[Travlin]

@Lionmonster, as curiosity rather than criticism, is there any advantage to having the rig installed to swing to the left, rather than the right?

Mostly thinking that if stopped on the side of the road unexpectedly and needing access to the left door, the rack will swing toward the lane of traffic rather than toward the shoulder.

I can understand how the right side always being able to open fully is likely the most significant reason, and would like to know if there is another angle bearing on that choice that I hadn't considered.

 

[yelnam]

I got the RakAttach in part because it offers the drivers side swing. It’s nice that the right door opens fully. But the real reason is that when camping, all the action and back and forth to the back happens on the passenger side. Thus, better access.

There’s a trade off there I guess: access when parked on the street vs at a campsite.


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[Lionmonster]

@Lionmonster, as curiosity rather than criticism, is there any advantage to having the rig installed to swing to the left, rather than the right?

Mostly thinking that if stopped on the side of the road unexpectedly and needing access to the left door, the rack will swing toward the lane of traffic rather than toward the shoulder.

I can understand how the right side always being able to open fully is likely the most significant reason, and would like to know if there is another angle bearing on that choice that I hadn't considered.

What @yelnam said. All the doors and activity is on the right.
@Amber Farmer - I didn't have any issues after using the RakAttach since it raises the rack up a couple inches. The problem I didn't have was the rack not keeping the bikes super secure. AFter hitting a couple good speed bump / pot holes and having one of the bikes come loose, I sold the Kuat and got a 5 up Recon Rack. Everything is much more secure and I can open the back doors with the rack lowered.

 

[Lincoln Lightning]

Lionmonster, any issues using your rackattach and the recon rack? I have a recon 6 bike carrier but had to remove my rackattach because of the amount of wobble when fully loaded.

 

[perchancetodream]

Inside bike holder

I welded some components to serve as the "first bike top tube" for a Topline Add-A-Bike dogbone clamp. First an angle that mounts to L-track on the side wall semi-permanently. It has two 5/16" weld nuts. Then the "top tube" with base plate that clamps to the angle with 3-arm clamping knobs. The Topline Add-A-Bike clamps to the tube and the bike. It is steady and secure. Success. A second bike can be added using a second Topline dogbone. I set up the rack to hold the bike as close to the side wall as possible while clearing the handlebars. This required a shorter clamping knob (Hillman 397623-B) for the outboard Topline clamp because the original knob was too long to clear my fold-up work table.

 

[jnc]

24" hitch extension?

 

[Lionmonster]

Lionmonster, any issues using your rackattach and the recon rack? I have a recon 6 bike carrier but had to remove my rackattach because of the amount of wobble when fully loaded.

I haven't used both at the same time for that very reason. Since I can open both rear doors now, the rackattch is an extra step I don't need to mess with.

I might try both since we've got a camping trip coming up and it would be nice to have unrestricted access to the door. I'll put something up when I do.

 

[yelnam]

I used a locking anti rattle hitch pin to connect my RakAttach to a storage box. Works great.

https://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Anti-Rattle/Lets-Go-Aero/63232.html

(And of course the RakAttach came with its own anti rattle adapter for the stock hitch)

 

[TomW]

Part of my 5400-mile road trip included taking three bikes: road bike, Mountain Bike, and my Catrike. I had to rig up something to help with the interior room so I could still sleep back there, my son's opting for a tent.


I have some of the "quick release" mount cargo rails. Installed the "plus nuts" into the roof rails, so 1/4" - 20 TPI screws held the tracks (milling machine work in a few locations so I could access the rails). Very little weight.


The eye-bolts on the side are the 8mm threaded holes for airbag sensors in the passenger version. They should be considered no-load, but fine to prevent the bike from swinging back and forth.


Plus nuts also attach the rail down the side, but that rail could be used to secure a much more massive load. The pool noodle provides a cushion against the way (remove pedals) and a convenient way to hold the pump with a strap.


Every road trip seems to have a different purpose, so I've learned to keep it simple and flexible. Only if I hate realized how muddy the riding trails would have been,

 

[TomW]

Fully loaded, note the Catrike is a three-wheel recumbent (27" wide at front wheels). My son is 6'4" and was wearing his hiking shoes when the photo was snapped — got to love the interior height of a High Roof!


Roof insulation is the 3M Thinsulate but works out for helping to keep interior cool and reduce noise while on the road.

 

[Yurish]

Does anyone have experience with Thule 964 Revolver rack on Transit?
Not sure if it swing far enough to not block rear door.

 

[Jacek]

Nice, except for the rubber straps, which don't last and break. They are a potential hazard. Mine broke one by one after a year.

 

[thdenver]

Has anyone mounted an upright roof rack type bike attachment to a rear cargo rack? I want to be able to carry the family's bikes and our collapsible kayak.

I've also been thinking of using a rear cargo rack with the same upright bike attachment. How did it work out for you?

 

[Tom Schwartz]

I was thinking about drilling the rear doors and adding L-track and upright roof racks to attach directly to the doors. But now my idea is to use the Prime Design no drill ladder and attach these hooks from Lolo Racks:

The ladder is kinda expensive, but the racks are only $32!

Hi Ghostshaper,
Just wondering if you went with this prime design ladder and lolo racks idea??? If so, how do you like it and if not, why??

 

[Tom Schwartz]

Has anyone used a prime design ladder with lolo racks to mount bikes? I'm hoping for some feedback before giving it a try. Wondering if both road bikes and mountain bikes would work?

 

[joeyverge]

Had a local welder make a simple mount to attach to my Aluminess swing away hitch. Turned out pretty good.

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[joeyverge]

Forgot the photo of how it is attached:

1UP racks are attached at an angle so the bikes sit parallel to the back of the van. The Aluminess hitches sit at a bit of an angle.

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[Ghostshaper]

Hi Ghostshaper,
Just wondering if you went with this prime design ladder and lolo racks idea??? If so, how do you like it and if not, why??

Hi Tom,
I didn't, mainly b/c I was concerned w/ the door cracking. I bought the lolo racks hooks and built a vertical hitch rack, which I attached to my Wilco hitchswing instead. Happy w/ it.

I did get the prime designs ladder, and I'm happy w/ it. After using when the doors are closed, I can see the doors flex, and I'd be wary of putting any weight on it w/ the van in motion, especially off road.

 

[Tom Schwartz]

Hi Tom,
I didn't, mainly b/c I was concerned w/ the door cracking. I bought the lolo racks hooks and built a vertical hitch rack, which I attached to my Wilco hitchswing instead. Happy w/ it.

I did get the prime designs ladder, and I'm happy w/ it. After using when the doors are closed, I can see the doors flex, and I'd be wary of putting any weight on it w/ the van in motion, especially off road.

Thank you for the feedback. I'm not sure I understand though. The weight on the ladder of two bikes should be a lot less than a person standing on the ladder so I would think that should be OK but maybe not because of the constant weight while moving?? Or, were you more concerned with the weight of the bikes when the door swings open? Also, do you have any photos of the vertical rack you attached to the wilco hitchswing? Maybe, that's the way to go but then investing in a new back up camera is necessary because the one on the bottom of the door won't work right? Also, what's the effect on the sensors when backing up?

 

[Ghostshaper]

Thank you for the feedback. I'm not sure I understand though. The weight on the ladder of two bikes should be a lot less than a person standing on the ladder so I would think that should be OK but maybe not because of the constant weight while moving?? Or, were you more concerned with the weight of the bikes when the door swings open? Also, do you have any photos of the vertical rack you attached to the wilco hitchswing? Maybe, that's the way to go but then investing in a new back up camera is necessary because the one on the bottom of the door won't work right? Also, what's the effect on the sensors when backing up?

I was concerned about the weight of 2 bikes while moving, given that others have had cracks from the spare tire mounted on the door.

I have a 2017, so I bought a 3rd brake light/camera combo hooked up to my head unit (also, no back up sensors).