We are going to be taking our first trip out in our 'new to us' Bailey in two weeks. My daughter has asked if we can take her and her friends bike (normal sized mountain bikes).
I don't have a carrier for the car, and wanted to know if anyone has ever travelled with the bikes in the caravan. If so, how is best to do it?
I had thought of making up the front double bed, covering the cushions with blankets and then lying the bikes down and making sure that the bikes are covered so if they move they don't damage anything?
Any thoughts or suggestions would be much appreciated>
We usually take our sons bike storing it towards the back propped against the bunks and something else. It doesn't usually move once wedged in. Could be okay on the front double bed though.
Our van is a 5 berth, with a double at the front and double at the back with an optional bunk over.
I had wondered about making up the rear bed and putting it at the back, but then was concerned about having the extra weight at the rear :-( I suppose with the two bikes it would add nearly 30 kgs and that did worry me :-(
I can buy a towbar mounted carrier, which will let me tow and have the bikes on, but then I worried about the extra weight on the hitch.
lol... maybe I just a born worrier ! :-) But as I am towing by myself as hubby is away on work, I want to make sure that I am doing everything right ! - probably being over cautious :-)
We have a Swift Charisma and always take our 2 bikes with us on every trip, we bought a frame thingy, I think its called a Carribike, try googling it, it was 40 quid and was delivered in about 3 days (about 5 quid for postage I think) we put the frame between the 2 front seats and then put the bikes in 1 x front wheel in first the other the other way round, if you get my drift.you secure the 2 bikes with bungey straps, we fix them to the handles of the underseat storage lockers then fasten the 2 wheels together near the fridge end, it works every time, only once had them fall over when we went to France and thats cos we didnt secure them properly. We also bought a car bike carrier but dont use it very often, its too much hassle, easier to find a site near cycle tracks. Hope that helps. J xx
Quote: Originally posted by colley1275 on 03/4/2011
Hia Tparkes,
Our van is a 5 berth, with a double at the front and double at the back with an optional bunk over.
I had wondered about making up the rear bed and putting it at the back, but then was concerned about having the extra weight at the rear :-( I suppose with the two bikes it would add nearly 30 kgs and that did worry me :-(
I can buy a towbar mounted carrier, which will let me tow and have the bikes on, but then I worried about the extra weight on the hitch.
lol... maybe I just a born worrier ! :-) But as I am towing by myself as hubby is away on work, I want to make sure that I am doing everything right ! - probably being over cautious :-)
Cheers
Hi, No you are not being over cautious just very sensible, If you can ,you could place bikes over axe in van,cover them as not to damage anything,maybe use aqua roll and/or waste master/cushions, between side walls/units or beds,to help wedge them in place.
------------- If everything runs smoothly then I must have done something wrong
If in Doubt Check it Out.
I have googled that carabike stand and it looks very good, just what I need really - so am going to order one and see how it goes.
It also means that I can get the weight over the axle which makes me feel better. To make sure that I don't go over the caravan payload I am also going to put the awning in the boot with the dogs :-)
i place our two bikes opposite to each other over the axle if not using the carrier pack with the awning one one side on the floor and the poles on the other side on the floor,the top parts are packed with the loose cushions.they have never moved yet in transit.
------------- the only silly question is the one you do not ask.
when we did it we put them between the front beds and double checked the nose weight. Secured them by using a roof strap from our rook rack so they couldn't move anywhere. Now carry 4 on the roof of the car!
Quote: Originally posted by jhsw on 03/4/2011
If you can ,you could place bikes over axe in van,cover them as not to damage anything,maybe use aqua roll and/or waste master/cushions, between side walls/units or beds,to help wedge them in place.
That's exactly what I do and it works fine every time.
------------- Tigermouse
I have a very temperamental personality - 50% temper and 50% mental
We are in Wales right now (the weather is awful) and are heading south on Wednesday. First to near Malvern, then to Glastonbury on the 11th, when we hope to see Ali.
Will also, if all goes to plan, be meeting her at Exeter over Easter Weekend.
That was one of my prime concerns to be honest with putting them inside... but I thought as long as I stood them on this Carabike stand I have just ordered, over the axel, to distribute the weight... I am also going to put the awning and poles, which weighs the same as the two bikes at around 27.5kgs, in the boot of my car....
Only other added things in the van are the sleeping bags, agua rolls etc and gas canister that is the front locker etc. I normally put the suitcases etc in the boot of the car when towing.
Do you think this will still be ok?
Thanks for all the advice, still reasonably new to caravanning, especially towing myself.
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Topic: Transporting bikes inside caravan
