Home

   Log in or Register



Insurance Quotes
forums Campsite Search Comp Directory tips virtual brochure Profile
Tent and Awning Reviews Competitions Caravans and Motorhomes For Sale Shopping Diary Contact Us

Advertisement

Message Forums

Welcome Guest Register Login Search The Forum Posts Since Last Visit
 Reception - All Forums
   Caravans and Caravanning -  Caravan Towcars and Towing Advice
Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email  Printer Friendly Version Print
Subject Topic: Bike racks clamped to towballs Post Reply Post New Topic
03/9/2007 at 2:29pm
 Location: Essex
 Outfit: Cabanon Athena
View johne's Profile View Profile   Reply to johne Reply   Quote johne Quote  
Joined: 28/10/2002

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   36

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

We've got a 4-bike Thule rack that clamps to the tow ball and as the children's bikes get bigger it causes me to wonder if the tow ball and tow bar are designed to take a cantilevered load like that. I'd like to think that Thule being a well known and respected company and so have looked into this sort of thing, but how could they have checked all possible tow bars on all cars?

 



-------------
All the best,

John.


03/9/2007 at 3:01pm
 Location: Hants
 Outfit: Elddis Avante
View Mike Collier's Profile View Profile   Reply to Mike Collier Reply   Quote Mike Collier Quote  
Joined: 27/12/2004

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   774

Site Reviews Total: 4
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

It comes down to the maximum nose-weight permitted on the tow bar for each specific car.

So you need to be aware of how much the bicycles plus rack weigh and ensure that you do not exceed the nose weight limit for that vehicle.

 

Miek



03/9/2007 at 4:01pm
 Location: Essex
 Outfit: Cabanon Athena
View johne's Profile View Profile   Reply to johne Reply   Quote johne Quote  
Joined: 28/10/2002

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   36

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

I'm within the nose weight limit, but what causes me to wonder is the different way a bike rack and a tow hitch load the tow ball and bar. A clamped rack will impart a bending moment to the tow ball, whereas a hitch will only impart a force (mostly vertically down) and is not able to impart a moment to the ball.

-------------
All the best,

John.


03/9/2007 at 4:25pm
 Location: North Essex
 Outfit: Caravelair Alba 400
View billy's Profile View Profile   Reply to billy Reply   Quote billy Quote  
Joined: 19/4/2002

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   4360

Site Reviews Total: 39
Site Reviews 2024: 9  
Site Reviews 2023: 6  
Site Reviews 2022: 7  
Site Reviews 2021: 10 
Site Reviews 2020: 7  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 121
Site Nights 2023: 45
Site Nights 2022: 91
Site Nights 2021: 112
Site Nights 2020: 84
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

I think the forces imposed on the towbar towing a caravan at speed & bumping over potholes is probably greater than a loaded bike rack--I take your point about backward bending but a towbar is a totally ridgid structure-theres no flex in it--4 bike racks are very popular in Germany & they are very safety concious about stuff like that so I think yoove no worries--

-------------
Every day should be a holiday!



In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev       Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Caravan Towcars and Towing Advice - Top of Page

Printer Friendly Version Printable version      Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email


Latest News, Discounts and Competitions  see all...














5035 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker  -  Recommend to Friend  -  Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums]  [Caravan Sites & Camping]  [Company Listings]  [Features / Advice]  [Virtual Brochure]  [Shop!]
[Reception]  [Competitions]  [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale]  [Event Diary]  [Contact Us]  [Tent Reviews



Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024


Advertisement



Advertisement



Advertisement