Hi, Cant help with Hymer models but 290 kg + rack is asking a lot from any m/h, I would go for a trailer something like an erde.

Ian.

 

Hi patsy.
Beware the overhang!! I recon you'd almost certainly overload
your rear axle, if not you wouldn't be able to carry much else!!
Highly recomend the Erde single bike trailor, we put our GSX1400
on ours and can still carry all our other gubbins within the van.





regards....nige

 

Too much weight.

Thanks for the advice.

I think a smaller bike is needed or a trailer as suggested.

I have seen that some have a scooter rack built into the bumper. Does anyone know how muck load these can take .

I have looked up the weights of some scootes and thay are still near to 200KGS

Many thanks

Patsy

 

I'm unaware of scooter racks being built into bumbers. Pushbike racks, yes.

If you want to understand the limitations or art of the possible, work through this thread:
http://www.motorhomefacts.com/ftopicp-139427.html#139427

My scooter is 150kg.

Dave

 

My old MH a 1993 Hymer 544 had a rack on which I carried a 70kl
Yamaha scooter. Along with all our possession's water ect I think we were near to if not over weight. I think you would be better if you intend using a large motor bike towing it on a trailer. Don't forget as many do that most 3500kl MH have a fairly poor load capacity.

 

Carrying 290 Kg's on the rear of the vehicle will take carefull consideration. I'm not familiar with the 555 but on my 644 the rear axle is a long way forwards from the rear of the vehicle IE long overhang. If you add ballast outside of the wheelbase there will be a cantilever effect on the nearest axle. This will be exagerated the bigger the overhang is. So what you'll do in effect is create a see-saw. By adding a given amount of weight to the bike rack you'll also remove some of the weight from the front axle & add that to the back axle. You could easily exceed the rated loading for the back axle dependant on it's stated capacity & how much of it's already used in supporting the vehicle.

D.

 

290kg will almost certainly be too heavy for a rack. The Easylifter motorcycle rack for example is limited to 200kg. I carry a Suzuki Burgman 400, at 196 kg, on an RV and that is about on the limit even with air-shocks fitted. Don't forget, the bike carrier will probably weigh close to 50kg on top of the bike's weight. For a motorcycle of this weight I would opt for a trailer. There are several on the market, including one with air suspension that lowers to ground level for loading and unloading the bike. Website below:
http://www.ezrisetrailersolutions.co.uk/

 

Would suggest that you take care. Heard from a friend of mine the other day who sells bikes that a couple wanted to put two battery bikes on the back of their MH and he advised that they were too heavy.
They went ahead anyway and ripped the back off their MH. £8k of damage!

 

Hi.

You will not be able to carry that much weight on the rear of most M/Hs other than an RV. Our burstner has a 1250kg load rate but we can only carry 200kg in our garage due to the overhang. We use a Honda CBF 250 which weighs 140kg and is just man enough for us.

steve & ann. ------- teensvan.

 

Hi.

I am new to the Motorcaravan World so would appreciate some advice.

I am currently looking to purchase a Hymer 544. I would like to have a motorcycle rack made to go on the rear of it to hopefully carry a full size bike ( 290 KG )

I have been informed that the 544 would probably be unsuitable for this task and that the Model 555 ( Same layout ) would be better for this as it is a full length Mercedes Chassis and of a more robust construction than the Chassis .

Putting aside the construction of the rack itself . I guess I am asking would the model 555 be capable of such a large weight hanging on the back of it or should I be looking at a different model

Many thanks

Patsy

Patsy

We are thinking of carrying a motorbike on our Hymer S555, I have just gone outside and checked the weights allowable and the weigh bridge figures from a test whilst our Hymer lived in Belgium.

Firstly max all up weight is 3500Kg
Max weight on front axle is 1500Kg
Max weight on rear axle is 2210Kg
The above are Merc figures from the chassis plate.

So you can see that the sum is more than the total, be careful of this!

The weigh bridge figures are interesting

Weight on front axle was 1140Kg
Weight on rear axle was 1510Kg
Giving an all up weight of 2650Kg

Now I am going to suggest that this an absolutely dry weight ie no significant fuel, LPG or water on board, but it still leaves a payload of 850Kg (very useful). It would seem that it is possible to put a fairly significant weight on the rear of the S555 , but weather 280Kg (what bike was that?) plus say 40-50Kg for the rack would still be within tolerance due to overhang will require calculation.

I will be checking the weigh bridge figures on a UK weigh bridge within the next few weeks, so I will update when I have these figures.

Assuming that the figures and assumptions that I have made are correct, a bigger problem will be finding an S555, you will not see many for sale unless you are very lucky or are prepared to travel a long way.

Good Luck

Barrie

 

Trailer, no question!

I made a lightweight trailer, I use it for a 125 scooter when on hols and a 600 Yamaha race bike when pretending I'm 21 again.
Much better than risking damage to your 'van. Also, very handy for carrying other bits and bobs.
Good luck.
Mike

 

Another thing to consider here besides weight is the total overhang beyond the rear wheels. I'm pretty sure it's a legal maximum of 60% of your wheelbase. Basically to stop the see-saw effect but also to stop the back end swinging out too far on a turn.

Mike :?

 

Hymer 555

Thanks very much for all your help , What a mine field. I need a new calculator.

I was very interested to hear from Barrie as we are seriously looking for a 555, but as Barry stated they are quite rare .

Barrie maybe we could chat about this model and pick you brains.

Our email is neilandpat2003@yahoo.co.uk maybe you could drop us your number

Many thanks to you all

 

I am currently looking to purchase a Hymer 544. I would like to have a motorcycle rack made to go on the rear of it to hopefully carry a full size bike ( 290 KG )

Hi Patsy

As has already been said, hanging 290 kg off the rear end is a tad heavy - I've put a formula below with an example to show how much you might be adding to your rear axle weight by doing this and how much you'll take off the front axle (which may affect the steering).

Provided you know the plated axle weights (and the current loaded weights) and measurements the rest is easy.

F = Front axle weight in Kgs.
R = Rear axle weight in Kgs.
w = Motorhome wheelbase in millimetres
d = Distance fron centre of rear axle to centre of carrying rack/load in millimetres.
E = Weight of proposed load
F1 = Reduction of front axle weight (after adding load)
R1 = Additional rear axle weight (after adding load)

So if actual weights and measurements are:
F = 1,890 kgs
R = 2,100 kgs
E = 290 kgs
w = 3700 mm
d = 2220 mm

and
F1 = - E x (d/w)
R1 = E - (- F)

then F1 = - 290 x (2220/3700) = -174 kgs (So front axle will be 174 kgs lighter)
and R1 = 290 - (-174) = 464 kgs (add 464 kgs to your current rear axle weight)

So as you can see, a 290 kgs m/cycle will cost you nearly half a tonne extra on your rear axle.

Confused!! - join the rest of us.

Keith (S)

 

Hi PATSY4
I have a 1999 Hymer B544 with a pull out under bumper bike rack, fitted by Hymer. It has a loading ramp and is intended mainlly for a scooter/motorbike. It was used to carry one by the previous owner.
However, I did the calcs. and when fully loaded up for 4 week holidays in France, and allowing a bit to bring back duty-free ( cheap ) booze, I only had about 60kgs left for a scooter, if keeping within the rear axle limit.
I also had to have the rear springs replaced as there was no gap to the spring bumper stops ( probably due to the scooter ). Now there is about 40mm.!
I use the rack to carry two push bikes and have given up on a scooter for now. We need the exercise anyway!
Crazyhorse

 

Crazyhorse,

Do you have anything which states the load the rack is capable of carrying?

Dave

 

I'm unaware of scooter racks being built into bumbers. Pushbike racks, yes.

If you want to understand the limitations or art of the possible, work through this thread:
http://www.motorhomefacts.com/ftopicp-139427.html#139427

My scooter is 150kg.

Dave

laika do one with the rack built into the bumper you just pull it out and use the ramp to put your bike on. But i am not sure if they still do it.

Alot of Laika's also have the payload to cary the bike and they are made by Hymer these days.

 

found one HERE
for sale on ebay bit expensive but it shows you can do it, but Laikas do have a good payload!!

 

found one HERE
for sale on ebay bit expensive but it shows you can do it, but Laikas do have a good payload!!

Thanks Rob. Its our Laika - the manufaturer fitted rack has a max load of 120kg. It has the advantage of an 1100kg payload with a small overhang. We carry a Yamaha XT225 off-road bike which has enough poke and comfort to carry the two of us (4,500km around Greece last year plus 6000 miles in the Laika).
Sue and Bob

 

That's a nice piece of engineering design, then. Wouldn't mind seeing it if we have an opportunity to meet at a rally. Too lightweight for my 150kgs scooter but a nice compromise of maximum weight and hide away rack.

Dave
Edit - or rather tell the buyer MHF rallies are great!

 

found one HERE
for sale on ebay bit expensive but it shows you can do it, but Laikas do have a good payload!!

Thanks Rob. Its our Laika - the manufaturer fitted rack has a max load of 120kg. It has the advantage of an 1100kg payload with a small overhang. We carry a Yamaha XT225 off-road bike which has enough poke and comfort to carry the two of us (4,500km around Greece last year plus 6000 miles in the Laika).
Sue and Bob

I had a 200i 1999 and loved it but we decided we needed to use my car more and to save money we went back to CV's as it suits our way of caming a little better. I think Laika should make more vans like that one with the rack on it!!

 

Hymer fit bike carriers ,my own 1984 550 is max permissible load 175Kg,there may be other max loads,try the german Hymer forums/sites there are often used carriers for sale.
brian

 

carrying a motorbike on the back

Hello all
I have now purchased an Laika Iveco 100 Ecovip, which looks like it has a substantial chassis, and plenty of weight allowance on the axles. Yet to take it to the weighbridge to weigh each axle. But at present it looks like the payload is about 900kg. The back axle has two tyres each side. Do you think it is cappable of carrying a bike of 200kg. I need to have an appropriate tow bar and carrying rack fitted. Any suggestions, I not only want to be legal but safe as well.

Thanks Patsy

 

Re: carrying a motorbike on the back

Hello all

Hi Patsy,

Can't help with the question, but just to remind you that you've only got one more post left as an unsubscribed member.

Dougie.

 

Patsy,

In my judgement/ experience, you will only get away with this with a short overhang. Hopefully you have understood the thread referenced above that directs you to the formulae.

200kg is a heck of a weight to suspend at the rear, once you add the weight of the engineering necessary to keep it there.

Dave