Bike rack question (I know... I know...)

[Bmhdg76]

Hi all,

Have been trying to search but have not really found any info on what I am after.
We have the 14.44-4 which has the solid back on it. As such, I am looking at getting the fiamma bike rack installed when we put the van in for a warranty fix up.



Reason being is that was looking at carrying the kids bikes here and then getting a frame made up for our gooseneck bike carrier to put onto the a-frame for our bikes. Yes I realise the extra weight but we have the benefit of the extra payload due to second water tank so will not fill the second tank when the bikes are on.

I have seen the mods people have made to the bumper etc but as I can get this installed by the dealer thought this is the best and easiest way to go. Question is does anyone have one of these? Are they solid with the bikes on and are you happy with it?

BJ

 

[cruza driver]

I have a feeling the rear wall is braced internally at the factory for theses racks but I maybe wrong?

@Moto Moto has one on his 14 fitted at the factory he maybe able to help you out :thumb:

 

[davemc]

We where told when we ordered if we wanted it we had to get it now as they put stuff internally. We skipped it see how we go when kids get bigger

 

[mfexpanda]

We ordered one when our Silerline comes in Sept .
We were told that they would have to brake the mirror ,on the back wall if we fitted later .
There's a clothes line that fits to the rack

 

[Heath74]

Just to add to the confusion, I've ordered the rack, fitted as part of the new van. They told me that the internal bracing is added irrespective, so you can add later.

 

[Bmhdg76]

We were told could be added at a later stage so would have to assume that the bracing is there. But that's the reason I would get them to install when they have the van. I certainly would not want to stuff that up!

BJ

 

[BigSkiddy]

I have one on the back of mine which was fitted at the factory. I'm really happy with it, solid enough. Quick and easy to get bikes on and off.

 

[gwadir]

We had ours put on from new but only 2 bike, have since added the two extra bike carriers to make it a 4 bike, works really well and super happy with the results.

There's a clothes line that fits to the rack

We've got the clothes line as well and it is brilliant, would recommend it to anyone interested.

Dave

 

[boots33]

We have the rear bike rack on our 14. we have had many trips without any problems. To get the bikes to sit up close to the van you will need to remove a pedal and twist the handlebars on the bike that sits closest to the van. Have a look here to get an idea

 

[relgate]

We had ours put on from new but only 2 bike, have since added the two extra bike carriers to make it a 4 bike, works really well and super happy with the results.



We've got the clothes line as well and it is brilliant, would recommend it to anyone interested.

Dave

Do you see any issues with weight Dave? I was thinking of doing the same with the future van but was worried about 60 odd Kg hanging off the back. Do you notice the difference?

 

[Burnsy]

I didn't order with the bike rack but the bracing is there, in fact you can see where all the bracing is when you have dew on the outside of the van!

 

[gwadir]

Do you see any issues with weight Dave? I was thinking of doing the same with the future van but was worried about 60 odd Kg hanging off the back. Do you notice the difference?

Hi @relgate we've never had a problem with weight, the bikes sit quite nicely on the rack and don't move at all, just for the record we usually have at least 2 x 26" and 1 x 20" bikes and if Jackie's bike goes on then that's 3 x 26" and 1 x 20" on the rack.

Dave

 

[Macropod]

Dave - have you got a picture of your rack converted to a 4 bike version? Looking to do that to ours - but not sure if we could get all 4 on. Cheers - John

 

[gwadir]

@Macropod

bit dark now where we live, i'll try and get one in the next day or 2 if that's alright, it was an easy job, I was a little apprehensive myself but I checked a few others out first, the bar that the outer bike is on actually pulls out a fair way and that's the secret, once out the outer two bike go on it and the inner two bike go on the other if that makes sense, I'll post up a photo as soon as I get a chance.

Dave

 

[Bmhdg76]

Ok well rang Brisbane Camperland to book in and problem... They won't install it.
They say that bracing isn't put in at the factory and the only way to install is to drill right through the wall and have a steel plate to support the rack. Not happy and would be as ugly as all (censored word)! Looks like will have to just do the rack onto the a-frame and look at something for the roof of the car if we want all four bikes to go.

Not what I wanted to hear! Am wondering if Jayco will tell me any different about the bracing? The van was only off the factory floor last August so they should have an idea if would have been done or not.

BJ

 

[gwadir]

BJ,

I'd ring Jayco direct and ask, have your VIN ready if they want it and they should be able to give you all the info.

Sounds a bit weird to me though, the bike rack is not part of the assembly process so why would they change their construction line/technique for each van, keep it all the same to make the process simple. The outer walls are done as a unit, could you imagine the confusion if this van has this and that van isn't having that, trying to keep track of where every single piece of a particular van was would be a nightmare and that's a massive operation down there. Just my thoughts.

Dave

 

[Bmhdg76]

BJ,

I'd ring Jayco direct and ask, have your VIN ready if they want it and they should be able to give you all the info.

Sounds a bit weird to me though, the bike rack is not part of the assembly process so why would they change their construction line/technique for each van, keep it all the same to make the process simple. The outer walls are done as a unit, could you imagine the confusion if this van has this and that van isn't having that, trying to keep track of where every single piece of a particular van was would be a nightmare and that's a massive operation down there. Just my thoughts.

Dave

Completely agree. Just to find the time to call them.

BJBJ

 

[Bmhdg76]

BJ,

I'd ring Jayco direct and ask, have your VIN ready if they want it and they should be able to give you all the info.

Sounds a bit weird to me though, the bike rack is not part of the assembly process so why would they change their construction line/technique for each van, keep it all the same to make the process simple. The outer walls are done as a unit, could you imagine the confusion if this van has this and that van isn't having that, trying to keep track of where every single piece of a particular van was would be a nightmare and that's a massive operation down there. Just my thoughts.

Dave

Finally got around to calling Jayco yesterday and spoke to Garry. He was excellent help.

He didn't know straight away but went to the engineers and found that they have done the supporting frames in ours.

He said on the full size vans they started framing them as standard since about November 2011 as everyone was wanting to do it afterwards. He is willing to talk to the service agent if they need to clarify anything when we are ready to have it installed.

BJ.

 

[gwadir]

Finally got around to calling Jayco yesterday and spoke to Garry. He was excellent help.

He didn't know straight away but went to the engineers and found that they have done the supporting frames in ours.

He said on the full size vans they started framing them as standard since about November 2011 as everyone was wanting to do it afterwards. He is willing to talk to the service agent if they need to clarify anything when we are ready to have it installed.

BJ.

Hey good news, glad to hear you've had a win look forward to some pics, I must say sorry at this point as I had completely forgotten to take a few pics of ours for you, I'll try and do it this weekend and post them up.

Dave

 

[Bmhdg76]

No problems @gwadir ...
I will ring around tomorrow and start getting some prices on the rack itself now.

BJ