Insurance Quotes
Insurance Discount Campsite Offers All offers
UK Sites French Sites European Sites Map Search Text Search Near your Location Popular Searches Leave a Review My Saved Sites Add a New Site
All Sections Caravanning Camping Tent Talk Motorhomes Trailer Tents Backpacking Equipment Statics UK Campsites Camping Abroad General Chat News More Sections Latest Posts
All Adverts Tents for Sale Caravans for Sale Motorhomes for Sale Equipment for Sale Post an Advert Campsite Jobs
All Categories Caravanning Advice Caravan Equipment Tents and Camping Motorhomes Towing and Towcars Equipment Furniture and Cooking Electrical / Gas Shows and Events General More Categories
Join for Free Log In

Advertisement

Message Forums
Welcome Guest Register  Log In  Search  Latest Posts
 Reception - All Forums
  Caravans and Caravanning 		Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email
Subject Topic: Bike rack ideas/ advice needed
Page: 1 2
Post Reply
Personrazor344
24/1/2017 at 8:24pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View razor344's Profile View Profile   Reply to razor344 Reply   Quote razor344 Quote  
Joined: 08/6/2007

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   39
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
We've bought our 1st caravan. Elldis xplora 556.

When going on holiday with the children we have 4 bikes to take.

What options are there for bike carriers etc

Thanks
Marc


Personles8366
24/1/2017 at 8:49pm
 Location: Dorset
 Outfit: Swift Challenger 530 View les8366's Profile View Profile   Reply to les8366 Reply   Quote les8366 Quote  
Joined: 18/5/2004

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   368
Site Reviews Total: 9
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 1 
Site Reviews 2023: 2 
Site Reviews 2022: 1 
Site Reviews 2021: 2 
Site Reviews 2020: 1 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 6
Site Nights 2023: 6
Site Nights 2022: 10
Site Nights 2021: 13
Site Nights 2020: 8
We always used to put them on top of the car. We also ran a long cable lock through them all and the roof rails to deter theft at services or overnight.


Personrazor344
24/1/2017 at 8:55pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View razor344's Profile View Profile   Reply to razor344 Reply   Quote razor344 Quote  
Joined: 08/6/2007

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   39
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
That's one option

But will 4 bike fit on the roof


Personles8366
24/1/2017 at 9:29pm
 Location: Dorset
 Outfit: Swift Challenger 530 View les8366's Profile View Profile   Reply to les8366 Reply   Quote les8366 Quote  
Joined: 18/5/2004

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   368
Site Reviews Total: 9
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 1 
Site Reviews 2023: 2 
Site Reviews 2022: 1 
Site Reviews 2021: 2 
Site Reviews 2020: 1 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 6
Site Nights 2023: 6
Site Nights 2022: 10
Site Nights 2021: 13
Site Nights 2020: 8
They did on top of our different cars. The trick is to point them forwards/backwards next to each other so the handlebars aren't trying for the same bit of space. if 2 bikes are smaller than the other 2 put the small ones on the inside


PersonOpensauce
24/1/2017 at 9:32pm
 Location: 
 Outfit:  View Opensauce's Profile View Profile   Reply to Opensauce Reply   Quote Opensauce Quote  
Joined: 25/1/2010

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   4530
Site Reviews Total: 13
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Check with dealer. If rear end of caravan is designed with rear bike rack mounting points then you can fit bike rack & carry 2 bikes on rear end. Provided noseweight is sufficient then rear mounted bikes are ok. The Dutch seem to manage ok.

If you have Suv type towcar with high noseweight allowance then you can probably fit front mounted rack on caravan or a towbar mounted rack provided you have sufficent turning circle with bikes loaded.


Advertisement



Personrazor344
24/1/2017 at 9:46pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View razor344's Profile View Profile   Reply to razor344 Reply   Quote razor344 Quote  
Joined: 08/6/2007

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   39
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
2013 passat estate.


PersonOpensauce
24/1/2017 at 9:53pm
 Location: 
 Outfit:  View Opensauce's Profile View Profile   Reply to Opensauce Reply   Quote Opensauce Quote  
Joined: 25/1/2010

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   4530
Site Reviews Total: 13
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
You won't be mounting bikes on towbar or front of caravan then. Put them on car roof & on rear mounted caravan rack is probably easiest way unless you can get all 4 on car roof. Car roof will have a load limit though.


Personles8366
24/1/2017 at 9:54pm
 Location: Dorset
 Outfit: Swift Challenger 530 View les8366's Profile View Profile   Reply to les8366 Reply   Quote les8366 Quote  
Joined: 18/5/2004

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   368
Site Reviews Total: 9
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 1 
Site Reviews 2023: 2 
Site Reviews 2022: 1 
Site Reviews 2021: 2 
Site Reviews 2020: 1 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 6
Site Nights 2023: 6
Site Nights 2022: 10
Site Nights 2021: 13
Site Nights 2020: 8
The Passat, whist a good towcar, is a bit soft on the back end for bikes and caravan on the back. Try and borrow some roof bars and do a size-up for the roof idea. We had this on a Volvo V70 estate and it was fine. Just remember to take them off when solo for car park barriers!!


Personrazor344
24/1/2017 at 10:02pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View razor344's Profile View Profile   Reply to razor344 Reply   Quote razor344 Quote  
Joined: 08/6/2007

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   39
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
For the roof is it just roof bars and then single racks. One per bike ?


Personles8366
24/1/2017 at 10:11pm
 Location: Dorset
 Outfit: Swift Challenger 530 View les8366's Profile View Profile   Reply to les8366 Reply   Quote les8366 Quote  
Joined: 18/5/2004

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   368
Site Reviews Total: 9
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 1 
Site Reviews 2023: 2 
Site Reviews 2022: 1 
Site Reviews 2021: 2 
Site Reviews 2020: 1 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 6
Site Nights 2023: 6
Site Nights 2022: 10
Site Nights 2021: 13
Site Nights 2020: 8
Yes. We bought 2 'good' ones for the outside and 2 cheaper ones for the inside. With hindsight the cheaper ones were just as good. I found it helped to use the caravan step to load the inner ones (I am not tall). 4 bikes will not be more than your roof limit. I would buy good bars though that lock to your rails but put the cable lock through one of your rails at least - if you know what I mean.


Advertisement

Roofbox


Personbofs
24/1/2017 at 10:27pm
 Location: Cumbria
 Outfit: Coachman VIP 520 View bofs's Profile View Profile   Reply to bofs Reply   Quote bofs Quote  
Joined: 10/1/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   2897
Site Reviews Total: 104
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 2 
Site Reviews 2024: 5 
Site Reviews 2023: 4 
Site Reviews 2022: 11
Site Reviews 2021: 6 
Site Reviews 2020: 9 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 8
Site Nights 2024: 22
Site Nights 2023: 25
Site Nights 2022: 54
Site Nights 2021: 24
Site Nights 2020: 36
We carry a couple of bikes inside the caravan when travelling, at the front between the seats.


PersonMike3003
25/1/2017 at 9:11am
 Location: 
 Outfit:  View Mike3003's Profile View Profile   Reply to Mike3003 Reply   Quote Mike3003 Quote  
Joined: 15/7/2013

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   1455
Site Reviews Total: 1
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
As above, can you not put them in the van?

-------------
Not ALL Newts get p**sed.

“Semper Fidelis”


Personrazor344
25/1/2017 at 12:20pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View razor344's Profile View Profile   Reply to razor344 Reply   Quote razor344 Quote  
Joined: 08/6/2007

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   39
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Just thinking of all the other stuff like awnings etc in the van


PersonMr Happy
07/5/2017 at 4:45pm
 Location: Chester UK
 Outfit: Abbey Aventura 325 View Mr Happy's Profile View Profile   Reply to Mr Happy Reply   Quote Mr Happy Quote  
Joined: 25/9/2012

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   7
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
How do you get your bike[s] inside the caravan?


Personcheckley1973
07/5/2017 at 5:58pm
 Location: Sheffield
 Outfit: Sterling Eccles Sport 636 View checkley1973's Profile View Profile   Reply to checkley1973 Reply   Quote checkley1973 Quote  
Joined: 29/8/2012

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   1698
Site Reviews Total: 6
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
we put them all on the roof, never had an issue fitting 4


PersonOldeldiss
08/5/2017 at 9:58pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Sterling Eccles Topaz View Oldeldiss's Profile View Profile   Reply to Oldeldiss Reply   Quote Oldeldiss Quote  
Joined: 16/2/2015

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   91
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2026: 0 
Site Reviews 2025: 0 
Site Reviews 2024: 0 
Site Reviews 2023: 0 
Site Reviews 2022: 0 
Site Reviews 2021: 0 
Site Reviews 2020: 0 
Site Nights 2026: 0
Site Nights 2025: 0
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
We have a Thule set up for our car roof with free-ride cycle carriers, they are adjustable so you can stagger them allowing for handle bars not to touch each other, we face one forward and slightly ahead, the next backwards and slightly further back etc. It works well for us and they are good and sturdy up there, just remember that extra bit of weight on the car may need to be counteracted with the weight in the caravan.
I must add that although the bars lock to the car and the carriers lock to the bike, no item is ever 100% safe from the criminal element of this world.



In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev       Next

Jump To Page: 12

Quick Links - All Forums - Caravans and Caravanning - Top of Page

     Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email


Latest News, Discounts and Competitions  see all...















    Upcoming Event

UKCS Meet Elvaston Steam Rally 2026 03/07 to 06/07

Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.


5755 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker  -  Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums]  [Caravan Sites & Camping]  [Company Listings]  [Features / Advice]  [Virtual Brochure]  [Special Offers]
[Reception]  [Competitions]  [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale]  [Event Diary]  [Tent Reviews] 

[Contact Us] 



Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2026


Advertisement
Advertisement

Advertisement