Rear Mounted Bike Racks. (1 Viewer)

Sep 11, 2012
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I need to fit a cycle rack to the rear panel of the m/h with the intention of carrying 2 standard bikes . I am a bit concerned about the weight that will be put on the panel with regards to possible movement and water ingress into the sealed joints. I have seen plenty of m/h with racks on and was wondering if
Any one has any serious issues with them.
 

CandC

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Jan 22, 2014
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I haven't got a bike rack yet so can't answer your specific question, but I have been looking at tow-bar mounted racks. That could be an option you could consider if you have a tow-bar :)

Someone will be along with more info I am sure!
 

SMB

Apr 26, 2013
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I have a 2-bike Fiamma rack mounted on the rear panel of mine and it seems secure enough. However it was already fitted when I bought the van, otherwise I would have got either a towbar-mounted rack or one which winds down as its a bit of a pain to get the steps out every time to take it off/put it on along with the cover. The plus side is it makes it harder to be stolen :)

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Chris

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We had a 4 bike one on our last van.

The weight was too much for the bracket. The rack started to come away from the van halfway across Spain one year which meant loading the bikes inside the van.

Same trip the fuel filter broke and diesel was spewing out when we arrived at our Spanish site.

Eventually got onto our pitch, stinking of diesel then began to unload.

Two adults, two kids and four bikes.

Got some funny looks from our neighbours.:LOL:

I would go for a tow bar one next time if weight allowed it.
 

TheBig1

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The biggest issue with wall mounted bike carriers is many people overload them. This does warp the wall and strain the fixing points leading to leaks. have seen many of them over the years and its something I pay particular attention to when buying used vans

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Chris

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The biggest issue with wall mounted bike carriers is many people overload them. This does warp the wall and strain the fixing points leading to leaks. have seen many of them over the years and its something I pay particular attention to when buying used vans

I don't think we overloaded ours to be honest.

It was the ramps on the ferry ( in my opinion) that put too much strain on the rack/ brackets
 

TheBig1

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I don't think we overloaded ours to be honest.

It was the ramps on the ferry ( in my opinion) that put too much strain on the rack/ brackets
put 40kg plus of bikes on a rack bolted through the wall in 4 points and every time you go over a bump, the bouncing of the bikes and rack will overload it. max weight on a fiamma rack is 45kg from memory. 2 adult bikes and 2 kids bikes has got to be more than that, unless they are ultralightweight racing bikes. put my son-in-laws bike in the back of my 4x4 the other week and it must of been near 2okg to lift and is a normal mountain type bike
 

Chris

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put 40kg plus of bikes on a rack bolted through the wall in 4 points and every time you go over a bump, the bouncing of the bikes and rack will overload it. max weight on a fiamma rack is 45kg from memory. 2 adult bikes and 2 kids bikes has got to be more than that, unless they are ultralightweight racing bikes. put my son-in-laws bike in the back of my 4x4 the other week and it must of been near 2okg to lift and is a normal mountain type bike

I think our rack limit was 60 kg , but either way I agree that bumps and ramps possibly double the strain.

Not tempted to get another bracket mounted one.

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OP
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Zajacp
Sep 11, 2012
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Thank for all your recent replies, my concerns have been answered .i think I'll go for a tow ball set up and leave the structure of the van alone.
 

Peter JohnsCross MH

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Properly mounted with the correct rack and professionaly fitted, mounted bike racks should not be a problem, max load on a Fiamma is normally 60Kg

We have fitted many without problems

Peter

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Oct 25, 2014
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Doesn't towing further limit your speed (says the M5 driver ;))?
We are a family of 6, with a factory fitted fiamma 4-bike rack. It's rated for 60kg but as most folks have pointed out, less expensive steel mountain bikes will come in at around 16-20kg.
We have the lightest 3 on the back, smallest one with all the other paraphernalia in the garage and the other 2 secured inside the van with an impressive feat of bubble wrap/bungee engineering.
You should be fine with just 2 on the back wall, surely?
 

Chris

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Doesn't towing further limit your speed (says the M5 driver ;))?
We are a family of 6, with a factory fitted fiamma 4-bike rack. It's rated for 60kg but as most folks have pointed out, less expensive steel mountain bikes will come in at around 16-20kg.
We have the lightest 3 on the back, smallest one with all the other paraphernalia in the garage and the other 2 secured inside the van with an impressive feat of bubble wrap/bungee engineering.
You should be fine with just 2 on the back wall, surely?

I am sure it's fine.

Just keep an eye on it though just in case.

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Jan 23, 2016
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I've never really liked rear mounted bike racks. Give the aerodynamics of most vehicles you end up giving your bikes a 1000 mile sandblasting that penetrative the best bike covers! With my bikes worth nearly £3000, not something I want to inflict on them. Also IMO most Motorhome rear mounted racks look very easy to remove with a couple of strong bodies to support it, while another cuts Rack complete with bikes off. So make sure strong chain secures everything to the chassis.

I've had a tow ball rack, that worked well, except for the dirt issue and again security. You also lose the use of your tow ball.

When I had a Land Rover and Caravan rig, I purchased from Land Rover a bracket that fitted between the car and tow ball, then a separate bike Rack dropped dropped into the bracket, so I could tow the caravan and carry my bikes.

I admit that my bikes influenced my Motorhome choice, a garage big enough for my bikes was high on my list of requirements.
 
Last edited:
Jan 23, 2016
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Towing and bike rack.

Don't forget you will need a number plate and lights bar to stay legal.
 
Sep 16, 2010
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Had 3 vans ALL with rear fitted Fiamma 2 bike rack and no problems at all.
Good luck.
Mitch.

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