Re: [A/S] Rear bumper bike racks

["alisterbrownne" <toeinman@xxxxxxx>]

OK, Tom I'll try and ELABORATE. Follow with me down the list. (MY 
ELABORATION'S ARE IN PARENTHESES)

 
 
From:  "Andrew Rogozinski" <andyrogozinski@y...> 
Date:  Tue Jan 25, 2005  5:01 pm 
Subject:  Re: [A/S] Rear bumper bike racks

Therefore, the moment arm suddenly becomes 12 times the 100 pounds,
or 1200 pounds.
That is the weight that will be impressed on the rear of the chassis,
but hold on to your hats, "WHEN YOUR TRAILER IS PARKED."

(FROM WHAT I KNOW FROM STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING THE COMPUTATION OF 100 
LB PER FOOT OF RUN DOESN'T WORK IN THIS EXAMPLE.) (PARKED IS PARKED, 
100 LBS 1 FOOT FROM THE AXLE IS 100 LBS 12 FT FROM THE AXLE) 

As you travel, the trailer is subjected to vertical movements,
everytime you hit a bump of some sort.
Then, the moment arm "MULTIPLIES" very rapidly, for a short period of
time.
When that happens, a normal bump will cause the weight to multiply 3,
4 or even 5 times. Abnormal bumps will go upward from that.
So, you can see, very quickly, why your 100 pound load, can and does
suddenly become 3600 to 6000 pounds, however momentary.

(THERE IS NO DOUBT ADDING WT. TO THE EXTREME POINT OF A LEVER WILL 
CREATE MORE FORCES, HOWEVER 100 LBS OF BICYCLES "STRAPPED" TO THE 
REAR OF A TRAILER IN NO WAY WILL SUDDENLY BECOME 3600-6000 LBS. "OR 
UPWARDS OF THAT" REGARDLESS OF THE POT HOLES ) (I FEEL CONFIDENT IN 
SAYING DROP 3 TONS ON YOUR TRAILER ONCE AND IT'S A GONER, HOWEVER 
MOMENTARLY THAT MAY BE)( THESE BICYCLES ARE NOT ON A SWING ARM THAT 
DROPS THEM DOWN LIKE A JACK HAMMER WITH EVERY BUMP. THEY RIDE WITH 
THE TRAILER.) (100 LBS IS NOT THAT MUCH, IF YOU HAVE A 10 GAL HOT 
WATER TANK IN THE REAR THAT'S 80 LBS. I'M SURE YOUR SIGNIFICANT OTHER 
WILL ADD MORE THAN THAT WITH PERSONAL BELONGINGS)

Now, it's not hard to convince oneself, that your begging for
trouble, big time.

Bottom line, DON'T DO IT.


(NOW MY BOTTOM LINE IS WHAT I ORIGINALLY SAID, I'M NOT GOING TO 
DEBATE WHETHER IT A GOOD IDEA TO INSTALL A BIKE RACK ON AN AIRSTREAM 
TRAILER. I CERTAINLY DON'T KNOW IF IT'S A GOOD IDEA OR NOT. i HAVE 
SEEN SEVERAL WITH THEM ON. I JUST SAID THE NUMBERS LOOKED LIKE THEY 
WERE FROM MARS. THIS FELLOW ANDY COULD VERY WELL BE RIGHT ABOUT NOT 
PUTTING A RACK ON. BUT THE NUMBERS LOOKED WHACKED OUT TO ME) (I HOPE 
THIS MEETS THE SQUAT QUALIFICATIONS)..........PEACE AND LOVE, AL