Bike rack on pvc

[Jax n Brian]

We have a 2019 swift select 164 campervan/motorhome. I also have a westfalia towbar mounted bike rack previously used with my car. Should I fit a towbar to accommodate the rack I already have or fit a thule bike rack on the rear doors. My bikes are non electric weighing in at 14 kgs each. Would it be worth considering rear air suspension to cope with the extra weight of towbar and bike rack, or even rear mounted rack. Thanks folks you advice is very welcome

 

[2x2camper]

We have a 2019 swift select 164 campervan/motorhome. I also have a westfalia towbar mounted bike rack previously used with my car. Should I fit a towbar to accommodate the rack I already have or fit a thule bike rack on the rear doors. My bikes are non electric weighing in at 14 kgs each. Would it be worth considering rear air suspension to cope with the extra weight of towbar and bike rack, or even rear mounted rack. Thanks folks you advice is very welcome

I'd check that you can get the rear doors open with bike rack on

 

[Mikeco]

Your bikes are not that heavy and the Fiamma door mounted one will take 35 kg although I have 45kg on mine but my rack is bolted on through the rear door, and you will be able to open the doors.
If you use a normal tow ball mounted one then you will not be able to open the doors unless you go for one of the expensive ones which move to one side.
You also have the cost and 30 kg weight of a tow bar set up to consider.

 

[cmcardle75]

We have a 2019 swift select 164 campervan/motorhome. I also have a westfalia towbar mounted bike rack previously used with my car. Should I fit a towbar to accommodate the rack I already have or fit a thule bike rack on the rear doors. My bikes are non electric weighing in at 14 kgs each. Would it be worth considering rear air suspension to cope with the extra weight of towbar and bike rack, or even rear mounted rack. Thanks folks you advice is very welcome

Take your van down to a weighbridge and check out your axle loadings. Remember anything overhanging the rear will put a lot more than its own weight on the rear axle. I'd go for a door mounted one. It will be a lot cheaper than fitting a towbar/electrics etc. unless you want one anyway. It is also more convenient as you can mount away from the lighting and don't have to faff with lighting boards etc. The main issue is that most door mounted ones are limited to 2 bikes.

 

[carolyn]

The only tow ball mounted “normal” bike rack that any of us have found that allows full opening of rear doors is the Atera Strada dl3. You have to buy the 3 not 2 to allow it to slide out far enough and drop down. Works a treat. We still needed a 1 inch spacer on our tow bar though on a Fiat Ducato with a witter towbar although some have got away without. We use it with two electric bikes.
Lots of Youtube videos with it on motorhomes.
It’s about £350 from Roofbox company.

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[Coolcats]

We have a 2019 swift select 164 campervan/motorhome. I also have a westfalia towbar mounted bike rack previously used with my car. Should I fit a towbar to accommodate the rack I already have or fit a thule bike rack on the rear doors. My bikes are non electric weighing in at 14 kgs each. Would it be worth considering rear air suspension to cope with the extra weight of towbar and bike rack, or even rear mounted rack. Thanks folks you advice is very welcome

I have two tow bar racks Westfalia is the better engineered and will drop so you can open the rear doors. Also have a Thule rack but you have to remove it to open the rear doors the Thule is not a bike rack unless you add other components. But even in its platform state it has to be removed.

Cycle Carrier - 2 Bikes | Westfalia

1

shop.westfalia-automotive.com

 

[Kannon Fodda]

It’s worth looking closely at your bike sizing. Many modern mtbs have chunky tyres will those fit the wheel guides. Larger frames and wheels will extend full width of the vehicle so can still hide a lot of the lights on door or tow bar mount. Personally toe bar seems better for your pvc long term. Are those door hinges really designed to take that extra weight being bumped up and down as you hit that pothole

 

[Gaston aires]

A tow bar is very useful in many other ways too.
Phil

 

[Charlie9038]

These guys are not the cheapest but very good service

Motorhome Bicycle Carriers in Bristol | LNB Towbars

Browse our range of bicycle carriers and racks for motorhomes. Let's get your motorhome ready for your holidays!

www.lnbleisure.co.uk

 

[Ivory55]

Not casting doubt on your fitness, but it’s easier to lift a bike on the tow bar rack then halfway up the van.

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[busby]

It’s worth looking closely at your bike sizing. Many modern mtbs have chunky tyres will those fit the wheel guides. Larger frames and wheels will extend full width of the vehicle so can still hide a lot of the lights on door or tow bar mount. Personally toe bar seems better for your pvc long term. Are those door hinges really designed to take that extra weight being bumped up and down as you hit that pothole

When the doors are closed the weight isn't hardly on the hinges..Had mine on the back doors of my van for 4 years now,,about 32000 miles..Also have 2 storage box's mounted underneath the rack but the majority of the weight is supported by the rear step.Quite a few on here said it would buckle the doors but up to now no problems.Have used the same method on a previous van. BUSBY.

 

[busby]

Not casting doubt on your fitness, but it’s easier to lift a bike on the tow bar rack then halfway up the van.

But if you stop lifting you will just get weaker.If you don't use it you will loose it BUSBY.

 

[gus-lopez]

If on the doors the bottom of the rack has to be above the top of both side lights.
If not a lighting board/number plate is required.
If on a tow bar then a lighting board/number plate is required.

 

[cmcardle75]

I have two tow bar racks Westfalia is the better engineered and will drop so you can open the rear doors. Also have a Thule rack but you have to remove it to open the rear doors the Thule is not a bike rack unless you add other components. But even in its platform state it has to be removed.

Cycle Carrier - 2 Bikes | Westfalia

1

shop.westfalia-automotive.com

Will tilt forward clear side opening doors?

 

[Ivory55]

But if you stop lifting you will just get weaker.If you don't use it you will loose it BUSBY.

Trouble is I never had it in the first place. Haha

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[Mikeco]

If you go for a door mounted one such as the Fiamma one then if you put the channels on the lower setting then the bikes will obscure the right hand lights. As you don’t have a tow bar then a lighting board would be no good as you have nowhere to plug them in.
I put a set of trailer lights lower down but I did have the towbar electrics to tap into.

 

[busby]

If you go for a door mounted one such as the Fiamma one then if you put the channels on the lower setting then the bikes will obscure the right hand lights. As you don’t have a tow bar then a lighting board would be no good as you have nowhere to plug them in.
I put a set of trailer lights lower down but I did have the towbar electrics to tap into.

Mine just clears the lights,,mounted pretty high.My van is a 2002 so different light cluster.BUSBY.

 

[cmcardle75]

Mine just clears the lights,,mounted pretty high.My van is a 2002 so different light cluster.BUSBY.

I chose the Thule one over the Fiamma specifically because it would be easier to clear the lights with. The channel rack is mounted to the bottom of the bars, so the main structure of the rack doesn't descend any lower than it needs to, blocking anything. Make sure you get the ones specifically for PVCs, as they are offset to mount to a single door. The standard types are symetrical for coachbuilts, so useless for a PVC.

 

[busby]

I chose the Thule one over the Fiamma specifically because it would be easier to clear the lights with. The channel rack is mounted to the bottom of the bars, so the main structure of the rack doesn't descend any lower than it needs to, blocking anything. Make sure you get the ones specifically for PVCs, as they are offset to mount to a single door. The standard types are symetrical for coachbuilts, so useless for a PVC.

The standard ones don't have the clamps either for fixing to the door.Mine are also bolted.BUSBY.

 

[Lumpy]

We have the fiamma one and it gets mounted quite high so could be a problem if you can't lift, it's height allows use of the carrier without the need for extra light board. The other thing to note is that you will bump your head on it at least once when closing the back doors ;-)

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[busby]

We have the fiamma one and it gets mounted quite high so could be a problem if you can't lift, it's height allows use of the carrier without the need for extra light board. The other thing to note is that you will bump your head on it at least once when closing the back doors ;-)

Agree with your last comment ..BUSBY

 

[Mikeco]

We have the fiamma one and it gets mounted quite high so could be a problem if you can't lift, it's height allows use of the carrier without the need for extra light board. The other thing to note is that you will bump your head on it at least once when closing the back doors ;-)

Only once.
There are two settings on the Fiamma and if you move it to the lower one which makes it easier to lift the bikes on then they will obscure the right hand light cluster.

 

[rich g]

I have a tow bar cycle rack and can open the read doors slightly when i get to the camp site i take the bikes and rack off and lock the bike onto the rack,jobs a goodun.

 

[2x2camper]

I have a tow bar cycle rack and can open the read doors slightly when i get to the camp site i take the bikes and rack off and lock the bike onto the rack,jobs a goodun.

The problem with that is when you have to open the doors fully for security at the tunnel or ferry

 

[busby]

The problem with that is when you have to open the doors fully for security at the tunnel or ferry

Tell them I can't open mine and let them in through side door.BUSBY.

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[cmcardle75]

We have the fiamma one and it gets mounted quite high so could be a problem if you can't lift, it's height allows use of the carrier without the need for extra light board. The other thing to note is that you will bump your head on it at least once when closing the back doors ;-)

Yes, I forgot about that particular disadvantage! I once managed to give the door a good slam when standing in front of it. Ear still attached, just.

 

[gus-lopez]

The problem with that is when you have to open the doors fully for security at the tunnel or ferry

You can't at the tunnel if you wish to avoid quarantining having run through France ?

 

[Howard B]

I have two tow bar racks Westfalia is the better engineered and will drop so you can open the rear doors.

Cycle Carrier - 2 Bikes | Westfalia

1

shop.westfalia-automotive.com

Can someone with a Ducato confirm if the rear doors will open with the Westfalia rack tilted. I have been waiting for over a month for an Altera Strada from Roofbox as they are on back order and could do with somethin for a few trips next month.
Ta
H

 

[Skez]

Vanstar by Memo - Not cheap I grant you, but brilliant. Will carry 60 kg.

 

[Howard B]

Vanstar by Memo - Not cheap I grant you, .

Your not kidding, just looked up the price

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