Firstly thank you so much for showing this setup. I bought the same setup after watching it. I have a caramol appeal 554 and the drawbar is short, but works.
Yes, we are very happy with it having used it quite a few times now. I do have one issue with the Ranger in that the ball rotates a tad, no matter how tight I can get it. I do have a solution which will make the rack rock solid on it, which I will edit up and post soon - hopefully this week 👍
I have thought about this. My approach is to leave as the proprietary product intends, especially in videos as drilling holes through the chassis can lead to cracking. There is a lot of force at play plus the angle of the A frame which the U bolts would have to overcome. If people wanted to do this it would be at their risk 👍
This looks like an excellent solution for us as we have the ball hitch on our tow vehicle and would love to use on the Swan and on tow vehicle when not camping or going further from base camp. Cost is also a big factor. Think my father in-law (toolmaker/engineer type) could do the cutting for me.
Great video as always and a good solution for travelling with bikes for both the caravan and tow vehicle. With a potential total weight of 100kg, tow ball weight could be an issue for those of us with a lighter setup such as a camper trailer and mid-size SUV. As you say, do your research to make sure it works for your setup.
Weight is something everyone needs to consider. 4 bikes in any case is a fair weight. I cut it out of the video as was too long, but we will probably upgrade the boys bikes to aluminium frame also to try and reduce some more. Cutting down the mast probably also removed a kilo or so as well 👍
cool idea. one question. when you loosen off the tension of the ball nut, can the rack swivel side to side? I have an expanda caravan and was wondering if you could swivel the rack 180 degrees around to open up the expanda bed? thanks.
I am so keen on this design but have slightly shorter draw bar space than the journey (have new age manta ray). Can you confirm how long the distance is between the middle of the ball mount and the back of the rack without the light fitting on as you have in your vid? I can’t understand how it would need to be 1m depth with 4 bikes.
“Great solution” I’ve got the ISI but lifting an E bike over the tool box was next to impossible. So I had to add the rear bike carrier even then given the E bike weight you can do it one off but better with two and a ladder.
E Bikes are a whole different problem and solution due to their weight. I'm doing a follow up video running through the Fiamma XL-A as a great two bike solution which sits on the A-Frame. To me that would be the perfect solution for an E Bike. Thule from memory also does a similar style and you can option ramps to assist the bike up onto the rack. I wouldn't put E bikes on this solution as they are too heavy.
Friction and clamping force primarily holds the mount down and is common for most items like this. The angle of the A-Frame also helps here. No need to drill from Coast to Coast. I guess you could however I'm not a fan of drilling into the frames unless you really, really need to as it's potentially introducing a stress point. It also can't be reversed if you remove the rack.
Does anyone know of a similar product to this for hitch bike racks? I have a hitch bike rack and am looking for the easiest way to mount a hitch receiver to the a frame of my caravan.
The hitch style does make it tricky. You could potentially mount a hitch receiver on the Pro Rack mount which would convert it, however that's becoming a cobbled together solution. If I come across anything, I will let you know. Hopefully someone has a solution 👍
Firstly thank you so much for showing this setup. I bought the same setup after watching it. I have a caramol appeal 554 and the drawbar is short, but works.
I’ve been looking for something like this. Thanks for your research
Love the idea of using it as a bike rack while at camp. Would also solve the issue of accessing tool box or gas bottles once setup too
Yes, we are very happy with it having used it quite a few times now. I do have one issue with the Ranger in that the ball rotates a tad, no matter how tight I can get it. I do have a solution which will make the rack rock solid on it, which I will edit up and post soon - hopefully this week 👍
Amazing review 👏 thanks mate
looks like a neat idea. i'd put a bolt through each end to save the rack walking its way out of the U-bolts on corrugated roads
I have thought about this. My approach is to leave as the proprietary product intends, especially in videos as drilling holes through the chassis can lead to cracking. There is a lot of force at play plus the angle of the A frame which the U bolts would have to overcome. If people wanted to do this it would be at their risk 👍
This looks like an excellent solution for us as we have the ball hitch on our tow vehicle and would love to use on the Swan and on tow vehicle when not camping or going further from base camp. Cost is also a big factor. Think my father in-law (toolmaker/engineer type) could do the cutting for me.
Great video as always and a good solution for travelling with bikes for both the caravan and tow vehicle. With a potential total weight of 100kg, tow ball weight could be an issue for those of us with a lighter setup such as a camper trailer and mid-size SUV. As you say, do your research to make sure it works for your setup.
Weight is something everyone needs to consider. 4 bikes in any case is a fair weight. I cut it out of the video as was too long, but we will probably upgrade the boys bikes to aluminium frame also to try and reduce some more. Cutting down the mast probably also removed a kilo or so as well 👍
cool idea. one question. when you loosen off the tension of the ball nut, can the rack swivel side to side? I have an expanda caravan and was wondering if you could swivel the rack 180 degrees around to open up the expanda bed? thanks.
I am so keen on this design but have slightly shorter draw bar space than the journey (have new age manta ray). Can you confirm how long the distance is between the middle of the ball mount and the back of the rack without the light fitting on as you have in your vid? I can’t understand how it would need to be 1m depth with 4 bikes.
“Great solution” I’ve got the ISI but lifting an E bike over the tool box was next to impossible. So I had to add the rear bike carrier even then given the E bike weight you can do it one off but better with two and a ladder.
E Bikes are a whole different problem and solution due to their weight. I'm doing a follow up video running through the Fiamma XL-A as a great two bike solution which sits on the A-Frame. To me that would be the perfect solution for an E Bike. Thule from memory also does a similar style and you can option ramps to assist the bike up onto the rack. I wouldn't put E bikes on this solution as they are too heavy.
Great solution! What stops the U bolts from sliding? Is it just the pressure on the bolts or do you drill the chassis?
Friction and clamping force primarily holds the mount down and is common for most items like this. The angle of the A-Frame also helps here. No need to drill from Coast to Coast. I guess you could however I'm not a fan of drilling into the frames unless you really, really need to as it's potentially introducing a stress point. It also can't be reversed if you remove the rack.
Remove the pedals. Easy done.
Does anyone know of a similar product to this for hitch bike racks? I have a hitch bike rack and am looking for the easiest way to mount a hitch receiver to the a frame of my caravan.
The hitch style does make it tricky. You could potentially mount a hitch receiver on the Pro Rack mount which would convert it, however that's becoming a cobbled together solution. If I come across anything, I will let you know. Hopefully someone has a solution 👍
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