I'm thinking about buying a 2008 Abbey GTS van, has anyone fixed a bike rack to the rear wall and does Abbey include for any fixings in the construction.
I would however use fixiings all the way through with plates on the back and hopefully hide them behind the headboard.
I may now be able to answer my own question as I now know that Swift took over Abbey and I also know that Swift include for fixings in the rear panel for attaching bike racks.
Still like to know if anyone has fitted one though.
In theory, providing the bikes are held solid, you'd not expect much of a problem, however there was a recent thread regarding this same issue and the bottom line was concern over van handling (perhaps caused by draft currents over the back of the van during travel). I'm sure Bailey found an issue with stability on rear mounted carriers and no longer provide for fitting them.
Interestingly, I encountered someone pitch along side me earlier this year who complained of 'odd handling' of his van (a Lunar I seem to recall) which he hadn't experienced before. The only change he was aware of was that this was his first use of the van since having fitted a rear mounted cycle carrier ...
Tentz and Zaskar, we've been there before. I have no intention of once again going through all the reasons why you shouldn't do this. The end kitchen is designed into the caravan. The bike rack isn't. It's an extra.
All you have to do is ask the manufacturers. They will tell you no. That should be enough of a guide.
If you were looking for a way to produce the highest possible pendulum effect, you would attach a rack with some bikes on it to the back wall of the caravan.
I think really all you do is look at the evidence, you see plenty of continental caravanners with rear racks. It is safe provided normal 'rules' for towing are observed. ie just keep speed reasonable, 55-60 on't motorway & don't 'forget' you have a caravan on't back the way some drivers do.
Certainly it is not to everybodies taste, plenty of Dutch caravanners I have spoken to don't like rear racks but you cannot dismiss rear racks as unsafe when evidence suggests otherwise.
why is it that this is an open forum some one asks for some one elses advice which is gladly given then some know it all has to come alomg with there super knowledge and say ha im better than you im sorry if this offends but this is the reason i have stopped replying to people who are just asking others opinions and not there qualifications yes some may not be right but thats why there only opinions!!!!!!!
Quote: Originally posted by Andy R on 03/11/2010
Whatever the physics, surely the fact that you see so few of them is a good indicator that many people don't think they're a great idea?
You obviously ain't been to Holland then?
2 bikes & a rack don't really add much weight compared with the total weight of the caravan. Provided noseweight is adequate for weight of caravan, then you won't have a problem.
There is a very misleading video somewhere(I can't find it)that shows a test rig that induces a snake by moving around one third of total test rig weight to rear & presumabley also causes negative noseweight.
There is a very misleading video somewhere(I can't find it)that shows a test rig that induces a snake by moving around one third of total test rig weight to rear & presumabley also causes negative noseweight.
That would be the Bailey one no doubt - quite agree with your statement
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Quote: Originally posted by simon23 on 03/11/2010
why is it that this is an open forum some one asks for some one elses advice which is gladly given then some know it all has to come alomg with there super knowledge and say ha im better than you im sorry if this offends but this is the reason i have stopped replying to people who are just asking others opinions and not there qualifications yes some may not be right but thats why there only opinions!!!!!!!
That would be known as expressing an opinion I suppose; although some posters may try to justify their opinion by a long list of credentials - best to ignore those (or wind them up )
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Topic: Bike rack on Abbey GTS
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