How to get a tow bar fitted on Rapido 8094df

[Millie 'n us]

We’ve just traded in our ageing Hyme for the above lovely van but can’t find anyone to fit a bumper and two bar for our bikes. Tried 3 places including Witters and all say there is nothing to attach extenders to (nothing??) having sent photos of the rear end. Help please!

 

[Tombola]

Fiamma do a rack... if you don't mind punching holes of course.

Oh and quick tip...check the passenger cab door hinges to see if they need oiling. Mine were so stiff one snapped and had to be replaced. When removed ain't no way would they have been made so tight. Seemed a possible design hinge fault.

 

[Pilote87]

Hi Millie 'n us, we had a towbar made up and fitted by Mike Parkinson . .
motorhometowbarslancashire.co.uk Mick Parkinson at Freckleton. 01772 634215
mob 07887997653. However, not sure about type approval requirements. I had one fitted by him about 8 years ago

 

[Tombola]

Ive used Mike aswell a long time a go, but if you say witter say there are no attachment points, he will be able to tell you if it can be customed.
would recommend him too

 

[GAVLAD]

Hi Millie 'n us, we had a towbar made up and fitted by Mike Parkinson . .
motorhometowbarslancashire.co.uk Mick Parkinson at Freckleton. 01772 634215
mob 07887997653. However, not sure about type approval requirements. I had one fitted by him about 8 years ago

I second this.
Did a great job for me

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[Millie 'n us]

Fiamma do a rack... if you don't mind punching holes of course.

Oh and quick tip...check the passenger cab door hinges to see if they need oiling. Mine were so stiff one snapped and had to be replaced. When removed ain't no way would they have been made so tight. Seemed a possible design hinge fault.

Thanks all. Freckleton would be handy for us. Also, Tombola, no problem with passenger door but seat adjustments are way too stiff and not responding to oiling. Get whacked on the head when finally manage to pull the leaver. All good fun!

 

[The Dudess]

3rd vote for Mike Parkinson.

 

[wiljoy]

It looks like you may need a chassis extension kit, expensive. Once that is fitted the tow bar will easily mount to that. I always buy my bars from Towtrust. If near Durham Hedley Tow Bars are excellent.

 

[Fdhadi]

Ours has this on it. I’ve removed the rack as we don’t use it. I’m almost certain it has a Chassis extension kit fitted to accommodate the towbar.
The Motorhome is in storage but as soon as I get a chance I’ll get some pictures from underneath.

Frank

 

[DangerMousy]

The previous owner of ours had chassis extensions fitted which they used for a scooter rack...sounds like you need something similar.

By the way, if you only need a tow bar for a bike rack then consider a chassis mounted bike rack instead....much lighter (and unless you're on the heavy chassis, most Rapidos don't have much payload). You'll still need chassis extensions though.

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[Millie 'n us]

Yes we do need extensions fitting but we’re told by Witters that there’s nothing to fasten them to!
Will try Mike Parkinson thanks.

 

[The Wino]

Why not get a quote for the extensions and towbar and another for a bike rack on the rear wall?. I would have thought there will be a big difference in cost

 

[Speve]

Yes we do need extensions fitting but we’re told by Witters that there’s nothing to fasten them to!
Will try Mike Parkinson thanks.

I think the extensions fit either end of that cross member in your photo where the bolts are as that is the end of your chassis

 

[Tombola]

Thanks all. Freckleton would be handy for us. Also, Tombola, no problem with passenger door but seat adjustments are way too stiff and not responding to oiling. Get whacked on the head when finally manage to pull the leaver. All good fun!

Ha ha...I agree. Took me 3 days to find them.

 

[David and Sally]

These guys have done two for us

Towing Equipment | Towcraft Ltd

Based in Rowley Regis, we supply and fit towbars for most passenger and light commercial vehicles.

www.towcraft.co.uk

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[tonyidle]

Must admit I can't see anything to attach chassis extensions to.

 

[dunnah01]

It needs drop brackets installing to allow extensions to be fitted:

 

[gus-lopez]

Yes we do need extensions fitting but we’re told by Witters that there’s nothing to fasten them to!
Will try Mike Parkinson thanks.

The extensions have to go all the way back to that galvanised rail in picture three & then 60cm past attached to the side chassis rails using drop links.

I think the extensions fit either end of that cross member in your photo where the bolts are as that is the end of your chassis

As above they have to go at least 2' past & on drop links if necessary then back up tight against the floor.

 

[Millie 'n us]

Gosh! That’s a lot of knowledge and hoping Mick (‘call me anything’) Parkinson knows it all as we are now booked in. Fingers crossed and thanks all. Isn’t this great?

 

[TinaLes]

Gosh! That’s a lot of knowledge and hoping Mick (‘call me anything’) Parkinson knows it all as we are now booked in. Fingers crossed and thanks all. Isn’t this great?

Please keep us posted on how it all works out for you, works needed & costs if pos.
I was thinking about having an HD nudge or protection bar fitted as you see many vans have, but not needed for towing or supporting a bike frame. Its just to offer some rear protection especially when parking between cars as there is little to no protection to our rear ABS lower panel at present.
Many Thanks.
LES

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[RandallC]

Can confirm view is nothing like 8096df. Heavy Mam of 4400kg. Which is factory fitted with Chassis extension on an ALKO chassis. 3500KG Mam are not.

However you haven't said what Chassis you have and what's the plated weight? Just a thought if considering rear wall mounted cycle carrier, Ebikes and heavy are rear wall issues are not unknown.

Looking at the photo of underneath it's not fitted with an extension so not going to be very cheap, Sorry.
Which raises another issue have you the payload/rear axle loading to carry cycles?

It's a bit of minefield/ smoke & mirrors issue depending if your buying or selling. Guess which is the smoke & mirrors?

 

[dunnah01]

Can confirm view is nothing like 8096df. Heavy Mam of 4400kg. Which is factory fitted with Chassis extension on an ALKO chassis. 3500KG Mam are not.

However you haven't said what Chassis you have and what's the plated weight? Just a thought if considering rear wall mounted cycle carrier, Ebikes and heavy are rear wall issues are not unknown.

Looking at the photo of underneath it's not fitted with an extension so not going to be very cheap, Sorry.
Which raises another issue have you the payload/rear axle loading to carry cycles?

It's a bit of minefield/ smoke & mirrors issue depending if your buying or selling. Guess which is the smoke & mirrors?

Looks exactly the same as our 4250kg Alko chassis 7065+ which has the towbar/nudge bar fitted on drop hanger extensions.

 

[DangerMousy]

This is what the underside of our 9094 looks like.

Firstly the view from the rear:

And this is where the extension is attached to the chassis:

 

[dunnah01]

This is what the underside of our 9094 looks like.

Firstly the view from the rear:
View attachment 628655

And this is where the extension is attached to the chassis:View attachment 628656

Looks like your extensions are already fitted by the factory to support the r-send. Our end washroom and garage just hangs off beyond the last perforated cross member like the OP's seems to do

 

[Bleau’s]

Have a look at armitages at pontefract they put mine on our Burstner elegance.

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[mitzimad]

i dont know how tight you are on weight but id check what that amount of iron work is going to add

 

[Ridgeway]

i dont know how tight you are on weight but id check what that amount of iron work is going to add

Our extension frame and tow bracket added 75kgs, the frame just bolted on but was fairly big. Frame was from Sawiko.

 

[Millie 'n us]

Don’t know if this conversation will still be running but we’re booked in for the 24th June and will happily report back.
Yes our e-bikes are very heavy. Nigel’s is a Jorvik trike (built like a tank). We are on a fiat alko chassis plated at 3,800. Spose we’ll have to risk it as dont know how much weight is allowed over rear axle. Don’t carry much stuff otherwise.

 

[Speve]

Don’t know if this conversation will still be running but we’re booked in for the 24th June and will happily report back.
Yes our e-bikes are very heavy. Nigel’s is a Jorvik trike (built like a tank). We are on a fiat alko chassis plated at 3,800. Spose we’ll have to risk it as dont know how much weight is allowed over rear axle. Don’t carry much stuff otherwise.

Your weight plate on the van will tell you your max axle loading with 3800 gvw it’s not going to be greatsounds like the lightweight chassis?? if I were you I wouldn’t commit to anything until you know the axle limits and weight you intend putting on as you could end up having something not fit for purpose?

 

[Tombola]

Don’t know if this conversation will still be running but we’re booked in for the 24th June and will happily report back.
Yes our e-bikes are very heavy. Nigel’s is a Jorvik trike (built like a tank). We are on a fiat alko chassis plated at 3,800. Spose we’ll have to risk it as dont know how much weight is allowed over rear axle. Don’t carry much stuff otherwise.

maybe look at up plating aswell to squeeze some more weight