What's the whisper on towbar fitted cycle racks

Jez

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Hello world! Just been out to look at a second hand a class beastie. Burstner Elegance <someNumber.. 69 something> . It's nice and we are now huddled around tables discussing it as a potential purchase. It doesn't fit every bill though. Liked the double skin floor thingy which means no garage thus more internal space. Big thing was the missing cycle rack though. Did have a towbar fitted though. Salesman chappie suggested standard bike rack landing on the tow bar. Sounded like a good idea but not seen them. Are they a semi-permanent fitting? He also suggested that it would give more scope for banging on something more substantial to carry a small motorbike to go trundling around on which I hadn't thought about but might be fun in later years.

Would be interested (as we sit clutching our virtual coffee cups to keep warm) what the views of the forum are on these tow bar fitted cycle racks and how practical they are. I've seen them on cars but they strike me as nickable unless you keep it glued/bolted to the camper van and then does it stick out like a sore thumb? Does it knacker your overall length when you want to go to la belle france on the train or do they not really care?

Looking forward to your comments! :)
 
Hi, two different types for the tow bar - 1. Two bars that sit in slots and you hang the bike on them (Pendle engineering brilliant) there small and easy to put away when not in use but only take cycles I do have one 2. Platform style where you stand the bike on them, much bigger and cannot put away unless you have a garage. I also have a platform style but to carry a 150cc scooter which will obviously carry 3/4 cycles when not carrying the scooter. Both great but have different uses.

Also you must have a sq warning sign on the back in France even if you have nothing on it. Both great both but ones big and ones small it's depends what you want.
 
Google Image Result for http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/images/products/xtra/20660.jpg

I've had one of these now for four years. It's a very handy 2 bike carrier which clamps on to your towbar with a scissor action. It will be helpful if you have a back window to thread the secondary supporting straps through. Easily removable and very solid, it cost me £45
Piccies 2012 250.jpg

Warning! Dartmoor ponies can be very partial to this particular make!
 
never been on the ferry with mine so I can't comment on that, if it's just for pushbikes I prefer the type that bolt inbetween the towball & flange rather than sit on the ball, I just think, rightly or wrongly they are more secure. The bolt on type are easily removable just leaving a barely noticable bracket on the tow frame & fold away very small, ours just get strapped into the gas locker. It takes 2 -3 minutes for us to remove or fit the rack.
 

I beenthinking about this as well

I think re secruity it depends on the bicycle

if it was less than say 100 pound i would have no probs leaing fulltime on the rack u can always chain it to sumthing to, just make sure u chain it threw the wheels of the bike too esp if you have quick relase wheels.

anything more than 100 pound i would prob not unless i was in the vehicle all the time, thiefs know at a glance the value of bicycles.

i have the same prob with my landrover i carnt keep them inside but i have two bikes my road racer biycle and a mountain bike both are worth bout 400 each so i dont fancy leaving them out

ive thought of sum sort of box where i can just slide them in a lock them in,
 
during the night or when I'm away from the van the bikes go in the cab area with the wheels removed, they're out of site behind the blinds, I did have a £2k mountain bike stolen off the back of my car last year, I thought it was safe chained onto the rack & the tow frame with a very expensive chain, but the scum knew they could cut through the tow frame, they took the bike, the rack & cut a section out of the tow frame. If they want it all you can do is slow them down.
 
We had one on our Discovery 3, that bolted in between tow bar and motor, will be looking to put it on our 130 defender camper, it folded down with bike on so that you could open tailgate, will try and find a photo.
Think it was Maxx rack, will check.

If you look on our web site click on photos then Landy Rally their is a photo, number 3 which shows it lowered with tailgate open.
 
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I presume this is only for a gents cycle.
Therefore does anyone have any recomendations for a 2 bike rack attached to tow ball with support under wheels.
Also looking for a tow bar fitter in Teesside area.
 
you can buy false crossbars for ladies & kids bikes, but to be honest, with a bit of wangling the wifes & daughters bikes fitted fine. Friend has one of these THULE 9503 - Ride on - 3 x Bike rack - On the tow ball carrier | eBay but to be honest I don't like the fact that they hang so far back from the towbar, I'm just knocking up an enclosed trailer for the bikes, so they're nice & secure, we're coming up to the time of year when the toerags know that people are out in the forest, tracks etc on there bikes, so they're on the lookout. When mine was stolen the police told me they thieves keep an eye out for bike racks fitted to cars in well known holiday & biking locations & follow them to see where the bikes are, the more expensive the rack, the more they single you out, expensive rack = expensive bike. Hence a small trailer, out of site etc.
 
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