IMP Posted December 17, 2019 Share Posted December 17, 2019 We have 2 fold up electric bikes , which are stored in the garage in our Autotrail Savannah.They came with the Van, when we bought it. However, to free up internal storage, I would prefer to put them on a bike rack. Is the rear panel designed to take a bike rack? If so, is there a proprietory one available that is suitable for mounting that will clear both the built in spare wheel bubble and the roof ladder? Any user experience appreciated! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trail66 Posted December 19, 2019 Share Posted December 19, 2019 I had one fitted to my Auto-Trail motorhome from new 3 points to consider that caused us grief! 1) If you have one fitted make sure it is fitted correctly with the design bolt fixings and internal load spreader plates. We found ours had been simply screwed on (by an Auto-Trail dealer) using wood screws!!! 2) Ensure the weight capability of the rack is sufficient. We found the rack we had fitted to our Motorhome would only just take 2 lightweight bikes. Despite being assured it would take a 65kg!! 3) Ensure you can reach the rack easily lifting a relatively heavy bike. We need a step up with 2 people to use and reach it safely. Auto-Trail technical department will help you and advise if fitting a rack is possible with the recommended manufacturer for the rack. We rang them for advice when we were having problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keithl Posted December 19, 2019 Share Posted December 19, 2019 IMP, The safest and easiest way to carry two e-bikes would be to have a towbar and towbar mounted carrier fitted. There are specific carriers designed for the weight of e-bikes as, as has been highlighted by trail66, a 'normal' cycle rack may not be able to carry the increased weight over conventional cycles. Keith. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phalange Posted December 19, 2019 Share Posted December 19, 2019 My fiamma bike rack has a 60 kg limit according to the sticker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malc d Posted December 19, 2019 Share Posted December 19, 2019 phalange - 2019-12-19 5:36 PM My fiamma bike rack has a 60 kg limit according to the sticker The trick is to get the bike rack mounted to something that can also take 60 kg. ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ocsid Posted December 19, 2019 Share Posted December 19, 2019 You would also need to consider the effect of that cantilevered weight on the load it places on the rear axle. The already long overhang of the Savannah is not helping. By extending quite an amount further aft of the rear axle will apply a multiplier to the bike and rack weight, that has to be carried by the rear axle. That is, there will be more weight added to the rear axle than leaving these bikes in the garage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phalange Posted December 19, 2019 Share Posted December 19, 2019 malc d - 2019-12-19 5:48 PM phalange - 2019-12-19 5:36 PM My fiamma bike rack has a 60 kg limit according to the sticker The trick is to get the bike rack mounted to something that can also take 60 kg. ;-) It is ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geeco Posted December 20, 2019 Share Posted December 20, 2019 Ian as you can see from the attached image there is a Fiamma bike rack that fits the rear of an AT with the wheel cover and a ladder in place. However you need to be aware of the load limitation that is approx 50-60kgs ( the weight decal has come off mine). A tow bar mounted rack as suggested would be my choice. Cheers, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spirou Posted December 20, 2019 Share Posted December 20, 2019 Towbar mount for e-bikes without a doubt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IMP Posted December 20, 2019 Author Share Posted December 20, 2019 Thank you, all, for your informative responses! Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keithl Posted December 20, 2019 Share Posted December 20, 2019 Ian, As you have folding e-bikes would they possibly fit in something like a Fiamma storage box, either rack or towbar mounted? https://www.fiammastore.com/Fiamma-Storage-Boxes-for-caravan-and-motorhome There are other makes available if Fiamma doesn't work for you. Keith. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IMP Posted December 20, 2019 Author Share Posted December 20, 2019 Keith Thanks for the advice. I think that the problem is going to be the weight of the bikes, as they are quite heavy. It seems that I may have to simply live with the garage space that is still available and distribute some items elsewhere. Still getting used to the Van - only had it a week. So, I have now got it parked in the drive, so that I can try various weight and load distribution layouts, before it goes into the secure parking that we have booked locally. Cheers Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted December 20, 2019 Share Posted December 20, 2019 Ian I agree with your analysis... As you’ve owned the Savannah for such a short time, rather than carry the e-bikes outside (where the bikes’ weight and spare-wheel and ladder access are potential issues) it seems more logical for you to carefully ‘vet’ what you carry with you on your travels and optimise the available interior storage and - having done that and used the motorhome for a while - see whether carrying the e-bikes within the garage proves to be intolerable. There are obvious pros and cons for in-garage or extermal bike carrying, and it does no harm investigaring what the latter involves. But if your e-bikes can be kept in the garage, they should be out of the weather and more secure than exposed on a rack. (And, of course, you won’t have needed to fork out for a suitable rack and have holes drilled in the Savannah’s rear wall to attach it.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IMP Posted December 20, 2019 Author Share Posted December 20, 2019 Thanks, Derek Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fifo Posted December 20, 2019 Share Posted December 20, 2019 Not cheap but worth it’s weight in gold is the Alko Velo range. They fit in the chassis of the motorhome, take 2/3 electric bikes easily, improve the stability of the ride as the bikes are quite low down, put no strain on the back of the van and can be moved to other vans, folded up or removed altogether when not in use. We have had one for 4 years now and it has performed flawlessly. Make sure you find a firm who know how to fit them. https://www.alko-tech.com/uk/velo-iii Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IMP Posted December 20, 2019 Author Share Posted December 20, 2019 Many thanks, I will look into it, should we need to go down this route. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crocs Posted December 20, 2019 Share Posted December 20, 2019 If you decided to go with the towbar option, I have a brand new, still in its box, towbar for a Savannah bought direct from AT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted December 21, 2019 Share Posted December 21, 2019 IMP - 2019-12-20 9:44 AM Many thanks, I will look into it, should we need to go down this route. The SAWIKO VELO III product is a nice bit of kit, but I suspect that the speare-wheel and its cover being located on a Savannah’s rear wall would prevent the carrier from being properly folded. The image below shows the potential problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fifo Posted December 21, 2019 Share Posted December 21, 2019 Re spare wheel....not something I’d thought of. On our AS Broadway the back of the van is dished and the distance from the bar of the bike rack to the back of the van is 24 cm ( 9.5 inches). The upright bar is in this position all the time whether the rack is folded up or in use. Presumably the spare wheel carrier is removable and the spare wheel could be secured in your garage, as in many vans ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IMP Posted December 21, 2019 Author Share Posted December 21, 2019 Thanks, Robert I will bear that in mind, should we decide to go this way. Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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