Swing away bike racks

[quirky]

Looking to fit a swing away bike rack for two bikes on a new T6.1 4Motion camper - have been looking at three options available in Australia - from Kuat, One Up and Rocky Mounts - any relevant experience or suggestions greatly appreciated - we will be doing a lot of dirt, so need something that will handle that sort of use

 

[Orange Kombi]

Hello Quirky, we too have this dilemma. Our T6 is 7 years old and we killed our old Thule on our last trip to South Australia. I searched and found your query - you didn’t really get any definitive answer. Did you end up buying a bike rack that you are happy with? We are looking at the Yakima LX ON RAMP bike rack and buying the Back Swing so it can swing out allowing access to the back. We also like doing the dirt roads into National Parks so a sturdy option preferred. At the moment we have two Hybrid bikes but perhaps in the future may be tempted to buy electrics… resisting atm ;-)
Thanks for any info you can give us.
Sue and Chris

Looking to fit a swing away bike rack for two bikes on a new T6.1 4Motion camper - have been looking at three options available in Australia - from Kuat, One Up and Rocky Mounts - any relevant experience or suggestions greatly appreciated - we will be doing a lot of dirt, so need something that will handle that sort of use

 

[quirky]

In the end I was not confident in any of the swing away racks for the van - due to a lack of rigidity and/or their weight (given the very low weight limit of the T6.1 tow ball) . Rigidity was my key concern - in the end I went with an ISI unit..it's a basic unit that folds down so I can access the back, but is very strong and rigid and built with rough roads in mind. It's made in Victoria, the team are helpful and responsive and it's one of the very few designed for off road use (most have strong disclaimers against such use). Fitted a Rocky Mounts numberplate bar and it's been excellent.

 

[Orange Kombi]

Thanks very much for replying Quirky,

We looked at ISI website and watched the video - they do look like they’ll do the business! I’m assuming you can access the back by dropping the rack down with bikes still attached? Your bike is also very nice, what is it? The information you’ve provided has been so helpful. Just goes to show - googling doesn’t give you all the answers!

 

[quirky]

The rack lies flat with the bikes on - it does not hold the bike up, so they rest directly on the ground which needs a bit of care. I have about 200mm between the bumper and the rack to walk around in - so I get the ability to get things in and out but it's tight. The rack sits about 350mm out from the back of the van. My 800 wide bars on the back of two bikes (the one shown) sit 40mm off the rear glass + so it's as tight to the back of the care as possible & as close as you would want. I carry this ebike (19kg) and a Trek urban ebike (around 26kg) with ease and no movement. There is no built in security on the rack - I carry a heavy Abus chain/lock that I fit when parked quickly - but you could with effort remove the rack and bikes together so I don't leave them on overnight if I am not in the van. The bike is a Focus Jam2 SL and while the Fazua motor has a chequered reputation I've had no issues and love it. The light bar from Rocky Mounts fits perfectly between the wheel hoops, and turns off my rear parking sensors when plugged in. I used two of the ISI number plate brackets to mount it with a 20mm spacer to fit - a bit fiddly and I am surprised ISI don't provide an off the shelf solution. I spent a lot of time to choose this option and while not cheap I'm happy with the outcome - good luck with whatever you go with.

 

[Kind of Blue]

Their is a receiver Hitch that accepts a swing away bike carrier.

 

[Orange Kombi]

The rack lies flat with the bikes on - it does not hold the bike up, so they rest directly on the ground which needs a bit of care. I have about 200mm between the bumper and the rack to walk around in - so I get the ability to get things in and out but it's tight. The rack sits about 350mm out from the back of the van. My 800 wide bars on the back of two bikes (the one shown) sit 40mm off the rear glass + so it's as tight to the back of the care as possible & as close as you would want. I carry this ebike (19kg) and a Trek urban ebike (around 26kg) with ease and no movement. There is no built in security on the rack - I carry a heavy Abus chain/lock that I fit when parked quickly - but you could with effort remove the rack and bikes together so I don't leave them on overnight if I am not in the van. The bike is a Focus Jam2 SL and while the Fazua motor has a chequered reputation I've had no issues and love it. The light bar from Rocky Mounts fits perfectly between the wheel hoops, and turns off my rear parking sensors when plugged in. I used two of the ISI number plate brackets to mount it with a 20mm spacer to fit - a bit fiddly and I am surprised ISI don't provide an off the shelf solution. I spent a lot of time to choose this option and while not cheap I'm happy with the outcome - good luck with whatever you go with.
View attachment 274836View attachment 274837

Hello Quirky, so good of you to take photos to demonstrate the distance and the bike laying down. This makes it all very clear. Thanks to all your advise we have sourced a ISI bike rack about 30kms from where we are staying atm. I think we fluked it as it was ordered for a customer who isn’t in a hurry so they are allowing us to have it.

We have just looked at a Yakima branded bike rack which can be fitted to their ‘swing back’ bar but we feel it extends too far ( or without the swing back bar and then it is similar to the ISI ) . The recent release of the Yakima LX 2 on-ramp gives a second option for us. The differences:
1) The LX is rated for off road up to 36kg on a normal road OR 21.7kg off road ( which wouldn’t work for your Trek)
2) When not in use, it can swing up so that is fits snug against the vehicle.
3) It has a locking mechanism that allows you to secure it.

We don’t have E-Bikes yet but will in the future so think we will go for the ISI. Thanks for the info on the Focus - we have admired them in the past.
You have been so helpful - Thanks Quirky

 

[Orange Kombi]

There is a receiver Hitch that accepts a swing away bike carrier.

Thanks Kind of Blue, we feel a swing away makes the whole thing too long so will opt for the drop down version - we are tending towards ISI made in Victoria Australia. Really sturdy.

 

[Kind of Blue]

Thanks Kind of Blue, we feel a swing away makes the whole thing too long so will opt for the drop down version - we are tending towards ISI made in Victoria Australia. Really sturdy.

Not sure if you have these manufacturers in Australia. For years they have had receiver hitches in the USA but only recently here because of testing legislation but now we do. receiver hitches as I am sure you now accept all manor of useful devices including DIY stuff.

Receiver Hitch | Towbars | Witter Towbars | Witter Towbars

For ultimate versatility, a receiver hitch can be paired with a towball for towing or various hitch accessories. Learn about receiver hitches & find yours now.

www.witter-towbars.co.uk

Westfalia make them

 

[quirky]

Hello Quirky, so good of you to take photos to demonstrate the distance and the bike laying down. This makes it all very clear. Thanks to all your advise we have sourced a ISI bike rack about 30kms from where we are staying atm. I think we fluked it as it was ordered for a customer who isn’t in a hurry so they are allowing us to have it.

We have just looked at a Yakima branded bike rack which can be fitted to their ‘swing back’ bar but we feel it extends too far ( or without the swing back bar and then it is similar to the ISI ) . The recent release of the Yakima LX 2 on-ramp gives a second option for us. The differences:
1) The LX is rated for off road up to 36kg on a normal road OR 21.7kg off road ( which wouldn’t work for your Trek)
2) When not in use, it can swing up so that is fits snug against the vehicle.
3) It has a locking mechanism that allows you to secure it.

We don’t have E-Bikes yet but will in the future so think we will go for the ISI. Thanks for the info on the Focus - we have admired them in the past.
You have been so helpful - Thanks Quirky

 

[quirky]

Just ensure its the right offset for the van - ISI make a range of "arms" that stretch from the tow bar attachement to the rack - at different lengths and angles - to suit different vehicles - the one i have is the Mid 500/40. (500 long, 40 degree angle) Good luck