Florence Posted May 24, 2015 Share Posted May 24, 2015 Given that we are unable to put our bikes in the motorhome garage, we are thinking about how they could be carried on the motorhome rear. There seem to be a couple of methods we could use to do this. One is a fitted bike rack and the other a tow bar on which to carry the bikes. We would be grateful for any advice. Many thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmacz Posted May 24, 2015 Share Posted May 24, 2015 Fitted racks are excellent if you have the space on the back. Tow bar means you can use the rack on other towbar vehicles, no need to drill bodywork, lastly you have a towbar for trailers etc. Towbar wins it for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malc d Posted May 24, 2015 Share Posted May 24, 2015 Take into account the process of lifting the bikes onto a rack - some racks are higher than others - and can become a bit of a chore ( as you get older ! ). I have seen some with electric lifts but I would guess they are expensive - but - probably - less expensive than a tow bar ? ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JudgeMental Posted May 24, 2015 Share Posted May 24, 2015 Toe bars are heavy...all depend on your payload? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyg3nwl Posted May 24, 2015 Share Posted May 24, 2015 Hi, we have been through the same quandary. bike rack on rear is rated at 50 kg carry load..towbar adds at least 5 0 kilo . cost of towbar plus electrics significantly exceeds bike rack cost. cost of towbar plus bike rack for towbar overall far exceeds fiamma bike rack itself, and has to be considered with bike weights in relation to rear axle loading rear bike rack fiamma type can be fitted on most vans, but height of mounting is higher than towbar type. so lifting bikes up to load might cause problems..our electric bikes require 2 person lift and rack loading is close to rating. when loaded, we are still in rear axle load ratings, and indeed still within 3500 van ratings overall. We did consider option of carry lift from fiamma, but it couldnt be fitted on our van, and price put us off. so we have standard fiamma rack for 2 bikes both electric. tonyg3nwl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derek pringle Posted May 24, 2015 Share Posted May 24, 2015 hi Florence, Having had both, I would definitely go for Tow Bar , providing you check the weight limits are ok for your van. I would call the Tech. Dept of your van makers. A tow bar in my opinion gives more options if needed for the future. They will for instance usually be better for e-bikes if you ever go that way, or a carrier for other things. As a side it is definitely easier to load bikes on a tow ball mounted carrier than a rack. Personal choice I know but like I say having had and used both to me it is an easy decision. good luck in whatever you choose derek p.s I had a factory fitted tow bar and a Thule bike carrier Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dora_ex Posted May 24, 2015 Share Posted May 24, 2015 we had a bike bar fitted but struggled as it was higher than was easy to lift onto. We then had a towbar fitting and a bike carrier than just clicks onto that. It was a big expense but the bike rack being hard to lift the bike on and off of meant the bikes were really becoming ornaments. Of course its horses for course - but if you have any problems with lifting then would say tow bar. Also where our bike rack was fitted seemed higher than on some vans so maybe check exactly where it would be before you go down that route. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Florence Posted May 26, 2015 Author Share Posted May 26, 2015 Many thanks for the helpful replies. I am unsure what we will go for but, at present, a Fiamma Carry Lift looks possible. Kind regards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derek pringle Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 hi again, the Thule tow ball mounted bike carrier has a 'loading' ramp which is very light and neat and stows away as part of the carrier. Hence no lifting. good luck with whatever you choose derek Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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