Fiat Ducato Panel Van Fiamma Bike Carrier Advice Sought

[phillybarbour]

Morning all,
Fiamma make a DJ200 model for total payload of both bikes up to 35kg, and they make a Frame model for total payload up to 50kg. Both specific models for a Ducato PVC.

Has anyone loaded two electric bikes at around 50kg total on the standard DJ200 and has it been ok. The Frame model is very rare and I’ve never actually seen one in the UK. My problem is the Frame model will not fit the van I’m looking at so it’s the DJ model or another solution. I don’t want a towbar solution due to the weight of the towbar. The Frame model needs 100mm clear between the door edge and the window, the model I’m looking at has the window up to the door edge so no go for the Frame model.

thanks for any advice.

 

[tidewatcher]

The rack fitted to my Ducato when I got it was a Fiama double with all mountings to the door below the height of the rear window. When carrying one electric bike minus the battery and one conventional bike the door began to open the outer skin to inner skin joints requiring a professional repair. Also it was very dodgy opening the back doors with the bikes on the rack as the strain on the hinges looked excessive. In the end I went for tow ball mounting as it takes all the loads off the door.

 

[phillybarbour]

The rack fitted to my Ducato when I got it was a Fiama double with all mountings to the door below the height of the rear window. When carrying one electric bike minus the battery and one conventional bike the door began to open the outer skin to inner skin joints requiring a professional repair. Also it was very dodgy opening the back doors with the bikes on the rack as the strain on the hinges looked excessive. In the end I went for tow ball mounting as it takes all the loads off the door.

Thank you that’s very helpful regards Phil.

 

[AllanD]

I was considering the Fiamma type (4 years ago) but after reading similar reports as described by tidewatcher, I opted for a towball mounted version made by Thule. There is a weight to the tow bar as you point out but the original steel bumper (shrouded by the dark grey plastic skin you see from the outside) is removed in the fitting process so the additional weight is the difference between the two (not the full towbar weight). I didn't check exactly how much extra but the towbar supplier estimated it was approximately 10kg which seemed about right to me. The Thule bike rack is very good, solid as a rock with 2 e-bikes over many miles now.