bike rack/ towbar mounted

[sprite91]

anyone any experience in using the towbar mounted bike rack.
i know it fits on behind the ball hitch so you are free to place the caravan on the hitch.
have a few questions though:

1. how does it effect weights? our car/caravan is a 52% match but more concerned about the issue of nose weights.
2. is it legal to tow and carry bikes?
3. wat would be my other options?

any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[otherclive]

Yes I used one and they work fine. The total weight of rack plus bikes must be included within the noseweight and I allowed for them too against the car's maximum loading. Yes it is legal. Putting the bikes on a roof carrier then allows you full noseweight which is better for stability, then the bikes plus carrier and roof bars are part of the cars loading weight, and must not exceed the maximum roof weight stipulated by the cars maker. But this should not be a problem unless you plan to use two full size electric bikes!!
What I tend to do though is put the bikes in the van and then shift their weight equivalent (32kg) into the car, or leave some weight at home. That way noseweight is okay and Im not getting drag from a roof carrier and bikes up there.

 

[colin-yorkshire1]

hi, I asked the very same question last year, and did loads of research on the subject, even went to halfords so they could try different types of carrier, roof, tail gate and tow bar,
the up shot of it all was I did not bother in the end, the roof mounted ones seem to be better but you have to buy the 3 components (if you dont have any allready) ie bars, cross braces and brackets, but you have to lift the bike onto the roof, and strap it down.
no mean feat on your own and the wind noise is horrendous,
the tailgate and tow bar carriers were easier to use, but have problems.
1. when the bike/bikes are mounted it reduces the turning circle you have when the van is attached (this is suprisingly small on left hand turns because of the jockey wheel)
2. you cannot open the tail gate, when bikes are mounted so no access to the boot unless you unhitch and remove the bikes/carrier
3, the weight of the tow bar mounted ones plus bikes have to be taken off the nosweight allowance for the van, (this may not be an issue) but in my case it was as the Meriva only has a nose load of 50kg .
I even looked at the carriers that mount on the back of the van (like the ones fitted to m/homes) but these were not recommended for use on vans as the rear panel is not strong enough,
I did take the bike but carried it in the van, and put the awning poles in the car (same weight) a better solution and a lot cheaper. IMHO.
hope this helps.

 

[sprite91]

thanks for comments think ill go with towbar one for two bikes and carry the rest in the van. don't fancy trying to lift them up onto the roof of car. i have a nose weight limit of 85kg, so two bike and the rack would take up 35 of that, only question now is weather it possible to keep the nose weight of the van below 50kg. is there a lower limit on the nose weight?

 

[colin-yorkshire1]

only question now is weather it possible to keep the nose weight of the van below 50kg. is there a lower limit on the nose weight?

YES it is!! I have to do it and my van has a nose weight of 100kg empty, it takes carefull loading and distibution of weight mind you.
NO there is no lower limit but you must have some for stability as long as it is +35/40kg it should be fine.
and dont forget to test it each time you tow, just in case.

 

[otherclive]

I seem to recall minimum noseweight should be 4% of MTPLM or 25kg whichever is greater. Clearly I don't know the outfit or how the OP loads it but a significant reduction in noseweight increases the risk of an unstable outfit. Caravan Club guidelines are 4-7% of MTPLM. So a 1400 kg van would expect the minimum noseweight to be 56kg.