Date: Tue, 24 Jun 2003 11:26:10 -0600
Reply-To: Bob Stevens <mtbiker62@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Bob Stevens <mtbiker62@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Camper Roof rack questions..
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
The rack shop was hesitant to sell me the towers for this application
because it was not designed for it. Vertical gravity forces on the tower
attachments vs roof-supported. Anyway, I've had 3 bikes on the rack so
that's in the 80 lb. area. I'm pretty sure it can hold 4 bikes and wheels
back there. The bar length would be the limiting factor. I use fork mounts
and front wheel mounts that attach to the upper bar. I then use one of those
plastic-coated chains with a lock to lock the front wheel to the bike.
Everythings locked onto the van that way. The upper bar supports most of the
weight and since the hatch is beveled at the top, the bar holds the towers
securely to the hatch. No slippage at all. It also keeps the bikes down
behind the van so there's no worry about driving under something and
scraping the bikes off. I back up carefully ;>)
Bob Stevens
http://groups.msn.com/BobsPhotoShare
----- Original Message -----
From: "VWNut Hawk" <vwnut@hawkcomputing.com>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>; <mtbiker62@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, June 24, 2003 11:12 AM
Subject: Re: Camper Roof rack questions..
> Cool idea. I never thought about that. How many bikes do you think it
> could
> hold if you have the other attachments? Do you have to take off the
> front wheel or does it stay on?
>
> >>> Bob Stevens <mtbiker62@HOTMAIL.COM> 6/24/2003 11:47:29 AM >>>
> I use the Yakima on my rear hatch. Pics at the link below if any
> interest. I
> modified the clasping part of the tower (shortened it 3/4") and use
> locks on
> them and the fork mount so everything's secure and attached. They'll
> have to
> steal the van to get the bikes.
> Bob Stevens
>
> http://groups.msn.com/BobsPhotoShare
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "VWNut Hawk" <vwnut@HAWKCOMPUTING.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Tuesday, June 24, 2003 10:18 AM
> Subject: Re: Camper Roof rack questions..
>
>
> > I use the yakima towers and round bars on 3 of my Vanagon's.
> > Wow they are great. I always worry that someone will rip them off.
> > I didn't spend for the locks.
> > I haul canoes, boards etc. Very strong!
> >
> > >>> Bill Marshall <Willolyn99@AOL.COM> 6/24/2003 9:14:00 AM >>>
> > Sam said:
> > ""I think the round rack bar is more heavily built and will bend
> less
> > easily
> > than the square Thule.""
> >
> > I agree. I used to sell roof racks, long ago, and I've seen lots of
> > bent
> > cross bars, but never on a Yakima. Also, because of the round bars,
> > bike racks
> > and other things always line up correctly. With square bars, if you
> > have any
> > curve in your roof, or your bars are not in the same plane, you will
> > have to
> > bend or loosen everything to make things fit. With the round bars,
> you
> > just
> > rotate the bars to align everything. (this actually does make
> > sense...planes vs.
> > tangents)
> >
> > I also saw photos of a roll-over accident in which the Yakima rack
> was
> > the
> > only thing that survived intact. The Yakima rack system is stronger
> > than your
> > raingutters.
> >
> > Bill Marshall
> > 85 GL Tiico "Pandora's Box"
> > Aurora, IL
> >
>
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