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It is a Fact that Swift build fixings into their rear walls to accomodate bike racks and state on their website that the vans are designed to allow it.

I have read quite a of rubbish about Physics and other reasons why not but there are more reasons to do it than not do it.

As others have pointed out if you have an end kitchen van then there is far more weight on the back end than in two bikes.

There is no doubt that I will be fixing one on as soon as I get the van.

And another thing I will also be putting a Settalite dish and 1350 watt Solar panel on the roof as well.

Mike

Bikes on the back of a van???  Bailey put a car on top of theirs! 

Seriously,  is there any reason why the bikes couldn't fit on to the car?  Personally, if I was in the position of transporting bikes, this is the way I would go.  If you then ever wanted to transport the bikes and not the caravan you would have the facility to do it.  Just a thought.

For all the sceptics this is a reply from Swift.

Thank you for your E-Mail regarding Cycle racks. It is possible to fit a cycle rack to the rear panel by bolting through the rear panel going through the blocks that are specifically in place for this. There is a maximum weight of 50Kg that can be placed on the rear panel and this includes the weight of the rack, so this usually allows for 2 bikes and the most popular racks are from Fiamma and Thule (Omnistor). If you do purchase the Caravan please tell us your chassis number and we can provide the specific rear panel drawing for your Caravan. If you choose to fit it your self, please be aware that it will void any damp warranty, if it is proved to come from the cycle rack installation and because of this some people prefer to have their dealer carry out the fitting and guarantee its fitment

As far as I am concerned this settles any arguments and is far better than carrying them either inside the van on on the car roof.

Perhaps Bailey carvans are not made strong enough to carry bikes so it knocks them of my list.

Mike

Quote: Originally posted by brianconwy on 04/11/2010

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So in other words you wil need to get it in writing that the dealers will match the manufacturers 6 year damp warranty.  Ours is supposed to be ready to take a bike rack on the back.  We have a witter rack that fits into a receiver on the towbar and can carry up to 4 cycles.  

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It does not say anything about getting anything in writing. If you prefer to carry 4 bikes on the towball then you can carry on but I will have a dealer fitted bike rack on the back of my van. I know who will find it easiest as many years ago I used to carry 2 bikes on the towball and could not turn around a corner without the wheels catching the van.

Mike

'If you choose to fit it your self, please be aware that it will void any damp warranty, if it is proved to come from the cycle rack installation and because of this some people prefer to have their dealer carry out the fitting and guarantee its fitment'

They are saying that the dealer will need to guarantee its fitment.  Which means that a couple of years down the line you will have to try to get the dealer to remedy any damp problems that may occur ( assuming they are still in business ).  They may be genuine and admit their liability.   There may be no problems whatsoever.

We have yet to have any problems with our witter rack.  Maybe design of these devices has improved since you last had one.  I wouldn't discourage anyone from getting a rack fitted on the back of a van, but you were looking for input.

Thats okay you go your way and I will go mine and you are right I was looking for input not negativity.

By the way any work done by the dealer such as the installation of a roof mounted aerial is just the same when it comes to warranty.

Best wishes

Mike