Swing out bike racks thanks! Now tilt down tow bar fitted bike carrier s

[colyboy]

Me again! Many thanks who gave loads of advice re the swing out cycle racks.

Now I need some of your very valuable advice on tow ball fitted cycle racks. They must tilt down, but will I be able to open the two rear doors on my van when tilted?
Many thanks.

 

[stevewagner]

I know the Buzz racks are very popular and they tilt away from the vehicle

 

[treblid]

We had a Atera Strada DL3 we used with our previous tailgate van but it would not provide enough clearance for the Ducato PVC barn doors.
Hence I fitted the MEMO van swing I mentioned in your other thread.

 

[philthefish]

I replied previously, as I have a swing out. My bike rack is a buzz rack, wich has a lean out facility, but no, you will not be able to open the doors wide enough for real entry to the back.
Also if you have really heavy bikes as I do (e bikes), I don’t like the idea of 40 kilos leaning out at all, however the swing out works fine for me.

 

[Nikwilko]

Eufab sd260 slides back enough to open ducato doors. Can be ordered on amazon uk
Supplier is belgian or German from memory, your looking +250 in import tax and vat. Needs a flange towball and 1" spacer block to give clearance between door and wide 800mm mtb bars.

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[Daffy64]

We had a Atera Strada DL3 we used with our previous tailgate van but it would not provide enough clearance for the Ducato PVC barn doors.
Hence I fitted the MEMO van swing I mentioned in your other thread.

I had one we used on a T6 with a tailgate and used it once on a Ducato PVC (with Barn doors) without issue.

I don’t know where the OP is but if he’s close to Southampton & wanted to try it then let me know.

 

[pappajohn]

It will need to swing down almost parallel to the road to clear the door bottoms.
Good luck with that....my Thule rack barely lowers 45°

 

[royandsharont]

The Altera Strada DL3 will definitely work but I had to put a 1” spacer on my tow ball & I also dropped the ball to the bottom holes to ensure more clearance of the bottom of the doors and I had my 2 bikes in the outermost positions.

The tilting Thule type won’t work as far as I am aware but the DL3 is not a tilting rack, it slides and lowers.

 

[Vaman]

We have a Strada DL3 as well. There may be a temptation to lower the tow ball to get the barn door clearance on a Ducato. Remember that there is a minimum height (350mm to centre of ball, van loaded) to remain legal, and avoid grounding problems on ramps etc.

 

[pappajohn]

We have a Strada DL3 as well. There may be a temptation to lower the tow ball to get the barn door clearance on a Ducato. Remember that there is a minimum height (350mm to centre of ball, van loaded) to remain legal, and avoid grounding problems on ramps etc.

I believe that measurement is if it's used for towing to keep the trailer level....nearly all trailers sit level with the coupling at the tow hitch height.
It won't apply if it's used as a bike carrier.

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[treblid]

I had one we used on a T6 with a tailgate and used it once on a Ducato PVC (with Barn doors) without issue.

I don’t know where the OP is but if he’s close to Southampton & wanted to try it then let me know.

I know people can get the DL3 to work for them but, with a Van Swing, we no longer need to rotate the handle bars on either bike and it is much easier accessing the rear when you don't have to clamber over the carrier A frame.

 

[Daffy64]

I know people can get the DL3 to work for them but, with a Van Swing, we no longer need to rotate the handle bars on either bike and it is much easier accessing the rear when you don't have to clamber over the carrier A frame.

There wasn’t a but for us, we put 2 bikes on the rear 2 slots creating extra distance so no bar rotating needed.

We looked at the van swing but decided it was more of a faff than the Altera, plus the tow bar was unusable with the van swing fitted.

Horses for courses I guess.

 

[carolyn]

We used the Atera Strada DL3 on a tow ball on our previous 2 PVCs. We also needed a 1” spacer. It has to be the 3 not the 2 even though you’re only carrying 2 bikes. The swan neck type tow bar is too high.
You also had to put the tow ball on the lower two holes which is perfectly legal for bike racks but not towing.

Nick always felt it was quite a lot of weight bouncing on the back. It never felt as sturdy as the Thule but with the Thule even though it tilted a bit only one door opened a bit.

We were just under the weight limit on our previous vans but only just. They were 6.3 M Fiat Autos.

 

[royandsharont]

colyboy I’ve sent you a message