Hi all, we are just starting our caravan adventure and have purchased a 5 berth 2004 Lunar Chateau to match the towing pull of our Citroen C4 Grand Picasso. We are a family of four and want to take bikes with us. The caravan we have chosen has a long tow bar as used on many continental vans. Can anyone comment from experience on using a bike rack on this type of frame and recommend and make model of bike rack?
Here is a picture of a 2004 for sale on ebay, with bike rack.
If no one comes up with any info re make of rack, it might be worth contacting the seller and ask for any info off of the rack on their van.
------------- XVI yes?
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
Don't forget that you have probably only got a maximum 70 kilo nose weight with the Citroen.
I would have thought that 4 bikes attached to the A Frame is going to cause some unusual steering situations!!
DaveS1
Quote: Originally posted by DaveS1 on 20/5/2018
Don't forget that you have probably only got a maximum 70 kilo nose weight with the Citroen.
I would have thought that 4 bikes attached to the A Frame is going to cause some unusual steering situations!!
DaveS1
Understood. What then would be a safe number of bikes safe to carry at this point? Perhaps the other two can go in van?
Sorry, I have no idea!
Why not balance all 4 on the A frame and then measure the nose weight with a short length of wood under the hitch resting on some scales.
At least that will give you a rough idea of the likely weight.
DaveS1
Quote: Originally posted by DaveS1 on 20/5/2018
Sorry, I have no idea!
Why not balance all 4 on the A frame and then measure the nose weight with a short length of wood under the hitch resting on some scales.
At least that will give you a rough idea of the likely weight.
DaveS1
We have an A frame cycle rack on our Adria, which does have a longer A frame. Nose weight for us usually involves leaving the front locker mounted spare wheel in the car. Fitting a rack is easy and involves the doing up of some U-bolts round the A frame. One issue we came across is to get the cycle rack on the A frame far enough forward to avoid snagging the gas bottle locker opening and far enough back to not catch on the brake, jockey wheel handle or the back of the towcar when the unit turns. Check for rack dimensions on Fiamma and Thule websites and do a bit of measuring. I got a couple of bits of old fence posts, cut to size rested on the A frame. Checking if it will interfere with the towcar when turning with a nail in the middle of another piece of scrap wood pivoted on a nail under the towhitch socket.
We also carry four bikes on the roof of the car, which works but does make us look like a Tour de France support vehicle, plus we need to carry a three step set of steps to get them down. This configuration does keep the noseweight and rear axle loading of the car manageable. Putting bikes, made of sharp, unyielding bits of steel, inside the caravan, can lead to holes in the woodwork, though many folks do manage with lots of padding.
Best of luck.
We have a two bike Fiamma carrier on our A frame ... very simple to put on. You can see it in my gallery pics.
As OP states ... playing with balancing may require adjusting what you carry in your front locker, so as to achieve your required nose weight.
We have also carried the bikes inside, with a couple of ground these bike racks, which keep them from hotting anything ... and are them useful on site.
Quote: Originally posted by Kelper on 21/5/2018
We have a two bike Fiamma carrier on our A frame ... very simple to put on. You can see it in my gallery pics.
As OP states ... playing with balancing may require adjusting what you carry in your front locker, so as to achieve your required nose weight.
We have also carried the bikes inside, with a couple of ground these bike racks, which keep them from hotting anything ... and are them useful on site.
Thanks Kelper, I like the option of these internal racks. How do you prevent them from moving around with screwing into floor or wall?
Was a concern when I first got them ... but, with the weight of the bikes, they remain, amazingly , in place. We do have a mat that runs under all (kitchen unit area), and I place a pillow/cushion on either side, just in case there is any sideways movement.
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Topic: Bike rack for European A frame
