dramiscram

I want to bring my bike when I go camping but with the kids, the dogs ( a Saint-Bernard mix an a Bernese mountain dog mix, so big dogs) and luggages for the week end the van is full. Can't put a rear rack as I'm already pulling the trailer tent. I don't have the money right now to buy a regular roof rack to put on the van or on the trailer (I prefer putting the money on going out on a camping trip)
Does anyone have a way to fix the bike on the van or trailer without scratching/damaging anything?

Right now I just strap it on the van roof with bungee cords and put cloth where the bike touch the roof but I'm looking for something less hazardous and quicker.

Any ideas? Bad or good experiences to share?

DVC45

Folding bike with carrying bag will serve you well.

megalowmatt

If you don't want to spend the money on a rack, find a way to pack it inside the van. The bungee cord thing doesn't sound safe at all.

spivonious

That doesn't sound too secure. Can you put a rear rack on the trailer, or somehow stow the bike inside of the trailer?

J.C. Koto

Did you even read the post? OP doesn't have the money to buy a roof rack right now, why do you think s/he would have the money for a folding bike?!

dramiscram

A small precision: I strap the bike with a nylon strap with a ratchet mechanism and a few bungee cord so it's just dangerous for the van's paint and the bike

It's something like this:https://www.rueducommerce.fr/index/sangle%20a%20cliquet

dramiscram

That's what I thought but a folding bike would be a good idea if I had the money. I never thought about that.

megalowmatt

I would still look into getting some kind of bike carrier, especially the less expensive kind you attach to the back. New they can be bought for $60-$100 and used I'm sure even less.

InOmaha

Several people on this forum have bikes they've cut so they can take them apart for traveling. You might pick up a cheap bike and do that to it. It would cost you the bike, some bolts, and some tubing/piping at a hardware store. I thought about doing that, but found a great deal on a 4 bike carrier on Craigslist.

Here's a thread on it. https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...e-in-two-today

UberGeek

Don't use bungees on top of the van. Use ratchet straps. They cost about $5 each, and you'll need two. Lay it on it's side, and remove the front wheel.

It's about the only way I can see, without buying the trunk rack for $70.

dramiscram

Would a trunk rack fit on the rear of a minivan or a trailer tent?

modernjess

You could use an adapter that allows you to tow a trailer and attach a hitch rack as well. Something like this:

https://www.discountramps.com/multi-p...ball-mount.htm

If you don't have one you can pick up a used hitch rack on CraigsList pretty much any day for cheap.


...or buy a folding bike...

PaulRivers

Is there any way to fit it in the trailer tent? I suppose not...

You can take off the front and back wheels of the bike if you know how, to make it smaller. It takes more skill and some tools to take off the handelbars and fork, but doing so would make the bike pretty much completely flat to fit inside the van or trailer tent...

It's more work to set up at the other end of the trip, but would take up similar space to a folding back with a lot less cost.

Andy_K 

I've got a Saris Bones rack that fits on the back of my minivan, but it required their "hatch hugger" straps (not included). With that setup, it would fit on the back of the van without interfering with a trailer. On the other hand, my wife hates that setup because you can't open the back of the van without unhooking the bike.

UberGeek

They make them for vans:
https://www.amazon.com/Bike-Vehicle-R.../dp/B00390F1SE

You just use the hitch. I think they make the strap ones too, but not sure.

fietsbob

Straps , with 6 hooks 2 fore, 2 aft, and 2 thwarts hold on trunk mount racks ,
best if lower feet of rack have something solid to sit upon.

chefisaac

See if you can rent a bike rack at the shop. Ours rent them out for a small fee.

megalowmatt

I have a Thule 3-bike trunk rack that fits on the back of our Nissan Quest.

acidfast7

just put them in the back of the "wohnmobile" or "wohnvagen"

InOmaha

I have one similar to this which allows you to pull a small trailer behind it.

https://www.discountramps.com/towable-bike-rack.htm

urbanescapee

Get your self a double hitch and pick up a cheap hitch rack on CL.

Double hitch:
https://i773.photobucket.com/albums/y...eiverMount.jpg

gerald_g 

If your trailer has a spare tire on the rear, there are bike racks that are designed to slip over the spare tire, and tie to the bumper.
Could probably find a used one cheap.

wphamilton

I'd take the wheels off and stow them in the van or tent, to make it easier to strap the bike down on top. At least the front wheel.

CACycling

I picked up a trunk rack at the thrift store for $10. Strapped to the back of our Astro van it easily handles a couple of bikes with our trailer in tow. Also have a racks that attach to the van's roof rack (so we can bring 4 bikes camping). And have a 4 bike trailer hitch style rack when we aren't towing ($50 CL find).

dtaylorl

I was going to say this as well. I've noticed that there are several fairly affordable racks out there that attach to spare tires. Not sure if they would fit one on a tent-trailer or not, but it would be worth investigating.