Transporting Bikes on 4x4

[jennifer_374227268]

Hi, Could anyone please advise best place to carry bikes when towing. We have a small 4x4 which is just about compatable to tow our caravan (93%)We would love to take bikes with us for the kids so there would be 4 bikes in all. Where is the best place to carry them without going over on weight to much.

Jenny

 

[jacky3]

have just bought one for nissan terrano that fits on the spare wheel.first time out with it on last weekend,and although everything was fine,took front wheel off bike just in case it caught caravan when turning.motorworld have an offer on at the moment

 

[steve_5041630]

I am in the midst of purchasing a bike carrier for same reason. I am after one on the rear spare wheel so I can use it whilst not towing. You don't state your vehicle Jeniffer.

I have a landrover freelander and ones you buy at Halfords are not suitable for my vehicle. I bought one at MotorWorld (on the web site) for

 

[Mac2]

Hi Jennifer,

I have towed with a 4x4 and up to 6 bikes for years. Thing to watch out for with spare wheel mounted bike carriers is that the bikes can hang too low and snag the caravan when you make a sharp turn. I used a hatchback carrier hooked onto the back door above the spare wheel and rested the carrier on the wheel for extra support. That was a 4 bike carrier. You can also get up to 3 bikes on the roof and a couple in the caravan (not all at the same time obviously)if your towing weight allows. Mind you modern bikes only weigh a few kilos so should be too much of an issue.

 

[Cockovan]

Remember all weight added to the rear of the car compresses your rear suspension, added to the nose weight of the van and the load in the boot check you do not overload the rear axle. These figures should be in your handbook or on a plate under the bonnet. My personal preference is on the roof, it distributes the load and means you have full access to rear door of car and to the hitch etc. of the caravan. I have a 4x4 as well.

 

[jennifer_374227268]

Thank you all for advise. Our 4x4 is a frontera, and the boot opens in two halfs, top lifts up then bottom opens out. would this still work with the rear carrier?

jennifer

 

[RichardS1]

Hi Jennifer, we have carried four bikes for a number of years initially on the roof of a Freelander and now with a Sorento. Four fit on the roof easily with two facing forward and two backwards. Rear wheel or door mounted carriers are cheaper to buy but as mentioned earlier in some cases the bikes can catch the caravan and if you are carrying the bikes when not towing you may need an additional light board as the bikes usually obstruct the vehicle lights and number plate.

 

[steve_5041630]

Following on from my previous comment, I have purchased the following. Only

 

[Clive-Cardiff]

Hi Jenifer, I towed the van with a Freelander with two bikes on the roof down to Spain a number of times. I found that the bikes increased my fuel consumption by about 20%.

I now have a Landcruiser so with the extra height I had to go back to using a towbar mounted carrier.

I remove the spare wheel and carry it in the car so then I can use a standard Witter bike rack which does not cut down the clearance with the van to much

 

[Darryl_5040003]

I am in the midst of purchasing a bike carrier for same reason. I am after one on the rear spare wheel so I can use it whilst not towing. You don't state your vehicle Jeniffer.

I have a landrover freelander and ones you buy at Halfords are not suitable for my vehicle. I bought one at MotorWorld (on the web site) for