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hi, can anyone help or have experience on towing a trailer while using a bolt on bike rack?

we've just bought a thule 9705 bolt on bike rack for our zafira, we also have a mp712 trailer which we are hoping to get the high sides for and want to know if these will work with each other. please help, we're camping in 3 weeks n want to have all bikes and the extra trailer space!

cheers!

it will vary so much on what bikes you have on and how close the trailer comes when it's on full lock (which you may need to turn into entrances). It's a bit of trail and error but do it in a controlled way and not on your first trip.

I have our bikes on a bones 3 rack on the boot of my passat and have to make sure that my bike is on the outside so it is the highest and therefore is out of the way of the trailers drawbar.

Cheers

Gary

I use a x3 bike rack off the back of my Ford Focus estate along with a trailer.

Putting bikes on top of a trailer is okay provided it does not become top heavy or exceed the trailers total weight (usually around 500kg). This will cause major instability at speed or with cross-winds & likely to attract attention from the Traffic Cops!

Can't see a problem with tight cornering personally as the gap between trailer & vehicle should be ample whether the bikes are mounted on the car or the trailer.

If you find it to be any different, then please lets us knopw!

We have a Maxx Taxx bolt on bike rack for our Xsara Picasso. You need to think carefully about your turning angle - we clipped our Trailer Tent the first time we used it - it was with a different rack, mind you!

On the Maxx Raxx we have a heightening bit - so that the bikes are raised to allow for clearance.

Also when we are towing the TT  we tend to put 2 on the bike rack and the other 2 bikes on the trailer tent on bike carriers.

Just as important as clearance is weight.  You need to check the noseweight on the towbar if the rack is attached to that, and of course the rear axle loading of the car. 

 If you already have passengers in there, plus luggage and the nosewight of the trailer, already being carried by the rear axle, it's unlikely you will have anything to spare for bikes.

Jim

Jim is spot on.  Check the car handbook & the spec for your towbar for noseweight.  Check the noseweight of your loaded trailer, add the weight of your cycle rack & all the bikes.  Odds are you'll be over the makers spec.  In addition to wobbly handling, you'll invalidate your insurance & the old Bill will have you for toast if you get stopped or crash.  You need a roof or tailgate mounted rack, assuming you have any capacity to take the bikes with an already loaded car.  And a pair of stilts to get the bikes up there.

Steve

thanks to all who replied, rack no good with trailer, barely holds 4, unless travelling in a straight line it doesnt fit with trailer, we gave up n went in transit, brill!! got 5 bikes 4 kids and campin gear with room to spare(it has 3 seats in back 3 in front incase you wondered where we packed the kids!) now selling trailer.(see ads)

ta again!