Towbar mounted Cycle Racks.

[Binky]

I have a Thule towbar bike rack and first couple times using it was very nervous as visually it doesn't look like it's going to be sufficiently stable and strong enough. However, never had a problem even carrying 3 heavy old style MTB/hyrid bikes.

One point though, always use a seperate registration board with lights. My wife got stopped once by the police who said it was needed even though the reg number and lights were clearly visible without.

 

[Tom B]

Great idea @wiggydiggy.

Tow bars are a pain when it comes to insurance, some want it declared as a modification, some say it isn’t a modification that needs declaring and some even say equipment fitted at the factory is not considered a modification.

I have some sympathy for the car driver as a result, it is confusing.
I also don’t use comparison sites as I have found that they often get it wrong or miss details, Instead I use it as a guide for prices and then go through the insurer direct.

Exactly that.

My insurance is about due and I've been looking at quotes after reading this. The comparison site said on its modifications section"

"if your looking to add a tow bar click no modifications then add it with the insurer when reviewing the quote"

I've just looked at the top 3 defacto 5* quotes £211, £240 and £250 in their modifications section a tow bar adds nothing to the prices and the on the third it isnt listed. Interesting one insurer goes out of their way to at every opportunity tell you they are offering a "no advice service" and it's up to the buyer to ascertain if cover is suitable.

I wonder if this is another area where buying slightly dearer insurance (i.e. that with a defacto 5 star rating) is better value and offers slightly broader cover.

With stuff like this I usually call them and ask and record the call. I apply the same to when I buy house insurance and ask about bike cover in an Asgard shed.

 

[Sixmile]

Perhaps I should declare my Nodding Dog and furry dice. 🤔

You definitely should. When my da's Ford Orion was stolen in the 90's, the only thing that was missing from the recovered car was the nodding Gromit on the parcel shelf.

 

[wiggydiggy]

Great idea @wiggydiggy.

Tow bars are a pain when it comes to insurance, some want it declared as a modification, some say it isn’t a modification that needs declaring and some even say equipment fitted at the factory is not considered a modification.

I have some sympathy for the car driver as a result, it is confusing.
I also don’t use comparison sites as I have found that they often get it wrong or miss details, Instead I use it as a guide for prices and then go through the insurer direct.

I've tried to play it as safe as possible, so I chatted to them. Its fully detacheable so when not in use its flush under the car.

I have a Thule towbar bike rack and first couple times using it was very nervous as visually it doesn't look like it's going to be sufficiently stable and strong enough. However, never had a problem even carrying 3 heavy old style MTB/hyrid bikes.

One point though, always use a seperate registration board with lights. My wife got stopped once by the police who said it was needed even though the reg number and lights were clearly visible without.

Yeah same, this one: Thule Easyfold XT I have a numberplate on it.

I've been told, and checked its true, if you look on the Volvo website for bike racks they are much cheaper than Thule and made by Thule also. Limited range but if there is one there someone was going to buy from Thule its cheaper.

 

[lazybloke]

My tow-bar mounted carrier was a cheaper alternative to Thule, from "Atera".

Carries 4 bikes. Has lights and number plate, and does the clever fold-down thing at Calais customs so you can show the armed chaps that no-one's hiding on the boot.

 

[wiggydiggy]

My tow-bar mounted carrier was a cheaper alternative to Thule, from "Atera".

Carries 4 bikes. Has lights and number plate, and does the clever fold-down thing at Calais customs so you can show the armed chaps that no-one's hiding on the boot.

The fold thing is amazing, such a simple idea but well worth it.

Years back my dads carrier he bought was nothing more sophistictaed than 2 Y shaped bars that latch onto a plate over the towbar (could still be used). It never failed but I remember it did wobble a lot which always made me laugh (and my dad worry I suppose!).

 

[Saracenlad]

Having read this thread very carefully I decided to contact my Insurance company as I have a TowBar fitted and use A Thule Easy Fold for our two bikes. My company amended my policy as the TowBar is an acceptable modification. They also gave me a £2.40 refund. Result or what.

 

[Sixmile]

Having read this thread very carefully I decided to contact my Insurance company as I have a TowBar fitted and use A Thule Easy Fold for our two bikes. My company amended my policy as the TowBar is an acceptable modification. They also gave me a £2.40 refund. Result or what.

That's cos if someone rear ends you, the tow bar stands a fair chance of protecting your bumper from a respray.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

That's cos if someone rear ends you, the tow bar stands a fair chance of protecting your bumper from a respray.

I crashed into a car with a towbar once
(there was a load of gravel on the road and he was stationary and - well it was complicated)

anyway - my car was almost written off - bumper, radiator and a chassis member were wrecked

his car needed some paint on the rear bumper

so they can be useful for things other than towing!!!

 

[wiggydiggy]

Just getting used to driving with it on I found I needed to turn off lane assist, something must be making the system think it's needed as it was constantly on. I didn't need to turn off parking sensors though, they seemed to work fine.

The only thing I was dissponted didn't work was the rear camera, I was hoping I'd be able to use it to occasionally check on the bike without getting out the car bit it seemed to be disabled.

 

[Sixmile]

Do you need a trailer license to tow a trailer or is that only for over 3.5 tonne?

 

[Saracenlad]

That's cos if someone rear ends you, the tow bar stands a fair chance of protecting your bumper from a respray.

My thoughts too.

 

[bikingdad90]

Do you need a trailer license to tow a trailer or is that only for over 3.5 tonne?

It depends on when you got your license. Pre 1997 you can tow as long as MAM of car and trailer is below 8.25T after that date the trailer weight is limited to 3.5T and a length of 7m. Both require a braked trailer if weight exceeds 750kg on the trailer.

You may need to apply for a license category amendment if you don’t have it.

 

[figbat]

That's cos if someone rear ends you, the tow bar stands a fair chance of protecting your bumper from a respray.

The flip side is that the towbar can transfer the crash forces directly to the chassis or monocoque rather than let the bumper and crumple zone absorb it.