We are off to the New Forest in a few weeks and when we were there last year my husband said how much he wished he had his bike with him.
So, this year we are going to take his bike. We plan to transport it inside the caravan as we are nowhere near our payload but we are not sure where to put it. Clearly, over the axle would be best but we have a middle washroom rear bed model so the axle is under the washroom where you could never store a bike.
Where does anyone else with this layout put a bike if they are transporting it inside the van?
According to the specification, our Swift Challenger has the necessary strengthening to fit a bike carrier on the rear of the caravan. Probably much better than risking damage to your caravan interior if the bike moved around during towing, and it would pay to consider ensuring that it could not move if you had to brake hard for any reason.
Bwertie.
------------- The 2 Tops
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Then, forward of the axle as close to the axle as here the hitch helps make its mass less destabilising.
I would use a front fork clamp bolted onto a thick ply plank spreader just shorter than the distance between the furniture.
https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Delta-Bike-Hitch-Pro-In-Car-Rack_46651.htm?sku=122187&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=google_shopping&mkwid=sjlJhcitN_dc|pcrid|43133749973|product|122187|&pgrid=12317363333&ptaid=aud-264756372667:pla-80805064493&gclid=Cj0KCQjwnZXbBRC8ARIsABEYg6AuafGv_KLQyBkHkTZnX9YnsXjGrJPFe_dr3toS0JTsjPC4d_s-TQ8aAuNaEALw_wcB
We take our bikes away with us, we put a tarpaulin sheet down on the floor at the front of the caravan between the sofas, then put down two '2 bike' metal stands, put bikes in stands (one facing forward and one facing backwards) then I made a bracket that I secure with velcro at either end that goes around the frame on each bike which stops them from moving side to side.
Enjoy the New Forest, we love it there and will be there in 3 weeks - can't wait!!!
JTQU thanks for that link! That has given me possibly a better idea of how we could put the bike in the car and still leave us enough space for the awning and chairs which normally go in the car rather than risking putting the bike in the caravan.
we put two adult mountain bikes inside our two berth Bailey --- wedged in with large laundry bags which contain duvets / towels etc and the awning bag sits in between .....right over the axle..with handlebars facing front ...never had any problems..
Towed for over 25 years carrying 2 bikes inside van. Put tarpaulin sheet or something similar down over squabs and sides, then we place bikes so wheels are touching in a V formation, leaning main frames of bikes on sides on seats. Most times we don't even bother to put anything to anchor them, sometimes a small piece of lightweight wood or steady blocks. As you only intend to carry the 1 bike you should be perfectly ok with bike in van. Just pad it with duvets etc. well wrapped up so no oil can get on them.
We got a rack fitted to the back of our challenger sport. Best thing we ever did. Before that we used a carabike stand between the front seats front wheels fastened with bungee things and then bungee cords on to the under bed box handles. Just make sure you protect the upholstery on the seat corners and also the front of the fridge. We found twisting and lifting the 2 bikes in the van got too difficult.