Pilote 696U Cycle carrier

[Monty 2]

Hello, Has anybody fitted a cycle carrier to a Pilote 696U.
As this is a rear lounge I can’t really see anything substantial to fasten it to.
Is the van wall sufficient?
Most of the time it will only be carrying the awning.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Roby2008]

We have the 696D with a Thule cycle rack, its just fixed through the back wall which is one big panel with not a lot behind it...

 

[Monty 2]

Hi, thanks for the reply. Did you find a support to mount it to? I’m a bit concerned just bolting it through the wall.

 

[raysalaugh]

I wouldn't consider fitting a bike rack on our rear panel, I've just drill a 40mm hole through the roof and surprised how flimsy the thickness is compared to our previous Auto-Trail. Bike rack and bikes up to 75 kg* bouncing about over uneven road surface could do some damage.
*75kg could be a bit less.

 

[Roby2008]

Hi, thanks for the reply. Did you find a support to mount it to? I’m a bit concerned just bolting it through the wall.

I will go and have a look....

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[Roby2008]

I will go and have a look....

So, had a look and there are no visible fixings on the inside, if you can hide the fixing, I would go right through and have a load spreading panel on the inside, I did this with a folding seat in the shower and that will ta

ke my weight without flexing and I go 100 kg (ish) .

 

[Monty 2]

Roby, I appreciate the pics. As mine has the rear lounge with a window I was hoping not to go in front of the window. I can hide a load spreader under the seat so I might still give it ago. I have also asked Pilote direct but as yet nothing. I’m surprised lol

 

[Roby2008]

Roby, I appreciate the pics. As mine has the rear lounge with a window I was hoping not to go in front of the window. I can hide a load spreader under the seat so I might still give it ago. I have also asked Pilote direct but as yet nothing. I’m surprised lol

It is a problem with the rear lounge, we looked at that early on but prefered the front lounge and big bathroom for wheelchair access..
Our dealer here is great,but Pilote themselves are a pain, they just never respond to the dealer....
Even with a load spreader you have less strength in the rear wall because of the window... I don't know what the best answer is ...

 

[Neil S]

I would fit a towbar mounted carrier which would be safer option if you are concerned about the strain on the backwall
Ours was a factory option and you cannot see where it was fitted in the garage so i assume it has some sort of load strengthening support hidden behind the panel
I’ve carried a leccy bike at 25kg on multiple occasions without any problems

 

[Brains]

Tow ball mounted cycle racks are a much better solution.
It means you can move them from vehicle to vehicle.
As they are low, you do not need a step ladder to load them
Covers will fit over the bikes.
They don't need modifications to the rear wall.

And at the end of the day you can always sell a tow ball mounted cycle rack as they retain their value quite well

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[Monty 2]

Thanks all, the tow bar type was an option. What put me off was first the cost for the tow bar and also the weight.
I’ve just uplated to 3700kg so I might go down this route.
I feel it would be less strain on the vehicle.

Cheers