Tow Bar Bike Racks - choices

[Sapper520]

An alternative to ball mounted rack the Witter zx88
The mainrack is added to the bolted on bit. The extention allows use of a thule rack 937?View attachment 549150

Take a look at the photo in #17……I don’t have any back plate or bolts.

 

[the1andonly]

Confused. The OP does not post a picture.

Take a look at the photo in #17……I don’t have any back plate or bolts.

For your application I'm sure a clamp or access to to lower clamp could be fabricated, if not an a less than simple, change the towbar.
i believe a dutch manufature produces a swanneck to flange adaptor

 

[Sapper520]

Confused. The OP does not post a picture.

For your application I'm sure a clamp or access to to lower clamp could be fabricated, if not an a less than simple, change the towbar.
i believe a dutch manufature produces a swanneck to flange adaptor

It cost £850 to have fitted….

 

[the1andonly]

It cost £850 to have fitted….

A cheap one then.

 

[the1andonly]

Sapper520
seriously if you need a flange mounted conversion Memo do one. Seen reference to it here somewhere.

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[Sapper520]

Sapper520
seriously if you need a flange mounted conversion Memo do one. Seen reference to it here somewhere.

I’ll keep looking for a better option than I’ve got at the moment.

 

[bobandjanie]

Bob, liking that idea. I’ll see if my towbar manufacturer make a longer one, but the trouble with ours is the measurement between the top of the tow ball and the bottom of the door. Even with the extended tow ball the measurement will be the same. ……or am I missing something obvious…..not a surprise for me.

View attachment 549065

Yes the thule rack sits higher, the Atera Strada DL3 is only slightly higher on the ball, but I did have trouble with the factory in Germany the most unhelpful company I have ever delt with, we purchased ours in Germany but we couldn't take it to a supplier in Spain for a replacement bracket it had to sent back to the factory, it only has 3 screws and a tiny spring. Bob

 

[Sapper520]

Yes the thule rack sits higher, the Atera Strada DL3 is only slightly higher on the ball, but I did have trouble with the factory in Germany the most unhelpful company I have ever delt with, we purchased ours in Germany but we couldn't take it to a supplier in Spain for a replacement bracket it had to sent back to the factory, it only has 3 screws and a tiny spring. Bob

I spoke to The Roof Box Company who supply them in the UK. Sent photos and measurements and they said it won clear the doors.

 

[Grianan]

We have a PVC and a Busbiker swing out rack that allows both doors to open fully. We can use the tow bar when we are not carrying bikes.

 

[Nick555]

I have a Thule for the back of my Jeep. Very pleased with it. We have hard tail Whyte mountain bikes & chose a 3 bike carrier to fit 2 bikes, partly due to rear tyre on the Jeep. My wife's bike is a little smaller, so I put my seat down to fit both bikes facing opposite directions.

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[wp1234]

Ok - so after last post about storing bikes in the MH when travelling, we have decided to go with Tow Bar / Cycle Rack as the better option for two bikes.

Had a look at Thule and they seem ok, are there any other makes that you would recommend ?

Don't need folding racks and can lift bikes as required onto the rack, just looking for other options to choose from.....

Thanks in advance

Thule one works for me fine with two electric bikes , very sturdy

 

[Purrfecttune]

Another vote for the Thule xt2. We carry two electric bikes; a Trek @ 23kg and a Ribble @ 16kg. Works well and also tips away from the tow bar (although not a function we need). Like another poster, I have no idea how it stays on and am always anxious for the first ten minutes of driving!

 

[Jofang]

Apologies for kidnapping your post but does anyone know of a rear mounted motorbike rack suitable for 200kg for my ancient BMW.

 

[IAnn]

Hi, has anyone used the Thule XT with an Autotrail mounted wheel cover. Will the wheel cover interfere with the bikes once on the rack? Thule say not suitable for rear mounted spare wheels.

Hi, I bought a Thule Velocompact3 to carry our two ebikes because of the same concern re the rear mounted spare wheel on my Autotrail. I also bought the additional "bent" frame to clear the wheel. In the event I didn't need the bent frame as the standard one clears the wheel, but the two ebikes sit better on positions 2 and 3 of the rack without having to turn the handlebars. Hope that helps.

 

[Mike Warland]

I have an Atera Strada dl3 on a PVC Rollerteam Toleno and with electric bikes mounted it slides back far enough to allow the doors to open. I believe the dl3 allows more clearance the the dl2.

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[richard8]

Hello, we have a Pendle bike rack, easy to load even with two heavy ebikes, been all over Europe without a problem.

 

[bobandjanie]

We saw a couple of these in France. Bob

Broken Link Removed

Or this.

 

[Andymandyg]

Hi, has anyone used the Thule XT with an Autotrail mounted wheel cover. Will the wheel cover interfere with the bikes once on the rack? Thule say not suitable for rear mounted spare wheels.

Hi, I have an Autotrail Tracker LB with the Witter detachable swan neck. I use the Thule Velospace XT with two bikes. It’s spot on, great bike rack. I always turn the handle bars on the first bike to 90 degrees and have no problems with the wheel cover

 

[Sapper520]

We saw a couple of these in France. Bob

Broken Link Removed

Or this.

Very neat, like that idea a lot……But price is a bit eye watering. May need to start saving a few more pennies.

 

[ianto999]

I have an Atera Strada dl3 on a PVC Rollerteam Toleno and with electric bikes mounted it slides back far enough to allow the doors to open. I believe the dl3 allows more clearance the the dl2.

Have you got a picture please? Pondering same problem. Assuming you have a ducato base vehicle as well?

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[Adrian140974]

We just use halfords own, excellent tow bar bike carrier. We have the 4 bike version

 

[ianto999]

I guess it’s now a common problem:
1) base vehicle is PVC (Ducato)
2) 2 e-bikes is the cargo (so can’t use door mounted ones)
3) also want to be able to open doors, when bikes are loaded.
4) removable tow ball (swan neck?)
5) weight as low as possible…

Options
1) strada rack that swings out backwards
2) sideways pull out rack (look heavier…)

Anyone successfully achieve 1-4 above? Pictures appreciated.

 

[Stonemags76]

carolyn have you got the Altera Strada? I’m sure you’ve posted a picture at some point?

 

[enark]

Ok - so after last post about storing bikes in the MH when travelling, we have decided to go with Tow Bar / Cycle Rack as the better option for two bikes.

Had a look at Thule and they seem ok, are there any other makes that you would recommend ?

Don't need folding racks and can lift bikes as required onto the rack, just looking for other options to choose from.....

Thanks in advance

Witter, really good rack, did 1200 miles with two bikes on it recently, no bother. Much cheaper than Thule and also got a discount show code from MH show.

comes with built in no plate and lights, so can use on the car too.

 

[CHendy]

Thule are good bits of kit. I have one, Thule easyfold XL and when not in use folds up like a suitcase for storage. Can be locked on to towball and bikes can be locked on to rack. Bit expensive but well made. Got mine from roof box.

I second that, we use one on our 2023 Fiat Ducato Consort Oslo.

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[ianto999]

Our van has a detachable tow ball I got a longer one it's about 4" longer as would be fitted on a vehicle with the spare wheel on the rear like 4x4 have, and a Atera Strada DL3 and our doors open, when I take the rack off I put the standard ball back on. Bob.

View attachment 549023

Have you got a link to the towball spec etc please? also which towbar are you using?
Thanks

 

[RobertJary]

We have a Westfalia BC60. Folds up when not in use and can take 60kg.

 

[Mike Warland]

Have you got a picture please? Pondering same problem. Assuming you have a ducato base vehicle as well?

I am away at the moment this is the only picture I have with the rack I will post more when I get back

 

[Bobbydaisy]

We’ve got a PVC with a detachable tow hook. The standard tow bars allow spacer plates and it can be lowered, so allowing adjustments. There is nothing on the market that will allow us to mount our bikes on the detachable hook and be able to open the back doors.

Sent measurements to various companies and none have one to suit. Yes there are the expensive swing out arms etc, but then we’d have to get rid of our tow bar.

We’ve had to stick with our Thule rack, and have to remove it to access the rear of the van.

Some of the swing out ones re use your tow ball on it , you then fit a tow ball bike rack on to it . Having said that not researched it to confirm you can actually tow something with it if that’s why you want to retain the tow ball .

 

[Sapper520]

Some of the swing out ones re use your tow ball on it , you then fit a tow ball bike rack on to it . Having said that not researched it to confirm you can actually tow something with it if that’s why you want to retain the tow ball .

Detachable tow hooks don’t usually have any adjustment on their bracket. Traditional tow hook brackets can be lowered and padded out using spacers, which then gives you enough clearance to be able to use several different bike racks on the market, and be able to open your barn doors.

I no longer have a van anyway.

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