Driving with a bicycle rack on the boot

[gaz]

Done many miles in the car over the years but tomorrow will be the first time I've driven with a few bikes strapped to the back of a car on a motorway.

Anyone got anything to look out for or tips?

I am a bit concerned about needing to stop for a leek at a service station, it's not exactly difficult to take the bikes off the rack. I'm planning to lock them to the rack when I stop and use an alarmed lock as well (makes a loud sound if it's moved)

 

[JtB]

That's one of the reasons I fitted a tow bar and got a lockable tow bar carrier.

 

[Night Train]

I usually lock the bikes to the rack and a part of the car. The towing eye, if welded on, is an easy place to run a cable lock to.

Having a passenger helps as one can then take turns going to the toilet.

Aside from that, check the bikes are physically secure to the rack, and the rack secure to the car, after the first mile and before getting on the motorway.
Also make sure lights and number plate are not obscured by the bikes.

 

[Arch]

To lock the bikes to the rack, a decent D-Lock (which you can remove for when you're on the move), and perhaps a few lighter cable locks. Thieves don't want to spend long on a job, and the more you put in the way, the more likely they are to not bother.

 

[biggs682]

i use loads of good quality cable ties and a lock or 2

 

[Arch]

Oh, and do be aware of whether your bikes are wider than your car, and leave plenty of space when negotiating around bollards/posts and so in, especially if turning a corner, or squeezing through gaps...

 

[Piemaster]

If available back car up (carefully) to fence/lampost/other immovable object. With towball mounted one I have it then makes it difficult to even get at the bikes, let alone remove them.

 

[TheDoctor]

Don't position a tyre directly over the exhaust pipe. Tyres make a surprisingly loud bang when they go. DAMHIKT.
D-lock the bikes to the rack, and a cable lock round as much as possible and the towing eye. And use some bungees.
No, more than that. Lots and lots!!

 

[Matthew_T]

Watch out for the straps of the rack. Ours have a tendancy to undo themselves meaning that we have to keep stopping and doing them up again. The trick is to tie them very tightly and then tie them to themselves.
Tying the bikes down in a strange way will also prevent them from being nicked.