Message Forums

Personally I have put all our bikes on the roof to spread the weight across the whole car leaving me with the full 75kgs nose weight.

For three bikes I reckon it would cost you about £100 for foot pack and bars and then £120 for 3 thule bike racks. I bought mine on the internet rather than the obvious high street option and saved about £50!

Hi

the max nose weight is just a guide .Its the car manufacturers being on the cautious side.I have carried 3 bike on the tow bar and towed a T/T with no problem no snaking and no swaying. Drive carefully and not like Michael schumacher and you will be alright.Other people on here will disagree with me but it is up to you in the end and you know your own driving capabilities.If you are not sure use a snake master as this will help.

I hope this helps a bit.

Reducing noseweight is not sensible.  The bikes would be better on top of the trailer.

Jim

Quote: Originally posted by gary1 on 20/5/2009

---

Hi

the max nose weight is just a guide .Its the car manufacturers being on the cautious side.I have carried 3 bike on the tow bar and towed a T/T with no problem no snaking and no swaying. Drive carefully and not like Michael schumacher and you will be alright.Other people on here will disagree with me but it is up to you in the end and you know your own driving capabilities.If you are not sure use a snake master as this will help.

I hope this helps a bit.

---

My understanding is that if you exceed the stated noseweight of the car manufacturer (in any combination) then the vehicle is technically 'overloaded'. Whilst you may feel it is not affecting stability etc. in the event of being stopped by VOSA, or worse having an accident, then they could rule that since the vehicle is 'overloaded' you are also driving therefore without insurance, not a risk I'd take to be honest. I suspect however that the nose wieight of a trailer tent is probably in the region of about 30kg, so even with bikes on the back you will be within the permissible weight of some cars.

Quote: Originally posted by gary1 on 20/5/2009

---

Hi

the max nose weight is just a guide .Its the car manufacturers being on the cautious side.I have carried 3 bike on the tow bar and towed a T/T with no problem no snaking and no swaying. Drive carefully and not like Michael schumacher and you will be alright.Other people on here will disagree with me but it is up to you in the end and you know your own driving capabilities.If you are not sure use a snake master as this will help.

I hope this helps a bit.

---

Certainly do disagree with you if you are overloading your car and driving on same roads as me.

Andy

I believe it is an offence to exceed the noseweight too.  I think in your position I would put them on the trailer or on the car's roof.  I bought our Thule bars online, cheaper than Halfords etc.  Don't forget that cars have a max roof weight too, our Almera is just 50 kg for instance.

Ali

I don't think the max towbar noseweight is solely calculated on the rear axle loading, although obviously it is important.

The towbar and its fittings have been designed with a maximum weight limit in mind, and this really can't be exceeded. You really can't compensate for noseweight be adding heavy items at the rear.  It's normally a bad idea to have weight at the extremities, as it increases the pendulum effect.

As I said before, the best and safest way is to put the bikes on top of the trailer.

Jim

Quote: Originally posted by fratts on 20/5/2009

---

I think, since I will be in France (and I have heard that they are very hot on bike carriers etc etc)

---

The max ball weight should never be exceeded. Not only is an offence in its own right (unsafe vehicle etc) but you will also benot insured

Put the bikes on the roof of the car where they are out of the way of theives albeit it increases the car height.

Quote: Originally posted by Greendemon315 on 20/5/2009

---

I don't think the max towbar noseweight is solely calculated on the rear axle loading, although obviously it is important.

The towbar and its fittings have been designed with a maximum weight limit in mind, and this really can't be exceeded. You really can't compensate for noseweight be adding heavy items at the rear.  It's normally a bad idea to have weight at the extremities, as it increases the pendulum effect.

As I said before, the best and safest way is to put the bikes on top of the trailer.

Jim

---