Bike rack over motorbike on rack! (1 Viewer)

Jul 18, 2010
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Hello all,
I have a Burstner Aviano to which I have fitted a motorbike rack for my Yamaha 125. I also want to fit a 2-bicycle rack but not onto the camper itself or as an attachment extending from the motorbike rack.
I like the racks that fit onto the towbar itself but with the m/bike in place, standard racks are too low and no good. I was thinking that some metal fabricator company could design and fit "extension legs" to the standard racks so that the bikes sit nicely above the motorbike. I can live with the inconvenience of reaching over the motorbike to get to the bikes but can anyone confirm that my idea could be achievable? I am not technical or practical in any way so perhaps my idea is too far fetched? Or Perhaps a fellow member could recommend a completely different approach?

Many thanks
 

TheBig1

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wow you must have some substantial load limit on your back axle:ROFLMAO:

another 30kg on the back of the van has more like a 40kg affect on the axle. add the motorbike, rack, bikes and rack extension and you're getting pretty heavy. don't forget as well the maximum downward load on a towbar is typically 100kg max

however I'm sure you've done the calculations and weighed the van though, havent you?:ROFLMAO:
 

Vlad The Impaler

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If I were a betting man I'd say there was a good chance the rack and the bike put you over the limit, better not put too much petrol in bike tank! :Eeek:




Vlad

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sciac2001
Jul 18, 2010
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wow you must have some substantial load limit on your back axle:ROFLMAO:

another 30kg on the back of the van has more like a 40kg affect on the axle. add the motorbike, rack, bikes and rack extension and you're getting pretty heavy. don't forget as well the maximum downward load on a towbar is typically 100kg max

however I'm sure you've done the calculations and weighed the van though, havent you?:ROFLMAO:

The aviano is plated at 4000kilos with 2400 on the rear axle. According to the (well respected) rack fitter i can take a motorbike up to 170 kilos without issue. My 125 weighs in at 125kgs. They also fitted the bike extension to the rack so they must have thought that this was also within the limits of my camper. (I have taken the extension off because it made it all too long for my liking.)
 

vwalan

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have you thought about a front mounted bicycle rack .
certainly in the states its common to put m,bikes across the front . i know a few that have done it here and abroad . its a good way of loading the front axle .
i think your idea could be done but the stress on the tow bar and chassis is going to be high .
 

Vlad The Impaler

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Hello Alan.Can they be bought in this country?





Vlad

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sciac2001
Jul 18, 2010
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have you thought about a front mounted bicycle rack .
certainly in the states its common to put m,bikes across the front . i know a few that have done it here and abroad . its a good way of loading the front axle .
i think your idea could be done but the stress on the tow bar and chassis is going to be high .

Thanks. The front mount seems a little too "left-field" for someone like me. I have to rely on the info I received when i ordered the motorbike rack that it was well within my weight limit. I had purchased the camper on that assumption too, confirmed by the dealer!!
I have an alko chassis and I am comfident that it will be okay. I will be taking the loaded camper over a weighbridge and see what transpires.
Thanks again.
 

vwalan

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Hello Alan.Can they be bought in this country?





Vlad

cant say as i have seen them for sale but mates make them to fit there vehicles . i know one had to put another set of lights on the front . mind he carried a scooter on the front and two m,bikes at the back . was on a leyland bus . another mate had a rack on his dethleffs carried his m,bike on the front .
 

TheBig1

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are front towbars and additional brackets still legal in the uk? i havent seen front towbars advertised for quite a while now and thought the legislation for bullbars did for them?

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TheBig1

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The aviano is plated at 4000kilos with 2400 on the rear axle. According to the (well respected) rack fitter i can take a motorbike up to 170 kilos without issue. My 125 weighs in at 125kgs. They also fitted the bike extension to the rack so they must have thought that this was also within the limits of my camper. (I have taken the extension off because it made it all too long for my liking.)

i would expect a motorbike rack manufacturer to have confidence in his product. however the towbar loading situation may well be different. Fiat and Alko suggest a maximum towbar loading or downforce of 100kg. I know which one I would trust, and its youre decision and risk. adding to the motorbike carrier would draw attention to your van and make you a target for inspection

by the way I saw VOSA stopping motorhomes at Ashley Heath by Ringwood and taking them in for weighing recently. Just friendly advice that you make certain youre all legal and safe before it spoils your FUN:thumb:
 

TheBig1

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have been googling front towbars, and although still available for maneuvering trailers or boats, the manufacturers say detach them when on the road. interested to know how winch bumpers get past this for pedestrian safety puposes. mind you, towbars are now in the MOT so things may get more interesting:winky:

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vwalan

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just about every landrover round here as a front tow hitch . many have winch bumpers . cant say as i have ever heard of a problem . still buy bull bars . dont think they did get outlawed .
 

rainbow chasers

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have been googling front towbars, and although still available for maneuvering trailers or boats, the manufacturers say detach them when on the road. interested to know how winch bumpers get past this for pedestrian safety puposes. mind you, towbars are now in the MOT so things may get more interesting:winky:

If the vehicle is used for work or off road - then you can have winch bumpers etc. It is aimed at chelsea tractor type users that want them for show as opposed to use.

I agree about the downward forces on towbars, the heavy duty ones will withstand 146kg downward force - but you have to remember than many towbars fitted to motorhomes are either fabricated, or have not yet been tested, so nothing is guaranteed.

You also have to look at how it is attached, length from fitting point to ball and also the axle weights as the lever action will lower the figure.
 
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I have an alko chassis and I am comfident that it will be okay. I will be taking the loaded camper over a weighbridge and see what transpires.

Are you sure you have an Alko chassis. I have a Aviano and it has the standard Fiat chassis with extensions. I thought only the Eligance had the Alko Chassis.
I have weighed mine with full water, full fuel, 3 push bikes, 3 people and all that was needed for a 10 day holiday and was only 120kg of the weight limit.

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sciac2001
Jul 18, 2010
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I have an alko chassis and I am comfident that it will be okay. I will be taking the loaded camper over a weighbridge and see what transpires.

Are you sure you have an Alko chassis. I have a Aviano and it has the standard Fiat chassis with extensions. I thought only the Eligance had the Alko Chassis.
I have weighed mine with full water, full fuel, 3 push bikes, 3 people and all that was needed for a 10 day holiday and was only 120kg of the weight limit.

Hello. Some say it is an alko chassis and others say it's a "similar" set-up. If you have an Aviano I think I will go by your own assessment.
I must say I am slowly getting more despondent with what I am reading with regards weight capacities.. Surely a m/bike rack fitted by a known specialist should be easily able to take my 125kg yamaha? What's the point of a 100kg limit?
Like you I will load the camper with what I will normally be taking and see what transpires. I will keep you all posted.
Thanks again to all.
:whatthe:
 
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Why dont you put motorbike on then nip up weigh bridge and see what you have on axel loads then bungee push bikes on then check it again
Better than spending money on something that may not work
 
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sciac2001
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Why dont you put motorbike on then nip up weigh bridge and see what you have on axel loads then bungee push bikes on then check it again
Better than spending money on something that may not work

Thanks. Looks like I'll be trying a few options but I'm determined to get it right.
Would anyone know if it come to the worst whether I could have the camper replated at a higher weight or is it just a safety issue which cannot be circumvented?

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Chris

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My Burstner Aviano i684 had an Alko chassis.

It was also plated at 4000kg but I wouldn't have put a motorbike on the back, not with the amount of [STRIKE]shi[/STRIKE] stuff we had packed in the boot.
 
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Why a rack?

I have a scooter rack with a small Yamaha step thru on it and it is definitely "tail wagging the dog". When I bought it, I was assured I would be within the payload- having used it off a year I am not so sure and my van (Tribute T620) is uncomfortable to drive......so. A call to http://www.cmf-engineering.com/t-home/ resulted in ordering a side loading trailer which, upended, takes the same storage space as the rack, can be loaded by me single handed (I need help to put the rack on the tow hitch) AND I can now put on my bike rack AND still be within my payload. Time will tell if I have made the right decision! Now, how DO you reverse with a small trailer you can't see.......?

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sciac2001
Jul 18, 2010
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Happy to report that after weighing the Aviano with motorbike and other essentials that we intend to take with us, we are well within the plated limits on either axle and overall.
Having driven it too, I can also advise that there is no hint whatsoever of any "tail wagging the dog" syndrome either.
 

SandJ

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Too long lol
If you have a scooter rack fitted you do not have to load it onto tow ball mine is not. It is fitted with two pieces the width of the chassis see pics

http://www.armitagetrailers.com/scooterrackpage.htm

I had a scooter on our Hymer and used the (altered) bike rack to carry the water Hogg and waste hog.

As to whether your idea will work? I suppose it depended on the weight of your bikes as well as the support material

I also saw in France a double bike rack that the owner lowered and raised by a lever.
 

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