[icebrrg3rd]

Just so you know, your bike will get a LOT more dirtier on front, with bug splats and what not. I've done the front rack before with a full size Chevy van and debris gets into every nook and cranny, just want to forewarn you. Might want some kind of protection for the seats at least.

Of course, it was easy back when vehicles had full metal bumpers.

-Andrew

 

[SilverBullet1997]

Just so you know, your bike will get a LOT more dirtier on front, with bug splats and what not. I've done the front rack before with a full size Chevy van and debris gets into every nook and cranny, just want to forewarn you. Might want some kind of protection for the seats at least.



Of course, it was easy back when vehicles had full metal bumpers.

-Andrew

This is true for long jaunts you may pick up a few bugs, and another thing is you will lose some LPG/MPG due to the fact that your putting more wind drag on the front of the van. Will it be noticeable, maybe on a long trip yes... But its no real different then sticking it on the roof or even the rear. You could take a small tarp and bungie it around the front bike that would help with bugs and wind drag....

 

[SilverBullet1997]

Happy to help, anytime. :banana-dance:

Looking forward to seeing pictures of your trip. *hint hint* Take lots of astro pictures and up load them here for us all to see you enjoying your van in the outdoors.

These are a few pictures I took on the weekend when Fido and I went on our first mini adventure in the Astro.

Fido

• CourtenayGal
• May 10, 2013

Fido enjoying the open door. This is our first weekend in the van.

Tribune Bay, Hornby Island, BC

• CourtenayGal
• May 10, 2013
• 1

A great weekend of kayaking.

Astro Van

• CourtenayGal
• May 10, 2013

Astro Van

• CourtenayGal
• May 10, 2013

Hey Hey. Thats a pretty sweet looking van!

A good place to post those pictures are
Enjoying Outdoors with Astro/Safari - Share your pictures

Another spot you may want to upload pictures for is.
Camperized Astro/Safari - Share your pictures

 

[CourtenayGal]

Just so you know, your bike will get a LOT more dirtier on front, with bug splats and what not. I've done the front rack before with a full size Chevy van and debris gets into every nook and cranny, just want to forewarn you. Might want some kind of protection for the seats at least.

Of course, it was easy back when vehicles had full metal bumpers.

-Andrew

Yea, I had my bikes on the front of full size Dodge Van also, back then they had sturdy metal bumpers. I never worried about it getting dirty because it was an old bike and the worse it looked, the less likely it was to get stolen.

That is my best anti-theft strategy - don't have something that someone else might want.

 

[SilverBullet1997]

That is my best anti-theft strategy - don't have something that someone else might want.

My philosophy with theft is, if you steal it from me, you must have needed it more then I did, and karma will always come to bite you in the butt later on. So go ahead.

But I agree the less appetizing something looks the less likely it is to be stolen.

 

[CourtenayGal]

Happy to help, anytime. :banana-dance:

Looking forward to seeing pictures of your trip. *hint hint* Take lots of astro pictures and up load them here for us all to see you enjoying your van in the outdoors.

These are a few pictures I took on the weekend when Fido and I went on our first mini adventure in the Astro.

Fido

• CourtenayGal
• May 10, 2013

Fido enjoying the open door. This is our first weekend in the van.

Tribune Bay, Hornby Island, BC

• CourtenayGal
• May 10, 2013
• 1

A great weekend of kayaking.

Astro Van

• CourtenayGal
• May 10, 2013

Astro Van

• CourtenayGal
• May 10, 2013

Hey Hey. Thats a pretty sweet looking van!

A good place to post those pictures are
Enjoying Outdoors with Astro/Safari - Share your pictures

Another spot you may want to upload pictures for is.
Camperized Astro/Safari - Share your pictures

Thanks, and thanks for the suggestions.

 

[Coastal]

Hi,
I'm now in the same situation with a 2002 Safari with dutch doors. Wondering what CourtenayGal or anyone came up with. Did look at all the links suggested. I was hoping to put a kitchen at the back and didn't want to have to step over the folding bar all the time.
Looking for suggestions.

 

[CourtenayGal]

I ended up buying a swing away bike rack. They are expensive but I found one on Craigslist and I think it is worth it because it moves all the way out of the way when I want to put my kayak up or down.

 

[astroman97]

http://compare.ebay.ca/like/27069422086 ... 0694220867
expensive but well built and may be able to find cheaper

 

[Harleybowtie]

I built mine from scratch last week. It pivots on the bottom for access to rear barn doors. It even locks to keep folks honest.

 

[RodKnock]

I have a tri-rear door style van. I have it built as a camper and I needed a bike rack that allowed me to access gear with minimal effort. I settled on the North Shore two bike rack because of its versatility and how easily it folds down. Also, I liked how the vertical carry made the bikes narrow enough to pull bins out and around them.

My rack is a 1 1/4" version but my hitch is a 2". With the adapter and the rack leaned back one notch I was able to clear the rack to get the doors open without needing to fold it down.

Folded down the bikes get far enough out of the way to do anything around them

Overall I'm happy with it. The clearance can be an issue on large bumps or dips with the extension but the bikes are happy to be tucked behind the rig.