Member Since: 25 Oct 2010
Location: Blackpool
Posts: 95
Towing a Caravan and carriering 4 bikes......
Help please
Have a Dicso 3 & a caravan - looking to take 4 bikes away on holiday - does anyone know of a system that will allow me to tow the caravan and have the bikes on the back with an ALCO hitch lock. Spoken to LR dealer - they say LR system doesn't work with that specific type of hitch lock - this true??
many thanks in advance......
30th Jan 2011 2:16 pm
8754WX
Member Since: 21 May 2008
Location: Billingham
Posts: 86
bike rack
I think the Land Rover carrier if used with a fixed tow bar (multi height) the alko fouls the carrier, i use a Maxraxx cycle carrier and had good results with this type of carrier, they offer an adapter to fit the quick release tow bar and also the bolt on type tow bar as on the multi height tow bar.
30th Jan 2011 2:34 pm
character
Member Since: 01 Jan 2008
Location: wiltshire
Posts: 5781
plus of course you've got the issue of possibly being overweight on the rear axle of yer d3 which is illegal
30th Jan 2011 3:24 pm
Nasher
Member Since: 07 Mar 2009
Location: Clanfield, North of Pompey - UK
Posts: 2686
Can you not just put the bikes in the van for the journey.
Not being a Tin Tenter, I've often wondered why cars towing caravans often have bikes on the roof rather than in the van.
Whats the story?
Nasher.Heaven doesn't want me, and hell is afraid I'll take over.
30th Jan 2011 7:18 pm
SHARKYSHARKS
Member Since: 20 Dec 2008
Location: Saddleworth Oldham
Posts: 1954
Put a trailer behind ya tin tent !!!
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30th Jan 2011 7:21 pm
Discoed
Member Since: 16 Jun 2010
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 1020
Put 'em in the van - we do - its the best way
30th Jan 2011 7:23 pm
mick
Member Since: 21 Jan 2007
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 2049
I used a maxxraxx with no issues
30th Jan 2011 8:32 pm
johnboy3
Member Since: 24 Oct 2010
Location: northamptonshire
Posts: 190
Just put on the roof bars
30th Jan 2011 9:13 pm
Dave
Member Since: 08 Mar 2006
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 2462
I use a maxxrax no probs too.
Ref putting them inside, there is a lot of potential for damage.Captain Nick Medhurst would ask:
"What is the first rule when overlanding?"
I would Reply:
"Duratrac"
30th Jan 2011 9:51 pm
djcleckie
Member Since: 08 Feb 2010
Location: Highlands
Posts: 189
Hi
I have just researched this and went for the Thule 9705.
Good points ''
Well made and looks strong enough for 4 bikes but I have only used with 2
Fixes onto a fixed towbar so you can tow as well
Can be hinged backwards to allow rear door to open with bikes attached but probably not with a caravan on as it would touch the caravan's "A" bracket.
Bad point ''
With a fixed towbar the departure angle is poor. However the Thule 9705 has a fixed bracket that protrudes well below the fixed tow bar a poor departure angle is made MUCH worse! The fixed bracket is pernament and not easy to remove off-road.
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However it is possible to re-drill the plate so that it fits higher.
But then the bar at the bottom of the bike carrier fouls the bottomof the tow ball and will not fit under it.
I replaced the bar with a couple of nuts and bolts at the bottom and drilled and fitted the bar further up.
Seems to work fine.
Dave2005 SE Manual Cairns Blue
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Series 2 - long gone
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Disco1 believe its still going as a farm vehicle in France.
31st Jan 2011 12:39 am
character
Member Since: 01 Jan 2008
Location: wiltshire
Posts: 5781
problem I can see is threefold:
1) the tow ball seems not to be rated to 3500kg or is the sticker in the wrong place
2) The tow ball should take c.25% of the weight of the towing vehicle, you've now gone and added the weight of a rack and 4 bikes
3) The max gross rear axle weight of yer D3 (displayed on the plate in the engine bay) will no doubt have been exceeded when you consider luggage/passengers/loaded tintent/rack & bikes
Net effect....... you're illegal on weight, the braking efficency of yer D3 is severely impaired and you're not going to stop in an emergency situtation...... cant wait to see what plod will say to yer at the roadside - hope you're not going in to europe
31st Jan 2011 9:59 am
discoteca
Member Since: 08 Mar 2010
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 1477
Its easy, front wheel of bike off, rotate handlebars so inline with frame, bike and wheel in bag, then stick em in the van - job done - no potental for damage to van or bike, bikes transported very safely.
Some cheaper bike bags require the pedals to be removed but the better ones don't. I've never understood why when you are towing a great big empty box around anyone would want to go through the hassle of putting the bikes on the roof/towbar/boot rack - just my personal view of course..........
When you get to the site just store the bike bags under the van.
31st Jan 2011 10:30 am
Ted Newman
Member Since: 09 Oct 2010
Location: SE London
Posts: 840
Nasher wrote:
Can you not just put the bikes in the van for the journey.
Not being a Tin Tenter, I've often wondered why cars towing caravans often have bikes on the roof rather than in the van.
Whats the story?
Nasher.
Would you store bikes in your living room at home ? We certainly would not so we use a tow bar mounted rack that enables us to tow the van and carry the bikes. As others have said if you have the detachable bar then Maxxraxx (not cheap) do one specially for the Disco.
The idea of putting them in bags and in the van is fine BUT if (like us) you actually go touring with your van then they are getting the way and a right palaver every time you stop.
And if you are worried about weight distribution then use a roof rack - bit awkward to get at though.LR Discovery 4 XS pulling an Airstream 532 Caravan also own (since new) a 1996 MGF
Last time I spoke to Maxraxx they didn'y do a foot for the swan neck that would clear the ALKO hitchPot Noodle Challenge Winner 2011
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31st Jan 2011 11:19 am
al cope
Member Since: 08 Nov 2005
Location: Oldbury, WM
Posts: 10299
I've got a witter rack on the fixed towbar, which takes 4 bikes, and the 'van has an alko hitch. As long as you keep and eye on the noseweight (as a decent bikes weighs 15kg each), you should be OK.
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