Bongo Fury

Hi Van - did you modify your spoiler yourself?
Rhod

Yeah Van, tell us.

Yours looks spot on, just what I want. Don't suppose you want to swap back doors with me?

No No it isnt a pic of my van - just pic of a VW T4 to show the height of the cargo bars.I think that it might be jimsimin's van ( 'animal' stickers on the side - cool )
I sold my spoiler ages ago to another forum member because I load stuff on my roofrack from the rear tailgate and it would get in the way

I have that thule backrack to fit on my seat altea, I looked at it against the bongo, but the feet I reckoned would foul the spoiler.... so I gave up,

I ummed and arred, and in the end fitted a towbar and got a thule bike rack for that.... it worked out at similar money for towbar and rack as it would be for a fiamma (my option was a about £15 more)... and fitting was probably a bit worse... but easier than trying to modify the spoiler myself....

the other things that swayed me to the towbar one, were, ease of fitting/removing.... the extra weight on the struts (and then regassing) and then them being a bit firm if you take the rack off etc...
and wondering how best to clean around the rack

I do think they look very tidy though! and am very impressed with the backrack on the altea... just don't forget to hold the boot up, or it will brain you...(and cos it's only on about 4-5 times a year, not worth messing with struts!0

only thing I don't like with the towbar option, is the bar that can be seen across the back of the bumper with the towbar, but noticed ford tinny's towbar didn't have this.... (D'Oh! ).... so I'd find that one if doing again... (which I'm not, so I'll get my coat!)


John

Jimsimin, is that your van?

All good points John.

Towbar racks are still an option on my list at the moment but I don't really want to have to be taking a rack on or off all the time. I do a lot of cycling and want the option of just being able to chuck a bike on the back with zero hassle. The only downside (after fitting) is, as you say, the srtuts problem.

BTW the I'm leading my club's monthly ride this Sunday. All are welcome, let me know if any of you lot you'd like to join us.

I'm tending to think in terms of a Maxraxx towbar mounted rack again, rather than a door mounted one. Reasons being that I need the towbat anyway at some point & that I carry sea kayaks on the roof (or will be once the roof rack's sorted!) & I think that the height of the bikes on a Vito/T4 rack may foul the boats. I do prefer the look of the Fiamma rack & the way that it holds the bikes though
Rhod

I have a very low home made stainless rack with a longThule ski box fitted and it is fine with the rear rack /bike on the back . I use a telescopic alloy 1.4m ladder to access the roof box from the side of the van.
Of course it might not work for you - - -

Just spent an hour with a nice chap called Roland at Exeter Roofracks and Boxes http://www.roofracks-roofboxes.co.uk.

We played around with the Thule 973 and we reckon it will fit a treat and the best bit is there's no spoiler cutting.

The top pads that are supposed to sit on top of the door will have to sit on the top of the glass but since the glass is supported underneath by the seal I'm happy that it will be ok. Also, I'll have to protect the door where the steel straps run with a bit of neoprene or the like.

The only bummer was that he forgot that he didn't have any fitting kits which are sold seperately so we couldn't actually put the rack on.

Hopefully he'll have the necessary parts on Tues/Wed

And, as a final bonus... £139 inc VAT.

I'll takes some photos when I've got it fitted.

- yer pays yer money - -
Fiamma were going cheap a while ago I got mine S/H on Ebay for less than half price and there seemed to be a lot about. This one was new -
http://tinyurl.com/2bbfxg

Odd that the new Fiammas seem to have gone up so much since November.

I was thinking I'd have to spend a bit over £200 on a Fiamma once I'd had the spoiler sorted etc so I'm happy to pay £140 for the Thule.

I think that the bargains are out there .You need to know the exact model you are looking for ( a VW T 4 for single door) and you have to be patient .You can put a search on Ebay and sit back and wait until one comes up. The idea is , if possible, to get one local to you because it will be a 'pickup only' The Fiamma is large .Most folk do not want to dismantle them, they just want to move them on .
Mine was on 'Pick up only 'but I emailed the bloke and asked him if he could dismantle it and bung it in a box .He had no interest from the locals and as luck would have it he had just come across the assembly instructions He was happy to strip it down and send it to me at cost which was about twelve quid
Hope you get something you are happy with be it Thule or Fiamma

there is a new fiamma on ebay at the minute.... with a buy it now

it would cost you about £145 including delivery!



John



oooh, and heres the link

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VW-Bike-Rack-Cycl ... dZViewItem

That company was selling at the same price when I bought mine - - - -

Vanvliet wrote

I have a very low home made stainless rack with a longThule ski box fitted and it is fine with the rear rack /bike on the back . I use a telescopic alloy 1.4m ladder to access the roof box from the side of the van.
Of course it might not work for you - - -

My problem is that the boats will overhang the rear of the van significantly & the open boat curves downwards when it's on the rack. To load the rack you slide a cantilievered section off to the side of the van. Really need to get the roof rack fitted before I can make a decision about the bike rack..

Rhod

Yep see your point. Get the roof rack sorted first. The lower version Fiamma which requires bolting to the door might be worth considering in these circumstances. As long as it is properly fitted , pref using stainless bolts and proper anti rust sealant ( not silicon which has acetic acid ) it should be fine I understand that after the main brackets are fitted to the van they are then easily fitted /removed . Pity about having to use a light /plate board though