Bike rack on rear carrier

[Millertron]

Hi there, first post! Pleased to be joining this community as I'm about to take the plunge and buy an old Mercedes Sprinter.

The only thing I need before it's ready to set off is a bike rack - but I'm trying to figure out what kind I need before ringing around suppliers/installers.

I've been recommended a towbar mounted rack, but the main problem with that is... there's no towbar. There is some kind of rear carrier frame that appears to be bolted onto the chassis, and I'm wondering if this is something that can be commonly used to attach a rack onto. I guess I'd need something with a lighting board and plate repeater at least (and yes, it's a French plate). Or, perhaps just ignore this and install something directly onto the rear wall?

It would need to carry three bikes.

Any thoughts on what kind of rack to go for, brands, mounts etc - very much appreciated! Cheers

 

[wildebus]

I would say if that extension bar is as substantial as it looks, it would be simple to get something fabricated to use as a bike rack.

The bike rails are secured in two places and if you had two runners on top of the existing two runners (the one with the eyelets) long enough to take three bike rails, and then an end bar across that has a number plate holder and probably a light bar you would be good to go. Any small engineering company would be able to build something without any problems.
You would need to add on some kind of upright - again that would be easy to do.

An issue you might have is with the French equivalent of the MOT? I understand they are very strict about any non-orginal adaptations (unlike the UK MOTs which have no such issues as long as it is (or appears) safe).

 

[ProDave]

Why has if got triangle reflectors? Those are only for trailers.