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Hi, can anyone help?

We can only use a tow bar bike rack so, when we go caravanning, we can't take the kids bikes.

Does anyone know if you can attach a basic swan neck tow bar to the back of your caravan then attach the tow bar bike rack to the back of the van??

Thanks very much, Nic

Most unlikely as you won't have the chassis members to support the towbar. I note that you have a Swift caravan. Some Swifts have reinforcements in the rear panel to accept a bike rack, I would have thought that would be the best way forward. If you e-mail Swift with you model number and serial number I am sure they would advise.

David

I have seen them,  they fit to the Caravan A frame, if you Google Caravan Bike Rack, you will see them on there.

Thanks so much for the fast response everyone

Will take all your suggestions on board & will look into the best solution for us.

Thanks, Nic xxx

Quote: Originally posted by Chalkie56 on 18/3/2011

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If you talk to the 2 major clubs they will tell you that it not good idea to attempt this as it could affect your hitch nose-weight. It can assist in the pendulemm effect.

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We have a Fiamma bike rack fitted to the back of our Abbey and have no problem in getting a noseweight of around 90kg which is what I need.

Just been to Spain and back with no problem.

Mike

Quote: Originally posted by pete1946 on 18/3/2011

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Quote: Originally posted by Chalkie56 on 18/3/2011

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If you talk to the 2 major clubs they will tell you that it not good idea to attempt this as it could affect your hitch nose-weight. It can assist in the pendulemm effect.

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Half those who run the two clubs have never seen a caravan appart from photo`s, so how would they know, there are many who fit and use them, and you as an experienced vanner should know you can move items in the van to adjust nose weight.

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Is the pendulem effect the new word for Snakeing, If it is, then I have never had either, if the van nose weight is correct,and items stored correctly in the van, and is not overloaded You should NOT have any problems.

Would just like to add, I have been towing vans since 1965, and my first van was made of hardboard, with gas lamps and a parrafin fridge,and as I say. I have never had any problems. 

i have seen two caravans both english fitted with bike racks.would not like it myself.one was a bailey.

see  www.agentfiamma.co.uk

Even if the nose weight is correct, carrying bikes can still assist in the pendulem effect. The general advice is not to add mass to the extremities of a caravan, because it increases the yaw inertia about its centre of gravity (kgm2). It has been shown in tests that the greater the yaw inertia, the lower the speed required for the onset of snaking. Hence the advice to carry heavy weights over the axle.

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What about all the caravans on the road that have an end kitchen?

If you travel to somewhere like Spain then putting the bikes on the back is by far the best place providing that the van has been designed to accomodate them.

Swift vans have fixing points built in so that's good enough for me and having just done the 3000 mile return trip I can say that we had no problem at all.

Mike

Quote: Originally posted by Mike+Co on 18/3/2011

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Even if the nose weight is correct, carrying bikes can still assist in the pendulem effect. The general advice is not to add mass to the extremities of a caravan, because it increases the yaw inertia about its centre of gravity (kgm2). It has been shown in tests that the greater the yaw inertia, the lower the speed required for the onset of snaking. Hence the advice to carry heavy weights over the axle.

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What about all the caravans on the road that have an end kitchen?

If you travel to somewhere like Spain then putting the bikes on the back is by far the best place providing that the van has been designed to accomodate them.

Swift vans have fixing points built in so that's good enough for me and having just done the 3000 mile return trip I can say that we had no problem at all.

 

Mike

Totaly agree with you Mike, But you will allways get the knowalls that say it is wrong, where the do it alls have never had any problems.and as you have done a 3000 mile trip, that is NO short trip.

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Bike Rack fitted to small Eriba Caravan.

Quote: Originally posted by pete1946 on 18/3/2011

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Quote: Originally posted by Chalkie56 on 18/3/2011

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If you talk to the 2 major clubs they will tell you that it not good idea to attempt this as it could affect your hitch nose-weight. It can assist in the pendulemm effect.

---

Half those who run the two clubs have never seen a caravan appart from photo`s, so how would they know, there are many who fit and use them, and you as an experienced vanner should know you can move items in the van to adjust nose weight.

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Yes, but you can't put them at the ends.

The pendulum effect will bite you.  I also tend to think that the two major clubs do in fact know what they are doing.

Jim