Member Since: 21 Nov 2018
Location: Durham
Posts: 32
Roof Rack or Tow Bar
I’m back into my cycling and therefore wish to transport my bike plus another using my D3. Question is, what’s best to go for a roof rack or a tow bar attachment? Any advice greatly appreciated.
Cheers
24th Jan 2019 10:36 pm
jamez79
Member Since: 03 Sep 2018
Location: Staffordshire
Posts: 568
I've got a thule one that fixes to a plate behind the tow ball so I can still tow a trailer if I wanted and carry 3/4 bikes (at a push! wife, mine and the kids bikes, so not full size).
It copes fine and holds the bikes still. They're crap bikes too, nothing special and are a bit heavy compared to the posh stuff.
Downside to it is we have dogs and the handle bars stop the top boot opening so it's a pain to get into the boot and I can't lean in from the back seat as the dogs are in dog boxes. When we stop on our way camping, it's a right faff to open the back to let the dogs out for a leg stretch and a wee.
Positive side is its easy to load the bikes on the back and you don't have to struggle to get them on the roof, even at access hiehgt without steps it can be a fiddle if you aren't vertically enhanced. If you forget they are on, you won't "remember" when you hit the height barrier at the car park.
Pro's and con's and down to personal choice I suppose. Good luck
25th Jan 2019 6:14 am
astonbuilder
Member Since: 29 Sep 2006
Location: MIDLANDS
Posts: 8053
I've got a Thule bike carrier that goes on the tow-ball and it folds down to give access to boot with bikes in situ.
I'd rather the tow-ball option over a roof-rack - much less vehicular restriction issues and easier to load/un-load bikes and they don't have to be 'car specific' either like bars and foot/rail mounts, etc.
25th Jan 2019 8:14 am
Rnclayton
Member Since: 13 Apr 2018
Location: Radstock, Bath
Posts: 564
Got the MaxxRaxx 4 bike, following suggestions on here. Bolts onto Flange tow bar plate.
Can still tow the Tin tent with them on.
Can lower them away from the car to open top part of Boot.
Did have to make an adjustment to the frame, as the ALKO stabilizer on the van was catching the bracket.MY07 Freelander2 SE Santorini Black - Gone
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25th Jan 2019 11:17 am
al cope
Member Since: 08 Nov 2005
Location: Oldbury, WM
Posts: 10299
Had the witter 4 bike rack on my towbar (the bolt on type). Very easy to use. Its up for sale on here right now as I cant use it with the deployable towbar on my D5
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I have the OEM Expedition rack and a ladder. The side bars of the rack take normal car roof bars and I have the cycle carriers mounted on that. So these additional bits can come off altogether as a "oner" when we are not taking the bikes away on trips.
So easy to go up the ladder and have someone lift a bike up to one if it is a 6 foot plus doing the lifting. Girlfriend is considerably shorther than that so bikes go up and down on a short bit of rope if it is her who is assisting. Space there for at least four full size bikes. No restriction on opening tail gates, or things getting in way of caravan.
I got one of those counterballance cycle lifts which would be ideal, but for the Expo rack making the vehicle too highA vaccine does not stop you catching a virus, or passing it on, or getting ill from it, really ill. It does reduce the likelyhood of you dying when really, really ill. Stay Alive - KEEP AWAY FROM PEOPLE.
25th Jan 2019 1:14 pm
Andym01207
Member Since: 01 Mar 2012
Location: County Durham
Posts: 412
Ive got both
Thule tow bar rack that swings down to allow boot access
Thule roof bar racks for holidays when we are towing the caravan.
The Tow bar rack is superb. Use it whenever we are out and about with the bikes, really easy to hitch up and the ones the swing down to allow boot access make life so much easier.
Thule roof mounted are also a greta bit of kit, but as other have said are more of a faff and you have to be aware they are there. I only use them when towing
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