Rear door bike racks

[Deleted member 54520]

I’m hoping to purchase a bike carrier to fix onto the rear door of my Relay PVC.

It seems the only 2 models specifically designed for the job are the Fiamma 200DJ Carrier, and the Thule Elite Van XT.

Having viewed a video showing the fitting of the Fiamma, it shows the top and bottom bars being bolted to the door, as well as being clamped to the door edges. This means drilling 4 holes, which I am keen to avoid.

I am therefore looking for advice from anyone who has first hand experience of using either of the 2 racks.

Is it possible to use the Fiamma without drilling holes, and just relying on the clamps?

The bars on the Thule are fixed with Sikaflex as well as with end clamps.

Both racks quote max weight to be 35 kg. My 2 bikes weigh 31 kg in total.

 

[colinm]

The Fiamma has a reputation for buckling rear doors, ours was fine, I believe it may be that the problem lies with people not drilling and bolting.

 

[Makzine]

This what we have on our Renault, don’t know what make it is, hope it helps.

 

[Fragle]

Thule only clamp to door. I’ve used mine for 2 years no problem on a Warwick xl.I have just traded van in for a coachbuilt so tack no longer required. Will be selling so pm me if interested

 

[daygoboy]

For a while before I made an exterior rack for a m/bike, (instead of carrying the m/bike
under the high level rear bed).
I carried 2 bikes on a Fiamma 200D? I made a purpose welded steel sub frame
which allowed me to put the brackets spaced & where I wanted them, fixing was
via bolts through existing van door hinges holes

, and via brackets cranked and bolted to the
door shut face. So no visible new holes when I removed the rack a year later. The
steel sub frame took virtually all the torsion stress away from the actual door.
Pic gives you the idea.

 

[Deleted member 54520]

Thule only clamp to door. I’ve used mine for 2 years no problem on a Warwick xl.I have just traded van in for a coachbuilt so tack no longer required. Will be selling so pm me if interested

 

[Deleted member 54520]

Yes, I am interested but have not managed to find a way of sending you a pm.
I see from the Thule fitting guide it is suggested Sikaflex is used to fix the 2 bars to the door, as well as using the end clips. Did you use this method and if so how did you manage to get the bars off before selling the van?

 

[QFour]

@starcott .. Little envelope next to your avatar. Opens up the messaging service. Click on start a new conversation on bottom line. Type in name you want to send message to.