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Topic: electric bikes carried inside the caravan

boroboy28

22/7/2019 at 11:55am
Location: Wigan
Outfit: Bailey Sancerre Kia Sorrento

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As the electric mountain bike I want weighs in at 25kg it is too heavy to go on the cars roof rack as that only supports 20kg max on the Thule and even then would not be comfortable trying to get it up there.
Carrying it inside the caravan seems the only short term practical way of transporting it. Having looked at various options I am considering laying it flat on the rear fixed bed...will take off the mattress and fasten it to the bed slats to stop it moving about. My question is I know that doing this will place the 25 kg weight mainly behind the rear axle of my Bailey Sancerre caravan which is not ideal. Can i Overcome this problem by moving the mattress and other items forward of the axle to counterbalance the added rear weight whilst maintaining a nose weight of 75 kg. I have weighed everything and I'm within my payload carrying the bike..it seems a simple solution but am sure there is something I haven't thought of. Advice appreciated.

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gerry

hurlingfrootmig

22/7/2019 at 12:35pm
Location: None Entered
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That's putting a lot of weight at the back of the van, even if it is counterbalanced by moving other things forward. Best to keep weight near the axle for this reason: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jk9H5AB4lM

Is the e-Bike battery pack removable? If removing the battery pack gets the bike under 20kg, can you carry the battery pack in the car and put the bike on the car roof?

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boroboy28

22/7/2019 at 12:49pm
Location: Wigan
Outfit: Bailey Sancerre Kia Sorrento

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Battery pack is removeable but would only save 2.5 kg so still too heavy for Thule roof bar...plus this is the bike I want after doing lots of research so not into folding bikes etc if anybody should suggest going down that route....the weight of the mattress and what is in the bed locker I am guessing is about 20kg and is distributed in the same way as the bike would be so not as per in the video with all the weight right at the back.

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gerry

moorlander999

22/7/2019 at 1:18pm
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we have two e-bikes ( with Bosch crank motors ) ---- one weighs 19kg and the other 22kg. We remove the battery packs and put those in the car. we place the bikes front wheels facing to the front of the caravan. The bikes are over the axle in the centre of the van. We use the bedding bags and two pieces of foam to wedge the bikes on place. All the other heavy stuff goes in the car.

we have a Bailey Pageant monarch 2 berth and have been carrying the bikes like this with no issues for 4 years.

We also take a Thule towbar cycle rack in the boot so that if we want to venture a lot further while on our hols we can take the bikes with us on a day out

boroboy28

22/7/2019 at 1:37pm
Location: Wigan
Outfit: Bailey Sancerre Kia Sorrento

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Hi That is encouraging...do you take the bike pedals off and align the handlebars with the frame or just put them in as they are? Was considering something similar but putting the bike onto a bike floor rack but it seems from your method the floor rack is not required.

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gerry

moorlander999

22/7/2019 at 1:42pm
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yes...sorry forgot to mention that...Get a good ( park tools ) pedal wrench....dont use a cheap eBay/halfords type as you get what you pay for.

Removing the pedals makes it easier to get the bikes through the door. I drape an old towel over the end of the worktop/unit to the left of the door to hopefully prevents wood getting scratched - but be prepared for ''battle scars'' as you perfect loading and unloading...

Loosen the handlebars on one bike and spin then away ...prevents them knocking together / wires and cables getting tangled on each other..

But what I will say --- is practice loading and unloading...BEFORE you go away as it can be very very infuriating at first getting the right set up/load position.

We use the bikes as general transport while away ...car stays put unless weather is foul..I also take a carbon fibre framed lightweight road bike ( gets wrapped in its bespoke bike bag and placed in rear of car...even has its own seatbelt :)...Spin out each morning then its e-bikes for the rest of the day if we go out...

I have two KTM Bosch e-bikes....If you are considering an e-bike stay clear of the QVC specials - they seem cheap but again you get what you pay for.

boroboy28

22/7/2019 at 3:00pm
Location: Wigan
Outfit: Bailey Sancerre Kia Sorrento

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Thanks for the advice...will defo practice what you advised re loading and unloading...the bike I;m buying is a haibike allmtn 3 which at nearly 4k should hopefully do everything I want it to...will also be taking my thule towbar bike rack so can drive to the destination from campsite with bike on the back rather than be restricted to area in vicinity of campsite.

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gerry

iank01

22/7/2019 at 3:09pm
Location: Worcestershire
Outfit: Buccaneer Cruiser

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If carrying the bike in the caravan and you have to do some heavy braking, there is a chance that bike could do some considerable damage inside the caravan.

moorlander999

via mobile 22/7/2019 at 5:07pm
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That’s why I use the bedding bags full of duvets and pillows , plus two big pieces of foam to pack and pad everything so it’s toghter than a camels backside in a sand storm

JTQU

22/7/2019 at 6:06pm
Location: Hampshire
Outfit: Hymer Nova S

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I for years have carried ours via fork clamps bolted to a plank. Presently it is in the rear of the car but did the same way back with a plank in a caravan.

Then it was pedals off and bars turned, we had two bikes nested by carefully locating the clamps on then a thick ply base. bikes entered rear wheel first to give access to set clamps, and get yourself out of the van!
I don't know the front spindle arangement your choice of bike has but there will be solutions.
See this link for the basic idea.

http://williampedalson.blogspot.com/2012/05/minivan-bike-rack_27.html

moorlander999

via mobile 22/7/2019 at 6:51pm
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The main downside with my method is once the bikes are in there is no way anyone can get in the van unless you are good at climbing .

I’m
Looking for individual bike wheel stands, but can only find a double on e at decathlon - wiggle and Halfords well a plastic one bit it has horrendous reviews

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