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 Advent Calendar

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: Bikes on roofs Post Reply Post New Topic
Personnoobcamp
21/8/2015 at 10:09pm
 Location: Essex
 Outfit: None Entered View noobcamp's Profile View Profile   Reply to noobcamp Reply   Quote noobcamp Quote  
Joined: 17/6/2015

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   12
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
Hello, does putting bikes on a car roof rack help towing due to the extra weight on the car, or hinder it due to extra turbulence ever?!??

Cheers

-------------
I'm new to all this...be kind!


PersonWobbly Box
21/8/2015 at 10:55pm
 Location:  Scotland
 Outfit: Bailey & Mondeo View Wobbly Box's Profile View Profile   Reply to Wobbly Box Reply   Quote Wobbly Box Quote  
Joined: 17/6/2007

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   739
Site Reviews Total: 15
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 put bikes on the roof for a couple of reasons.

If you put them inside the caravan, they only get in the way when you arrive onsite and are trying to set up, also you risk damaging the inside of your caravan with them.
I then started to look at bike racks, if you use a hatch or boot mounted rack this hinders you as you have limited access into the boot.
Best option was on the roof, up out the way and you can keep them there when not in use.

You don't get any extra turbulence that I have noticed unless on a very windy day you can feel them slightly getting caught in a cross wind. but what you do get is 3 to 4 mpg less.




Personcheckley1973
22/8/2015 at 5:31pm
 Location: Sheffield
 Outfit: Sterling Eccles Sport 636 View checkley1973's Profile View Profile   Reply to checkley1973 Reply   Quote checkley1973 Quote  
Joined: 29/8/2012

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   1698
Site Reviews Total: 6
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 does help spread the load. If you have a full car, heavy nose weight and bikes hanging on your tailgate you are likely to be over the rear axle max. On the roof shares the load over both axles.

The other reason I like it is they can't get hit by another car. I have had a toe bar mounted rack but got rear ended with it on. Bill was huge, new toe bar, cycle rack and 4 new bikes plus the damage to the car itself.


PersonOctavia4x4
22/8/2015 at 7:00pm
 Location: Harrogate Yorkshire.
 Outfit: Skoda Octavia 4x4 & Compass Omega 482 View Octavia4x4's Profile View Profile   Reply to Octavia4x4 Reply   Quote Octavia4x4 Quote  
Joined: 24/10/2012

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   618
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
Never noticed any difference when towing with 2 bikes on the car roof, just remember the car also has a maximum roof load, never noticed any increase in mpg also.

-------------
Skoda Octavia Estate 2.0TDi 4x4 (2012) towing a Compass Omega 482 (2014)


PersonRay Clayton
22/8/2015 at 7:11pm
 Location: Ilkeston. Derbyshire
 Outfit: Disco 4 Unicorn Barcelona 4 View Ray Clayton's Profile View Profile   Reply to Ray Clayton Reply   Quote Ray Clayton Quote  
Joined: 06/10/2014

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   1532
Site Reviews Total: 36
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 2  
Site Reviews 2021: 6  
Site Reviews 2020: 10 
Site Reviews 2019: 2  
Site Reviews 2018: 5  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 8
Site Nights 2021: 18
Site Nights 2020: 30
Site Nights 2019: 8
Site Nights 2018: 23
Your towing a box anyway so not make any differance.

-------------
Cheers
Ray

Discovery 4 & Bailey Barcelona 4







Advertisement



PersonAlan Chilestone
23/8/2015 at 8:40am
 Location: Suffolk
 Outfit: Adria Sportline 532 UP View Alan Chilestone's Profile View Profile   Reply to Alan Chilestone Reply   Quote Alan Chilestone Quote  
Joined: 26/1/2013

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   453
Site Reviews Total: 36
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 2  
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: 12
Site Nights 2018: 0
Used to carry bikes on top, but as we had an MPV it was getting a struggle to put them on. Final straw was when I lost balance a bit and nearly dropped bike onto car roof.
We now have a MaxxRaxx which mounts on the tow bar but allows you to fold it down to gain access to the boot, without removing the bikes.

-------------
Alan

2016
February C&CC Theobalds Park
March C&CC Salisbury
May C&CC Adgestone IOW
July Le Clos Auroy, Auvergne France
August C&CC Polstead
August C&CC Oxford
October C&CC Lauder


PersonWobbly Box
23/8/2015 at 9:18am
 Location:  Scotland
 Outfit: Bailey & Mondeo View Wobbly Box's Profile View Profile   Reply to Wobbly Box Reply   Quote Wobbly Box Quote  
Joined: 17/6/2007

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   739
Site Reviews Total: 15
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
Yup there good but not so good when your towing your caravan.
There is also some fancy roof mounted rack that folds down for easy access. Can't remember the name of it though.


PersonHairywol
23/8/2015 at 11:51pm
 Location: Teesside
 Outfit: Challenger Sport 524 + Volvo V90 D5 View Hairywol's Profile View Profile   Reply to Hairywol Reply   Quote Hairywol Quote  
Joined: 02/6/2005

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   1430
Tent Reviews:   6
Site Reviews Total: 29
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 hinders - but probably hinders less than any other way except putting them in the 'van.

-------------
Camping Gear expands so as to fill the space available for its transportation.


PersonWobbly Box
23/8/2015 at 11:57pm
 Location:  Scotland
 Outfit: Bailey & Mondeo View Wobbly Box's Profile View Profile   Reply to Wobbly Box Reply   Quote Wobbly Box Quote  
Joined: 17/6/2007

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   739
Site Reviews Total: 15
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
If you put bikes on your tailgate when towing you adding additional weight where you least need it. Depending on type and number of bikes you also need to watch they don't hit the caravan if making a sharp turn.


PersonAlan Chilestone
24/8/2015 at 8:29am
 Location: Suffolk
 Outfit: Adria Sportline 532 UP View Alan Chilestone's Profile View Profile   Reply to Alan Chilestone Reply   Quote Alan Chilestone Quote  
Joined: 26/1/2013

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   453
Site Reviews Total: 36
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 2  
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: 12
Site Nights 2018: 0
Appreciate the point about the weight on the tow bar, but the Maxxraxx comes with an extension to heighten the rack to keep clear of the jockey wheel handle. Although yes, tight corners can be a worry, but the long A frame on my Adria mitigates that.

-------------
Alan

2016
February C&CC Theobalds Park
March C&CC Salisbury
May C&CC Adgestone IOW
July Le Clos Auroy, Auvergne France
August C&CC Polstead
August C&CC Oxford
October C&CC Lauder


Advertisement



Personcolinlob
24/8/2015 at 1:48pm
 Location: Cheshire
 Outfit: Swift Escape View colinlob's Profile View Profile   Reply to colinlob Reply   Quote colinlob Quote  
Joined: 16/5/2007

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   383
Site Reviews Total: 16
Site Reviews 2024: 1  
Site Reviews 2023: 1  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 1  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 1  
Site Reviews 2018: 1  
Site Nights 2024: 2
Site Nights 2023: 4
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 3
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 3
Site Nights 2018: 1
We have bikes on the roof of the car, and also carry a small three step aluminium step ladder, only a few kg, in order to get the bikes on and off the car. It balances the car better. Also two bikes on the a-frame of the Adria, but we have to put the caravan spare wheel in the boot of the car to reduce the nose weight to a realistic level.



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...

5904 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


UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar

Advent Calendar

24 Daily Prizes PLUS a Christmas Day Star Prize worth £999

Request a Reminder