Date:         Sun, 16 Jan 2005 21:41:37 -0700
Reply-To:     Jonathan Poole <jfpoolio@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jonathan Poole <jfpoolio@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Home made bike rack solution
In-Reply-To:  <-5547244761989526994@unknownmsgid>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

For a bike rack solution I used a trunk mount style rack for a while
which worked pretty well, and allowed me to open the hatch with the
bikes on, but it was very hard on the bikes and didn't seem secure.

I wanted a more secure rack that would allow me to carry a couple of
bikes, and snowboards.  I already had some thule trays and a yak
snowboard holder, but my bars were too narrow and the feet weren't
close to working on the hatch.  I decided to custom make some cross
bars and got all of the parts from Lowes for about $30.  The bars and
feet were a bit of a hassle to put together but the rack has done very
well and can support at least a few hundred pounds.  It wouldn't be
hard at all to custom make bike trays using easy to find parts, which
should make the rack pretty affordable.  One thing that I think is key
for enjoyable use of a hatch rack are two (not one) of the pvc hatch
strut supporters.  When you use two you don't have to worry about the
hatch twisting which it will with a few bikes, a snowboard and a rack
on top.

For all of the hassle it would probably make sense to just buy a rack,
but if anyone would like to see the rack that I am using I will be
happy to pmail some pics.

Jonathan Poole