Posted on 02/10/2018 12:14
We are looking to swop our Swift Conqueror caravan for a new 2 berth motorhome. We want to travel the UK staying at National parks and e-biking or walking for 1-2 weeks at a time . We are looking at Majestic 120’s, Swifts and Bailey 680’s . We want an end lounge and a van of about 6m in length.
Has anyone any advice based on good experiences or mistakes?
Thanks a lot
Barry Keel
Posted on 03/10/2018 08:37 by young thomasA two birth panel van conversion.....
Adria Twin?
Posted on 03/10/2018 08:58
ebike storage and uk rear lounge MH design are generally not the best bedfellows...
a rear lounge coachbuilt will have poor storage (compared to a garage version) and almost certainly small external lockers, so a rack will be needed, bringing in the points raised by Aspenshaw above.
even CY's garage version 125 isn't large enough to accommodate easy access for a pair of typical full sized bikes.....a storage locker is only usually referred to as a 'garage' if it's over a metre tall...ours is 1.20m high...
however, some rear lounge PVCs can cope with bikes by flipping up the rear side seats to form a large space accessed by the rear doors...
again, the execution of this operation will vary tremendously across brands so a good look (perhaps at the NEC as suggested) would enable a comparison.
our 6.4m X 2.12m 'slim' A class has a full sized garage that allows our ebikes to be rolled straight in and secured within the internal rack.
however, the layout would not suit someone looking for a rear lounge version..
designing in large dedicated storage places in small vans is tricky, we didn't want a rack (extend the length) and the bikes are well tucked away out of sight and kept warm and dry.
the other issue is that, with a rack, they are on display and will also (possibly) need to be removed to use the rear doors but putting the bikes inside means no use of the lounge until the bikes are unloaded.
door hung racks (with two ebikes) can put a lot of strain on rear door hinges...
a popular solution to this issue is the range of towball mounted racks available these days.
these cope well with weight, are low and easy to load with bikes (and fit covers) and can be swing away from the van to open the rear doors...
a brand 'Busbiker' comes to mind but there will be many on the market, good luck.
Edit: crossed posts with Jay, good thinking.
Posted on 03/10/2018 09:09 by young thomasquick google of the Busbiker type of rack...
Posted on 03/10/2018 09:05 by young thomasI haven't a clue what you're on about but my post obviously went straight over your head....
Posted on 03/10/2018 09:34
The weight our door hinges will take is quite a lot less than the rack itself is capable of bearing. I can’t recall the figures off the top of my head but I think it worked out that only one ebike could be carried. It would need checking.
The rack doesn’t hinder the opening of the rear doors when loaded.
Barry of Modbury
Caravanner