DIY cycle rack fitting

[Welsh_]

We’ve recently purchased a Weinsberg Carasuite and now looking to fit a cycle rack for 2 bikes. There’s nothing in the very generic owners handbook about strong points or max load on the back wall. Weinsberg’s website doesn’t seem to have much technical info or access to a technical helpline, so I did a bit of web searching and found pictures of a Fiamma carry-bike CL fitted to the same model as we have and ordered one. As far as I can tell the back wall just seems to be just an aluminium/polystyrene/hardboard sandwich, so I’m reluctant to get the drill out! There is an aluminium rail running the full width across the top of the garage which supports the wardrobes and bed above, should I try and put the rack’s top mounts through that do you think? It will make the rack higher than I’d like but if it makes the difference between staying on or ripping the back wall off, the inconvenience will be worth it! Anybody else done a diy fit?

I realise a tow bar solution would be a better option but was hoping to avoid the high costs that would involve.

Any comments or advice greatly appreciated.
Mike

 

[the1andonly]

Sorry can't help. I have gone the towbar route and added an anti idiot bar, rear pannels are expensive.
Not the right answer At least it bumps the thread, so you may get another reply.

 

[Welsh_]

Thanks for the bump, I spoke to someone at the dealers in the end, they said to just mount it centrally and low to keep the bolts within the garage area and that there wasn’t a strongpoint as such. It’s stayed on so far and survived a trip to north Wales and back with 2 adult bikes attached, so hopefully ok!

 

[TinaLes]

Just for peace of mind, can you make up & fit ali plates or a DIY ali rail on the inner wall to help spread the load over a larger area. Thats what I would do if there was not an internal wall batten to fix to. Bikes are quite heavy, especially over potholes and alike,so this would be a belt & braces effect.
Good luck.
LES

 

[Welsh_]

Yes, makes sense, as most of the pull will be on the top brackets, I’ve fitted the bolts for those through the aluminium rail which runs full width in the garage to support the wardrobes and bed above, so hopefully strong enough.

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[The Wino]

We fitted our own but it already had the rails fitted to attach it to so was hard to get wrong!