Carrying bikes - advice please!

Both of us are considering electric bikes but cannot think how we would carry them with a caravan. Together they weigh 50kg.  In fact, as we cannot get them in the car I am not sure we can.

Would be great idea if clubs sites rented these things out.

I would avoid using the tow bar as you would have to get the caravan noseweight well down to allow for the weight of the bikes. Swift caravans usually have the ability to fit a rack to the back which might work for you if you have that make but if so watch the loading.

Other than a rack on the back of the caravan then a roof rack seems to be the best bet to me.

Both of us are considering electric bikes but cannot think how we would carry them with a caravan. Together they weigh 50kg.  In fact, as we cannot get them in the car I am not sure we can.

Would be great idea if clubs sites rented these things out.

Germans, Dutch et al just put a couple of bikes on the longer Euro A-frames....i guess if towball weight (extra 50kg) was an issue (do they care?) they would balance the caravan with 50kg a little further back....most caravans will support this 100kg plus another hundred for mover and other essentials...

electric bikes on the roof of a car would work with one of those sling up carriers which seem really good.....

David (and others) has used a rear caravan Fiamma-type rack...whats all this about a caravan not being strong enough to carry a rack?....this would worry me more than anything else in this thread....what are they made of, matchwood...?

Lewisontour

l purchased a Carabike, if you do a search you will find it. It is a cycle rack that fits between the forward bunks inside the caravan and holds two bikes. Obviously you have to have the spare payload or possibly uprate. From memory it cost less than £40 delivered. I have found it excellent for two mountain bikes and have not had any problems with it. Have a look at it.

Both of us are considering electric bikes but cannot think how we would carry them with a caravan. Together they weigh 50kg.  In fact, as we cannot get them in the car I am not sure we can.

Would be great idea if clubs sites rented these things out.

Germans, Dutch et al just put a couple of bikes on the longer Euro A-frames....i guess if towball weight (extra 50kg) was an issue (do they care?) they would balance the caravan with 50kg a little further back....most caravans will support this 100kg plus another hundred for mover and other essentials...

electric bikes on the roof of a car would work with one of those sling up carriers which seem really good.....

David (and others) has used a rear caravan Fiamma-type rack...whats all this about a caravan not being strong enough to carry a rack?....this would worry me more than anything else in this thread....what are they made of, matchwood...?

Caravans have only a fraction of the payload of a MH.  BB

Without looking, I think mines about 135 kg. Given the mover weighs 35 kg that's not a lot to play with. Two e-bikes and that's 50 kg left.

Of course many pay no attention and just throw everything inside.

RE bike racks on the back. I know a lot do it and some caravans have the mounting points but to my mind it could potentially create a pendulum effect with weight at either ends of the caravan and that would concern me.

Fysh, what i meant was, load the caravan with bikes (A frame plus balance, or rear rack if possible) BUT remove all else to the tow car so as to maintain van load within payload....mover, 2 bikes, ballast....inside your 135kg limit...

if the bikes wont/cant go in/on the towcar, use the van but move everything else to the car.....

Tried out the two electric bikes in the Galaxy and they do fit but the dog bed will be a lot higher up than normal.  

Fysh, what i meant was, load the caravan with bikes (A frame plus balance, or rear rack if possible) BUT remove all else to the tow car so as to maintain van load within payload....mover, 2 bikes, ballast....inside your 135kg limit...

if the bikes wont/cant go in/on the towcar, use the van but move everything else to the car.....

Caravanners would never get all the kit and clobber into the car. Would need a tranny van.

Perhaps it's back to a MH if we want ebikes 

Fysh, what i meant was, load the caravan with bikes (A frame plus balance, or rear rack if possible) BUT remove all else to the tow car so as to maintain van load within payload....mover, 2 bikes, ballast....inside your 135kg limit...

if the bikes wont/cant go in/on the towcar, use the van but move everything else to the car.....

Caravanners would never get all the kit and clobber into the car. Would need a tranny van.

Perhaps it's back to a MH if we want ebikes 

See my previous post, a galaxy is a lot more luxurious than a tranny  van ,we have had five motorhomes and we don't want to go back there........yet.

Fysh, what i meant was, load the caravan with bikes (A frame plus balance, or rear rack if possible) BUT remove all else to the tow car so as to maintain van load within payload....mover, 2 bikes, ballast....inside your 135kg limit...

if the bikes wont/cant go in/on the towcar, use the van but move everything else to the car.....

Caravanners would never get all the kit and clobber into the car. Would need a tranny van.

Perhaps it's back to a MH if we want ebikes 

...or those hoist-type Fiamma roof jobbies...?