Mod Travato Bike Rack

Since I finally came to accepting the fact that I'm giving up on the Stowaway2, I am free to lower the bike rack to a more usable position.  In the high position, which is stock, it's not extremely difficult for a person of average height and fitness to lift a 25 lb bike and put it in the rack.  But as you get higher in bike weight, such as with an electric bicycle, it gets more difficult and awkward.   If you are on the shorter side, it complicates matters considerably and increases the risk of hurting yourself, your bike and your van.

Also, I never liked how the rack blocked the windows.   Note in the picture below, at the stock height:

The rack has a lower setting.  there are a set of holes further down on the frame to mount the platform hinge.  It's just a matter of partially disassembling the rack, putting the platform on the lower points, and then bolting it all back together.   This involves removing the plastic nut caps and taking out 6 bolts.   You leave the very top bolts in place while you remove the rest, and reassemble with the platform in the lower position.  Not difficult task, just a bit fiddly.  Make note of which way your bolts are run, and where the washers were, as you want to reverse the process when you reassemble.

Here it is in the lower position:

Note that now the windows are not blocked as much when you are without bicycle.  Rear visibility is still not fantastic, but it is much better.

Now the platform, folded out, is at waist height instead of chest height.  Much better for loading the cruiser bike that I like so much.   Another concern I had going into this was if the taillights would be blocked.  The Ducato version of this rack has an accessory light kit that can be added to the rack.   But as you can see in the next pic, I don't think it's needed.

I also ended up lowering the top support arms from the top of the frame to the lower bar.
Much easier now to secure the bike.  No more stretching on tippy-toes to pull all the straps.

The wire that restricts the total travel of the door remains the same, as you can see, there is no danger of the bike's tire hitting the side of the van.

Mr. Bonz is a great supervisor here in the shop.  He lets you do your work without micro-managing.   He's a bit indifferent though, as he's giving me this look most of the time:

It's the "Meh, whatever.  When are going to quit messing with this bucket of bolts and take me to get some meat?" look.