To garage or not to garage

SpitzTM

SpitzTM

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Hi, we are looking to rent a MH next year and are wondering how best to carry our two electric bikes. A garage looks a good option in terms of protecting them from the elements, but we also like the look of an end lounge layout, meaning the bikes would have to go on an end rack.

Their total weight is close to 40kg (excluding batteries which could carried inside the home) so my question is, are the racks you see typically see attached to many motor homes designed for this amount of weight? Or is the garage a better option in this regard?
 
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Most bike racks on hire vehicles are usually Fiamma so the weight limits should be available from them, we usually carry one electric bike and two other bikes so similar weight without problems. You might also want to consider where you are going and whether the security of having the bikes in a garage is a better option or not.
 
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I wouldn't want £5k of e-bikes sitting on a rack, garage every time for us. A garage is also so much more convenient for storage of all the other items you cart around with you.
A van with decent captain seats, they are the most comfortable seats in the house.
 
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Another benefit of a garage is that it leaves the bathroom free to use enroute.
 
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My Fiamma bike rack carried 2 electric bikes no problem, the fixing to the rear is just as important. The hirer may have a view about what is allowed. If they are mounted on the back use a good bike cover so you are not advertising they are electric bikes and we used to use 2 x D locks to bolt them to each other so more an issue trying to get them off when bolted together. Garage is best just make sure the door is sufficiently tall to get them in as quite a few are not.

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An aluminium bike rack with a couple of bikes on is a very easy target for thieves whilst parked up. 30 seconds with a battery angle grinder and the rack is cut off and the bikes and remains of the rack are in the back of a Transit and away. They can then deal with the any other security systems at their leisure.

I agree with Lenny HB that our swivel driving seats are much more comfortable for lounging on once parked up. We find the low back cushions on rear lounges uncomfortable.
 
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Sillious Sodus said:
Another benefit of a garage is that it leaves the bathroom free to use enroute.
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Sorry if a dumb question, but why is this the case? From what I have read most bathrooms seem self contained (ie. cassette toilets, internal clean/dirty water containers).
 
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Thank you for all the replies (and so quick too:giggle:). Some great points made, especially around security.
 
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SpitzTM said:
Sorry if a dumb question, but why is this the case? From what I have read most bathrooms seem self contained (ie. cassette toilets, internal clean/dirty water containers).
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Many campers use the loo an an additional storage locker when travelling

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The insurance on our e-bikes is only valid for vehicles if they are locked inside and out of sight.
 
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when you read about thieves turning up mob handed and 4 of them lifting a motor scooter chained to an ebike off a rack and carrying it away to cut the locks, you realise that security really is an issue. And that particular incident happened on a caravan club site in the early hours and caught on camera
 
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Welcome!
You can carry bikes on a rack at the back but the pitfalls have already been mentioned.
If you are active, you may have other toys to put somewhere (ruck sack/panniers/walking poles) to say nothing of other equipment (chairs/BBQ) and a garage is ideal for that.
A problem of putting heavy items right at the back is weight distribution. You could end up overloading the rear axle by transferring weight from the front ("moments" if you did that at school).
Starting from scratch, you will have much to learn and compromise will be one of them.
Expect to change your vehicle after a year or two, when you've discovered what's most important for you.
 
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TheBig1 said:
when you read about thieves turning up mob handed and 4 of them lifting a motor scooter chained to an ebike off a rack and carrying it away to cut the locks, you realise that security really is an issue. And that particular incident happened on a caravan club site in the early hours and caught on camera
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Don't put them off. Those are exceptions.

I've had 50 years of good times without such a thing (mind you, things have changed and, back in the day, it was your horse you worried about rather than an e-bike).
 
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two said:
Welcome!
You can carry bikes on a rack at the back but the pitfalls have already been mentioned.
If you are active, you may have other toys to put somewhere (ruck sack/panniers/walking poles) to say nothing of other equipment (chairs/BBQ) and a garage is ideal for that.
A problem of putting heavy items right at the back is weight distribution. You could end up overloading the rear axle by transferring weight from the front ("moments" if you did that at school).
Starting from scratch, you will have much to learn and compromise will be one of them.
Expect to change your vehicle after a year or two, when you've discovered what's most important for you.
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The OP stated it will be a rental. So as someone said above it will gave to be a discussion point with the hirer.
 
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Riverbankannie said:
The OP stated it will be a rental. So as someone said above it will gave to be a discussion point with the hirer.
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Yes, and a garage will be on the list of requirements as we seek out a MH hire. Thanks everyone for your inputs.
 
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Check your e-bike insurance policy as some will NOT cover them unless they are locked to an 'immovable object' and a motorhome doesn't always meet that requirement, by being out of sight in a garage this will usually ensure they are still covered though.
 
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Sillious Sodus said:
Depends how the bikes are packed haha. I've heard of tables, chairs and rollalongs transported in the loo.
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We used to put our canoe in the washroom ... :eek:






















Fortunately it was an inflatable one! :LOL:
 
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Minxy Girl said:
Check your e-bike insurance policy as some will NOT cover them unless they are locked to an 'immovable object' and a motorhome doesn't always meet that requirement, by being out of sight in a garage this will usually ensure they are still covered though.
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Our insurance requires the bikes to be locked to an immovable object even in the garage! Don’t shoot the messenger it’s just how it is even if the garage is alarmed! We don’t bother of course.
 
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