Tow bar mounted bike racks

[Daventura]

Does the carrying of bikes on this kind of rack have to be taken into account when working out noseweight? If so is it because the extra weight is on the tow ball or the tow bar or both? With a combined weight of say 50kgs of rack and bikes this means that I will have only 25kgs left in which to use as noseweight for the caravan! With most cars having only 75kgs permissable on the tow bar are these type of bike racks only suitable for 4x4s?

 

[Rayc1]

Dave, you are correct in that the weight of the bikes and the rack have to be deducted from the nose weight limit. The weight is directly on the towbar and is therefore part of the downward thrust, whether it is on the tow ball or the tow bracket is a bit academic.

Some cars have fairly high nose weight limits but if carrying three bikes, and you want to keep the van nose weight above 60kg, you will require a tow vehicle with apporox.120kg plus limit.

 

[Mike_5041089]

Dave, as Rayc advises towball mounted cycle racks' weight must be deducted from the vehicle's permitted nose weight which makes them almost useless for normal family saloons/estates & some 4x4's. You'll have to use a roof mounted cycle rack when towning - but be careful you don't overload the towcar. Failing that, if your loading margin of the van allows it, carefully carry the bikes in the van - suitably secured to stop them damaging the furnishings in transit, and placed over the axle(s) to minimise any effects on the noseweight.