Can I put a two bike bike rack on the back of my Elddis? I realise it would eat into the load capacity but is the rear panel strong enough?
Bike racks on caravans
- Thread starter Grahamh
- Start date
You will have to check with the manufacturer, some vans have got strengthening points built into the rear panel for this purpose, if your van is suitable they will give you the dimensions of where the strengthening points are for attaching a bike rack.
Be very careful as it will change the dynamics when towing due to the extra weight being moved to the back. Most caravan experts (and I am not one) say that it should not be done.
the weight of a bike or two will not make any difference to the balance of the van, however the main concern would be the weight on the rear panel and of course drilling holes in the outer skin.
Sproket gives good advice follow it!!
Sproket gives good advice follow it!!
- Mar 14, 2005
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IBH said:
Hello IBH,
You are correct that in general you should avoid adding mass to the extremities of a caravan. Doing so increases the Yaw moment, which if it starts to swing , it needs more energy or energy absorption to bring it back under control. But its not an absolute no no. Caravans already have some mass at the extremities, and depending on the internal lay out some can have quite some weighty items already there, and we don't see all these caravan pirouetting around our roads.
If you have access to a super computer and the engineering and mathematical skills to create a virtual model taking into account all the variables, you could make some stab at producing a predictive model, but in fact its far quicker to try it (taking it easy) and if the is any sign of trouble stop and rearrange to redress the balance, but provided you have achieved a good nose load, its unlikely that the weight of the rack and bikes will make a big impact on stability.
It would be interesting to see how Swift Caravans managed to address the different towing dynamics and the extra mass overhang with the fitted Thule bike attachments on their 2016 models? Looking on this Practical Caravan site 2016 preview area, it shows an Elite 630 fitted with a triple bike holder.
Do you think Swift would they leave us, the general public to work what to do for the best loading to achieve the ideal nose weight when carrying the rack and then adjust as necessary when we're not carrying bikes or do you think they've written somewhere in the manual a list of things to consider when bikes are to be attached?
I thought the rear panel had been redesigned alongside Smart HT using CFD to allow for better aero efficiency on tow?
Do you think Swift would they leave us, the general public to work what to do for the best loading to achieve the ideal nose weight when carrying the rack and then adjust as necessary when we're not carrying bikes or do you think they've written somewhere in the manual a list of things to consider when bikes are to be attached?
I thought the rear panel had been redesigned alongside Smart HT using CFD to allow for better aero efficiency on tow?
- Jul 15, 2008
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..........my advice is to carry the bikes on the car as a first choice.
That way your transport method is not dependent on having the caravan attached .......vastly increasing your opportunities of utilising them.
That way your transport method is not dependent on having the caravan attached .......vastly increasing your opportunities of utilising them.
colin-yorkshire said:
I would disagree with not making any difference as even a few kgs on the back with the pivot being the wheels increases the effect on the nose weight..
If they are fitted on the back you will have to compensate to make the nose heavier.
the question was about the balance of the van and its effect on stability and aerodynamics and would the rear panel carry the weight, not the nose weight which incidentally 99% of vans is too heavy anyway and have to be adjusted before towing,MichaelE said:
Your reply was saying that a few kgs wouldn't make any difference when in fact it wouldcolin-yorkshire said:
Increase the weight on the back and it will affect stability so yes i did answer the question! You counteract this increased load on the rear you would have to load items before the axle to to get the nose weight to the caravans or towball recommended weight whichever is the lowest!
I think the 99% of people tow above their nose weight is a bit of an exaggeration?
I didn't read anything about aerodynamics though?
For my 2pence worth, I've always carried our bikes on a tow bar mounted carrier which very quickly attaches/detaches on a plate sandwiched between the ball and the bar. Obviously no good if you have a swan neck or detachable !! Never has any problems and allows us to carry them with or without the van.
I also carried bikes on a rack strapped to the tailgate of my last towcar. Downside was that you could not get into the car when bikes fitted. This year(after we changed towcar) we carried the bikes(front wheel removed) inside the car - downside, took up lots of space inside the car and a right faff to load/unload. Hence the thought of carrying them on the van. Enquired to dealer who tells me that, yes, they can fit a rack to the back of the van for some £350. When I looked at the bike rack he specified it is attached to the awning rail at the top and self tapping screws at the bottom but my van does not have an awning rail at the rear. I pointed this out to him but have had no response since. I like the thought of a towhitch mounted rack as - this is much less expensive and easier to fit than the strapon type and can be used when the van is not with us but suspect that the weight of the rack and bikes would need to be subtracted from the noseweight limit? As my Kia has a noseweight limit of 75Kg this is an issue.
Don't think that's the answer for me. I am tall(6'2") but am getting on a bit. Shmbo is only just over 5' and there's not way she would get them up there or down again in the event of my be unable to do so. We put a box on there anyway for our long adventures with the awning,bbq etc in it so wouldn't be able to do that on those trips.
I seem to remember that the 2013MY Elddis caravan were supposed to have fitting points for a Fiamma or similar rack on the back of the caravan. This was of no interest to me so I did not take too much notice but a quick call to Elddis should confirm or otherwise.
Have you considered standing the bikes - suitably bagged and and padded or course - in the central aisle of the caravan. It would not take long to lift the out and lock up for an overnight stop and on site your are going to want them accessible anyway. This would mean the weight would be low down and central, so as long as you allowed for it when loading should be fine.
If you do fit on back of caravan, check that the extra length does not take the overall outfit length above 12m. or you will need to fit length warning plates if going to Spain, and may need to fit the red/white diagonal plates anyway.
Have you considered standing the bikes - suitably bagged and and padded or course - in the central aisle of the caravan. It would not take long to lift the out and lock up for an overnight stop and on site your are going to want them accessible anyway. This would mean the weight would be low down and central, so as long as you allowed for it when loading should be fine.
If you do fit on back of caravan, check that the extra length does not take the overall outfit length above 12m. or you will need to fit length warning plates if going to Spain, and may need to fit the red/white diagonal plates anyway.
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