Yes, there are some home made solutions. I posted earlier this year that I made the actual bike carriers for my Paukchen rack out of aluminium mouldings which saved me a bundle. I also have a bush bar with integrated bike carrier. Basically it is an adaptation of the Paulchen rack idea that bikes stand in tracks. So I had a fold down rack with bike rails made which attaches to the bush bar. This enables me to carry a total of six bikes (two in front and four on the beefed up Paulchen rack with bumper support in the rear). For the roof and the canoe I use Thule bars and their rail attachment (a short gutter which attaches to the poptop). I reinforced the little gutters with an aluminium plate which extends into the gutter and takes the canoe load off the plastic roof. In another van (78 Bus) I have put some straight rails on the poptop which I use to attach bars wherever I want to support the canoe. cheers,
Björn Ratjen 1987 Syncro Est Alia (self camperized) 1995 Passat TD (1982 Vanagon Diesel) 1979 VW Bus (self- camperized) |
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