Bike rack overhang

[Maddog]

Morning guys,

I fitted a universal Thule bike rack to my Renault Master Camper a couple of weeks ago (They dont do a specific one for the Ren Master) but when i tried the bikes on it they overhung by a bit. The racks are mounted only on one door and as such this is unavoidable really.

I have ordered some 3mm x 50mm Ally Angle to try to extend the wheel trays a bit so the bikes are not sticking out as much, however this will put additional load on the mounts on the door. I can put a ratchet strap around the trays to take a bit of the load.

Worst case scenario i could possibly remove the front wheels and 3D print some sort of holder for the fork legs to sit in, but that really defeats the object of using full wheel trays and also the bars that grab the frame/seatpost may be too short if the front end is much lower down due to the lack of front wheel.

Anyone else have any better ideas?

Thanks

 

[8ob]

A removable prop/brace down to the tow bar?

Bob

 

[Maddog]

A removable prop/brace down to the tow bar?

Bob

Possibly, however the tow bar may be in use as i sometimes tow my motorbike when we go away. It is however a flange mount towbar not a swan neck so i could possibly make something that would sit just infront of the towball on the flange.

Thanks

 

[dobbslc]

Do they poke out further than your mirrors? If not don't worry about it.

 

[CompoSimmonite]

Could the holder be tilted so the bike is at an angle and therefore wheels stay within width of van ?

 

[Agroshield]

It is not clear what the problem is here.

Do the wheels stick out more on the driver's side compared to how much the wheels stick out on the passenger side?

If the stickout is unequal, the whole rack needs shifting sideways to equalise things.

If the stickout is equal both sides, but too much, the width the bikes take up needs to be reduced (removal of wheel or tilt bike diagonal).

Or are you saying that the length of the rack itself is too small to accommodate the wheelbase of the bikes on it?

In that case, the tray needs extending.

 

[addjunkie]

Leave bikes at home…saves you peddling them!

 

[Maddog]

These images may help a bit. The rack is mounted on the single door so everything is offset to the right. I have moved everything Left as much as i can and the rack cant pivot.

The images dont show very well (i'll try to remember to show the left side better later)

But no there is probably about 300mm spare on the passenger side, hence trying to extend with some angle ally.

 

[Ruffian]

Would have no issue with that as it is, as long as they are secure.

Wheels are still narrower than the wing mirrors.

But then again I'm used to enduro bike on Dave cooper towbar mount.

 

[Maddog]

I'm just a bit paranoid as i heard a story about a woman who was smacked on the back of the head by an overhanging bike and killed. But like you say if they arent wider than the mirrors then i wouldnt be that close.

I was coming back from Wales last weekend in the car around Conwy where you go through the tunnels, on the way back you are very close to the rocks on the North Wales Expressway i was thinking the bikes may scrape if i wasnt careful. It is two lanes though, so i could stay left.

 

[CompoSimmonite]

What about an alternative carrier which holds bikes vertically ?

 

[nickk]

When comparing mirror width,don’t forget,mirrors easily flick out of the way with no damage or little,a bike is different.

 

[CompoSimmonite]

What about changing wheel spindle (or just nuts) to quick release type and store wheels inside ?
That would be my choice as a bike without wheels would be of less interest to a thief when parked up unattended.

 

[ranchero]

i would put them the van

 

[Maddog]

Thanks for all the advice guys.

This is what I came up with

It does seem a bit wobbly but a ratchet strap around the brace bar between the trays up to the top of the door supports will sort that.