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Subject Topic: Towball mounted bike rack. Post Reply Post New Topic
21/6/2015 at 12:47am
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Not sure if this is the right section but looking at buying a new bike rack. Towbar mounted. Most seem to just drop on the tow ball and clamp there with a bolt from what I can make out. My first thought is, soon as you hit a pot hole they will bounce and move, or the clamping bolt will score the ball. Are they really firm and secure? Or do they wobble? Trying to fix a solid object on a round surface sounds like a recipe for trouble to me. The only others I have seen have a fixed bracket to the tow bar and the carrier part can be removed, seems a better idea but the carrier part looks a bit flimsy. Shame my old universal rack does not work on my new car.
I'm not worried about towing and carrying bikes, nose weight is not an issue, nor do I want a roof mounted one. Any recommendations?


21/6/2015 at 6:04am
 Location: fife
 Outfit: vw t5 adria isonzo
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i have a 2 bike thule carrier that drops on tow ball.it is secured by a bolt that has a plate inside coupling head that tightens around the ball.once tight it will never move.


21/6/2015 at 7:42am
 Location: Berkshire
 Outfit: Outwell Yosemite Falls +Vango
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Thule express?


21/6/2015 at 9:02am
 Location: Sheffield
 Outfit: Sterling Eccles Sport 636
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We have an Atera Strada which fixes on the tow ball. Really easy to fit and doesn't move or wobble at all.

The only think I would ask is what car you have and how many bikes? If I fit ours to my Audi A4 it makes the rear of the car very bouncy with 4 bikes on. On the x5 you wouldn't know it's there.


21/6/2015 at 11:26am
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The car is a Discovery 3. I have been looking at a Witter two bike carrier, it has built in lights and you can lower it to gain boot acess, just seems a lot of leverage with two bikes on hanging back off the ball. Guess it's one of those things that works when you think it shouldn't!


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21/6/2015 at 1:17pm
 Location: Sheffield
 Outfit: Sterling Eccles Sport 636
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Quote: Originally posted by Phil Ness on 21/6/2015
The car is a Discovery 3. I have been looking at a Witter two bike carrier, it has built in lights and you can lower it to gain boot acess, just seems a lot of leverage with two bikes on hanging back off the ball. Guess it's one of those things that works when you think it shouldn't!



I know what you mean but they are really sturdy. We hang 4 bikes on ours and its rock solid. I guess in comparison to the forces placed on it when towing a large caravan it's probably not that significant.


21/6/2015 at 4:59pm
 Location: West Yorkshire
 Outfit: Icarus 500 tent
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Hi...I've just bought a Thule 970 from Wiggle for £54.
...most places selling it for £69.
I nearly bought a complicated strap on from Halfords but I saw a video for this Thule and I was so impressed I had a towing hitch fitted for £230 just so I could buy this bike rack....brilliant.
.....Mike


21/6/2015 at 11:40pm
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Quote: Originally posted by checkley1973 on 21/6/2015
I guess in comparison to the forces placed on it when towing a large caravan it's probably not that significant.



It's not the force on the tow bar that concerned me, it's more the force on the clamp securing it to the tow ball. I was thinking something clamped to a round surface must be prone to slipping about, especially given the leverage potential but I found some assembly instructions online and the design of the clamp actually looks like the more load on it, the tighter it grips. It looks to utilise the tow ball mount and the neck of the ball for stability,rather than just sit on the ball and cling on!


22/6/2015 at 7:06am
 Location: SHROPSHIRE
 Outfit: Swift Conqueror 560 Shogun tug
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I have a three bike witter that bolts between the tow ball and tow bar. It was always very ridgid and easy to use. I have changed my car so the witter is sitting idle in the garage if you're interested.
F

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No matter where you go....there you are


22/6/2015 at 7:33am
 Location: Sheffield
 Outfit: Sterling Eccles Sport 636
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Quote: Originally posted by Phil Ness on 21/6/2015
Quote: Originally posted by checkley1973 on 21/6/2015 I guess in comparison to the forces placed on it when towing a large caravan it's probably not that significant.



It's not the force on the tow bar that concerned me, it's more the force on the clamp securing it to the tow ball. I was thinking something clamped to a round surface must be prone to slipping about, especially given the leverage potential but I found some assembly instructions online and the design of the clamp actually looks like the more load on it, the tighter it grips. It looks to utilise the tow ball mount and the neck of the ball for stability,rather than just sit on the ball and cling on!



You are correct, the racks hang on the tow bar so the clamp doesn't take the weight load, it's purely there to stop it lifting up or slipping slide ways.


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22/6/2015 at 8:15am
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I have the Witter fitted behind the towball so it can be used with the caravan.
Just returned from a week in Norfolk and it was good to have the bikes.
Can't open the tailgate with it place and hooking up is a bit of a fiddle with the bikes there but that is a small price to pay.


22/6/2015 at 8:57am
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Quote: Originally posted by ferrodo on 22/6/2015
I have a three bike witter that bolts between the tow ball and tow bar. It was always very ridgid and easy to use. I have changed my car so the witter is sitting idle in the garage if you're interested.
F



I could be! I'm looking for the sort that you stand the bike on rather than hang them from the crossbar. Where about in Shropshire are you? How much do you want for it?


23/6/2015 at 7:32am
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Had a look at the Westfailia BC 60 at my local dealer, and it is definitely the mutts nuts of bike carriers.

The Westfailia BC 60 is basicly an improved version of the Thule 902 EuroClassic bike carrier that I have, which I got back in 1998 the Thule still gets used on a regular basis, had 4 bikes on it one time, and it still never shifted.


23/6/2015 at 11:48am
 Location: SHROPSHIRE
 Outfit: Swift Conqueror 560 Shogun tug
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I'm in Ironbridge. Not really thought of a price but £40.00
would be okay.Its got all the bits and pieces with it. Straps and fittings. All complete.
regards
F

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No matter where you go....there you are


26/6/2015 at 9:38pm
 Location: crewe
 Outfit: Elddis Xplore 302 and Nissan Campervan
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Our Thule 3 bike rack has never moved a fraction in use The clamp is adjustable. Once adjusted ours never needed doing again. The clamp pulls the carrier down onto the ball as well as clamping across the diameter of the ball. Very secure.


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cramming for my finals in the twilight zone



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