At Bush Chook RV & Leisure we offer a complimentary assembly and fitting service for customers in the Perth Metro area. (Conditions apply)
If you already have a suitable cross member on your van, we can assemble and fit the rack for NO CHARGE.
PLEASE NOTE:
Free assembly and fitting during cross member fabrication (conditions apply)
At Bush Chook RV & Leisure we offer a complimentary assembly and fitting service for customers in the Perth Metro area. Don’t pay $400-$500 to fit your Gripsport van rack. (Fabrication can only be done at workshop, not offsite)
- No other dealer offers this service for free. (NOTE: Does not include fabricating cross member or custom mounting).
- We can organise fabrication of the cross member starting from $150, our fabricators workshop is located in Wangara.
- We plan the location of the cross member, assist the fabricator with setting up and install the completed member and rack for no charge.
- Installation usually takes about 1 hour and customers can wait at the factory whilst fitting.
- Free assembly and fitting only available if the rack is purchased through Bush Chook RV & Leisure.
- Gripsport rack fitting by appointment only.
Free assembly and fitting using universal cross member (conditions apply)
If you can get your van to us or you live within a 20km radius of our premises (we can fit at your van’s location), we offer free assembly and fitting utilising Gripsport’s Universal Cross Member or if your van already has a suitable cross member.
Please note:
- If items on your drawbar need to be removed or altered, a fee maybe applicable.
- If we need to travel to a further destination than specified above, travel costs maybe applicable.
- Free assembly and fitting only available if the rack is purchased through Bush Chook RV & Leisure.
- If a cross member is required and you have chosen the option of installing the Gripsport Universal Cross Member, this does not include any modifications required in order to fit the Universal Cross Member.
- Gripsport rack fitting by appointment only.
more info on the cross member required for the gripsport bolt on mount
If your van does not have a suitable cross member to house the Bolt On Mount (this is the lower clamp assembly with the post), a CROSS MEMBER is required. (See further below for dimensions and specifications required or for custom mounting) You now have three options for fitting van racks:
- PURCHASE GRIPSPORT’S NEW Universal Cross Member, if your caravan drawbar is compatible with one of the four sizes available simply select the correct size cross member. If your drawbar is clear from any taps, hoses, gas bottles, brackets, boxes etc, the Universal Cross Member will bolt into position (see pic below). Note: Some items may have to be moved on your drawbar to make the UCM fit. If you are unsure please contact us to clarify, (we will require some photos and measurements of your drawbar). Check out the fitting guide for more information GripSport Universal Cross Member Fitting Guide
2) If the Gripsport Universal Cross Member is not compatible with your van, a cross member will have to be fabricated, (more detailed info on this further below). This usually requires welding a length of RHS (rectangular hollow section) onto the Gripsport Saddles. You will need to take your van to our fabricator who is located in Wangara, the factory is easy to access with a van. Some dealers charge $400-$500 for this service, our fabricator’s fee is usually $150 for a straightforward fit. We offer free assembly and fitting, NO other dealer offers this service for free. (NOTE: Does not include the fabrication cost or custom mounting).
Fabrication of the cross member is usually around $150, this can be paid directly to the fabricator. We plan the location of the cross member, assist the fabricator with setting up and install the completed member and rack for no charge. Installation usually takes about 1 hour and customers can wait at the factory whilst fitting. On some occasions items on the drawbar may have to relocated and some alterations made, on these occasions an extra charge may be applicable.
3) On rare occasions when the Gripsport Universal Cross Member and Bolt on Mount will not fit a van, a custom post will have to be installed. This requires extra bracing and direct welding to your drawbar. (More detailed info on Custom Mounting via this link or see below for more information.
Check out our Van Rack Gallery below for hundreds of van rack fits.
We have received many queries regarding Gripsport van racks and some customers are a little confused about what exactly is included in the contents of a Gripsport van rack purchase.
There are three main components required for the Gripsport van rack kits, the rack itself, the bolt on mount and a cross member.
NOTE: The rack does not include the bolt on mount in its price, they are two separate items. Mostly the bolt on mount can be utilised to hold the rack but on some occasions is not compatible, so a custom post/mounting system will have to be fabricated.
The rack consists either the non-tilting or tilting mechanism, wheel hoops, taco channels and associated hardware including tie down gear.
The engineered bolt on mount consists of the mounting bracket which fixes to the draw bar crossmember (cross member not supplied with van rack kit), saddles to mount the required cross member and the mounting post which is available in three sizes, short, long or quick release. More information on this further below.
Bolt on mount and van rack assembly (above)
The third component required to fit a Gripsport van rack is the cross member. A cross member is required to house the Gripsport bolt on mount. Some RV’s may already have something suitable, but on many occasions a cross member made from rectangular hollow section (RHS) will have to be fabricated.
If the Universal Cross Member IS NOT compatible with your van, a custom made cross member will have to be fabricated. Note: The rectangular hollow section (RHS) is NOT supplied with the bolt on mount kit.
The RHS is cut to size to the position required on the drawbar, then welded onto the Gripsport “U” shaped saddles that are supplied with the bolt on mount. This can be done DIY or we can organise our fabricator to do this for you. More information on the fitting process below.
Before purchasing Gripsport racks please read the information further below and check out the fitting guide. This will give you a better understanding on how the van racks fit and what accessories you may need. If you have any questions or are unsure where the rack will fit on your caravan or camper, please contact us. Note: the prices listed on the van rack page do not include the bolt on mount, add this and any accessories to your cart before checkout.
The weight of the rack plus bikes will effect pretty much everything with your vehicle or van. For example a 2 bike rack weighs 16kg and the bolt on mount 13kg. Add 2 bikes and all of a sudden you have an extra 50-60kg up front. Check all of your van and vehicle weights including TBM (Towball mass). GTM (Gross trailer mass), GVM (gross vehicle mass) and GCM (Gross combined mass).
carrier weights
- 1 bike – 14kg
- 2 bike – 16kg
- 3 bike – 29kg
- 4 bike – 34kg
bolt on mount weight
- 13kg
Many vans have extended draw bars these days so fitting extras is usually a fairly simple task, however if your draw bar is short you may find that fitting just 2 bikes maybe a squeeze. You will need to take into consideration whether the bike nearest your tow vehicle will be impacted when doing a tight turn. If you are attempting to mount a 3 or 4 bike model it is important to account for the distance between the bike closest to the caravan and the bike closest to the towing vehicle. If the bike furthest from the caravan ends up less than 850mm away from the rear of the vehicle, your turning circle may be slightly affected and we recommend a ‘spotter’ be present when jack-knifing or turning sharply. You don’t want to damage the rack, vehicle or bikes.
4 bikes take up close to 1 metre of space not including the width of the handlebars
the bolt on mount
The engineered bolt on mount consists of the mounting bracket which fixes to the draw bar crossmember, saddles to mount the required cross member and the mounting post which is available in three sizes, short, long or quick release. The recommended 50 x 75 or 50 x100 RHS (minimum 3mm wall thickness) cross member is NOT INCLUDED with the bolt on mount as this will have to be cut and either direct welded to the draw bar or welded to the supplied saddles (preferred method) to suit the location on your draw bar.
NOTE: If you already have a suitable cross member on your drawbar or you are purchasing a Gripsport Universal Cross Member (UCM), select Bolt on Mount without saddles before checkout as they are not required.
gripsport van rack assembly
The rack consists of the following components:
- Either the non-tilting or tilting mechanism
- Van rack arm
- Wheel holding options such as standard setup (front hoop rear taco), all hoop setup or fat bike setup
- 2 x outriggers, 1 x post
- 2 x hooks, 1 short, 1 long
- All bolts and related hardware included
- Tie down gear including quick release pull down carrier strap and rear wheel cinch strap (supplied with rear wheel taco only)
- Van racks are available in either 1, 2, 3 or 4 bike configuration
- Weight capacity – 30kg each bike
no direct welding required on drawbar
The best and easiest method of mounting Gripsport racks to your drawbar is to use Gripsport’s fully engineered bolt on mount. There are rare occasions where the bolt on mount is not compatible with the van or camper so a custom made mounting system must be fabricated. For most vans however the engineered bolt on mount can be fitted to the draw bar and is by far the most popular mounting method (and the most robust) for the Gripsport range of van racks.
When purchasing a Gripsport van rack ensure that you select the items (if required) like the bolt on mount or tow bar adapter in the drop down menu at checkout. This is also where the preference of the wheel assembly types (hoops, taco channels) and post size (if also purchasing the bolt on mount) are to be selected.
For a comprehensive guide on how to fit the bolt on mount please select the Gripsport fitting guide:
Sometimes it’s not possible to fit the Gripsport saddles or the UCM onto drawbars, some have extra supports on the underside which inhibits installation of bolts or there are components on the drawbar that cannot be moved to make room for the UCM or saddles.
warning
If direct welding the cross member to your draw bar, ensure that the house batteries are disconnected (along with your vehicle) as welding may affect electrical components in your van or car.
Galvanising will have to be removed to ensure a good penetrating weld, also double check if you have internal wiring running through your drawbar, extreme heat from welding may cause the wire coating to melt causing an electrical short.
This is one of the main reasons Gripsport recommend utilising their UCM or supplied saddles which also makes the cross member removable. Also check with your van manufacturer as direct welding may also void your warranty.
If you find your “A” frame lacks the room required to install a cross member or use the Bolt-On Mount (extremely rare), or if you simply prefer to DIY, you can still fit your Van-Rack by fabricating (or having us fabricate for you), your own custom mount for it.
The post has to be made from 50 x 50 x 4 minimum SHS (square hollow section) steel and direct welded to a centre beam on your drawbar. This will also have to be braced with extra supports as a single fillet weld on the base will not be sufficient.
warning
If direct welding the cross member to your draw bar, ensure that the house batteries are disconnected (along with your vehicle) as welding may affect electrical components in your van or car.
Galvanising will have to be removed, also double check if you have internal wiring running through your drawbar, extreme heat from welding may cause the wire coating to melt causing an electrical short.
This is one of the main reasons Gripsport recommend utilising their UCM or supplied saddles which also makes the cross member removable. Also check with your van manufacturer as direct welding may also void your warranty.
If you already have a cross member on your drawbar to suit the Gripsport Bolt on Mount or you have opted to purchase the Universal Cross Member (UCM), it’s a simple process to install the rack DIY.
We also offer free assembly and installation of Gripsport racks, you will need to either bring the van to us or if you live within close proximity, we can come to you to install. Once the rack is assembled, fitting the rack to a cross member takes about 5 minutes.
If fabrication is required our fabricator is located in Wangara industrial area, generally we install racks over weekends as this makes it a lot easier to get vans in and out of the premises and is more suitable for customers.
The complete installation process usually takes about 1 hour, vans can be left hooked to the vehicle and customers usually wait around until the job is complete.
fitting a rack to your rear bumper
IMPORTANT – MUST READ
Even if it LOOKS like your van has a nice, solid chassis and rear bumper-bar across the back and even though it may SEEM perfectly logical to carry your bikes there… be aware that the amount of “bounce” at the rear of a van is surprisingly severe… even if you don’t notice it.
You should also check what your rear overhang limits are. Extending items on the back of your van may make your rig illegal. Check with your road authority regarding overhang limits in your state.
This can result in damage to bikes, bike rack, and even the van itself. In fact, some van manufacturers will void their warranty, and you may find insurance claims are denied, if a bike rack is fitted to the rear against the advice of the van or rack manufacturer. So our advice is as follows…
1/ The correct, proper and safest place to carry bikes is on the “A” frame.
2/ We recommend against fitting bike racks to the rear of caravans & camper trailers.
But it IS possible… in SOME cases GripSport Van-Racks (1 & 2-bike ONLY) should only be fitted to the rear of a van…using the GripSport “Bolt-On Mount” to a rear bumper made of 50mm x 75mm rectangular steel box section after determining the rear of your van is strong enough – consult your caravan dealer or manufacturer for advice.
The Gripsport Universal Cross Member (UCM) is an innovative bolt-on solution for mounting a GripSport bike rack or other accessories to your caravan or camper drawbar, without the need for welding. Designed for DIY fitment, the UCM ensures a seamless, low-profile installation while maintaining maximum strength and durability.
Whether you’re adding a bike rack or other essential gear, the Universal Cross Member (UCM) makes mounting simple, safe, and hassle-free.
If you have a short drawbar or the UCM is not compatible because of unmovable items on your drawbar, a custom made cross member maybe required. Generally this does NOT require any direct welding as Gripsport supply “U” shaped “saddles” with the bolt on mount and the new cross member is welded onto them.
Please Note: NOTE: UCM measurement is taken from outside to outside of the chassis rails, at the largest point where you want the cross member installed.
The Gripsport Towbar Adapter allows you to swap your Van-Rack from caravan to car quickly and easily, watch the video in the link below for full details.
The Adapter is made from heavy-duty zinc plated steel and is suitable for 2″ (50mm) square hitch receivers (Tongue Mount available in 2-Bike Tilting configuration only).
Vans like Jayco Expanda’s beds push out over the drawbar, this means the bikes and rack will be in the way. You now have two options to fit a Gripsport Van Rack, either the traditional method of installing a quick release post or our new Mid-Post Tilting Mechanism. This new system means that the rack and bikes can remain by simply tilting the post, select the link below for more information.
Ezytrail parkes & ceduna models
For Ezytrail owners with the Parkes & Ceduna models, utilising the existing cross member meant altering or spacing the Gripsport post as the front boot lid clashed with it. The only option was to install a cross member if there was room forward of the existing one. Fitting a Gripsport van rack is now as simple as installing our Bush Chook Mid-Post Tilting Mechanism. The front boot can be easily opened as the top of the post assembly swings out of the way, allowing full access, this is now as simple as removing the locating pin and tilting the post.
We have developed our very own Mid-Post Tilting Mechanism for van owners with a large hinged front opening boot, like some of the Jayco Stirling/Silverline models and some Euro brands. Previously there was no way to access the boot without removing the post, this is now as simple as removing the locating pin and tilting the post. Click the link below for more information.
Short drawbars are always an issue when installing van racks on the drawbar, the bikes need to be close to the van to give the back of the vehicle clearance to the rack when doing tight turns. This can be an issue if items like front windows need to be opened as they clash with the standard Gripsport tilting mechanism setup. Our solution is simple, install the new mid-post tilting mechanism allowing complete access. If your drawbar is short and you have a front opening window, our new Bush Chook Mid-Post Tilting Mechanism is perfect for this application.
Along with our new Bush Chook Mid-Post Kit, this is all that’s required to fit a functioning Gripsport rack to your van. The posts have several holes drilled to adjust the height if required.
There are several different post types/sizes, in most applications a tall post will work but in some situations a short or quick release post is required. Note: If fitting our NEW Mid-Post tilting mechanism there is a separate post kit available for this application. For Further information select the link below.
No, GripSport does not include a lock with our racks. We recommend purchasing a strong lock for increased security, there are multiple points around your GripSport bike rack to run a lock through, including the frame of your bike.
All Hitch-mounted GripSport racks can be secured to your car with our Bike Rack Hitch Stabiliser and your own padlock.
No, due to heavy wind shear loads, it is not recommended to travel with a cover on the bikes. The forces exerted may cause damage to the bikes and rack.
Gripsport manufactures their own Premium Bike Cover which available to purchase, suitable for the 2-Bike Van Rack an 2-Bike GS-Adventure Rack. Please note: this cover is designed for storage purposes only.
Gripsport have just released a NEW loading ramp, load your bikes onto your GripSport Van Rack or GS Adventure Rack effortlessly with the Bike Rack Loading Ramp. Designed for riders who use a Hoop and Taco Wheel Holding Setup, this telescopic aluminium ramp expands up to 2.1 metres, offering a smooth and secure way to roll your bike into place.
