MEMO Vanstar E Cross cycle rack - adjusting the swinging bar?

[Hagstrom]

We've had the E-bike rack over a year now and it still doesn't close into the docking housing without a good kick. It doesn't pull out without a huge tug, either. The swinging bar maybe a degree or two off and seems to be set too high to enter the docking housing easily. Memo won't give advice except to fitters(??) Original fitter unknown as arranged through the supplying MH dealer.

There are two bolts at the hinge end of the swinging bar but slackening and tightening them again hasn't relieved the bar's angle. Does anyone know how the bar can be adjusted?

 

[Mixyblob]

We have a similar swing out but it doesn't have whatever that is that your holding in your right hand. Ours also needs a bit of a lift and push to dock/ undock, especially when we have a couple of ebikes on it.
I don't find it a problem and its to be expected with so much weight and leverage.
The important thing is that the arm is 100% secure when docked, which it is once the pin is inserted.
Its strange that you say it appears to be angled up too much, ours hangs down too much with all the weight on it.
You could always give THIS chap a call and ask his advice, he is very knowledgeable about all things tow bar and I bought my swing out from him. I can't rate him highly enough.

 

[Hagstrom]

That's very helpful. I'll contact him. Thank you! (I think there's a good chance that he actually installed our Vanstar ebike carrier as we bought the van from Signature Motorhomes at Preston, where he is based.)

 

[Aji]

We have a similar swing out but it doesn't have whatever that is that your holding in your right hand. Ours also needs a bit of a lift and push to dock/ undock, especially when we have a couple of ebikes on it.
I don't find it a problem and its to be expected with so much weight and leverage.
The important thing is that the arm is 100% secure when docked, which it is once the pin is inserted.
Its strange that you say it appears to be angled up too much, ours hangs down too much with all the weight on it.
You could always give THIS chap a call and ask his advice, he is very knowledgeable about all things tow bar and I bought my swing out from him. I can't rate him highly enough.

That is the locking device in his hand.
Prevents the rack swinging back.
Simple but very effective.

 

[Aji]

We've had the E-bike rack over a year now and it still doesn't close into the docking housing without a good kick. It doesn't pull out without a huge tug, either. The swinging bar maybe a degree or two off and seems to be set too high to enter the docking housing easily. Memo won't give advice except to fitters(??) Original fitter unknown as arranged through the supplying MH dealer.

There are two bolts at the hinge end of the swinging bar but slackening and tightening them again hasn't relieved the bar's angle. Does anyone know how the bar can be adjusted?

I have the Vanstar E Cross.
I think mines hangs down with the weight of bikes.
I don't know if you can adjust it, I just give it a good slam to close.
To open it I take some of the weight whilst pulling back, works for me.
The small handle is not great.
Ideally it should have been designed and manufactured to open and close easier.

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[Hagstrom]

I've been in touch with Mike Parkinson in Lancashire (referred to above.). He fits all kinds of towbar and has helpfully offered to email Memo for instructions (if any) on how to adjust the pretension in the hinge.

 

[Skinboy]

I have the Vanstar E Cross.
I think mines hangs down with the weight of bikes.
I don't know if you can adjust it, I just give it a good slam to close.
To open it I take some of the weight whilst pulling back, works for me.
The small handle is not great.
Ideally it should have been designed and manufactured to open and close easier.

Hi Aji
Just about to pul the trigger on the Van Star E Cross for our VW Crafter Mk2, but I cant find out the weight of the actual carrier itself, only what its weight capacity is. I need the former weight as I am trying to calculate loads on axles etc. you dont happen to know the weight of the actual carrier do you?

 

[Hagstrom]

I can't find the weight of the Swing arm pluse chassis mount in my documentation but my memory (often faulty) has come up with the figure of 44kgs???

 

[Soycd]

Just done a little mod to support the swing arm when it's open. I had been using a single screw jack affair, but I had to open the doors to get the jack out. I've now modified a Lidl quick release clamp to allow me to support the swing bar. Basically you reverse the foot and clamp so that it works the wrong way around, if that makes sense. I've also cut a small slot in the square bung to house the clamp so we don't have to open the doors to get to it.