Bike racks - reprise (actually back boxes...)

neilfraser · Post by **neilfraser** » Sat May 12, 2007 11:31 am

Going to France for four weeks in the summer but will need to take more than fit in the Bongo. Therefore decided to get some form of externl storage. Roof boxes don't seem like a good idea for lots of reasons. To me back boxes make more sense.

Anyway, having a Fiamma bike rack and box looks like the obvius choice BUT what about rear visibility - the box completely obscures the back window. I see someone has fitted a Carrybike Pro C which would fit under the back window but I'm not sure teh back door panels are strong enough to take the weight of a loaded back box...

Some others have mentioned bakraks but the one I'm most interested in is the Thule EasyBase 939

http://www.thule.com/Thule/ProductPage____33617.aspx

with either the Backup 900 box or EasyBag 948-4.

Has anyone used either of these combinations? All systemes mentioned seem rated between 50 and 60Kg max load. Would a standard tow bar take that much weight - are caravan noses that heavy?

Looking forward to a full and thorough discussion - I'm sure there is plenty of life yet in another bike rack topic

Neil

Yamaha · Post by **Yamaha** » Sat May 12, 2007 12:41 pm

Hi Neil

I thought long and hard about this idea - and this is what I settled on:-

It's the Khyam Cargo Rack and Cargo bag - I went this route for two reasons - the rack is flat, therefore the tailgate can still open with it attached - and the bag will fold down flat for storage at home.

The only fly in the ointment - the bag comes with no means of attachment to the rack - although they're made by the same company - so I resorted to covering the rack with a shaped piece if plywood, drilling the plastic feet on the bag, them inserting some "R" rings underneath to hold the bag onto the rack. A bit of a fiddly job - but well pleased with the result.

It means all the bulky bedding, etc, can be carried externally - and the complete bag can be removed from the rack for packing and unpacking.

Mike

neilfraser · Post by **neilfraser** » Sat May 12, 2007 3:39 pm

I had heard that Khyam did a similar thing, although it's not listed in their web site. Can I ask weher you sourced yours?

The Thule bag appears to have an excellent strap system for attaching it to the base which appearled - I like tht fact that the bag can be folded smaller as you say - a box could be a bit inconvenient.

The upright on the Thule can be folded flat so I think it should still be possible to open the boot with it in situ - however I have not seen one in the flesh.

Is the Khyam easy to attach it appears to have a "quick release" type caravan handle?

Yamaha · Post by **Yamaha** » Sat May 12, 2007 8:34 pm

Hi Neil

No, the Cargo Rack seems to have been discontinued, but not the Cargo Bag - maybe something to do with liability issues, as there is no supplied way to attach the two together.

I got mine at Somerset Camping, on the A38 between Bridgwater and Taunton at Walford Cross - at the time they had a spare one in stock - give them a ring on 01823 413333 - I think we payad £80 - but they didn't have the bag in stock.

As for the Thule one - it seems it's secured quite permanently with an allen key, so not quickly detachable - also, I don't think you could fold the upright with the box in place!!

The Khyam comes with a substantial metal bracket the fits between the towbar and the ball - a tongue on the rack slides down into this - and the coupling keeps it in place - you then secure the tongue from moving with two allen screws - I can fit it, then remove it in less than a minute.

I,m very pleased with the result - although I did have email words with Khyam as they told me straps were included to attach the bag - but they were not. The way I did it with ply seems to work very well - just fit 5 clips in place, and it's firmly attached.

Mike

swifty · Post by **swifty** » Sat May 12, 2007 11:12 pm

I have this combination, box is not truly waterproof but given the limited use I'm taking the chance, (ok so I'm tight!) but it does look good.

http://www.bak-rak.com/?gclid=CMjPwoXSi ... Qgod1XN8BQ

http://www.storagetrunks.co.uk/deep-sto ... -p-76.html

neilfraser · Post by **neilfraser** » Sat May 12, 2007 11:47 pm

Anyone ever tried taking one on a ferry / channel tunnel? Do you declare it as a bike rack or just a longer dimension for your vehicle?

I'm hedging towards the thule with a bag at the mo unless I'm missing somethign obvious!

swifty · Post by **swifty** » Sun May 13, 2007 12:27 am

You will only be missing a few bob in the bank!

Just call it a longer Bongo, Mine creeps over the 5m length so I book up to 5m but am ready to put the box in the back and fold up the rack if anyone gets the tape measure out! Truthfully can't see it happening for the sake of a few mm but I am optimistical and can do the confused old feller bit when required. (like everyday at work)

neilfraser · Post by **neilfraser** » Sun May 13, 2007 9:34 am

andyh · Post by **andyh** » Sun May 13, 2007 10:38 am

Ah thank you Swifty... that bak rack has solved my carrying dirty tools problem... and cheap too. I'll build a lightweight box for it and no worrys on getting the inside grubby...

The marvels of forums...or is it fora?

swifty · Post by **swifty** » Sun May 13, 2007 8:20 pm

Flash is right, I'm just going to have a go with channel fittings from these people

http://www.bak-rak.com/?gclid=CKSMpPLti ... Egod0jjXBQ

swifty · Post by **swifty** » Sun May 13, 2007 8:21 pm

Ooops wrong thread,

Griffin · Post by **Griffin** » Sun May 13, 2007 10:32 pm

Hi NeilFraser, if you are looking for the Kyham rack then Attwolls on the A38 between Stroud and Gloucester junctions on the M5 sell them. My gut feeling is they are discontinued but last time I was there they had stock. Looked good but I decided on a bakrak as it was a fair bit cheaper.
FWIW the bakrak works well for me, I couldn't afford a Thule one so use it with a 'cushion box' bought in B&Q. Holds a load of stuff and very reasonably priced.

Cheers.

neilfraser · Post by **neilfraser** » Tue May 15, 2007 1:04 am

I've been calling round tow bar fitters in Bristol and one was saying that tow bar fitted "trays" are a bad idea because the tow bar can bent under the strain. Anyone had any experience of this?

Also I'm looking for a recommendation for a tow bar fitter in the Bristol area?

Thanks Griffin for the source of the Khyam rack...

RobinS · Post by **RobinS** » Tue May 15, 2007 8:08 am

I have a Fiamma Carrybike and am thinking about getting the box for it as well. Since two bikes obscure rear view the box is not going to make much difference - thats what the door mirrors are for! (Remember motorhomes, caravan towers, buses, trucks etc don't have rear view, it doesn't take much getting used to). The big advantage of the carrybike system is that it lifts the load above the lights and number plate - a low rack then means you need to fix, and wire up a trailer board as well.

Robin

neilfraser · Post by **neilfraser** » Tue May 15, 2007 8:25 am

True about the lights etc. That's one advantage of the Thule as is already comes with lights and a place to fit a number plate... And still get rear visibility...