Tow bar mounted bike racks

Surchy replied on 11/05/2021 16:23

Posted on 11/05/2021 16:23

Has anyone experience of Tow Bar mounted Bike racks carrying Electric Bikes?

We have a Motorhome and are looking at the Pendle Tow Bar mounted Bike rack to carry my wife's Electric Trike plus electric Bike for myself. Has anyone using or has used this type of bike rack?

Ian

 

Cornersteady replied on 11/05/2021 17:04

Posted on 11/05/2021 17:04

I have a Thule tow bar one that can carry three e-bikes, although I've only used it for two. There is nothing special needed to carry an e-bike on any rack like this but you do have to be careful about the weight and usually the rack will say what the max weight to be carried will be. Racks for e-bikes just have a higher allowance.

I assume you mean without a caravan as well?

Tinwheeler replied on 11/05/2021 18:46

Posted on 11/05/2021 18:46

As well as checking the weight on the tow bar, in order to remain legal, you will need to check the weight on your rear axle and the all up weight of your MH loaded in holiday mode which is best done at a weighbridge.

If weight proves to be an issue, it could be worth considering towing a small trailer.

Wherenext replied on 11/05/2021 19:40

Posted on 11/05/2021 19:40

I'm like Cornersteady and have a towbar mounted Thule carrier for our 2 e-bikes. Fantastic bit of kit but it does weigh a bit and you'll have to find somewhere to store it but it will do the job you are after. It folds down to about the size of a large suitcase, takes up half of our SUV boot space.

Surchy replied on 12/05/2021 10:11

Posted on 12/05/2021 10:11

Thanks for replying, one if the questions I have is how stable are they (do they bounce when driving?) 

As they are lower then the more common bike carrier do you have any problems with clearance?

 

Surchy replied on 12/05/2021 10:20

Posted on 11/05/2021 18:46 by Tinwheeler

As well as checking the weight on the tow bar, in order to remain legal, you will need to check the weight on your rear axle and the all up weight of your MH loaded in holiday mode which is best done at a weighbridge.

If weight proves to be an issue, it could be worth considering towing a small trailer.

Posted on 12/05/2021 10:20

I have checked the numbers and done the calculations and weight wise should be okay, I don't travel with any onboard water so that helps a lot.  I'm trying to avoid the trailer option as storing it would be a problem. 

Wherenext replied on 12/05/2021 10:32

Posted on 12/05/2021 10:32

We do notice it on the rear of the car but no more than a caravan and the support bars and straps provided are stable plus lockable. I'm never worried about stability. The Thule sits on top of the towbar and clamps on then locks so clearance isn't a problem.

ocsid replied on 12/05/2021 10:54

Posted on 12/05/2021 10:54

I would certainly go for the "wheel mounted" option, not a "hang on" rack.

The hang on present challenges with "step through" framed bikes, as many female bikes are, resolvable but with added hassle.

Cornersteady replied on 12/05/2021 11:15

Posted on 12/05/2021 11:15

If you push down the the clamping handle (similar to a caravan hitch) properly to the tow ball and tighten the holding clamps onto the bike's crossbar or downtube then there should be no bounce, or at least we have never found any. It's quite rigid. For some reason mine came with a 7 pin connector.

I notice that Thule now do (or perhaps always did) a more compact version see here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkjTbTn3VCE

 

Tinwheeler replied on 12/05/2021 11:37

Posted on 12/05/2021 10:11 by Surchy

Thanks for replying, one if the questions I have is how stable are they (do they bounce when driving?) 

As they are lower then the more common bike carrier do you have any problems with clearance?

 

Posted on 12/05/2021 11:37

If you mean ground clearance, there should be no difference as everything will he mounted above the towbar. However, if your MH has a long rear overhang and the trike protrudes far beyond the rear, you might increase your risk of grounding on a ramp. 

Surchy replied on 13/05/2021 15:48

Posted on 13/05/2021 15:48

Thanks to everyone who added there comments, I have bitten the bullet and arranged the Tow Bar fitting  and ordered the Bike Rack.

Hope to see you out there.

Ian   cool

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