Fiamma Bike Rack Failure

I've always found Karen Stevens at the A-S Service Centre in Willersey to be helpful.  Her e-mail address is/was Karen.Stevens@auto-sleepers.co.uk .  In May 24 I didn't get a response from her on this subject but did from Marquis, who supplied my Nuevo with a fitted rack in 2019, who told me that the rating of my rack had dropped from 60 kg to 50 kg in Jul 23. I have just e-mailed Marquis seeking clarification about the installation kit.

John McHale wrote:Has anyone got an email address for AS? I was going to email them but can't find an address anywhere. The one on their FB page has bounced as unreachable.

I've tried a dozen different email addresses that I've found through Google etc but they've all bounced back. Perhaps use the contact form to the service department that's on the website and ask them if they could forward it to the correct person or department.

Paulmold wrote:I asked the FB poster if the purpose of the kit was to improve the mounting if it was glued or whether he was simply fitting the rack himself.  His answer ......

"It's to improve the mounting  which is showing sings of coming adrift."

So again I ask 'why don't AS fit this at the build stage'?

I’m guessing as they are posting on FB Paul they're not forum members? shame as their contribution could be helpful here… All I know is I’m currently too scared to use my rack even with just the one bike, would be intresting to hear from any forum members that use their bike racks on vehicles with the newer recess design that Auto Sleeper started using around 2014?? onwards to balance this thread or give an alternative perspective as not everyone with this bike rack setup can be having this problem or are too worried to use theirs for fear of it failing, so if you regularly use yours with no issue then please do comment?

CC wrote:

I’m guessing as they are posting on FB Paul they're not forum members? shame as their contribution could be helpful here… All I know is I’m currently too scared to use my rack even with just the one bike, would be intresting to hear from any forum members that use their bike racks on vehicles with the newer recess design that Auto Sleeper started using around 2014?? onwards to balance this thread or give an alternative perspective as not everyone with this bike rack setup can be having this problem or are too worried to use theirs for fear of it failing, so if you regularly use yours with no issue then please do comment?

I think the change happened later than 2014.  2018 maybe or perhaps the 2019 vans were the first to have it just as they were the first to have the EC700.  

Ah I did think 2014 was too early Caraman hence the inclusion of my question mark, of course 2014 models were the earlier design between my last 2010 Broadway & the current models, should have realised that…

My Marquis dealer hasn't heard about the rack modification/installation kit so is asking Auto-Sleepers.  I have also asked Auto-Sleepers through their contact form as suggested by Paul.  Wait out.

Another photo has been added to the FB post (not by the same poster but presumably by someone else who has looked at how the rack is fitted). I'm guessing it's to show the wooden batten attached to the outside wall and presumably where the kit supplied by AS fits between the outside and inside walls. 

Not exactly filling one with confidence, is it? Looks to my untutored eye as if that’s the cheapest and minimum solution. 
That said, I’ve no idea what the reinforcing panels on my van look like. 

Cymro

Another very worrying post on a FB group.- Awning secured by mastic, poster went to wind it out, whole thing came crashing down, 2 year old Broadway FB.

Paulmold wrote:Another very worrying post on a FB group.- Awning secured by mastic, poster went to wind it out, whole thing came crashing down, 2 year old Broadway FB.

Just enjoying the last of the sun's rays in our back garden and you've sent me up the ladder to see how my awning is fixed on!  As can be seen it is clamped onto a large hollow alloy extrusion that runs the length of the awning.  The extrusion has a large surface area with the roof and lots of what I assume is Sikaflex.  You need a powerful torch to see down the full length of the extrusion but at the end I was looking there appeared to be a dob of set sikaflex covering what might be a bolt head.  I can't be sure of this as the inside of the van beneath the extrusion is boxed in along its length.  I don't think the awning's extrusion is going to come off and if it does I think I would have warning of it.  Similarly, unlike the loaded bike rack, I don't think it will come off whilst driving. 

This photo at a strange angle and illuminated with my head torch shows what I think may be a dob of Sikaflex covering a countersunk bolt head:

These are the photos he posted....

Cymro wrote:Not exactly filling one with confidence, is it? Looks to my untutored eye as if that’s the cheapest and minimum solution. 
That said, I’ve no idea what the reinforcing panels on my van look like. 

Cymro

I think the towel rail in my bathroom is stronger!

Paulmold wrote:Another very worrying post on a FB group.- Awning secured by mastic, poster went to wind it out, whole thing came crashing down, 2 year old Broadway FB.

Wow… Just what is on going on at Auto-Sleepers 

Hello,
 
Thank you for contacting Auto-Sleepers.
 
Please read the below statement issued by Auto-Sleepers regarding E Bikes.
 
The installation of the Fiamma Cycle Carrier Mounting Rails on the backs of our coachbuilt range has been specifically designed for the standard Fiamma Pro C range of cycle carriers.
Under no circumstances should any E-Bike carrier, Fiamma or otherwise be fitted to these rails nor shall Existing Fiamma Pro C carriers be upgraded by fitting the Fiamma Kit Upgrade E Bike.
 
If you wish to carry E Bikes, we strongly advise fitting a chassis or tow bar mounted bike rack to insure a robust fitting.


Why do they fit a rack quoting weight limit of 60kg now reduced to 50kg and advise you don’t use it for e-bikes even though they are only 42kg! 

Bridgetjones3 wrote:Hello,
 
Thank you for contacting Auto-Sleepers.
 
Please read the below statement issued by Auto-Sleepers regarding E Bikes.
 
The installation of the Fiamma Cycle Carrier Mounting Rails on the backs of our coachbuilt range has been specifically designed for the standard Fiamma Pro C range of cycle carriers.
Under no circumstances should any E-Bike carrier, Fiamma or otherwise be fitted to these rails nor shall Existing Fiamma Pro C carriers be upgraded by fitting the Fiamma Kit Upgrade E Bike.
 
If you wish to carry E Bikes, we strongly advise fitting a chassis or tow bar mounted bike rack to insure a robust fitting.


Why do they fit a rack quoting weight limit of 60kg now reduced to 50kg and advise you don’t use it for e-bikes even though they are only 42kg! 

It isn't logical and they should be challenged about it.  Providing the total load on the fixings does not exceed 50 kg, it shouldn't matter how the load is made up.  So if for example an e-bike rack is 10 kg that leaves 40 kg for the load on the rack which could be bikes, outside chairs, storage box etc.

I am waiting for a reply from Auto-sleeper as I was unhappy with their 1st reply. I will update on here when/if  I get a reply!

I am also waiting for a reply from Auto-Sleeper to see if our bike rack fixings can be reinforced.  Their assertion that nothing other than 2 push bikes on the non-e-bike rack can be carried suggests to me that our fixings aren't even fit for 50 kg!  We all need some honest clarity on this.

If I get a reply I will post on here. If you do can you post on here too? They seem to pick and choose who they do the upgrade for! Thanks Jan

Two Mi-Rider One e-bikes weigh 17.3kg each so a total of 34.6kg (less with batteries removed) bringing the overall weight well within the quoted figure by Auto-Sleepers. As others have said Auto-Sleepers are wrong to claim the rack is not suitable under any circumstances to carry e-bikes as the above weight example is potentially less than two heavier standard bicycle's

I have finally had a reply. Here it is, now I have just got to agree a date with them to fit it. 

Hello,
 
Thank you for contacting Auto-Sleepers,
 
There is a product enhancer we can fit at a cost of £125.00, The maximum weight you can carry is 50kg.

Bridgetjones3 wrote:I have finally had a reply. Here it is, now I have just got to agree a date with them to fit it. 

Hello,
 
Thank you for contacting Auto-Sleepers,
 
There is a product enhancer we can fit at a cost of £125.00, The maximum weight you can carry is 50kg.

Gotta love how they’ve named it a “Product Enhancer” 

Presumably as it’s bonded on it’ll have to be left overnight to go off or do they say you can drive straight away. Think they have a bit of a cheek charging for this, still not convinced how much it adds to the strength of the bike rack but would be interested to hear if you get yours done & how it feels afterwards?

We are booked in for Thursday. Will post how we feel about the fix afterwards. You are correct they have got a cheek but it is price of mind for me!

Bridgetjones3 wrote:I have finally had a reply. Here it is, now I have just got to agree a date with them to fit it. 

Hello,
 
Thank you for contacting Auto-Sleepers,
 
There is a product enhancer we can fit at a cost of £125.00, The maximum weight you can carry is 50kg.

I'm still waiting to hear.  It's significant they regard it as a product enhancer but are not prepared to return the weight limit to 60 kg.  I wonder if they consider the product enhancer allows e-bikes on an e-bike rack to be carried providing the 50 kg isn't exceeded?  If the answer is still no, it doesn't say much for the strength of the current fixing without the product enhancer.

Does your Broadway have the end kitchen like the Nuevo?