TOWBAR Mount Atera Strada DL3 SLIDING BIKE RACK on Fiat Ducato Campervan

[@ruthkirby9277]

Should have watched this before we bought the Thule bike rack because we can’t get in the back doors. Think we need to get one of these!!! Thanks David🙂

[@LeisureBit]

Sorry to hear that, there’s pros and cons of each type and some which swing out which are even better for access, all the best, David 👍

[@ruthkirby9277]

@@LeisureBit hi David, yes the van swings look better but it’s more weight and more installation costs for us less technically able!!! I think the Thule would be fine on a motorhome it is a nice bit of kit🙂. You live and learn with this hobby ha ha

[@GedandMichele]

Got one of these ourselves and use it on both the m/h and car. Only issue I have had is a sticking tilt release after a few years use but sorted with some grease. I've carried a couple of electric mountain bikes and find the wide 29" wheels don't fit fully into the holders but can still get them secure enough without deflating them. Van needs a clean David😉

[@LeisureBit]

Yes definitely needs a clean - on the to do list for this weekend 😀 Great to be able to use it on both - good to know the issue could be resolved with some grease after a couple of years. Thanks for the comment - appreciated- all the best, David 👍

[@johnclankie324]

Well done David, it’s a great asset to access the rear doors or garage door in my case. I have a Thule model, 2016 vintage which tips, it’s done 48k miles so far but I do like the sliding feature of yours, I always think what a weight when I tip it back loaded🤞🤞keep them coming.👍👍Cheers Mike🍷🍷

[@LeisureBit]

Thanks Mike - appreciated. They are very handy where you can leave the bikes on. Have a great weekend - all the best, David 👍

[@GeorgeShanks-xk7ov]

Hi David, thanks for a great video. I am in the same situation as you and others who have commented, but I haven't had a tow bar fitted yet - so my question is: Given your comment a out an extra cm or so on the swan neck would have improved clearance, what was the length if your swan neck say from back edge of bumper to centre of ball? Then I can try to spec a tow hitch that would give me bit more space. Any help gratefully received. George Ducato based Consort Reef

[@LeisureBit]

Let me check and measure how far ours comes back from the bumper - in an ideal world a cm or 2 more would make it much easier and less precise task …

[@GeorgeShanks-xk7ov]

That would be great David.

[@LeisureBit]

Sorry for the delay - mine is exactly 15cm from the plastic bumper to centre of the tow ball - I reckon 16-18cm would make it better - hope that helps

[@GeorgeShanks-xk7ov]

@@LeisureBit Thanks David - apols for the slow response but was away. I have been trying with my existing Genio Pro tilting one but looking close ... but no cigar at present, so may have to go for an Atera DL3, but as towbar is now fitted I can check v your dimension first.

[@YKnotThis]

David. Once again you have helped me out with this video. This is the bike rack I have been considering and thanks to you I am now convinced it works with the CV doors and is the one I want. Thanks very much and look forwards to the van washing video😂😂. Stephen M.

[@LeisureBit]

Thanks Stephen - great hopefully all good if you get one too - do love the tilt back feature with this, quite a clever design) - watch out for the van washing video - am on the case 😂 Have a great weekend , All the best, David 👍

[@glyn829]

Hi David .. looks a good bit of kit that have been looking at them for the car presume they fit the Alko tow balls

[@LeisureBit]

I think they do but worth double checking - it seems very well made and well designed - all the best, David 👍

[@TonyNC700S]

Hi David just found your channel when searching this bike rack. Having a Westfalia removeable towbar fitted to our Ducato van. Not sure how much height this bike rack adds to towball to allow doors to swing open as concerned the rack on the towbar may sit too high. Any advice appreciated 😊

[@LeisureBit]

The rack folds back but on mine leaves a very small clearance providing you have it centred (else it catches on one door or the other) height wise it does lift slightly - not sure if that helps at all? All the best, David 👍

[@gleiniful]

Hi David. I See you have put the bike in the middle. Is it possible to open the door with a bike in the position nearest the car or even with 3 bikes on it?

[@LeisureBit]

I usually put it in the middle as it gives plenty of space for the cover - next time I have it on a will double check with the bike on the closest to the van. All the best, David 👍

[@skindude9251]

Hi Dave, just about to pull the trigger on the Atera for my converted VW Crafter. It looks a good option to be able to open rear doors but my question is: how has it performed over thousands of miles? Does it move, bounce, need constant adjustment or does it require additional straps to the doors to keep it totally rigid? Would appreciate your comments please. Cheers

[@LeisureBit]

I’ve not found it move about as it’s quite solid but there’s very little room if not on straight for it to allow the door to open so more just making sure it’s lined up right - in an ideal world an extra cm on the swan neck would have been perfect! I put an elastic bike cover over also and strap it on over the bikes for extra protection and to keep the muck off but also gives more security - the rack it’s self though works the same as it did - I’ve used it probably half a dozen times and it’s done a few hundred miles as some places pop the bike in the back others on the rack or if taking 2 bikes of course - so not hammered it or anything - hope that helps, all the best, David 👍

[@VANFLIPPINGTASTIC]

what a brilliant piece of kit that is .. i have a electric bike so will probably need something like that

[@LeisureBit]

I do like the way you can slide the bike(s) back and get into the back door without having to take them off and it’s simple enough to do too, Thanks for the comment, all the best, David 👍

[@Wizardinthewild]

What a great rack. Nice bit of kit. Thanks for gathering the info David. We need something big for Ellies trike. Nice to be able to extend this as well. Thanks David. 🧙‍♂️🚐

[@LeisureBit]

Thanks Graham, it seems well engineered, and thought through - I looked at a few different ones but liked that you didn’t have to move the bikes off to open the back door and the price was fair compared to other ways of doing it (swing out ones etc which are worth a look at and considering for Ellie’s trike) The only thing I would have loved it to be is a couple of cm further back so you don’t need it lined up as much - think it depends on the tow bar distance to the back door. Thank you, all the best, David 👍

[@davewhiteley7111]

Hi David I’ve fitted exactly the same to my van, but I’ve noticed the bike rack slopes down to the left. The removable tow ball doesn’t look exactly vertical, did you have a similar problem?

[@LeisureBit]

Thanks for the comment - I have to make sure it’s centred so when putting on as the clearance is very tight to open the doors but haven’t noticed the tilt down - will check though 👍

[@laccio85]

We would also like to buy this bike rack kit, can I ask you which hook you mounted? I noticed that many hooks do not allow the tailgate to open completely with bikes upright! Thank you for your reply

[@LeisureBit]

Hi, when you say hook do you mean he tow bar/ball? If so it’s a detachable one I purchased. With the bikes in the vertical upright position you wouldn’t be able to open the doors very much, with it tipped back you can so long as it’s lined up well and the distance the tow ball comes out from the rear will have a factor on clearance too, all the. Best, David

[@timw2973]

David - absolute disgrace dont think ive ever seen your van so muck 😂😂. Great vlog with fully information and demonstration so should be very useful for those looking 👍

[@LeisureBit]

Ah Tim, I’m totally ashamed of how dirty the van was - the front and sides weren’t too bad as the rain had washed off the muck but the back caught me out and I should have stopped to wash it but was trying to get the video done before the wind and rain came back 😀 Job for the weekend I think - I can imagine how disappointed you are with me given how well you look after yours 😀 All the best, David 👍

[@timw2973]

@@LeisureBit not a problem David and yes after a good trip its not always easy to get the right time to clean them. Ours is mucky as not been washed for a few months as not had time either but will try before we go away for new year. All the best 👍

[@tylerstravels0610]

Never mind the bike rack David, what about giving the van a good wash 🙂Nice bit of kit that though 🙂 On a different note, have you considered naming your van ??? Well informative vblog as ever mate

[@LeisureBit]

Haha yes the van needed a wash - just the back was dirty the sides weren’t too bad and the camera made it look even worse but job on the list for the weekend 😀 Thank you - I had a name it got as needed one for Vanlove Fest back in May - I got it suggested - Tootle (as tootle around in it) 😀 Hope you’re both doing ok and Tyler is good - All the best 👍

[@karlospappy8908]

Looks a good rack David, how does it compare in price to a Thule rack? Your right about lifting bikes high, I always managed OK on our Cali but I always thought that it may be a struggle in 10 years or so. Not sure I have ever seen your van so dirty; Rachel needs to start cracking the whip a bit more😂😂Take care. Cheers K.

[@LeisureBit]

Haha - I think rather than cracking the whip a bucket and sponge would be helpful - you’re right it’s a disgrace - I hadn’t got around to washing it after the last outing and I had a short weather window - on the to-do list! It was cheaper than the Thule non hanging ones when I looked with similar spec hence choosing that particular one for my purposes. Thanks for the comment as always, all the best, David & Rachel 👍

[@LeisureBit]

🤣🤣🤣 he needs to crack on - the weather is a rubbish excuse 🤣🤣🤣

[@karlospappy8908]

@@LeisureBit 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@RickandHeather]

If you hadn’t had a removable tow ball you could have put a spacer behind the tow ball….

[@LeisureBit]

Good point and suggestion - I think some would be far enough back maybe without a spacer but much easier to do 👍 - I wondered if you could get a longer attachment - will look into it as would save it needing to be so precise to line up. Thanks for the comment and for watching. All the best, David 👍

[@tylerstravels0610]

Hi David, Debbie here, i am ashamed of you tbh !!! Your van is in need of a clean, i think you should clean your van first before doing videos tut tut LOL , mind you Trev would be the same !!! Take care and Happy Christmas and New Year to you all x x

[@LeisureBit]

Hi Debbie, it’s shocking isn’t it, the side wasn’t too bad it was the back I was shamed into washing it afterwards lol 😀 We hope you, Trev and Tyler have a lovely Christmas 🎄and you have an exciting year ahead with the new van coming along 🚐 All the very best, David, Rachel & Roxy 👍❤️🐾

[@tylerstravels0610]

@@LeisureBit Thank you, we will and yes exiting times ahead, hopefully Swift won't let us down, take care x x