Very informative-great job! We are getting an Airstream with a hatch. Our dealer (Can-Am, same as you) says it's best for us to mount the rack on the rear, even though we will have the hatch. Would it be wise to change this to a front-mounted rack?
I would take your dealer's advise. Our rack sits at the front because our roof comes up when the trailer is set up. Discuss it with the folks at Can-Am though. I'm sure they will help you find the right solution for your needs. Thanks for watching!
Thanks for the video. I love your R series Alto. We have a brand new (2 month-old) F2114 and the rack we ordered is the stronger version (120lb limit) for our electric bikes. We have yet to use the rack because I can't figure out how to set it up. This video helps quite a bit so thank you! I still see a few problems for us... 1- My rack appears to hit the propane tanks when I unfold it. Perhaps I am doing that wrong. Your video did not really show the unfolding as much. It comes in contact (door side especially) while empty so I can only imagine if it had the two (48-lbs each w/out battery) bikes it would bump against the tank mile after mile. Am I wrong? Do you have this problem? Also, we have the BFW. I see no marks on your beautiful Alto so I would hope that any contact with the BFW doesn't happen. 2-Our tongue weight with the bikes is going to be greatly increased. I have to figure out how to see if we are over the limit. 3-Lifting the bikes onto the rack will be tough, but not impossible so a comment more than a problem. I ask these questions in that I don't know if I should simply buy a truck and give up on the rack (possibly sell it) Also, funny side story: the broken tail light. Yup, we rented a 2114 two years ago and I managed to break not one but both lights when trying to back up. Our rental did not have the caravan mover so that sold us on the fact that we needed one. Of course, I could have simply folded up the rack if only knew how at the time. Inexperienced trailering, indeed.
First of all, best of luck figuring it all out. Here are my responses to your questions: 1. There should be two supports that attach to the rack to hold it above the propane tanks. On ours they fold out from the bottom of the rack, and they form a triangle with the lower half of the main supports that the two arms attach to. This is 5:34 in the video (it shows me undoing the wing nuts and folding the rack up). The issue here may be that you bought a generic rack from Arvika instead of the Safari Condo rack which is made by Arvika but sold only by Safari Condo. 2. I'd phone Safari Condo, tell them how much each bike weighs, and ask if it's OK for the trailer. Then also make sure you're not exceeding your vehicle/hitch/receiver/ball capabilities. Tongue scales are very inexpensive, although maybe not 100% accurate! 3. Arvika has a new ramp to help with loading heavier bikes. It just came out. Check it out on their website. The taillights are definitely a thing. I had one renter that dented his hatch on both sides the same way. I'm actually glad that the rack was down though....much better and cheaper than him hitting the front of the trailer!
Don't forget to use our discount code on any parts you buy! We earn a small commission which won't cost you any extra, so everyone wins! Use discount code DAYHIKER10 at checkout for 10% off on racks, add-on kits, and parts! arvikabikerack.com *This Arvika code is valid for all RV bike racks EXCEPT for Safari Condo trailers. Contact Safari Condo directly for information on retrofitting an Arvika bike rack if your Alto didn’t come with one from the factory.
Nice!
Thank you! Cheers!
Very informative-great job! We are getting an Airstream with a hatch. Our dealer (Can-Am, same as you) says it's best for us to mount the rack on the rear, even though we will have the hatch. Would it be wise to change this to a front-mounted rack?
I would take your dealer's advise. Our rack sits at the front because our roof comes up when the trailer is set up. Discuss it with the folks at Can-Am though. I'm sure they will help you find the right solution for your needs. Thanks for watching!
Thanks for the video. I love your R series Alto. We have a brand new (2 month-old) F2114 and the rack we ordered is the stronger version (120lb limit) for our electric bikes. We have yet to use the rack because I can't figure out how to set it up. This video helps quite a bit so thank you! I still see a few problems for us...
1- My rack appears to hit the propane tanks when I unfold it. Perhaps I am doing that wrong. Your video did not really show the unfolding as much. It comes in contact (door side especially) while empty so I can only imagine if it had the two (48-lbs each w/out battery) bikes it would bump against the tank mile after mile. Am I wrong? Do you have this problem? Also, we have the BFW. I see no marks on your beautiful Alto so I would hope that any contact with the BFW doesn't happen.
2-Our tongue weight with the bikes is going to be greatly increased. I have to figure out how to see if we are over the limit.
3-Lifting the bikes onto the rack will be tough, but not impossible so a comment more than a problem.
I ask these questions in that I don't know if I should simply buy a truck and give up on the rack (possibly sell it)
Also, funny side story: the broken tail light. Yup, we rented a 2114 two years ago and I managed to break not one but both lights when trying to back up. Our rental did not have the caravan mover so that sold us on the fact that we needed one. Of course, I could have simply folded up the rack if only knew how at the time. Inexperienced trailering, indeed.
First of all, best of luck figuring it all out. Here are my responses to your questions:
1. There should be two supports that attach to the rack to hold it above the propane tanks. On ours they fold out from the bottom of the rack, and they form a triangle with the lower half of the main supports that the two arms attach to. This is 5:34 in the video (it shows me undoing the wing nuts and folding the rack up). The issue here may be that you bought a generic rack from Arvika instead of the Safari Condo rack which is made by Arvika but sold only by Safari Condo.
2. I'd phone Safari Condo, tell them how much each bike weighs, and ask if it's OK for the trailer. Then also make sure you're not exceeding your vehicle/hitch/receiver/ball capabilities. Tongue scales are very inexpensive, although maybe not 100% accurate!
3. Arvika has a new ramp to help with loading heavier bikes. It just came out. Check it out on their website.
The taillights are definitely a thing. I had one renter that dented his hatch on both sides the same way. I'm actually glad that the rack was down though....much better and cheaper than him hitting the front of the trailer!
My bike arm broke. Do you know how I can order another?
Just contact Arvika…. arvikabikerack.com …click on the Contact us tab, and there is US and CDN phone number. Thanks for watching
Don't forget to use our discount code on any parts you buy! We earn a small commission which won't cost you any extra, so everyone wins!
Use discount code DAYHIKER10 at checkout for 10% off on racks, add-on kits, and parts!
arvikabikerack.com
*This Arvika code is valid for all RV bike racks EXCEPT for Safari Condo trailers. Contact Safari Condo directly for information on retrofitting an Arvika bike rack if your Alto didn’t come with one from the factory.