Bike Carrier

ni vince
dust is a big problem if going off road
lotsa people have them at the front in various configurations just needs to be stong & allow access to other goods stored there
we have one bike which stands vertically one a rack on the roof of our cruiser this gives some clearance problems ends up same height as the van plus you need a lader to access but bike stays clean & you can spot your vehicle in a supermarket car park
cheers
ps bikes are really useful & a great way to look around

Hi, we have been taking our bikes too originally on a rack at the back of the van but that was too dusty & too worrying. We have now moved our generator box to the rear on a substantial mounting frame and moved the bike rack to the "A" frame and added a couple of wheel tracks to locate and secure them.
The result is that they don't get as dirty/dusty, they are visble, travel better and are protcted by the B.T. stone guard, anyway that system works for us.
Regards Judy & Tony.

Hi Vince,
I would check on the legal side of carrying bikes at rear of the BT, in some states its not allowed.
Have heard of bikes falling off and causing accidents.
Regards Stan

Hi Vince,
Our 18" BT had a 500mm extended A frame which helps but I have just fitted parts of a Fiamma 2 bike rack across the A frame. We carry one large frame road touring bike for 6' tall me and a smaller hybrid frame bike for 5' 2" Christine.
The Fiamma I purchased was supposed to have its underframe U bolted to the caravan's A frame and, of course the U bolts were too short for a heavy BT A frame. Also we do not need the "tilt foward to give access to the front boot " feature.
I used the 2 aluminium extruded channels and wheel securing straps plus the inverted U aluminium bar to which the bikes are secured.
Works perfectly. If you want pics just email me rosedene@westnet.com.au for details.

Cheers Martin B

When we were staying on a Kimberley Station last year they had 3 bikes still on a bike rack that had aparently fallen off the rear of a van without the owners knowing.

I have seen some of our members who have bikes fitted on top of boxes across the draw bar.

If you can afford it have a look at www.onyerbike.com.au where they have folding full sized mountain bikes advertised. We bought 2 a few months ago and have taken them away with us folded in their carry bags, where they are secure and well away from the hazards of dust.

Brian

Vince,

I'm using the same rack as the Paca People. If you do a search you should find a thread were I posted pics and you can see how we sorted out the short u bolt issue. Steve wondered whether or not the rack would stand up to outback travel (as did I). We've done more rough stuff since we've had the rack than before hand and it's still in one piece....so far. The fiamma bag is a waste of time and we had ours refunded. Dust is an issue and we have a design on the chalk board for an almost totally sealed bag.

5 mins with some degreaser/hose/grease works in the mean time after dusty conditions.

Matt

HI Vince,

We thought simple was best, we had a standard bike carrier(tongue mounted three bike carrier) mounted at the rear of our last van (Trakmaster) and were unhappy with the dust collection even though they were enclosed in a special bag the dust still got in and made using the bikes very difficult.
On our new BT we simply had a steel bracket with a hole same size as the ball mount welded to the A frame where some have a centre jerry can holder then mounted the same carrier with the top arm leading forward .(Bikes remain behind the stone guard)
We do not use the bag and yes they do get a bit of dust on them but no where near the rear system.

Regards

Rob P

Vince,
We use the same system as Rob n Son. Bolted on, with a high tensile bolt, the same size as a 50mm ball bolt so we can slip in the standard Hayman Reese tow bar tongue and transfer the bike rack to the car for trips away from the BT.
Regards,
David & Sue