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Hi
I have a hymer 1990 660 and the bike 4 x bike rack is about 5' 8" off the ground. I have a dicky left arm and my wife and i struggle alot with a fair bit of swearing trying to get the bikes up on the rack and then strapped on.
Its so bad that when we get to site, i almost just cant face going through the pain and frustration of getting the bikes down and up again.
Does anybody have any experience with the Fiamma Lift77? Does it work, is it robust etc etc? Also as its fairly pricey is there any other winch \ wind up type bike racks out there as i cant seem to find any?
We had the OmniBike Lift (manual version) put on the back of our 1992 S700. Comes down to within 18 inches of the ground and makes it much easier. Had it done by Peter Hambilton.
I'm responding to several recent enquiries about lifting bike racks.
I have no problem with the weight of 2 x 25kg Giant electric bikes on the back of my van; but certainly had a problem with getting the load well above the rear lights and struggling to load them.
A Fiamma 77 was the answer and it's adjustable frame allowed fittings to be tied into the the rear bed frame and cupboards to create a very sound structure. When lowered, the bikes can be loaded one wheel at a time with no effort.
I also use the Fiamma bike cover and a couple of chains fixed to an eye-bolt through the back of the van for extra security.
We have the Fiamma wind up bike rack, for 4 bikes on the back of our MH. It was fitted by the dealer as a normal rack would have been in the way of access to our toilet cassette.
Yes it works very well, stable and secure. It is still physical to wind up and down, maybe if you go down this route the caravanners trick of a decent drill and attachment like they use to lower and retract their chocks may be enough to work it with no effort at all!
A poss. cheaper suggestion as above is a tow ball mounted rack, if you haven't got a tow ball this prob. won't be any cheaper thou'.
Hi again
we have the 660 and had a frame made which slides in and out of two box sections welded to the chassis, bikes are at waist hieght, just fitted two bike rails to the frame, and can also take fiaama 500 box. Will try and get photos for you.
By the way did you get my pm about wheels? still looking to change them and some on ebay this wk for £10 each but says 609/709 wheels, remember you said they were different offsets though?
Hi Chalkie, was waiting till i got around to taking a wheel off and measuring, but as usual, taking longer than i hoped! I dont know which off set you need only that its 609 wheels you need, not 709 wheels. I will try and have a measure the weekend.
On the rack from, tow ball rack is not an option so has to go up high. Thanks for all the help so far.
I too have been looking for a better answer to the bike lift. I am told that the Fiamma may not work on my M/H due to the design of the mouldings on the van. The Thulle (Omnister) may fit but I have not found anyone who keeps it in stock to check. Rose Awnings will fit it for £460 IF it fits.
I do not have a towbar and they are, I am told, difficult to fit to my M/H.
Still searching these threads for alternatives.
Alan
Hello Alan! I'm surprised by your comment that the fitting of a towbar is difficult on your MH.
Our previous MH was an A-S Pollensa which had the same overhang as your Palermo. I visited Towtal, near Stoke to have a bespoke towbar fitted. They include all the electrics and towball. The caravan-style corner steadies were removed from the chassis and reattached to the towbar.
Although the towbar was extremely strong and cost only £395 all in, it was left to me to paint it with Hammerite. So if I was going down that route again, I'd look at someone who does the powder-coating finish.
From Towsure, we had purchased a bike rack for about £29 which clamps directly onto the ball. Very easy, 20 seconds. Two arms swivel out to receive two bikes at less than 3' from the ground. Everything can be securely locked to everything else.
Have a look at the photo, taken at an aire at Mende, on the Gorge du Tarn...
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I too have been looking for a better answer to the bike lift. I am told that the Fiamma may not work on my M/H due to the design of the mouldings on the van. The Thulle (Omnister) may fit but I have not found anyone who keeps it in stock to check. Rose Awnings will fit it for £460 IF it fits.
Let´s keep fighting with Mavis, Ray and all those in need!! 
