What’s the weight limit for my rearmounted bike rack?
As the attached photo shows, we have a Fiamma Carry-Bike Pro C on the back of our Roller Team T-Line 590.
We are considering buying two electric bikes and, together, they weigh nearly 40kg. Although the label on the bike rack declares a maximum weight limit of 60kg, can the rack fittings attaching it to the ’van really handle this weight?
Also, does the 60kg refer only to the maximum weight that the rack itself will bear and not refer to it in its attached place, ie on a vehicle?
I know I could get a towball-fitted rack installed and realise that this would necessitate fitting additional rear lights and number plate and that access to the toilet cassette would be impeded, but then again, the bikes (19.5kg each) would not have to be lifted so high to get them onto the rack.
Also, I haven’t as yet ascertained if the crossbar clamps will work and, if not, are there others I can get?
Am I worrying about nothing? I would really appreciate your advice.
Tim Jones
AYou are asking exactly the right questions, and frankly, I wish more people did so. We covered this subject this year over several issues, and I visited a couple of motorhome dealers and asked just these kinds of questions.
It would seem that the general consensus is that most motorhomes will accommodate a load on the rear wall of about 50kg and this is only if it is attached to the correct points in order to bear the load on the supporting structure correctly. Each conversion is different, so I would always recommend having a conversation with the supplying dealer before doing anything.
The 60kg load limit is a little irrelevant since you have to work within the coachbuilder’s limits and subtract the weight of the carrier from this.
So, if the carrier weighed 10kg, you could only add another 40kg to it if the allowable load on the vehicle is 50kg. This all needs to be checked.
Then you have the matter of lifting heavy bikes onto the carrier.
I bought a Fiamma rack and fitted it onto the rear of my panel van so that I could safely and securely transport my precious bikes (and fold the carrier out of the way when not in use).
I found that the wheel straps were OK, but that the tube straps were not particularly secure, and the arms were a bit wobbly, too.
With the carrier and bikes outside the vehicle I would want them to be more secure, perhaps with some Velcro straps as the issues that I noticed would be more pronounced with heavier bikes.
I do think that a towbar-mounted carrier would be better because of the ease of loading and the greater allowable load. Around 100kg is normally OK on a tow hitch, and because the load is closer to the ground it will have less of an effect on the way the vehicle behaves.
You would also have to be careful that the extra weight does not put you over the maximum allowable mass on the rear axle, or indeed on the whole vehicle if you are frequently close to the limit anyway.
Some of the towbar-mounted racks, including one from Thule, have a pedal that allows the whole assembly to tip backwards. I wonder if this might help with your access issue?
Let me know what you decide to do.
Nick Fisher
I write to you to seek your ever-helpful advice once more. When struggling with this particular problem, my partner simply asked whether I had written to MMM about it!
We have a 2014 Bailey Autograph 750. The fridge is a Dometic manual model with one dial for selecting the energy mode and one for adjusting the level of cooling. A small sliding needle indicates when the thermocouple is all warmed up. It works well enough on all three energy modes and cools down the interior.
To light the fridge, I turn to select gas, hold in the temperature knob, click to light, then continue to hold in the knob until the needle moves to green then release the knob. It has been a right pain to light it for years now. It is not difficult to get the flame lit, but it is very difficult to get the needle to move so that the flame keeps burning.
I took it on a couple of occasions to a local caravan workshop, which pronounced it OK. It also checked that the gas valve was shutting properly on flame failure and said all was good.
I did at one point wonder if the needle display was faulty and have been removing the lower vent cover to see directly when the flame is staying on as I am not 100% sure on the needle.
But still lighting it is a real pain. This last time when we went away again, I really struggled. I have for years suspected the thermocouple is the cause, but this time I discovered that if I hold in the temperature button, click to light the gas (and see the flame from looking outside) then gently tap the front of the energy selection button, the needle moves into the green!
This makes no sense to me other than some sort of faulty connection on the energy selection dial, or dirty contacts. Clicking the button repeatedly through all energy sources I thought would clean the contacts, but this made no difference, and the cadence method on the front of the button makes it work!
I am truly puzzled, can you help?
Philip Fisher
AI agree with your puzzlement! If this were an old-style analogue indicator then I might suggest that the needle was rubbing on something that inhibits its free movement across the scale. A bent needle, even.
However, if electronic, I would be looking at any connectors in the area of the display where there could be a bad connection, corroded or perhaps stretched by someone doing multimeter checks and poking a probe into a socket thus expanding it. I have seen all of these. Your tapping would likely overcome both of these scenarios for a time at least.
Having said that, the Bailey owners’ manual section covering operation of the fridge on gas does suggest it is a delicate beast that does not like high altitude or airlocks.
I would carefully remove this display and very carefully check every connector on or near it for cleanliness and tightness. If a printed circuit board was on show I would be tempted to resolder any connectors, but this is not a job for an amateur.
Ask your supplying dealer to substitute the display for another from a known good make and see if this overcomes your problem.
Clive Mott