Bike Racks - Roof Mounted or Tow Hook Mounted

Cannondale · Post by **Cannondale** » Sat May 12, 2012 9:41 pm

There is a good guide on here how to fit one, it did me fine

If you get a towbar you could alway get a caravan a well

IanP · Post by **IanP** » Sat May 12, 2012 9:42 pm

[quote=""dirtymonkey29""]Just need a towbar then.[/quote]
Now that could get expensive if you pay someone to do it

dirtymonkey29 · Post by **dirtymonkey29** » Sat May 12, 2012 9:45 pm

Does the tow ball come out through the centre blanking plate?
I'd DIY it unless fitting was stupidly cheap as a bundle which is unlikely.

Cannondale · Post by **Cannondale** » Sat May 12, 2012 9:47 pm

Mine was Â£355 delivered with 13 pin dedicated elecs.

PF Jones seems to be the best for Westfaila bars.

A goo bike rack will be about the same again so not a cheap option

Rich...

Cannondale · Post by **Cannondale** » Sat May 12, 2012 9:48 pm

Check this out

viewtopic.php?f=22&t=2357

dirtymonkey29 · Post by **dirtymonkey29** » Sat May 12, 2012 9:57 pm

I was just reading that again. Cheers for the link though will be able to find it easier next time

IanP · Post by **IanP** » Sat May 12, 2012 10:29 pm

[quote=""dirtymonkey29""]I was just reading that again. Cheers for the link though will be able to find it easier next time[/quote]
Fitting the proper tow bar and kit is one of the easiest things Ive done on the truck

jaynana · Post by **jaynana** » Sun May 13, 2012 5:19 pm

[quote=""dirtymonkey29""]So Thule towbar rack then. When the rack isn't in use does it fold up for easy storage?[/quote]

what about the Thule 9708?
http://www.roofracks.co.uk/thule/Tow+Ba ... s/9708.php

it goes as budget model but what are the cons with it? i kind of like it.. good thing about it is it allows upto 4 bikes, abut if its less bikes it stays less bulky.

also it folds flat, it allows the tailgate to be opened while bikes are loaded, etc...

what are the pros and cons of a rack like this as opposed to, say, thule 9503?
http://www.roofracks.co.uk/thule/Tow+Ba ... s/9503.php

also are there any ride-on 4-bike careers? can't find any.

j

dirtymonkey29 · Post by **dirtymonkey29** » Sun May 13, 2012 5:39 pm

Got to be careful with the ones that let the tailgate open I would think. Don't forget the X opens in 2 bits so I wouldn't think the lower part would open.

jaynana · Post by **jaynana** » Sun May 13, 2012 5:42 pm

check this out

http://www.roofbox.co.uk/bike-carriers/ ... ations.php

seem to swear by maxxraxx

check this out as well - by mont blanc:
http://www.carracks.co.uk/487000.html

j

dirtymonkey29 · Post by **dirtymonkey29** » Sun May 13, 2012 5:51 pm

I will probably make do with a roof mounted rack to start with. Just a long way up to the roof on these cars. I'm fairly tall and my bike is light but I imagine it'll still be tricky.

snipez999 · Post by **snipez999** » Sun May 20, 2012 11:56 am

Got to be careful with the ones that let the tailgate open I would think. Don't forget the X opens in 2 bits so I wouldn't think the lower part would open

I have just loaded up our Thule 9503 for a trip to the Lakes. Both bits of the X5 tailgate open when it is lowered using the quick release setting. Pics later.

jaynana · Post by **jaynana** » Sun May 20, 2012 1:58 pm

all done at this end with the decisions. went for mont blanc allroad 4. Â£189 delivered.

the lights have got damaged during shipment. i wrote to them and they'd be sending me new light covers. although all the adds say its mont blanc on arrival it seems auto maxi is a company owned by mont blanc.

feedback based on a trial run:
- seems like a solid built contraption, max load 60kg, think this is good.
- bloody heavy to carry around!!
- the two straps going to the roof have to run over the spoiler, which means they put downward pressure on the spoiler, which i'm sure its not designed for! having said that these aren't load bearing and are elasticated.
- the bike-to-bike spacers are a bit flimsy and messy. but should do teh job and i guess lighter than havingj a bar for each bike which then adds weight
- need a pin converter to connect onto my outlet (already had one)

must order a number plate.

must do a long trip now!

dirtymonkey29 · Post by **dirtymonkey29** » Sun May 20, 2012 7:39 pm

I but the bullet too but went for halfords roof bars with locks and a Thule 561 outride(fork mount)

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