Bike Carrier For a Transit Van

FatLarry
FatLarry Posts: 209
edited January 2012 in Road buying advice
Has anyone ever carried their bike using a bike carrier on the rear of a Ford Transit Van...? If so... what bike carrier did you use?

I'm hiring a van in the summer for a trip to France and there isn't room for all of the bikes in the back. I reckon a Saris Bones would fit but the manufacturer "doesn't recommend it"...

I'm not convinced it wouldn't work... but wondered if there were any other solutions that people had come across?

Grateful for any suggestions...

Comments

  • andy46
    andy46 Posts: 1,666
    I have a Saris bones and I don't think the straps would be long enough to fit onto the top of the doors.
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  • Pigtail
    Pigtail Posts: 424
    If it has a towbar you would be better with one of the towball mounted ones.
  • FatLarry
    FatLarry Posts: 209
    Ah... hadn't considered the legth of the straps... thanks for that.

    A towbar mount would have been great - one of my friends has one... but the van won't have a towbar :-(
  • arlowood
    arlowood Posts: 2,561
    Hi there

    Suggest you search some of the websites devoted to motorhomes such as:-

    http://www.outdoorbits.com/fiamma-carry ... p-458.html

    This one is a bit pricey but I'm sure there will be cheaper ones out there
  • FatLarry
    FatLarry Posts: 209
    I'deally I'd have liked something I can re-use on my car afterwards - hence the appeal of the Saris - but if all else fails I could buy one of these and then flog it on ebay after I've finished with it...

    Thank you.
  • Crankbrother
    Crankbrother Posts: 1,695
    Hire a bigger van?
  • FatLarry
    FatLarry Posts: 209
    There isn't a bigger van!!!

    I have to accommodate 4 passengers, so our only option is a Ford Transit "Crew Cab", which has a second row of seats. The problem is that the second row of seats eats into the load space and I've gotta fit 11 bikes in the back. And luggage.

    Also, my girlfriend is driving the van across the Pyrenees... on narrow roads... and the thought of driving the Tranny on those roads is already making her nervous.

    If push comes to shove, the people sat on the second row of seats will have to travel with my frame on their lap.
  • brettjmcc
    brettjmcc Posts: 1,361
    We do Roof Racks for Transit you know...

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  • Velonutter
    Velonutter Posts: 2,437
    When we hire a mini bus we just remove some of the seats for extra space, takes 30 mins a row, or in our case they provide the bus with them removed.

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