Car Bike Carrier.
- Thread starter Alan16ac
- Start date
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- Tow bar does less damage to mpg
- Roof is harder work getting them secured
- Tow bar bikes can get a bit mucky; roof a bit cleaner
- I've known roof bikes be forgotten about when entering restricted-access car-parks = expensive
- Tow bar quieter, roof can be noisy
Personally, I have tow bar on back of LR Discovery and wouldn't fancy getting bikes on to the roof !
Falwheeler
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Falmouth Cornwall
I use a roof mounted one but if I had a tow bar I would definitely use a tow bar mounted one, no question
DRHysted
Guru
- Location
- New Forest
I have both. The roof one is total secure it even locks onto the frame to deter the passing theif. the towbar one is also very secure once all the straps are done up tight, but I have to provide my own lock, and additional lightboard with number plate, also I can't use the towbar mount when towing the trailer.
The tow bar mount didn't effect the mpg (in fact without the trailer on the back I could drive at proper motorway speed which incrased my mpg due to the cars gearing). I'm not sure about the roof effecting mpg as I'm normally towing a 1 tonne trailer which does effect mpg.
The tow bar mount didn't effect the mpg (in fact without the trailer on the back I could drive at proper motorway speed which incrased my mpg due to the cars gearing). I'm not sure about the roof effecting mpg as I'm normally towing a 1 tonne trailer which does effect mpg.
DRHysted
Guru
- Location
- New Forest
forgot to add, the bike does get filthy when on the tow bar rack, you need to watch for the overhang either side of your car, and take care that the tyre doesn't come in contact with the exhaust.
biggs682
Itching to get back on my bike's
- Location
- Northamptonshire
when car is full we use a tailgate mounted platform as shown below , if only 2 of us then we can easily get 4 in back with rear seats removed
biggs682
Itching to get back on my bike's
- Location
- Northamptonshire
go tow bar attachment , but will you be able to gain entry in to boot with it fitted !Handy that. But I have a saloon and the seats don't fold down
biggs682
Itching to get back on my bike's
- Location
- Northamptonshire
[QUOTE 2266262, member: 259"]If you've got a tow-bar I wouldn't hesitate in getting a tow-bar bike carrier. It's miles easier, it's less scary, you lose less money on wind resistance and you don't destroy your almost new road bike when you forget about the roof carrier and drive under a height restricted car park entrance at a supermarket. 
[/quote]
seen that done
[/quote]seen that done
DRHysted
Guru
- Location
- New Forest
Ooh I like the look of that one, but it looks like it would fold out too far and clip the trailer when cornering.
SatNavSaysStraightOn
Changed hemispheres!
- Location
- ɐᴉlɐɹʇsn∀ 'ɐɹɹǝquɐƆ
I have a towbar mounted bike rack and both previous vehicles have been saloons. We have no issues getting into the boot and the bikes are totally secure on the back of the car - the rack locks onto the towbar, the bikes STAND on the bike rack and are clamped & locked into place and the whole thing can tilt as needed. comes with full lights & reg plate. Not the cheapest in the world but I will not use anything else after having borrowed one from a friend some 15 years ago.... this is not the exact model we have (ours takes 4 bikes) but you will get the concept. http://www.thule.com/en/GB/Products/Bike-Carriers/Towbar/Thule-EuroWay-G2-923 if you watch ebay carefully you can pick them up at around half price which is what we did.
