Member Since: 13 Jan 2013
Location: Bedfordshire
Posts: 235
Roof Top Bicycle Racks on Discovery 4
Well I have ordered my D4 and awaiting delivery end of March.
I have ordered my new Caravan and that will arrive in April.
I want to be able to carry 3 bicycles when we go touring with the caravan. I can not install a bike rack on the caravan because it will not take the weight. I tried look at install a rack that is available that you fit between the caravan hitch and tow bar but this increases the nose weight and so this will not work.
The only other option is to carry the bikes on the roof of the car. My concern is:
1) how safe is carrying bikes on a Disco 4?
2) is it simple or difficult to load the bikes on the roof?
3) Am I likey to scratch the car when loading or taking down bikes?
Any suggestions or recommendations will be much appreciated.
15th Mar 2013 1:05 pm
Russell
Member Since: 24 Aug 2007
Location: Kent
Posts: 10564
I have carried 4 bikes on the roof of the D3 and D4. It is doable and no issues once up there, however it is not the easiest of things to load and unload. I use the caravan step to get a little extra height but that may not suit all.MY17 D5 1st Edition Namib Orange
MY15 D4 HSE Kaikoura Stone
MY12 D4 HSE Nara Bronze Sold and gone
MY11 D4 HSE Stornaway Grey Sold and gone
D3 S spec Silver Sold and gone
Tow bar, full length roof bars, side steps, tow bar storage unit, surround camers.
D4 camera club
quite often have 2 on the roof using thule 591 bike carrier and LR bars
light bikes and a small step ladder would helpD4 2010 HSE Santorini Black
D3 2005 SE Java Black - p/x to D4
D2 2001 GS - p/x to D3
D1 1998 - p/x to D2
15th Mar 2013 1:34 pm
Gabbo
Member Since: 26 Feb 2013
Location: Nottingham
Posts: 227
Has anyone triee the thule slide bars?D4 Fuji White HSE with Black Pack, TV, RSE, Tow Pack, Side Steps & Heated Steering Wheel
15th Mar 2013 8:04 pm
BarryC
Member Since: 15 Feb 2012
Location: NE England
Posts: 42
I have the sliding bars , never used for bikes yet but does make the roof box easier . They are well built and easy to use and think they will make bike loading a lot easier when I get to it.
15th Mar 2013 8:45 pm
Gabbo
Member Since: 26 Feb 2013
Location: Nottingham
Posts: 227
BarryC wrote:
I have the sliding bars , never used for bikes yet but does make the roof box easier . They are well built and easy to use and think they will make bike loading a lot easier when I get to it.
Brill thanksD4 Fuji White HSE with Black Pack, TV, RSE, Tow Pack, Side Steps & Heated Steering Wheel
15th Mar 2013 9:06 pm
crews control
Member Since: 18 Mar 2007
Location: Dorset
Posts: 5011
I regularly use 2 x thule 591 bike carriers on LR bars. Once I perfected parking next to a kerb, in access mode, and a small fold-up step, it's easy!
(also easy to forget just how high your car is though)
16th Mar 2013 1:13 am
xyplex
Member Since: 13 Jan 2013
Location: Bedfordshire
Posts: 235
Went to the dealer over the weekend and he says that LR does not sell roof bike carriers as the Disco is very high. He says the way to load bikes on the roof using a third party product is to lower the car to its maximum and use a small step ladder that is well protected with pipe lagging so not to scratch the car.
So my question is now does the Thule 591 bike carriers slide across on the roof bars?
18th Mar 2013 1:40 pm
Gabbo
Member Since: 26 Feb 2013
Location: Nottingham
Posts: 227
xyplex wrote:
Went to the dealer over the weekend and he says that LR does not sell roof bike carriers as the Disco is very high. He says the way to load bikes on the roof using a third party product is to lower the car to its maximum and use a small step ladder that is well protected with pipe lagging so not to scratch the car.
So my question is now does the Thule 591 bike carriers slide across on the roof bars?
apparently they do work on thule slide bars not sure they firt a Disco thoD4 Fuji White HSE with Black Pack, TV, RSE, Tow Pack, Side Steps & Heated Steering Wheel
18th Mar 2013 2:33 pm
stick
Member Since: 13 Jan 2010
Location: hants
Posts: 592
I have a £12 plastic folding garden step and have no problem putting 4 bikes on the roof on standard thule racks. Takes no time at all. Would be harder for SWMBO.d4 HSE
18th Mar 2013 2:40 pm
xyplex
Member Since: 13 Jan 2013
Location: Bedfordshire
Posts: 235
stick wrote:
I have a £12 plastic folding garden step and have no problem putting 4 bikes on the roof on standard thule racks. Takes no time at all. Would be harder for SWMBO.
In my case it would be more difficult with SWMBO
18th Mar 2013 4:03 pm
CDS Site Sponsor
Member Since: 12 Oct 2009
Location: All over the UK!
Posts: 3324
Here you go:
A Tail Gate Ladder would help to get up there!
Discovery 3/4 & RRS keys cut and programmed at your home or work
Apple CarPlay/ Android Auto retro fit - see it here
BAS Remaps/ EGR Blanking
Software updates/ enabling
Mobile Servicing & Repairs
18th Mar 2013 5:46 pm
xyplex
Member Since: 13 Jan 2013
Location: Bedfordshire
Posts: 235
Perfect.
Nice Caravan also.
Do the fuel consumption increase with the bikes on the roof?
18th Mar 2013 7:56 pm
emmab
Member Since: 12 May 2012
Location: UK
Posts: 25
this is not going to help with your original post but..... i am after the best rig to carry 4 mountain bikes on the back tow bar. In the US i see that Thule do a nice hitch attach system but nothing that good for tow bar mount. Any ideas
tks
18th Mar 2013 8:05 pm
mikewest
Member Since: 27 Jan 2010
Location: Malmesbury
Posts: 31
Emmab. Thule and atera both do bike racks that connect to just the towball, 2, 3 and 3 +1 options. Both tilt with bikes attached so you can access the boot. I use one regularly with 3 bikes and very stable at motorway speeds.MY13 D4 HSE Luxury, Baltic Blue, Tow Pack, Side Steps, Mud Flaps
Gone now...MY10 D4 HSE; Santorini Black, Ebony Leather, Privacy Glass, Adaptive Xenons, Tow Pack, Side Steps, Mud Flaps
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
