18' Series Time to get the Toolbox & Rear Bumper bar to carry bike rack project underway.

[Lozza T]

Thanks @DaveR and @The escapist. Any chance of pics showing what reinforcing was done to the rear bar? Or a bit more of a description? I am not convinced with what I am proposing to fabricate in the above sketch that it would not work. I can understand attaching a tow hitch to the original bar only would be vulnerable to flex. But with the additional 2 rails of the RHS spaced at least 200mm apart and secured back to the main chassis of the van, I think it would be more than adequate handle the bounce of the bikes / rack.
Add an additional support of a strap (the non stretch type) secured to a solid part of the van can only further improve the strength.

 

[WHHEMI]

Is something like this an option.

 

[DaveR]

Here is the extra steel member welded in place under the centre of the rear.



The top of the pic shows the underside of the original gal bar. Next showing how it is attached to the rear bar with the bike frame base welded in place.
What is needed is to extend the original bars further along the chassis.

 

[Lozza T]

Is something like this an option.View attachment 55989 View attachment 55990

Thanks @WHHEMI
That would be the ideal solution and I love the idea. However, I have the bed end at the rear and I am assuming that you cannot secure the bike rack to the bed end?

 

[Lozza T]

Here is the extra steel member welded in place under the centre of the rear.

View attachment 55992

The top of the pic shows the underside of the original gal bar. Next showing how it is attached to the rear bar with the bike frame base welded in place.
What is needed is to extend the original bars further along the chassis.

View attachment 55993

Interesting @DaveR
Agree. The RHS inside the chassis needs to be extended. A friend's of mine also mentioned the same thing to me this morning.

 

[The escapist]

Sorry @Lozza T , no pics as the van is long gone....
I like what Dave's done though. I would think that would take up some of the movement

Daz

 

[WHHEMI]

Thanks @WHHEMI
That would be the ideal solution and I love the idea. However, I have the bed end at the rear and I am assuming that you cannot secure the bike rack to the bed end?

I have seen it done.

 

[DaveR]

The previous owner had it done. I'd have done it differently

 

[John Steuart]

Hi escapist just wondering how or if you secured your bike racks to the floor in any way as I been trying to work out how to stop bikes from shifting in the van while traveling

 

[The escapist]

Hi @John Steuart ,

The racks aren't mounted to the floor as such. They're mounted to 2 boards of plywood that are as wide as the floor area will allow. The boards have rubber glued to the bottom so they don't slide around. With the weight of the bikes and racks on the boards, a few chairs thrown on top for good measure they haven't moved yet during a trip. I realise it may be an issue if I'm in an accident. But until I work out an affordable solution over the drawbar this is what I'm stuck with. I'd love one of the ISI bike carriers but can't justify the cost!

More pics below of the boards the racks are mounted to. I've had the racks for about 8 years now, picked up off flea bay for around $40 each brand new!!

Daz

 

[Matt O'Keefe]

Here is the extra steel member welded in place under the centre of the rear.

View attachment 55992

The top of the pic shows the underside of the original gal bar. Next showing how it is attached to the rear bar with the bike frame base welded in place.
What is needed is to extend the original bars further along the chassis.

View attachment 55993

Thanks for uploading photo. I am waiting on a quote back this week to have a bar fabricated to carry bike rack (ISI style carrier which is heavy). I will ask him to add the additional support in the middle as piece of mind and to minimise bounce. Can you report back how it went with your setup? Thanks in advance

 

[DaveR]

Can you report back how it went with your setup? Thanks in advance

If you are referring to what I have built on the front, sweet as is the answer, bikes are rock steady.
As for the rear, with hesitation it may be used for short trips only, smooth roads, for 1 bike. I can't trust it, and am not going to spend the time on it to sort it out.

 

[Matt O'Keefe]

If you are referring to what I have built on the front, sweet as is the answer, bikes are rock steady.
As for the rear, with hesitation it may be used for short trips only, smooth roads, for 1 bike. I can't trust it, and am not going to spend the time on it to sort it out.

Yes sorry I meant the rear bar. Thanks for the reply, you have convinced me to change to the front mount only option. Just have to sort it so that I can keep bikes mounted and still fold the beds down. The ISI bke rack folds flat but I hope I can manage the clearance.

 

[DaveR]

Don't write the rear bar option off completely, why not speak with an experienced fabricator and get a quote, reason I say this is the ball weight increase that is made with what I did. that may be a problem?
If a frame is made so it spreads the load out further along the chassis, the quality bike carrier your considering should be OK. But, there is more weight in the rear.
A rock and a Hard place

 

[DaveR]

I have just been fluffing about on the net and found this, it my be of interest to you, perhaps.....?





It is from an add for a van for sale, yep, I stole the pics, here is the add.

http://www.caravancampingsales.com....ampingsales])&Make=[Jayco])&pso=15&pss=~Price

 

[DaveR]

I should add, If this is made sturdy enough, and the chassis supports are suitable, I recon this is a great idea, as it is what I was thinking of doing until I went the front end.

 

[mrsmfexpanda]

This is our bike rack takes a Z125 Wr 102kg

 

[Lozza T]

I have seen it done.

Hi @WHHEMI
I've been thinking more about your suggestion of attaching a bike carrier to the bed end. In particular the Fiamma Bike Pro.
You mentioned you have seen it done? Do you have any more details? Was it fixed using screws and bolts? Was there any additional reinforcing required?

 

[WHHEMI]

Hi @WHHEMI
I've been thinking more about your suggestion of attaching a bike carrier to the bed end. In particular the Fiamma Bike Pro.
You mentioned you have seen it done? Do you have any more details? Was it fixed using screws and bolts? Was there any additional reinforcing required?

I can't remember where I saw it, pretty sure they used bolts and nuts as well as plates on the inside to spread the load out on the bed lid.

 

[Lozza T]

Received delivery of my toobox today. Looks great! Looking forward to installing it. Here are some pics.....