Motorhome with a Scooter

Motorhome with a scooter in a Chausson 640
Motorhome with a scooter or scooter with a motorhome
This video shows me installing a scooter rack (purchased online ) to our Motorhome ready for taking our scooter touring.
I hope you enjoy the video and it helps if your considering taking a scooter.
Please feel free to comment, please share and subscribe if you like the videos to help us promote our channel.
Our channel address / jimsphone
The bolts I used that replaced the original ones has to be high tensile bolts, this is very important, if unsure ask the retailer you buy your bolts from and explain it’s for a tow ball.
I have used the rack on one outing and it worked very well, the maximum carry capacity is about 114KG and the scooter weighs around 100-105KG so just in the limit.
We put it to test though because we went down some really bumpy roads on the way to our camp site. It has some spring in it but not too much.
You will need an adapter if your electrics on the van are 13 pin and the tow light board is only 8 pin (old type )
Feel free any comments welcome
Enjoy, thanks for watching and stay safe

[@weircottage]

Very usefuil video, thank you. Robert's comments below are very pertinent as it is a matter of compliance not least if an accident occurred and the insurers looked to wriggle out as they inevitably do. Might be you are fine, but do get it checked!

[@robertricherby5947]

I don’t understand how you can use the garage weight limit, when you are not fitting the bike in the garage? Surely the weight of the bike and the rack should also take into account the increase in distance from rear axle, which effectively increases the weight? I would strongly recommend you either recalculate this added weight, or take the van to a weighbridge to ensure you are not exceeding your rear axle weight limit.

[@jimandkay]

Hi Robert, thanks for your comments. The scooter and rack is calculated at 120kg allowance in the garage 150kg. Even though you have the over hang of approx 800mm the scooter and rack do not weigh any more. You may get more bounce and your towbar must have a nose weight that will carry more than 120 kg. I have had no problems so far. Like I say the bike and rack do not weigh any more. Thanks hope it helps

[@robertricherby5947]

Motorhome Touring With Jim & Kay Hi Jim Thanks for your reply. I recommend you look on the web for articles concerning calculating the effect of adding weight behind the rear axle. Caravan Guard has an article which explains this, with formulas used for calculation. As an example, let's say the following parameters apply to your van Wheelbase = 4000 mm Existing front axle load = 1500 kg Existing rear axle load = 2000 kg If you add a 200 kg load in the garage at a centre of gravity overhanging rear axle by 600 mm, this will have the following effect Front axle weight reduced to 1470 kg Rear axle weight increased to 2230 kg. 30 kg more than the weight added! If you now take this weight out of the garage and add it to your bike rack with a centre of gravity overhanging rear axle by 1500 mm for example, the following effect applies Front axle weight reduced to 1425 kgs Rear axle weight increased to 2275 kgs. 75 kgs above weight applied! You may still be in limits, but you should not be using the weight limit of garage to determine how much weight you can add to your bike rack. Even if the weight in the garage does not exceed limit, you should still calculate the effect on the front and rear axle loads. Alternatively, pay a visit to a weigh bridge when van is fully loaded.

[@weircottage]

@@robertricherby5947 very helpful comment. As you say, it is not just case of weight or handling but positioning and remaining within compliant axle weight and 3500 kg

[@hornywelshguy]

@jimandkay I think you are missing the point of your cal platoons it is not that the weight is the same it is that the weight has shifted up to 800mm further out from the chassis so added weight is now on your rear acle so if you are carrying more stuff in your garage to because the bike is not in there it will be adding e en more weight to the rear acle I do think you need to check it on a weigh bridge as you would nor.ally have your motorhome loaded for your trips I reckon with nothing else in the garage other that what was there with the bike because you have shifted the weight out 800mm that same weight has added a extra 70kgs to your rear acle at least

[@jimandkay]

Yes I take on board the pivot effect. Thanks

[@chriswhotton7056]

Just been on there web site cant see the same as what you've got but I've left my details fingers crossed cheers.

[@chriswhotton7056]

Hi Jim, It was the distance it is from the rear of your van to centre were your tyres will be sat thats all thanks , Chris

[@jimandkay]

Sorry Chris, I have a Wildax pulsar now, this is a 5m van. Is it this you need the size for?

[@jennyanderson6023]

Hi Jim, did you have reversing sensors and if so how did you get around this please. Thanks

[@jimandkay]

You have to have them re programmed from Fiat.

[@philmorgan4046]

Hi, thanks for your video really helpfull. We have a A Class with a 250k weight in the garage but would prefare a scooter on a rack and the 110 honda would be perfect for me and my wife like yourselves. We are Enjoying your travels with good information on costs of sites and spending. Thanks again for your videos 👍

[@jimandkay]

Thanks Phil, I am glad you got something from the videos 😀👍

[@paulcusackmarine]

Hi guys .. Great videos .🌝🌝🌝 Looking at the scooter options ? I have Challanger 288 with a garage. It's the same as Chausson, as you know.Can you please tell me what size or make of scooter you got into the garage. I've no towbar 🛵 as yet .I'm living in Spain and the camper is here so looking at fitting a tow hitch ..then buy scooter then the unit to carry it ..any help would be great .. our island bed can be raised up, but I think I'm might have to fit the tow bar . Then that unit you bought, where did you get that ? If I could get a scooter inside, we managed for the first year ... get the 125 cc.. Many thanks if you can help us as we as newbies to the challanger ..it's a pity that she has one big door on the garage, but then the small one on the opposite side 🤔 again thank you . Paul

[@jimandkay]

Hi Paul, sorry for the delay in replying. The scooter was the Honda vision 110 cc weights 105 kg. The scooter rack is a Dave Cooper rack and can carry 130kg off the Towbar. I have a Suzuki avenis scooter which I will be putting on my new van in the next few weeks, it weighs 109 kg and is a 125cc again using the Dave Cooper scooter rack. Hope this helps just google Dave Cooper scooter rack approx £400

[@peterorrill]

Hi Jim, ive got the same carrier and looking to put a Honda PCX 125cc on it, how do you attach the strap to the handlebars ?,.Thanks for the nice video

[@jimandkay]

Hi Peter, I have handle bar straps that are loops that go around the handle bars and then the other straps around the back handles. Just waiting for the new van and going to order another Dave cooper bike rack. Hope everything works out 🙏👍

[@eddieeves7730]

Hi had one of these this year on our trip through France Portugal and Spain and the welds failed in Portugal had to buy a trailer £1200 I have Autotrail Dakota carrying a Honda 125 Innova

[@jimandkay]

It does say 115 kg max weight carry. What weight was your scooter? It’s a bit disappointing when your away and very costly 👍

[@eddieeves7730]

@@jimandkay hi Jim it’s about 100kg it’s the very small Honda (like the old Honda 90) I found it under powered for what we wanted so I am going to get a BMW C650GT scooter for our next trip 👍 cheers Eddie

[@chriswhotton7056]

Hi Jim, I've got a crafter motorhome the bikes a Klx 300 just wondering what the distance from the centre of the tyre track is to the rear of the van doors as its got wide bars on, the bike weighs 136 kg so should be fine. Cheers Chris

[@jimandkay]

I don’t have a crafter Chris, so I don’t know. We had a tow bar bike rack and that carried 150 kg on the back. It’s on one of my videos. Hope this helps

[@hughmckenzie2749]

Hi Jim thanks for the video do you have any on the rear garage I would like to see your storage set-up

[@jimandkay]

No sorry Hugh, I used to carry the scooter in the garage which was ok, but just a bit messing about. This new rack is so easy and I have built light weight shelving for the hosepipe, screen cover and levellers. We also carry helmets and motorcycle jackets on the other side of the garage.

[@hughmckenzie2749]

@@jimandkay Hi Jim thanks for the reply any pictures?

[@jimandkay]

Hugh, just had a quick look back at some old photos and I have none of the bike in the garage or the rig I built. Only photos on the bike. 😌

[@hughmckenzie2749]

@@jimandkay Ok thanks Jim

[@benimarblue2361]

@@hughmckenzie2749 I'd like to see that too.

[@garysmith1259]

Hi JIm, I’ve got a similar style motor home to yours (Adamo 69-4) I have a small motorcycle weighting in at 125kg and am looking at your set up and looks great to me. Are you still using the rack and have you experienced any issues ? Thanks Gary

[@jimandkay]

Hi Gary , my scooter is only 100kg but no issues at all so far. 😃

[@craigslinn3156]

Hi Jim just seen your vidio on scooter carrer ,we're did you by it and has it been a good idea, rather than a trailer

[@jimandkay]

Hi Craig, yes it’s been a great addition and easy. I bought it from Dave Cooper Trailers and it came in a box. Hope this helps

[@craigslinn3156]

@@jimandkay thankyou for your time on this , and the purchase details, I've just bought one from. Dave cooper . I fined my small trailer gets In The way, all the best and thanks for help,

[@kimogjeg]

Hi! Where can i purchase this?

[@jimandkay]

Dave cooper scooter racks

[@andrewwomack3337]

How did the bike on the back affect the rear axle . Have you had the van to a weighbridge to check .

[@jimandkay]

Everything was fine, just the same as in the garage I felt no difference 😀

[@benimarblue2361]

What make is the scooter rack please.

[@jimandkay]

Sorry, I can’t remember, it should say in the video somewhere. If you look online there is several different types available. Hope this helps. 🧐

[@paddy4799]

How much was the carrier?

[@jimandkay]

It was about £300 - £350 from Dave Cooper tow bars 😁