Micknick Posted March 5, 2013 Share Posted March 5, 2013 Hi everyone its a long time since I posted but now need some opinions experiences or maybe answers ! Ive stopped using a motorbike with thevan and have bought a Thule bike rack which is almost identical to a Fiamma. I intend to fit it myself but conflicting ideas from proffessionals are making me a bit nervous .Their general opinion is that bike racks should only be bolted into manufacturer installed re enforcement points but some bike carrier distributors feel its quite ok to just drill through the van wall and with the back plates and possibly suportive tubes to prevent the panneling being crushed when bolts are tightened fit it anywere its possible. I should say that we have had our Auto trail for almost 14 years and they say that they have no records of vans constructed pre 2003. SO can it be done safely ? Thanks for any and all responses . micknick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gocro Posted March 6, 2013 Share Posted March 6, 2013 You could try using a stud detector to find any cross battens to bolt through,otherwise try to spot a similar van and follow their example. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JudgeMental Posted March 6, 2013 Share Posted March 6, 2013 A stud detector a good idea. When you want to work out what to do and have identified where supports will go, use wide paper masking tape , then you can measure and draw fixings on tape, before drilling... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lennyhb Posted March 6, 2013 Share Posted March 6, 2013 The above suggestions are the best options you really do want to mount through structural members as you will be hanging upwards of 30kg on the back of the van. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Micknick Posted March 8, 2013 Author Share Posted March 8, 2013 Thanks for suggestion folks.Have bought a stud detector which is giving me some clues which I hope will reduce the chance of a major error. I'm also going to ask forumites if there's an Auto trail Mohican 1998 owner out there who has a bike carrier on the back of it. thanks again. micknick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JudgeMental Posted March 8, 2013 Share Posted March 8, 2013 measure twice, cut once......or in this instance drill :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gocro Posted March 8, 2013 Share Posted March 8, 2013 Thers a 1999 one for sale through Autotrader by Motorlands, give em an email mail expressing interest and more photos, its got a bike rack fitted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Dwight Posted March 8, 2013 Share Posted March 8, 2013 Why not contact Autotrail and get the correct information! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robinhood Posted March 8, 2013 Share Posted March 8, 2013 If you have a stud finder, then the suggestion to search the web for pictures to reinforce (no pun intended) your findings is a good one. In reality, I'd like more than one photo to validate the findings (a single example may just be of someone having "taken a punt"), but they are not difficult to find. Though the attached picture is of a 2000 'van, I suspect (from info in your separate post) it may be similar to yours. Google (other search engines are available ;-) ) is your friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JudgeMental Posted March 8, 2013 Share Posted March 8, 2013 forgot to mention: to double check the presumably cheap DIY stud finder. Knocking in a line with your knuckle SHOULD give you an indication of a more solid surface below.(practice makes perfect) measure twice - drill once :-| Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lennyhb Posted March 9, 2013 Share Posted March 9, 2013 And once you think you have found a stud you could drill a 1 mm hole on the inside wall of the van to check, a hole that size will be hardly visible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lennyhb Posted March 9, 2013 Share Posted March 9, 2013 David Dwight - 2013-03-08 9:32 PM Why not contact Autotrail and get the correct information! If you read the OP you will see he has already done that. (lol) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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