Towbar mounted Cycle Racks.

[Alex321]

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!).

I used to have one of those. Towed a caravan all the way across France to Annecy with it on, with 4 bikes attached, with no problems, except for losing the key to the lock we had attached through the other hole in the plate. Had to find a local garage to cut the lock off before we could get the bikes free.

Unfortunately, when I sold that car in part-ex for my next one, I forgot to remove the plate until it was at the dealers, and at that point neither he nor I could get the bolts loose to remove it, so I lost the plate and couldn't get a replacement. So we now have the type that clamps to the towball, and cannot be used while towing. Next car won't have a towbar, so we'll need something else.

 

[wiggydiggy]

I used to have one of those. Towed a caravan all the way across France to Annecy with it on, with 4 bikes attached, with no problems, except for losing the key to the lock we had attached through the other hole in the plate. Had to find a local garage to cut the lock off before we could get the bikes free.

Unfortunately, when I sold that car in part-ex for my next one, I forgot to remove the plate until it was at the dealers, and at that point neither he nor I could get the bolts loose to remove it, so I lost the plate and couldn't get a replacement. So we now have the type that clamps to the towball, and cannot be used while towing. Next car won't have a towbar, so we'll need something else.

Yikes! The first time I used mine I forgot to take the key for the rack with me. Still useable but I stopped 3 or 4 times on the way back to make sure it wasn't coming undone.

I will say I like a good roof mount, but its an effort to load/unload the bikes, espeicially when I forget the battery is removeable and I heave the thing on top.

 

[wiggydiggy]

Foiled!

I need to rethink this. With 2 ebikes theres too much weight hanging off the back of the car, it being a lowish slung long estate does not help. But a couple speed humps were problematic and I hit the bottom of the towbar on them, even at 5mph. If I add camping gear in there it's not going to work. I did strip the bikes too of everything easily removable.

So back up plan I have my roof bars still, so I can put the bikes up top at least but the rack is going to have to be benched for now.

 

[Alex321]

Foiled!

I need to rethink this. With 2 ebikes theres too much weight hanging off the back of the car, it being a lowish slung long estate does not help. But a couple speed humps were problematic and I hit the bottom of the towbar on them, even at 5mph. If I add camping gear in there it's not going to work. I did strip the bikes too of everything easily removable.

So back up plan I have my roof bars still, so I can put the bikes up top at least but the rack is going to have to be benched for now.

I'd get the rear suspension checked if it is doing that. Though I would also check the manufacturer's noseweight limit for towing, because that is what the weight of the rack and bikes effectively is.

 

[wiggydiggy]

I'd get the rear suspension checked if it is doing that. Though I would also check the manufacturer's noseweight limit for towing, because that is what the weight of the rack and bikes effectively is.

I can get the suspension checked if needed, but the car is recently serviced and mot'd. I need to add up the weight I had first but I don't have the specs to hand right now. I was doing some reading on nose weights and understand it doesnt mean the weight of the nose of my car, but the weight of the nose of the towed item or in this case my rack and 2 bikes.

 

[Alex321]

I can get the suspension checked if needed, but the car is recently serviced and mot'd. I need to add up the weight I had first but I don't have the specs to hand right now. I was doing some reading on nose weights and understand it doesnt mean the weight of the nose of my car, but the weight of the nose of the towed item or in this case my rack and 2 bikes.

Yes, it is the weight that goes through the towball.