Tow bar bike carrier
- Thread starter 400bhp
- Start date
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I bought mine some years ago from roofbox.co.uk. I found their website to be well laid out, informative, easy to use and I bought a tow-ball-mounted, 3-bike, wheel-supported carrier for around £100 IIRC. It was for a LR Disco 1 and can drop down to allow access to the rear door - though, TBH, it's not much good, as the door opens sideways, not up.
The one I got was reduced and it weighs a ton - but it's a very strong, secure bit of kit and has a wee padlock to lock it to the ball. It doesn't fold for storage either, which is something you might wish to consider.
Takes me 5-10 mins to put from garage to ball and, if using the same bikes and I have the wheel carriers already set in their right places, about another 5-10 mins to mount the bikes. They are held by rigid wee 'poles' and a webbing clamp round the top tube and the wheels also have webbing straps holding them to the carriers. Very secure and no worries at all when driving (once I've overcome the initial fears and checked the straps after 10-20 mins driving
)
The one I got was reduced and it weighs a ton - but it's a very strong, secure bit of kit and has a wee padlock to lock it to the ball. It doesn't fold for storage either, which is something you might wish to consider.
Takes me 5-10 mins to put from garage to ball and, if using the same bikes and I have the wheel carriers already set in their right places, about another 5-10 mins to mount the bikes. They are held by rigid wee 'poles' and a webbing clamp round the top tube and the wheels also have webbing straps holding them to the carriers. Very secure and no worries at all when driving (once I've overcome the initial fears and checked the straps after 10-20 mins driving
)I have the Tradekar Silverbike, 2 bike with the extra 3rd bike carrier option.
Is it 'easily stealable' ?
Is it 'easily stealable' ?
- it weighs around 15kg, so is not the easiest to swing around
- it is quite cumbersome and I find carrying it requires the arm held well out to the side
, to prevent it banging onto my leg: did it once, decided it was enough ! 
- IMHO if someone wants to nick it, they will - but it's unlikely to be done en passant
Goldcoast
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Clacton on Sea
How safe are these, can they damage your bikes? Will need to get one later in the year, but will need to take 4 bikes.
My understanding is that the wheel-mounted ones are 'safer' for bikes than the tube-mounted ones, as the weight of the bike is taken in its normal position, on the wheels, whereas the tube-mounted ones .....
Certainly tow-ball mounting is potentially safer for the bikes than roof mounting - multi-storey car parks come to mind ...
Certainly tow-ball mounting is potentially safer for the bikes than roof mounting - multi-storey car parks come to mind ...
Goldcoast
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Clacton on Sea
That was my thinking but I was wondering about the bikes clattering against each other? I don't suppose there are places that hire carriers - really only need it for the one weekend....(goes check google)
Spinney
Bimbleur extraordinaire
- Location
- Back up north
I've got a two-bike Thule one (the three bike version works in a similar way). The 'lock' is a little lockable plastic thingy that goes over the head of the bolt that tightens the fitting onto the towbar. If you don't think that's safe enough, and you have a towbar with some kind of eye or hole in it, you could always chain it to the car if you are leaving it for some time.
The bikes rest on the rack, and there is an upright bit in the middle that hinges down when storing the carrier. Straps around the bottom of the wheels, and more straps to the upright thingy - we use bits of pipe lagging between straps and frame (and where the frames touch the upright) to stop rubbing.
It does hinge down out of the way of the tailgate. On my current car this works fine, but probably only because I explained what I wanted to my local garage when they fitted the towbar for me. On my previous car the tailgate would not open with the carrier hinged backwards.
When it's not on the car it stands on one end against the garage wall - doesn't take up too much space.
HTH
The bikes rest on the rack, and there is an upright bit in the middle that hinges down when storing the carrier. Straps around the bottom of the wheels, and more straps to the upright thingy - we use bits of pipe lagging between straps and frame (and where the frames touch the upright) to stop rubbing.
It does hinge down out of the way of the tailgate. On my current car this works fine, but probably only because I explained what I wanted to my local garage when they fitted the towbar for me. On my previous car the tailgate would not open with the carrier hinged backwards.
When it's not on the car it stands on one end against the garage wall - doesn't take up too much space.
HTH
There's no chance of the bikes clattering into each other on my rack - they are each held firm by individual rigid wee 'poles' like the ones shown here. Those aluminium poles hanging from the central bracket attach to the top tubes or wherever else and hold the bikes very firmly.
Goldcoast
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Clacton on Sea
Thanks for the info! much appreciated.
mrandmrspoves
Middle aged bald git.
- Location
- Narfuk
I used to have the 4 bike version of the Tradekar and to carry it was a task to say the least. ....so depending on your car, you could easily exceed your maximum tow ball weight. I now have a 3 bike Thule.....and no tow bar to mount it on. It is a really good carrier and bikes shouldn't get damaged on it......but use a sheet or some pipe insulation to protect any areas that will rub. I also have a rack of the type that straps to a tail gate. Its ok but not as easy to use or as secure. ....
Happy to lend either to anyone local.
Happy to lend either to anyone local.
mrandmrspoves
Middle aged bald git.
- Location
- Narfuk
The type that straps on can be easily folded and stored in the boot. The Thule is bulkier so if taken off the car it would need to be secured or stored indoors. It does fold down so could easily be carried indoors and stored on its side.
amaferanga
Veteran
- Location
- Bolton
Buzz Cruiser
I've got the 2 bike version. Solid construction, easy to mount, easy to tilt to get boot access. I've not used a Thule towbar rack, but I can't see how they could be much better than these.
I've got the 2 bike version. Solid construction, easy to mount, easy to tilt to get boot access. I've not used a Thule towbar rack, but I can't see how they could be much better than these.
