Member Since: 28 Aug 2014
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 4537
Carrying bikes and towing a caravan
Just seen MikeT's wanted ad for a Thule bike rack, got me thinking.
What do people use for carrying perhaps 3 bikes, and towing a caravan at the same time?
Towbar mounted rack over the top, or roof mounted perhaps? Ideas please. Richard
D3 SE 2007. Triumph 2.5Pi 1973. Ferguson TEA20 1948.
Discovery 2 4.0 ES 2001- Gone
Discovery 1 300Tdi ES '95 - Gone
Range Rover Classic '79 - Gone
That's what the Expedition Rack was made for . . . . !A vaccine does not stop you catching a virus, or passing it on, or getting ill from it, really ill. It does reduce the likelyhood of you dying when really, really ill. Stay Alive - KEEP AWAY FROM PEOPLE.
9th Jan 2022 5:32 pm
al cope
Member Since: 08 Nov 2005
Location: Oldbury, WM
Posts: 10360
Witter 4 bike tow bar mounted rack for me. Bikes sit between car and caravan so doesn’t affect overall length or height.
Ok you have to keep an eye on noseweights as things like mountain bikes can be heavy but I never had any problems.
Here is a very old pic of my first D3 and the ‘van we had at the time, and you can see the bikes in between
Click image to enlarge
And here is the rack off the car
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9th Jan 2022 5:36 pm
MorganD379
Member Since: 29 Sep 2016
Location: SA62 3PP
Posts: 425
I had the towbar mounted version on my pathfinder many years ago, but changed the caravan about three years ago and it had inbuilt mounting for a rack so added this
9th Jan 2022 6:07 pm
J@mes
Member Since: 10 Nov 2008
Location: Bomber County
Posts: 4547
Maxxraxx with the caravan extension fitting.
Carries 4 adult bikes (although we only carry 2 adults and 2 children's) and had a hinge so you can drop it down to get in the boot, although not with the caravan attached!
We prefer this to the caravan mounted options as it means you can take your bikes out with you easily on days out when away camping.
Although I think the van mounted ones as probably less hassle!2014 D4 XS
2005 D3 SE - Gone
9th Jan 2022 7:26 pm
Justme
Member Since: 09 Aug 2015
Location: Pwllheli North Wales
Posts: 104
MorganD379 wrote:
I had the towbar mounted version on my pathfinder many years ago, but changed the caravan about three years ago and it had inbuilt mounting for a rack so added this
You do have to watch out with the rear racks. If you have a caravan that is already at the max UK length limit adding a rear rack takes it over that as its counted in the length.
They can also have an adverse affect on handling if you dont load correctly.
9th Jan 2022 8:36 pm
Leon
Member Since: 26 Apr 2014
Location: Leamington Spa
Posts: 434
+1 for the witter one.
Found a cheap one on the bay, chopped and lengthened the upright post.
The bikes sit well above the jockey wheel handle now.
Can nearly jacknife the caravan and nothing touches.
It would have been fine without lengthening but I just wanted a bit more space.
10th Jan 2022 7:57 pm
rrhool
Member Since: 28 Aug 2014
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 4537
Thanks all. Good ideas. I think I prefer the towbar mounted idea, although I also like the idea of roof mounted.
Last caravan holiday we had a tyre blow out on the van, on the M1. It was stressful enough getting to the tools and jacks in the back of the car, without having to demount bikes as well.
Not sure my caravan has the facility to mount a bike rack on anyway.
I'll give it some more thought. Thanks again.Richard
D3 SE 2007. Triumph 2.5Pi 1973. Ferguson TEA20 1948.
Discovery 2 4.0 ES 2001- Gone
Discovery 1 300Tdi ES '95 - Gone
Range Rover Classic '79 - Gone
When we started caravanning, we just put the bikes inside the van at the front. 4 bikes jammed in quite well with the awning then behind them to stop any back and forth movement. Have since added bars and 2 thule carriers to the roof of the disco so the 2 adult bikes go up top and the kids ones go inside. Works well but it is a tall set up and you do need to think about access to get them up and down. Im keeping my eyes open for another 2 thule carriers to keep all bikes on the roof.
Last edited by swansty on 12th Jan 2022 8:12 am. Edited 1 time in total
11th Jan 2022 3:43 pm
StephenO
Member Since: 15 Feb 2010
Location: Scotland
Posts: 1652
I have this for sale, not sure I’ve you’d get 3 bikes on it.
Member Since: 28 Aug 2014
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 4537
Thanks Stephen, that looks like a sturdy bit of kit. I'll have a think. Richard
D3 SE 2007. Triumph 2.5Pi 1973. Ferguson TEA20 1948.
Discovery 2 4.0 ES 2001- Gone
Discovery 1 300Tdi ES '95 - Gone
Range Rover Classic '79 - Gone
11th Jan 2022 5:41 pm
James W
Member Since: 27 Mar 2008
Location: Riyadh, KSA
Posts: 3079
FWIW I've been through a similar process, at the moment the girls can't go fast or far enough for us to cycle as a family so we just stick their little bikes in the van (we walk alongside when they are riding) and shift them around with everything else when I check and adjust for 98kg noseweight.
Once we start cycling as a four, I will go to a roof-mounted option. Roof bars with a decent 4-bike carrier.. I'd want to keep the back of the car clear as I find I do need to access the boot for stuff when we stop or in an emergency as you already have thought of, Rich. I feel the caravan-mounted option would need weight in the front to offset it and get the noseweight correct so would create a potential see-saw effect with competing weights at two ends (this is based on nothing but my imagination).
I also think it would keep the bikes 'slightly' more out of the way at service stations etc. for security. (i.e. still nickable but slightly harder)
Finally, it means we can transport the bikes whilst away on hols to another area without having to also carry the towbar-mounted platform bike carrier I use when we don't have the caravan on, which is big and heavy.
So this is the way I'll be going in a few years.D4 XS, gone, much loved, never forgotten
2018 FFRR SDV8 Autobiography - Gone to someone with less sense and more time to enjoy it
2016 Toyota Hilux Invincible - Liberating experience
11th Jan 2022 7:02 pm
StephenO
Member Since: 15 Feb 2010
Location: Scotland
Posts: 1652
rrhool wrote:
Thanks Stephen, that looks like a sturdy bit of kit. I'll have a think.
Lol definitely is, weighs around 10kg, genuine LR parts 2016 RR Sport Autobiography
2005 D3 Zambezi Silver
1995 Defender 90 300Tdi Coniston Green
1968 Series 2a SWB Bronze Green
11th Jan 2022 7:18 pm
rrhool
Member Since: 28 Aug 2014
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 4537
James W wrote:
we just stick their little bikes in the van (we walk alongside when they are riding) and shift them around with everything else when I check and adjust for 98kg noseweight.
Once we start cycling as a four, I will go to a roof-mounted option. Roof bars with a decent 4-bike carrier.. I'd want to keep the back of the car clear as I find I do need to access the boot for stuff when we stop or in an emergency as you already have thought of, Rich. I feel the caravan-mounted option would need weight in the front to offset it and get the noseweight correct so would create a potential see-saw effect with competing weights at two ends.
We've done exactly the same, put the kids bikes inside the van. Usually helps with the load balancing!
Put them in between the front seats, leaning against each other, bungeed together, and sling an old blanket over them incase they move and mark the upholstery.
Mrs R and I are both going to have bikes, but only one child will caravan with us this year (the other two are now driving, and doing their own things!) so we'll have 3 full sized bikes. I think they will still go in the van, but we'll still have to transport them around when we are on holiday.
I also think the roof might be the way to go. I'll have to get a wheel step though, as I won't be able to reach them otherwise! Richard
D3 SE 2007. Triumph 2.5Pi 1973. Ferguson TEA20 1948.
Discovery 2 4.0 ES 2001- Gone
Discovery 1 300Tdi ES '95 - Gone
Range Rover Classic '79 - Gone
12th Jan 2022 1:37 pm
rrhool
Member Since: 28 Aug 2014
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 4537
Just picked up this Thule 9503. Obviously not for when I'm towing the van, but I think it'll be useful for local trips to the forest with the kids.
Richard
D3 SE 2007. Triumph 2.5Pi 1973. Ferguson TEA20 1948.
Discovery 2 4.0 ES 2001- Gone
Discovery 1 300Tdi ES '95 - Gone
Range Rover Classic '79 - Gone
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2005 D3 Zambezi Silver
