Ebike - how to lift on to bike carrier on motorhome. (1 Viewer)

[Trekka]

We've recently bought an ebike and a new motorhome with a rear bike carrier but we've since found it difficult to lift the bike onto the carrier (after getting a dodgey shoulder hedge cutting)! We've been searching the internet for ideas on ramps and lifts but we're struggling to find a solution.

Has anyone found any innovative ideas to help with this?

We've found other carriers that help lift the bike but they're quite expensive and require different fixings to our current Fiamma Carry Bike Pro rack. Also tow bar carriers require chassis extensions so none of these are ideal.

Other ideas (not bought or tested yet!) is a portable scissor jack lift for motorbikes??

Thanks to anyone who can help with this.

 

[HandyAndy]

A length of guttering zip tied to a stick for a bit of rigidity, throw it in the garage for storage?

 

[SuperMike]

Put onto rack one wheel at a time, starting with the front wheel, because it will swivel.

That'll be one guinea.

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[Speve]

You need something like this?

Fiamma Carry-Bike Lift 77 Motorhome Bicycle Carrier | Leisure Outlet

www.leisureoutlet.com

 

[nicholsong]

Take the batteries off to reduce the weight.

 

[Two on Tour]

I have recently replace our existing Fiamma bike rack with the Fiamma Carry-Bike 77 E-Bike as my shoulders were now giving me gip.

I wind it up and down with my cord-less drill.

Bought it from Johns Cross as the Funster 10% off knocks a fair bit off the price.

Fiamma Carry Bike Motorhome, Motorhome Bike Racks, Campervan Cycle Racks

Fiamma Motorhome Carry Bike Racks from Johns Cross, The UK's leading Supplier of Fiamma Bike Racks, Buy today for quick delivery.

www.johnscross.co.uk

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[TheBig1]

some decent chord and a couple of pulleys from a chandlers will halve the effort needed

 

[Lenny HB]

We changed to a Motorhome with a garage much easier.
Not only saves all the faffing about but do you really want a few grands worth of e- bikes where it's easy for the torags to get at them.

 

[pappajohn]

Block and tackle.... Or a mobile crane.

Only SuperMike come up with a sensible answer so far.
Why lift the whole bike on in one go.
I have a Thule towbar rack on my car when I need it and even though it's only about 12 inch from the road I still lift the front wheel first then swing the rear wheel over.
My battery is behind the seat post and rear hub drive so quite heavy but not difficult to do.
I appreciate a motorhome rack is considerably higher but if, when the front wheels in, a second person steadies the bike while the rear is lifted its do-able.

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[pappajohn]

A length of guttering zip tied to a stick for a bit of rigidity, throw it in the garage for storage?

And you're going to certify its rigidity and strength with your bike?

 

[Trekka]

Thank you for the replies so far. The rack is 110cm high so one wheel at a time may be difficult unless we can reverse to a high bank or wall to reduce the height. We've considered the Fiamma Carry-Bike 77 E-Bike but unfortunately we'd need different fixings on the motorhome (so more holes made which isn't ideal). Thanks for suggesting Johns Cross who we've not heard of before. We've thought of using pulleys but we couldn't think what to attach them to when away from home, excuse my ignorance but what is a chandler? Please keep the comments coming - we keep thinking there must be a way! We've tried making ramps but we've not been very successful so far

 

[Kannon Fodda]

Chandler is a boat accessories shop. Often attached to marinas or boatyards.

Even with battery removed e-bikes remain too heavy for one person to lift above a couple of feet, not helped by the physical size of frames. Even two people will struggle. A different rear mounted carrier might work, if you accept changes of fixings, but check the van rear can take the added weight. It’s why towbar carriers are best for the larger loads.

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[SuperMike]

Only SuperMike come up with a sensible answer so far.

Oh, thank you Uncle PPJ, I'm all overcome with emulsion.

 

[TCG]

Swap existing for a tow ball bike rack

 

[busby]

Oh, thank you Uncle PPJ, I'm all overcome with emulsion.

My carrier is about 150 cm..Either struggle on my own using motorhome step or grab my better half and she helps..my bike about 23 kg but hers is much lighter.. Carrier was higher but have lowered it 6 ins this year.BUSBY.

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[SuperMike]

Thank you for the replies so far. The rack is 110cm high so one wheel at a time may be difficult unless we can reverse to a high bank or wall to reduce the height.

So mine is 65cm and I can, using the method described, do mine easily. So by comparison, you need an extra 45cm of lift. there are many folding step stools on fleabay which will contribute to this extra height, hopefully sufficently for you to manage.

 

[Kelsae2]

Mick Parkinson near Preston makes a fitting to suit your van. It is bolted to the chassis, so is low enough to lift your bike onto. His workmanship is first class, highly recommended.

 

[Ridgeway]

Small solid step and take the battery out (good for security as well), battery weight perhaps 3kgs and if you 30cm higher it will be a lot easier.

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[Rob Turner]

My wife put her back out lifting her ebike onto the rack.
I’ve bought a new van with a big garage to combat that problem!
Or as previously mentioned, towbar and an Atera Strada bike rack.

 

[Neil Bedwin]

I grasp the front fork near the top and the rear frame above the derailleur then stand up. The bike will then go on our, rear mounted, bike rack.

Without the battery my bike only weighs 14kg. Even if you are not strong enough to lift it yourself surely two of you can?

...but I used to lift 60kg of diving kit above my head to load the club boat and play rugby for Lancashire

 

[busby]

I grasp the front fork near the top and the rear frame above the derailleur then stand up. The bike will then go on our, rear mounted, bike rack.

Without the battery my bike only weighs 14kg. Even if you are not strong enough to lift it yourself surely two of you can?

...but I used to lift 60kg of diving kit above my head to load the club boat and play rugby for Lancashire

I used to hand ball 40 ton of bagged cement a day in 50 kg bags,,but that was years ago,,could not lift 25 kg above my head now..Age catches slowly up with you?? mind you I have been retired many years now.BUSBY.

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[martin2603]

I had the same problem, the carriers are too high and the e bikes too heavy! I have used a Thule Tow bar mounted rack with the Batteries removed , but have now fitted a removable Scooter Rack by Memo , not cheap but it will take my scooter and a cycle without any weight issues. I would add that the MH is a 5ton Tag axle, so there is no weight issues or see saw problem. It will also take tow or three cycles. Fiamma do the crossbar clamps.

 

[busby]

Thank you for the replies so far. The rack is 110cm high so one wheel at a time may be difficult unless we can reverse to a high bank or wall to reduce the height. We've considered the Fiamma Carry-Bike 77 E-Bike but unfortunately we'd need different fixings on the motorhome (so more holes made which isn't ideal). Thanks for suggesting Johns Cross who we've not heard of before. We've thought of using pulleys but we couldn't think what to attach them to when away from home, excuse my ignorance but what is a chandler? Please keep the comments coming - we keep thinking there must be a way! We've tried making ramps but we've not been very successful so far

Take up weight lifting at your local gym??BUSBY.

 

[Allanm]

A couple of months with a Bullworker and you will be fine.?

We have two ebikes, around 21 kg each without batteries and I take the saddles off too.
I can lift them onto our rack, which is about 110 cm off the ground, but we did see someone a few weeks ago with a wind down rack. Looked much easier to use for a heavy bike ( we watched them both struggle with a lightweight hybrid bike and they were a good 20 years younger than me! ) If it wasn’t for the price, I’d buy one in a flash.

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[The Wino]

I wonder how well the rear wall of some m/h copes with the weight of a couple of e-bikes?

 

[Sheddy]

Folding aluminium platform fitted with bike wheel track, put bike on platform, stand on platform put bike on rack. Stow platform on rack if weights permit.
Cheers
Ed

 

[kelv]

I have a small step to help lift mine

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[Lusky]

Hi Kelv, where did you buy that from ?

 

[Figaro]

Home Bargains have them, about £25 last time I looked.
I paid £20 a few years ago from Morrisons
Mine gets lots of use, washing van and hedge cutting

 

[kelv]

Hi Kelv, where did you buy that from ?

hi i bought one from costco

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