Date:         Wed, 29 Mar 2000 22:50:18 -0500
Reply-To:     "Anthony L. Mourkas" <frankenstein@TELPLUS.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "Anthony L. Mourkas" <frankenstein@TELPLUS.NET>
Subject:      Re: bike racks and stickers
Comments: To: Blue Ridge CycleWorks <brbikes@RICA.NET>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

>Today I "tested" (held
>the foot up against the van and eyeballed) their extra tall foot and it has
>just enough clearance to go over the top of the luggage carrier.

>But, the concept looks very workable

See <http://members.tripod.com/vwphotos/amourkas.html> for a picture of
just such a setup on my 84 Westy.  Thule extra tall (11"?) feet and 84"
load bars located over the front and rear edges of the luggage rack allow
the poptop to be raised and two bikes to be carried on either side of the
luggage rack using either upright or fork mount bike carriers.  I believe
that if one did not need the luggage rack space that more fork mount
carriers could be mounted "backwards", rear wheel forward, over the
luggage rack itself so more bikes could be carried or to provide a
narrower rig.  This setup is a bit wide.  :-)  Also carrying a two foot
stepladder helps a great deal when loading and unloading bikes.

I have also bolted Thule "artificial rain gutters" to the pop top section
of my former 81 Westy to which I attached Thule uprights and load bars.
I carried up to three bikes with this setup.  The top could be raised
with two bikes still attached up top, but you had to be Charles Atlas, or
have an assistant to do so.  Never tried raising the top with three bikes
attached.

Last year I borrowed a Thule rack, one of those universal fit types that
you see on the back of vans, hatchbacks, sedans, that support the bikes
on two arms that stick straight out.  We hung two backs on the back this
way with no troubles on our trip.

Last month I purchased a used Paulchen rear rack equipped to carry four
bikes.  It mounts on the hatch via four brackets that are designed
especially for the Vanagon.  I am very impressed with the fit, finish,
and strength of this rack.  I have not actually tested it out with loaded
bicycles as of yet but am looking forward to a road trip.  I can't
anticipate any troubles, this thing is built like a tank.

Of course my favorite setup when traveling solo to a cycling event is
just fold out the rear seat into bed mode, lay down a protective blanket,
and just throw the bike in through the rear hatch, close hatch, and go!

Tony

Anthony L. Mourkas
Hampden, Maine, USA

1984 Vanagon Westfalia
1987 Vanagon GL Syncro
1991 Jetta Eco Diesel

1987 Cannondale "L. L Bean" Touring
1989 Basso Paris Roubaix
1991 Santana Arriva Tandem
1993 Hollands Invicta Custom
1998 Pro Flex 856 FS MTB