Towing And Cali Bike Rack

[Jezzer]

Hi,

thinking of getting a genuine t6 bike rack but wondering if anyone has experience using one and towing an eriba caravan. Not sure how far the bike racks extend from the van? No useful pictures on the internet

thanks
Jezzer

 

[Davenjo]

Depends on the length of your draw bar - I think you may struggle. Here is a photo of my OEM rack, loaded with 3 bikes, with my boat trailer hitched up to give you an idea:-

 

[Jezzer]

thanks Dave, that does like like it might be tight! towing would be find but there seems like there could be an issue when going round sharp turns! Back to the drawing board I think

 

[airhoguk]

Most eribas you can fit a bike rack on the draw bar for two bikes. It does slightly restrict turning i believe but not necessarily as much as fitting the rack on the back of the tailgate

 

[kiter]

Seen some eribas with the bike rack mounted on the rear of the caravan as well, not sure I'd feel happy not being able to see if they were still there.

 

[airhoguk]

Eribas have a steel frame under the skin and the rear mounting points attach to the rails which in turn are connected to the inner steel frame. Most likely reason for loosing the bikes is not securing them properly or being well and truly rear ended

 

[Jezzer]

Hi Everyone, thanks for your kind replies and images. A friend made a bracket for our eriba which works a treat for towing. However the bike rack/bikes foul the jockey wheel so the only way to detach the caravan was to remove the bikes and the bike rack. No a problem on small journeys but when travelling on multi stop routes it becomes a chore.

Looking at trying to get a jockey wheel with a taller winding arm instead of one that sits at right angles.

This is the current set up. one bike on the rack while the other is inside the caravan as we cannot fit both on the rack without the bike catching the van when turning!

cheers
jezzer

 

[Jezzer]

plus, and i forgot to mention, towing eye weight on the caravan is 45kg - it is already at 45 kg without the bike/rack added. This means I need to to get 45kg of ballast to the rear of the caravan to balance this out - not a problem coming home (extra beer) but pain in the b*m on the way out.

 

[Davenjo]

Looking at the setup I think you would definitely struggle cornering with a tailgate rack - the rear spoiler on your van would be another issue for the OEM rack :-(

 

[Hinsley]

Our old caravan (not an Eribas) had a rack on the rear which I wasn’t fond of - no real reason why, so in our last one we just put them inside and secured them.

Not sure if this is something you can do (space & suitable securing points?)

 

[phillipsmith]

Depends on the length of your draw bar - I think you may struggle. Here is a photo of my OEM rack, loaded with 3 bikes, with my boat trailer hitched up to give you an idea:-
View attachment 39748

Hi Dave,

We have a folding camper which is pretty low behind us. Would you be able to measure the distance from the bottom of your rack to the ground if you have chance so I can see if it would clear it. Also is yours lowered? My T6 is apparently factory lowered (only just got it), so not sure what the difference to standard is.

Much appreciated
Phill

 

[Davenjo]

Hi Dave,

We have a folding camper which is pretty low behind us. Would you be able to measure the distance from the bottom of your rack to the ground if you have chance so I can see if it would clear it. Also is yours lowered? My T6 is apparently factory lowered (only just got it), so not sure what the difference to standard is.

Much appreciated
Phill

Phil, from the lowest point of the rack is currently 110cm to the ground at the front of the rack and 122cm at the rear - once fully loaded for camping plus circa 50kg trailer nose weight this will reduce by a few cm - the height from the top of my towball, which sits just above the bumper step, is 72cm - this will not change regardless of loading/suspension height.

Our van is not lowered but will have some permanent height compression as a result of the camper conversion weight.

Hope this helps - if these quick, indicative measurements give you little tolerance for your folding camper let me know and I’ll try to get some more accurate measurements.

 

[Eli]

Just to bring up an old thread, can anyone advise on how far the version 2 rack sticks out from the tailgate when loaded and at what height please

 

[moomin-j]

Just to bring up an old thread, can anyone advise on how far the version 2 rack sticks out from the tailgate when loaded and at what height please

From the tailgate steel face to outermost point is 830mm
From tarmac to lowest point is 1070mm closest to tailgate & 1170mm furthest from tailgate. This must mean the bike rack base is not 90 degree to tailgate
Van is on level tarmac
T6 is on 40mm lowering springs

 

[Eli]

From the tailgate steel face to outermost point is 830mm
From tarmac to lowest point is 1070mm closest to tailgate & 1170mm furthest from tailgate. This must mean the bike rack base is not 90 degree to tailgate
Van is on level tarmac
T6 is on 40mm lowering springs

Think that’s a bit to close for towing, it’s only 300mm from the caravan

 

[VanDamMan]

Think that’s a bit to close for towing, it’s only 300mm from the caravan

Hi @Eli ... just had a quick nose...Coachman don’t do any cycle carriers for their vans ...the other suggestion is put the bikes in the van

 

[Eli]

Hi @Eli ... just had a quick nose...Coachman don’t do any cycle carriers for their vans ...the other suggestion is put the bikes in the van

I was thinking about padded bike bags Andre

 

[VanDamMan]

I was thinking about padded bike bags Andre
View attachment 80952

Yes ..saw them ...look good and will keep the van nice and clean

just found you a better one



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