Towing with a Bike Rack

[ShootsWithFilm]

So, it appears that Santa is going to bring the kids new bikes for Christmas. Lucky them.

Anyhow, my wife wants the kids to be able to take their bikes with us when we go away camping, with our camper trailer, which means having to get some form of bike rack.

I was thinking of the easy option and getting a tow bar mounted carrier, that leaves the ball uncovered and can be used when towing - something like this:

http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/onl...ecommendations

Or this

http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/onl...ecommendations

These would be mounted on a SZ Territory (Hall towbar with removable tongue).

From what I have been told, these carriers still allow towing. But I am not convinced.

Has anyone here used a carrier like those above and towed?

Cheers

[PG2]

You can't tow when you put a bike rack on the towbar for two reasons;

The bike rack and bikes make up most of the "ball weight"

and

When you put the bikes on the rack the trailer has no clearance to be able to turn corners.

[ShootsWithFilm]

Originally Posted by PG2

You can't tow when you put a bike rack on the towbar for two reasons;

The bike rack and bikes make up most of the "ball weight"

and

When you put the bikes on the rack the trailer has no clearance to be able to turn corners.

Are you suggesting that a bike rack and bikes is going to take up more then 80kg? I have 160kg to play with with a trailer ball weight of 80kg for my camper (which can be made less by better weight distribution).

As for clearance, my trailer has a long A Frame. As long as the bikes don't go lower then the hitch, I think I should be OK.

I have looked at other options:

• Bike rack on the back of the trailer - the trailer has a pre-installed receiver for a Hayman Reece tongue, but I have to admit the welding looks a bit too light on. I've read elsewhere that this is disaster waiting to happen
• Frame on the trailer to mount the bikes upright over the tent. To be honest, this seems a right PITA, as it would be a pretty big frame to remove to get the tent up
• Bike rack on the A frame of the trailer - This is the other better option, but in the end, it kind of looks like mounting the bike on the car SHOULD work just as well

I am open to suggestions or experiences from other people.

[Road_Warrior]

Nyet! We have one of those bike racks and have used it plenty of times while towing our camper. The only way it will clash with the trailer is if you jack knife it and with 270kg maximum load on the towball you should have plenty of capacity there unless your camper puts a hefty weight down on the ball.

[PG2]

Apologies, maybe I should have worded it a little better.

Instead of you can't - you should really consider.

Check with your state gov dept (in NSW RMS) for a definitive answer.

[ShootsWithFilm]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

Nyet! We have one of those bike racks and have used it plenty of times while towing our camper. The only way it will clash with the trailer is if you jack knife it and with 270kg maximum load on the towball you should have plenty of capacity there unless your camper puts a hefty weight down on the ball.

I think we must have replied @ around the same time!

The tow bar I have is rated at 160KG ball weight. The last time I measured the weight (Jockey wheel on bath room scales), the ball weight was around 80kg. I could change that by a bit of better weight distribution

[Road_Warrior]

Ah ok I thought you had the HD one

80kg for ball weight isn't that much and if you're only putting kiddie bikes on the rack then I can't see it being an issue. The rack itself is only going to weigh 10-15kg.

[ShootsWithFilm]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

Ah ok I thought you had the HD one

80kg for ball weight isn't that much and if you're only putting kiddie bikes on the rack then I can't see it being an issue. The rack itself is only going to weigh 10-15kg.

Actually, you were right the first time! I called Hall and their bars are rated a lot higher!

As for the legalities of it, the only thing I have read relates to number plates....

[XR Martin]

The basic weight of the rack and bikes is not the issue, its the fact its leveraged off the towbar that increases the actual load. Also any time you go over a bump or a dip there is even more load placed on it.
Its one thing to have 80kg directly ontop of the towbar, its another thing to have it a meter in the air and half a meter rearwards.

[zilo]

I wouldn't and have never worried about it.

Just put the bikes on and relax about it, the world won't end.

[SumoDog68]

Attachment 85659

You need one of these.

[Itsme]

Purchase a Fiamma bike carrier that sits on the camper-van draw bar, they will fold down when camper van is in use, these can be purchased at any caravan dealer.

[SSVPom]

Try one of these with 50mm receiver compatible bike rack (try a Yakima one)

Then let me know if it works before I go out and buy one !

[nstg8a]

Just make the kids ride their bikes to the destination...

[RANGEREST]

I use a Pacific rack, very similar to the first link, with our caravan and have not had an issue,
It came with a strap to clip over the top of the tailgate, to stop any leverage as suggested by xr6martin.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by nstg8a

Just make the kids ride their bikes to the destination...

Kids we're going to Brisbane!

See you in 30 years

[ShootsWithFilm]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

Kids we're going to Brisbane!

See you in 30 years

I'd at least throw them a tow rope.

OK, sounds like it's not going to be too much of a drama.

Looks like a trip down to SCA is in order.....

[ebv8]

i have one like the first pic and i tow fine, however if i turn too sharp it turns the rack and almost hits the bumper. and the tow ball gets lose sometimes
but i keep my lower section on simply so i can hook my wheely bins on it and tow my bins back from the road and it works great

[MercurySilver]

put a rack on the caravan??
roof or end
solves all worries about tow ball weight

[Itsme]

Originally Posted by SSVPom

Try one of these with 50mm receiver compatible bike rack (try a Yakima one)

Then let me know if it works before I go out and buy one !

image

Depends on what bike rack you have as it can interfere with the tow coupling (clearance) of trailer/caravan, personally right idea but size dimensions not quite correct.

[brett4777]

We have one similar to the first pic ,I've towed our camper trailer on our Jeep with the kids bikes attached no problems at all

[noddy383]

My mum and dad had the first kind for years on their 1999 AU and would still have it if they had a tow bar to put it on. We used to tow with the bikes on the back every summer. I suppose the ball weight capacity would be a consideration, but we never had any trouble cornering.