Multivan Rail

[gus]

Hey I was wondering if anyone had sourced or made their own bolt system for the multivan floor rail system.

I am thinking about putting a couple of bicycle fork attachements on a piece of flat bar then attach the flat bar to the floor rails.

Thanks

[Transporter]

I made my own, using the hook's wholes. Basicly welded 2 L profiles with the space for the 25x25 squere tubing, drilled the holes in the rails every 100mm. I'm happy with it, does what I need.

[Gybesports]

Rail brackets

It would be really handy if VW sold those brackets as a part so people could use them to retro fit all kinds of stuff.

[Transporter]

Maybe I should start production.

[MultiplexMan]

I have a bag of square nuts that work in the Multivan floor slots. They are 20mm wide so only really for light/medium load. Happy to post a handful out. I have them anchoring my benches and kitchen modules. They are OK but could be slightly wider and longer.

This Saturday I'm milling a bunch of rectangular nuts 22mm wide x 40mm long. These will be rated to full floor load as per the VW originals - as found securing the table and various Multivan accessories.

[rob64981]

Have a look at these pictures...
Might help you make something...
2007 Transporter 7H-7-000 001 >> 7H-7-200 000 VW Replacement Parts
VW sell the locating clamps in OZ for $40 in the UK they are £7 which is about $14.
Part number 5 on this drawing is the VW part..
2007 Transporter 7H-7-000 001 >> 7H-7-200 000 VW Replacement Parts
7h5885297b is the part number for anyone thats interested.
Rob

[Cousin]

Gus, I gather you have a T5?

I made up some bike racks to go into a T4 some time ago
It was a Transporter fitted out with seats that were removable
The middle seats were left in place, with up to 4 road bikes across the width of the van inside
Rather than anchor the forks to the floor, we had them anchored about the top of the back of the middle seats, on a rack

When I was getting my current T5 Multivan, I figured on using the floor rails, but to secure the forks down low means the middle seats have to be cranked way forward leaving almost no room to sit on the seats

I then made up a rail system anchored to the rear 'roller' shelf brackets on the rear of the bench seat. Removed the allen bolts and you've got two great anchor points.
It was almost ideal, except the Multivan has a higher floor and a lower roof, so same problem again, bench seat had to go too far forward

In the end I've made up a slide out bike rack that holds 4 road bikes across the width of the back, with the bench seat still in the middle position with very generous legroom remaining

The bikes end up very snug, but not touching anything (death if they get scratched!!) and it still leaves a substantial amound of room between the bikes and rear door for other luggage.

Whenever I do a bike install it's with a must have middle seats remaining, so it can be used for going away with a group, or as a sag wagen, and everything can be locked up and not worrying about theft while you're in filling your tummy

I can't get any pics at the moment, the van is full of work gear, but we've got a club race this weekend so I'll get some pics and post them.

If you don't care about having any seats in, different story

Use a metal strap, or better still aluminium square tube for regidity(?) with 2 or 3 or 4 Saris traps bolted at an angle to this tubing, which is then bolted into metal straps (similar size of the locking feet on the seats) which can be tightened to hold in place in the rails

I'll get some picks on the weekend, and you'll also understand why the traps at an angle are better.

I'm happy to have a chat sometime to exchange ideas if you want, I've played with bike stuff a lot in these vans, comparing ideas would be good

PM perhaps sometime


M

[gus]

Thanks for the great response guys.

Sounds like Cousin is doing somthing very similar to what I want to do.
will PM

Cheers

[Cousin]

Here's what I ended up with, Gus
It wasn't what I originally had in mind, as I said the last Transporter I owned had a completely different set up, but it wouldn't work in a Multivan as the floor is higher and the roof lining lower

And yes, I know to some it might be a bit agricultural, but I eventually ended up with a set up that does everything I need

This is the unit folded up to slide into the back. It has to fold as I need the unit to be as wide as possible







Opened up ready for the bikes
I originally used 12mm ply for the base, but it had too much flex in it, allowing the bikes to flop around quite a bit. Ended up using some 18mm form ply, it's much firmer. And everything has to be either triangles or braced, otherwise the same problem, bikes flop everywhere.







Two bikes installed. The road bike is a 54 and the TT is a small. I can fit up to a 58 or a large, but that's about it, depending on geometry of the bike of course






The 'traps' need to be at an angle, that way the handlebars can overlap without touching. I've used some old sliding door rails I found and rivetted them together. This allows the traps to be fitted on an angle, and they can then be adjusted along the rails to accomodate different size bikes.






The rails have to be able to pivot to make adjustments so the bikes fit in the van properly






So four bikes fit comfortably, and there is plenty of room for luggage, tool boxes etc







The set up also leaves plenty of room in the rear seats for changing, travelling etc







As I said, this wasn't what I had in mind (those rear mounts for the shelf off the rear bench seat would have been ideal) but I ended up with something that is easily put in place and just as easy to remove, NO holes or damage in any part of the interior, the bikes not touching each other or any part of the interior, plenty of room for luggage and whatever, and good space in the rear seating area.

But it's just one idea, have a good look in the back yourself, you may come up with something that suits your needs better



M

[gus]

Looks great Cousin, exactly what I want to do.

Once I get around to will post some pics

Cheers