cycle rack damage to van door

I have a new problem with my 2014 Warwick XL and I wonder if anyone else has come across this either on the warwick or indeed any of the van conversions ?

I carry two lightweight bikes about 24 kg in total on the Dealer fitted from new Fiamma two bike rack recommended for boxer and Ducato van conversions, maximum recommended weight for the rack is 35 kgs.

I have just noticed that the metal of the door where the top clamps are fitted is bending outwards. This is on both sides but at the opening side it is much worse.

I've checked a couple of other vans on sites and they showed no damage.

Any information or experiences with this problem would be gratefully received.

thanks in advance for the help.

Garry

Hello Gary

Can I ask is this a cycle rack that is fitted as a no need to drill rack?

Mark

I have experienced similar problems with a Fiamma Bike Rack
My solution was to spread the load at the top rail by bracing the door with a 50 x 6mm stainless steel strip. This was fitted inside and secured with the bolts supplied with the kit.
Fiamma do suggest fixing the top rail with bolts for extra security.
There is quite a lot of extra leveraged weight with this arrangement especially when driving over speed bumps!!

Thanks to both for your responses.Mark, this is  a Fiamma 200DJ rack fitted by the dealer when I bought the van brand new in April 2014. I am afraid I left the fitting to them and can only assume they followed the Fiamma instructions but I cannot say if it was a no drill fitting.I am in Spain at present and not home until early octber  but have the van in to see the dealer service people on 6th October.

Roger , you said you used a stainless strip to spread the load but the measurements of 50 by 6 mm confused me would you lease clarify?

Thanks again

This is a 2" wide x .25" thick stainless steel bar, length to fit across the doors internal width.

Thanks Roger, it was the 6mm that threw me. I can understand that a substantial bit of metal like that sorted out the load spreading. I didn't think there would be room for that thickness so I am pleased that there is, I will set about sourcing something similar as soon as I get home.Did you have the bent door straightened out too?
thanks for the help.


Garry

Mark, I have now taken a closer look and also read the PDFs showing fitting instructions on the Fiamma website. For my rack it does suggest booting and my rack has not been bolted. It looks like that may be the cause of the problem as bolting it would have spread the load. Rogers solution to use bolts and a backing plate seems like the ideal solution.