Carrying bikes inside a caravan....
My partner and I have recently got back into cycling and want to take the bikes with us when we go away in the caravan. We have a Discovery tow car so putting them on carriers on roof bars would not be an option for us given the height of the Disco! We were thinking of putting them inside the caravan (a Swift Challenger 580) and was wondering if anyone knows of a mounting system to keep them secure whilst towing. I have searched the internet to no avail. Perhaps some of our members may have devised a method of carrying bikes safely inside the 'van.
I would be most grateful to hear of any ideas together with photos if possible.
Comments
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Can I suggest you Google Motorhome cycle carriers....or similar.
Fiamma, link below, and others produce carriers that are floor mounted in MH garages.
In a caravan they would have to be loose so that may not be suitable??
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There used to be a firm called Cara-Bike that made racks for going inside a caravan, but they appear to have gone out of business.
Something like this might be suitable, or maybe you could build something (or get someone to make something) similar?
Either way, I would recommend plenty of foam padding on either side of the bike(s).
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We used to tow a caravan with a Disco.
For a time we wrapped the bikes up in a couple of old Duvets with the duvets kept tightly round with bungee cords and just loose then in the van, nothing got damaged....
Later I put the bikes on the Disco roof and strapped a short ( 5 step I think) lightweight Aluminium step ladder to the roof rack as well.....!
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For twenty years I have carried two bikes inside the caravan.
I found the best way was to put covers on both seat benches and the floor, white cotton sheets are light weight, put one bike on each leaning against the cushion, so the wheels touch on the floor together, at this point use wraps to hold them together.
Best wraps I have found are the extra large rubber straps used for staking trees ect.
Also make a bracket to go from one handlebar to the other. Using some plastic oval conduit with two clips on each end to hold the bikes apart.
Sounds complicated perhaps but it takes no time at all to get them stored safely.
Going to try a rear bike rack on the next caravan, to help reduce the nose weight.
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On a minor note, Wilko and others do releasable cable ties having many uses to hold things tightly together yet allowing easy release.
We carry our bikes on the car roof but inside the van on the fixed bed with plenty of protection cardboard for ferry crossings to avoid extra height charges.
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I would add that a rack on the rear of the caravan is by far the best way to carry bikes.
No damage to bikes, car or caravan, easy to load, no impact on towing, somewhere to keep the bikes while on site.
We've used this method for 20 years and it is by far the best.
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We've been carrying bikes inside the van for over 25 years and can honestly say that we're getting the hang of it.
- We now have a Lunar Ariva 380 which is a couple of inches narrower than most vans so have to adapt our technique but basically you don't have to have specialiseed equipment. Mrs WN sewed some waterproof sheeting together to protect and we drape them over the squabs and it is big enough to cover the floor. Then we put the bikes in and lay them one against each squab so they form a "V", with the front against the chest of drawers with a mat to protect it. We then place an old padded chair cover between the bikes to stop them damaging each other. No need to chock them but feel free.
- Matters are somewhat complicated nowadays due to the width problem as I have to take a pedal off one of the bikes and the two front wheels are detached and carried on the back seats of the car in their own special bags. This is done to facilitate the turning circle needed to get them into the van, effectively carried in stood up on the rear wheel and turned on its axis.
- Sounds complicated but repetition makes it easier.
- Don't know how I've managed to get bullet points but can't be bothered to work out how to delete them before being timed out.
- Good luck, can be done, quite easy when you know how!
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We tow with a Discovery 4 and use the maxx raxx 4 bike carrier.
http://www.maxxraxx.co.uk/bike_racks_car_cycle_carriers_products/info_disco_max4_flange.html
However only 3 bikes will fit on it when towing without the wheels of the bike contacting the front of the van when turning tightly (there is a diagram in the help section of the website).
So for travelling, one of the bikes goes in the van, but this then becomes dependent on what type of layout you have.
We have a centre shower/loo so the awning and carpet bag go in the isle with the wheels between then. I use bungee to wrap around the brake handles on the handle bars, so that the brakes are applied on the bike. I then use a couple of awing floor foam pads against the loo door and a further bungee to hold the handle bar against the loo door handle, with the pads between to protect the door - works for me, but is going to be different van to van & car to car.
For my van the bike goes in and out on its back wheel (exaggerated wheelie) so I can turn the handle bars 30-35 degrees to get through the door, the front wheel leans over the sink a little, which is adjacent to the door. and comes out in reverse.
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Many, many thanks to all who replied to my question. All of the answers have been helpful in their own way.
I had considered a tow ball mounted rack as I recall having one many years ago on my Discovery 1 but that car had a fixed tow bar and the rack bolted onto the mounting plate. My Disco 4 has a detachable tow bar and I don't think I could get a suitable one to fit that I would be happy with.
I would consider putting a rack on the back of the caravan but suspect this would be an expensive option.
I think I will be going down the road of trying to put them inside the caravan using plenty of padding in the form of an old duvet and sheets.
Thanks again for all the replies.
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Have a look at this bit of kit the Dutch and Germans use them a lot, have seen them several times on site in France and look really easy to use, you can buy it through Amazon and it saves dragging the bikes into the van because it does not matter how careful your are you will cause damage,
Fischer 18092 Dachlift Bicycle Carrier for 2 Bicycles
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Its costing me £215 for the dealer to fit a rack on our new Conqueror. Hopefully it will work for us, but if not its back to inside the caravan.
We've had zero damage to our caravans using this method, but as we get older I'm looking at making things easier, especially for the wife.
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Quality road bikes weigh well under 10kg so it depends what the OP is riding for this to become an issue.
if you're looking to transport bikes inside the van have you considered a travel bike bag? They range in price to upwards of £300 and you do have to take your wheels off, drop the saddle and maybe remove your pedals but once inside the bag, they are well protected as will be the furniture in your van.
Padded Ambrosio are a great bag for the money here's a link...
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