I'm just coming out of hiberntion and thinking about the next camping trip. This time we want to get super-organised and take the bikes.
Does anyone have any recommendations for a towbar mounted rack. (We're yet to get the towbar). I've been looking at the Thule Euroclassic 903 Pro. We need to carry 3 bikes.
It's mighty expensive so I was hoping to pick a few brains before buying it!
I believe that the weight of anything mounted on one of these type carriers has to be deducted from the nose weight of what ever you're towing - might be fine if its a trailer but not if its a caravan. I'm sure someone with more experience will correct me if I'm wrong but sure I've read something about this on here.
As a bike carrier it locks on very well and is very able to carry 3 bikes, I do struggle a little to keep the cars rear lights un-obstucted. It is not possible to tow when using this type of carrier.
Put towbar cycle racks in the search on the top of the page as I asked the self same question. We settled for a maxx raxx cycle carrier. It is expensive but wonderfully made and comes with locks straps etc.. Haven't tried it yet but will do when it stops snowing. We intend to use it with the caravan we have plenty of noseweight spare and other people I have spoken to about it don't seem to have any problems.
Just bought the 903 pro (from ebay - buy it now option £210)
Its very easy to use - once you've had 10 mins with it. Pops on and off easily, very secure, option of 4th bike carrier, folds up into compact shape. Worth it IMHO, I have a spare whel one the rear door and require an adaptor for mine along with the euro pin adaptor 13 pin to 7
I used to hire bikes upon arrival, but now can save my cash by taking my own
We got a tow ball cycle carrier for three bike a few year ago now, it has paid its self over so many times, When you think how much one can pay for cycle hire etc when away. This is very quick and easy to use got it from this company and they offered a very good service too. Now trying to see how I can still take our carrier with us when pulling a trailer , may have to make something .
This railer has travelled well Scotland to centre of France and Back , down to Kent several times, and managed to go at a good speed 70 on the motor way not problems at all. It even tilts so as to get the boot or hatch open
I think my OTH is getting a Witter towbar rack fitted today - the ZX89 - very similar to the MaxxRaxx one.
The differences between them are:
The MaxxRaxx has a single arm - the Witter has two. We thought that 2 arms would be more secure than one, even with the rachet locking system from on the MaxxRaxx
the MaxxRaxx tilts to allow boot access, whereas the Witter has tio be lifted out of its holder - we decided that we would have 45 kg of bikes on it, and neither of us would feel comfy lifting that amount at height and would rather take the bikes off if we really had to get something out of the boot.
The MaxxRaxx was £35 more.
The MaxxRaxx is a nice bit of kit but the Witter suits our needs.
I got the 4 bike tradekar one from roofbox.
It's solid, and well built with lights and all.
However, it is fairly heavy and does require a couple of hours to assemble the first time.
Roofbox were also good with re-sending missing bolts and instructions. Recommended.
We have a MaxxRaxx, and have had it for 8 years now.
There are times when it's almost permanently on the car! - I teach at the school my kids attend - In the summer, when I have meetings after school I often take them and their books and bikes to school in the morning, then they cycle home on their own after school, and collect their homework, PE kit etc from the car when I get in!
I can happily swing it down with 2 bikes on to get accesst othe boot, but agree it's a struggle with all 4 on! We tow our combicamp with 4 bikes on the Maxxraxx,a nd have never had any problems. Iunderstand that Trapezium make a similar one too!