NJF
Member Since: 05 Oct 2007
Location: Gone
Posts: 2466
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SPOTTER wrote: I have already had a response from Max on a bank holiday weekend
Hi, SPOTTER,
What did Max do? TBH, the maxxraxx solution is still my preferred option but there's some strong praise for Thule in this thread, and I can buy that tomorrow. Are you happy with Max's remedy?
Thanks,
NJF
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 30th May 2008 8:39 pm |
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nosweat
Member Since: 14 Nov 2007
Location: Devon,UK
Posts: 72
 
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Some feedback on the Thule.
I ended up with the Thule 9403 from Halfords for £100 (£50 off RRP) based on Heapsters comments and it is a good well made bit of kit. Slightly heavy as it is steel and as Heapster said, it does take a few minutes to load as it works on straps to hold the bikes on rather than clamps which the £250+ models use.
It does hold well on the tow bar - there is some side to side movement if you grab it and swing on it (which you wouldn't do!), but no vertical give at all so it is definitely secure.
I bought it for two main reasons over the Maxxraxx. 1. It is a lot cheaper at £100 on offer. 2. It doesn't require any specialist fitting so goes on and off when I need it which will be infrequently.
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| 31st May 2008 12:40 am |
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andym
Member Since: 16 Jun 2005
Location: london
Posts: 211
 
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I had mine fitted by maxx. I have to say it did come loose although I spotted the movement when washing the car and so was re fitted by myself !! What is there to stop it coming loose over time. If it does should I tighten it myself ?
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| 31st May 2008 6:55 am |
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MX
Member Since: 04 Mar 2006
Location: Capital of Culture
Posts: 439
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I had mine fitted by Max and it was perfect for about 2 years - either towing or not and with up to 5 bikes on it.........
Its sad to see that there are problems with some fitters, but great to see the attention to quality from Max has not changed. That is rare these days. D3 05 SE (old one)
RRS 08 SE (new one)
formerly mxgeldar7
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| 31st May 2008 8:26 am |
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wiggs
Member Since: 03 Sep 2006
Location: Manchester
Posts: 14372
 
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What about these http://www.bak-rak.com/ ..they do an adapter to convert the detachable towbar to accept bike racks.
It a very secure mount ..no movement ..i use one of there mounts for mounting a vice on my towbar and its a quality design (look for SWAN-NECK ADAPTER) G4 Gone ...but not forgotten
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| 31st May 2008 9:30 am |
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SPOTTER
Member Since: 06 Dec 2006
Location: Adrift........
Posts: 3095
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Reporting back...
Max came down yesterday and re-fitted mine and two others correctly. looks much better and I can actually tow at the same time now!!!! Nice bloke as well 
The whole issue was the fitters and not the rack. looking forward to trying it. In response to Andym it shouldn't come lose if it was installed correctly and Max stated when asked that it would not need retorquing after its fitment. end of an era ....... maybe a Defender when it appears.......
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| 31st May 2008 6:58 pm |
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NJF
Member Since: 05 Oct 2007
Location: Gone
Posts: 2466
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It does sound like Max cares about customer service. Does it now look like the photo on Max's website? And - the critical question - would you buy a maxxraxx again or recommend it to your granny?
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| 31st May 2008 7:17 pm |
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SPOTTER
Member Since: 06 Dec 2006
Location: Adrift........
Posts: 3095
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Hi NJF
yes it no looks like the website photo. It sits further from the ball as well. So far so good.
So yes as long as Max fits it
.....seem to have lost the cover for my electrical plugs on the back bumper though, how can that fall off!!!!!!!???  end of an era ....... maybe a Defender when it appears.......
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| 1st Jun 2008 11:17 am |
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simon
Member Since: 11 Jan 2005
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 18296
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nosweat wrote:Some feedback on the Thule.
I ended up with the Thule 9403 from Halfords...
Same here. Works very well on the removable tow bar but you do have to tighten it VERY tight to stop it swinging.
With three bikes on they [bikes] do foul the rear wiper though unless you mount them carefully.
Only real issue is with the 2008MY D3 (XS) as you now cannot disable the park sensor to stop the annoying beeeeep.
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| 1st Jun 2008 1:59 pm |
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JF Lux
Member Since: 08 Sep 2007
Location: A little country in Europe
Posts: 3522
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@NJF - let me know if you want to to look at the Maxxraxx before you decide. I have the 5 bike version and I can show you how it all sets up and looks when full of bikes.
JF
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| 1st Jun 2008 5:41 pm |
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8754WX
Member Since: 21 May 2008
Location: Billingham
Posts: 86
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used mine with 4 bikes on and never had a problem, you are supposed to recheck the torque of the bolts but looks like poor fitment 
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| 4th Jun 2008 1:29 pm |
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NJF
Member Since: 05 Oct 2007
Location: Gone
Posts: 2466
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JF,
PM sent.
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| 4th Jun 2008 8:10 pm |
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SPOTTER
Member Since: 06 Dec 2006
Location: Adrift........
Posts: 3095
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Back after extensive trip with rack on the back. No problem with the rack and pretty OK to use.
However it does move with ethe play in tthe removeable towbar, and it is a bit canted over to one side on the towbar as well, so the bikes don't fit completely behind the car. (the grub screw needs anew locating hole to allow repositioning of the plate on that side of the towbar)
No qualms about using as often as possible from now on though
 Bikes get a bit grubby behind a D3 don't they? end of an era ....... maybe a Defender when it appears.......
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| 30th Jun 2008 7:23 am |
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blueanchorinn
D3 Decade
Member Since: 07 Mar 2006
Location: In a pub in Devon
Posts: 973
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I fitted mine over 3 years ago and whilst I have changed D3 I kept the towbar and have had no problems, carried up to 5 bikes and been all over Europe as well as short day trips Pot Noodle Challenge Winner 2011
I refuse to have a battle of wits with an unarmed person
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| 30th Jun 2008 11:16 am |
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kirky1966
Member Since: 27 Jul 2010
Location: Burton
Posts: 7
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Hi there I am also having problems fitting my Maxxraxx to my detachable tow bar. You dont by any chance have the instructions?
Thanks Kirky - Buckingham blue HSE
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| 31st Jul 2010 10:13 pm |
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