[VanShopping]

Anyone come up with good solutions for a rear bike rack that will allow decent use of the rear doors. I've got a hitch mount rack that curves up too much so I can't even open the doors with the bikes off. Was thinking something vertical attached to the doors would be sweet, still be able to open, but might be tricky to get the bikes on. We've got mountain bikes that are in the 30 lb range.


Thanks

 

[tgblake]

Anyone come up with good solutions for a rear bike rack that will allow decent use of the rear doors. I've got a hitch mount rack that curves up too much so I can't even open the doors with the bikes off. Was thinking something vertical attached to the doors would be sweet, still be able to open, but might be tricky to get the bikes on. We've got mountain bikes that are in the 30 lb range.


Thanks

Yakima has a rack that swings out of the way of the doors. Claims to swing out 37" from center mast.

http://www.yakima.com/shop/bike/hitch/swingdaddy

 

[Skeeter]

I just purchased a North Shore Racks NSR 2-Bike rack and it works perfect for carrying two mountain bikes on the back of my Promaster. In the laid back position you can open both doors. The rack is made specifically for mountain bikes and is very sturdy. Get the NSR 2-Bike because I think the NSR 4-Bike would be too wide to allow the doors to open. It's very easy to load and is a great design.

Check out the photos and videos on their website below:

http://www.northshoreracks.com/index.htm

 

[Skeeter]

Yakima has a rack that swings out of the way of the doors. Claims to swing out 37" from center mast.

http://www.yakima.com/shop/bike/hitch/swingdaddy

I mounted a swingdaddy on my Promaster factory hitch at an REI and it did not allow me rear access. The door hit the swing bar.

 

[TravelDerby]

I can't offer any advice on the rack, but can offer an alternative. Unless you're a hardcore mountain bike rider Montague makes some great folding models that may allow you to forgo the rack entirely (I have a Paratrooper Pro and absolutely love it). Personally, I always hated the idea of having to carry stuff on the outside of my vehicle. That's the main reason I drive a van!:laugh:
Bikes on the back are an open invitation to thieves, make parking an already long vehicle even more difficult and the hassle of having to deal with a rack and storing it while not in use never appealed to me. Also the folding models allow them to be easily stored when not in use instead of taking up space in the garage. They can also be kept protected from damage and bad weather in their carry bags.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313.TR4.TRC1.A0.H0.Xmontague+folding.TRS0&_nkw=montague+folding&_sacat=0

 

[papab]

A friend of mine mounted fork mounts direct to the doors with some support behind. I plan on doing something similar. I think Hein did something like that too (write up on sprinter forum). I'm wondering if hanging by the rear wheel, with a fork mount for stability might be better.

I prefer keeping it inside, but it's nice to have the option.

 

[VanShopping]

A friend of mine mounted fork mounts direct to the doors with some support behind. I plan on doing something similar. I think Hein did something like that too (write up on sprinter forum). I'm wondering if hanging by the rear wheel, with a fork mount for stability might be better.

I prefer keeping it inside, but it's nice to have the option.

This is along the lines of what I was thinking. I was thinking it might be difficult to get the bike onto the fork mount by yourself, so maybe the rear wheel up would be a better option. I'll look at the sprinter forum and see what I can find there.

 

[papab]

My buddy had that issue & rebuilt his at an angle to make it easier.

 

[Hein]

I used some 8020 that I had rolled to match the curvature of the rear door on our Sprinter. Then through bolted it with backing plates. Location of tracks worked out well for bike wheel spacing (axle to axle distance) and elevations on the door where the internal structure was good. Write up starts on this page of my build with more posts and photos on the pages following.

 

[VanShopping]

Hein, could you post a link to your build thread, I'm not having any luck finding it.

Thanks

 

[makevx73]

Hein, could you post a link to your build thread, I'm not having any luck finding it.

Thanks

http://sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=27822&page=73

Seriously nice work....

 

[Sweetsally]

Anyone come up with good solutions for a rear bike rack that will allow decent use of the rear doors. I've got a hitch mount rack that curves up too much so I can't even open the doors with the bikes off. Was thinking something vertical attached to the doors would be sweet, still be able to open, but might be tricky to get the bikes on. We've got mountain bikes that are in the 30 lb range.


Thanks

There's quite a bit of bike racks on hitchweb that fold down so you can open the rear doors. Here's the link if you wanted to check them out: Hitch Mounted Bike Racks

Hope this helps!

 

[BavarianBoy]

Look here: www.fiamma.com/download/brochure_ducato/DUCATO_EN.pdf

The dealer is www.fiammausa.com

 

[VanShopping]

Look here: www.fiamma.com/download/brochure_ducato/DUCATO_EN.pdf

The dealer is www.fiammausa.com

Thanks, that looks like the ticket. Emailed the Fiamma store for a shipping quote.

Anyone used one of these and have feedback on quality?

Edit to add that the FiammaUsa store doesn't appear to have the version for the Promaster, so am looking for a shipping quote from Britain.

 

[BavarianBoy]

Anyone used one of these and have feedback on quality?

I have now mounted the "Fiamma Carry-Bike" for 3 years and yet had no problems with it.

Installation and use instructions: www.fiamma.com/download/installation/98690M010_revC.pdf

 

[BavarianBoy]

Here is another Bike-Rack: http://www.thule.com/en/at/products/rv-accessories/rv-bike-carriers/rv-bike-carriers/thule-elite-g2-van-_-thule elite g2 van newnew

...and here the dealer: www.thule.com/en-us/us/dealer-locator#/category/bike-carriers

 

[Samuel]

I had a swind dady rack before, loved it on my eurovan but it added 6 feet to the vehicule and i'm not too keen on this van to extend that much.

Ive look at the saris gran fondo , seem like a good solution!!

http://www.hawleycompany.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/saris_rack.jpg

 

[VanShopping]

I have now mounted the "Fiamma Carry-Bike" for 3 years and yet had no problems with it.

Installation and use instructions: www.fiamma.com/download/installation/98690M010_revC.pdf

Heard back from FiammaUSA, $730 for this rack, that's just more than what I'm willing to spend.

 

[VanShopping]

Here is another Bike-Rack: http://www.thule.com/en/at/products/rv-accessories/rv-bike-carriers/rv-bike-carriers/thule-elite-g2-van-_-thule elite g2 van newnew

...and here the dealer: www.thule.com/en-us/us/dealer-locator#/category/bike-carriers

Thanks, have a request in to my local dealer (just down the street!) for a quote.

 

[BavarianBoy]

Heard back from FiammaUSA, $730 for this rack, that's just more than what I'm willing to spend.

Ooops, the European-Price is 476 € = 540 $
Look at www.fiamma.com/DE/produkte/carry-bike/kastenwagen/carry-bike_van_dj/