finding the solution that’s best for you.

[@thesherpadog09]

Appreciate the time you took to provide a good option for bike transport. I’ve used the recommended Fiona bike mount before but for our travel needs now requiring electric bikes, this is a nice option. Accessing propane looks to be a challenge. Do you think having an additional welding mod that allowed for easier removal of the bike mount be something to consider? BRN 7997

[@sebastianho8872]

Thanks for posting this! How close is the rear bike to the airstream windows? Looks like a close fit.

[@airstreamer]

Good question! The pedal of the rear bicycle is about 1” from the plexiglass. I’m putting a foam cozee over the pedal so it won’t scratch the plexiglass as the bikes move around. No scratching yet. The batwing adapter could be modified so it would fit straight vertical rather than cantilevering over the propane tanks. I might try reversing the adapter so the bikes ride closer to the truck bed rather than the Airstream.

[@andys615]

Did you try reversing the wing so it was over the truck? I'm also curious about clearances. I wonder if the bikes would ride high enough over the truck bed.

[@airstreamer]

@@andys615I’ve been thinking of doing that. Not sure if it will cause more tongue weight or not. Maybe I’ll do that on our next travel day. Thanks for watching and commenting. - Jim

[@kevinrobinson7336]

Did you get the Twin spin pro or plain Jack-it? Would the Twin spin be easier to load? have you ever hit the airstream windows with the bikes?

[@airstreamer]

It’s the Jack-it rack. I’m not aware of the “Twin Spin Pro.” The rear bicycle pedal is about 2” from the plexiglass window shield. I put a can cozee over the pedal to shield the plex from any scratches. I might try turning the bike wing 180° so the bikes ride more towards the tailgate rather than the Airstream. I’m also thinking of getting the hitch mount so we could attach the bikes to the truck’s hitch so we could drive to some bicycle trails. The modified rack has been working well. It’s traveled to twelve states so far.

[@kevinrobinson7336]

The twin swivel allows both posts above jack to swivel away from the camper and toward the truck also allows the bikes to turn forward for easy loading. Still to short for airstream jack so special welding would be needed. Hopefully the bikes don’t sway to close to airstream window is my greatest concern

[@mattclary2069]

Couldn't you have just reversed the bolt?

[@airstreamer]

You know, I tried doing that and it didn't work. The stainless propane tank shroud would not be able to be installed or removed since the Jack-It Bikewing was in the way.