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Subject Topic: Adding a tow bar to a trailer tent Post Reply Post New Topic
23/4/2012 at 7:27pm
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Hi all,

We've just bought a Raclet Quickstop which we should be receiving soon, and now I'm looking for some advice to my bike carrying problem.

When towing the TT I'd like to bring along a couple of bikes, one of which is a heavy electric bike (25kg). It's far to heavy to put on the roof of the car or on top of the TT (I'd never be able to lift it up).

Currently we have a fantastic Thule bike rack that's designed for heavy bikes. It attaches to the tow bar of the car. Obviously though I can't use both at the same time.

I'd wondering if it would be possible to add a tow ball to the back of the Quickstop in order to continue using our existing bike rack. The great advantage here is that once the tent is set up we can then put the bike rack on the car to go off biking. I don't suppose anyone here has ever tried such a thing?

Is it feasible?
Is the trailer chassis strong enough?
Would the extra weight at the back be a problem?

Thanks,

Tim


23/4/2012 at 8:16pm
 Location: Sunny Suffolk (West)
 Outfit: inflatable dome Palamos6 frame tent
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you can get a bike carrier that attaches to the bolts on your towbar so you can still tow the TT, much cheaper than custom fitting a towbar to attach a towball mounted bike carrier.


23/4/2012 at 8:21pm
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Hi,

Unfortunately I can't. I have a "swan neck" tow ball so I can't take it off to insert another piece.

Also, buying another bike carrier would be an expense in it's own right, and the one I have is perfect for my needs:

http://www.thule.com/en/FR/Products/Bike-Carriers/Towbar/Thule-EuroPower-916

Custom fitting the town bar, if it's possible, won't cost me much - I have friends with welding equipment....


23/4/2012 at 8:57pm
 Location: Stockport
 Outfit: Venus and Cmax 2.0D
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Before you decide if it can be done, it may be an idea to see how it tows with a weight on the back. Some Pennines had a bike rack that rested on the rear bed support,so it's not a new idea, but they would have been heavier than a qstop so maybe more stable?


23/4/2012 at 9:15pm
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Yes, that's my main concern...


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23/4/2012 at 9:22pm
 Location: Stockport
 Outfit: Venus and Cmax 2.0D
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So,if we see a Qstop with a bag of sand on the back,that will be you on a test run


23/4/2012 at 9:55pm
 Location: Kent
 Outfit: Conway cruiser and 4m Bell tent
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Sorry to interrupt, but does ur Quickstop have guyrope points on the main cabin? Ours doesn't and I wondered if it's a fault or normal.

Thanks



23/4/2012 at 10:11pm
 Location: Northern Ireland
 Outfit: Sterckeman Alize Concept CP480
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This is what we do ... scroll down to pic:
http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/chatter/display_topic_threads.asp?ForumID=6&TopicID=268678&PagePosition=1&ThreadPage=2&ReturnPage=Search&search=&searchIn=
MaxxRaxx on the swan neck tow bar for two bikes, then one on rear of camper.
You may be able to adapt this idea?


24/4/2012 at 9:09am
 Location: flint north wales
 Outfit: swift challenger 480se 2002
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surely if its a heavy bike it will alter the balance /noseweight of the trailer and if yours is a lightweight trailer already it will exerberate the problem and not only be illegal but dangerous to .
   the only thing i can think of that may help is a channel to take the bike welded across the A frame ,that will push your nose weight down but packing the trailer differently i.e weight at rear could balance it out


24/4/2012 at 9:17am
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Quote: Originally posted by the black fox on 24/4/2012
surely if its a heavy bike it will alter the balance /noseweight of the trailer and if yours is a lightweight trailer already it will exerberate the problem and not only be illegal but dangerous to .


That's really the thrust of my question. The point is I really don't know by how much the added weight will cause such issues. Will the added weight have relatively little consequence on the handling, or will it be dangerous?

I was just hoping that someone here had already tried to add bikes to the back of a small trailer :)

Quote:    the only thing i can think of that may help is a channel to take the bike welded across the A frame ,that will push your nose weight down but packing the trailer differently i.e weight at rear could balance it out


I had seen a picture of a trailer tent with a bike rack on the A frame (taking up the place of the luggage box). I've no idea what bike frame they manager to fit.

Currently I don't know the nose weigh of the quickstep, but I suspect that the trailer's own nose weight + rack + bikes will be too much. Counter balancing with weight at the back sounds a bit iffy to me.

Not only that, but my turning circle will be significantly reduced.

Looks like no bikes for me :(


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24/4/2012 at 10:01am
 Location: devon
 Outfit: fc plus 2 many tents
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hi

i have fitted a plate to the rear of mine,to do just what you want to do.my bike rack clips into a frame which is mounted behind the towball.so i welded a frame to the fc to take another one of the plates.

i can carry 4 bikes on the back,and still get a good nose weight,but i had to remove our wardrobe so i could get weight down low inside the camper.



-------------
tony
that was a lovely summer


24/4/2012 at 10:03am
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Quote: Originally posted by wongers on 24/4/2012

hi

i have fitted a plate to the rear of mine,to do just what you want to do.my bike rack clips into a frame which is mounted behind the towball.so i welded a frame to the fc to take another one of the plates.

i can carry 4 bikes on the back,and still get a good nose weight,but i had to remove our wardrobe so i could get weight down low inside the camper.




Thanks for that info.

What's the weight of your trailer without the bikes? Is it as light as a Quickstop?


24/4/2012 at 6:33pm
 Location: flint north wales
 Outfit: swift challenger 480se 2002
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its not putting a bike on a rack at the rear thats the problem in this case ,if you read the original question ,its the fact the the bike before putting a rack on weighs 25kg ,as i said before that amount of weight on a small lightweight trailer i.e the raclet quickstop WILL affect the stability of the unit



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