bike/ wheel carriers on rear of trailer

Submitted: Tuesday, Jul 31, 2007 at 20:09

ThreadID: 48280 Views:6467 Replies:5 FollowUps:1

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Bike Carriers

Using a recreational vehicle such as a 4WD is all about exploring places and enjoying yourself. Taking a push bike can provide you with the added advantage of exercise and exploring that little

Member - nigel P (NSW)

Bought a used alloy top c/t. Looks good but keen to get some weight off towpoint downweight. Spare wheel currently under the trailer, and has a drop down tailgate.
So, I'm thinking swingaway systems at the back. A trailer manufacturer said thhey don't favour bikes at rear, but ither than on top of trtailer, that's best option. Comments?

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Reply By: Member - Duncs - Tuesday, Jul 31, 2007 at 22:27

Tuesday, Jul 31, 2007 at 22:27

Probably the main reason the trailer manufacturers don't like bikes on the back is that it is very easy to have the trailer to light on the coupling and that can make things very interesting.

Is the downweight a problem with the trailer fully loaded or when it is empty?

Maybe you could solve the problem by redistributing your load in the trailer, or repositioning the water tank if you have one.

I built a bike rack that hangs on the spare wheel. This means I can put it on the car or the trailer, my spare is mounted on the front gate of the camper. Perhaps something like that could help you. I have a friend with an alloy top camper. He has built a rack that mounts flat on the top of the trailer and carries up to four bikes standing up. It can also be adapted to carry other things like outboard motors. It mounts by bolting onto the top of the c/t. Bolts are permanent and sealed to keep out water and dust.

hope this helps
Duncs

AnswerID: 255282

Follow Up By: nigelp - Thursday, Aug 02, 2007 at 10:35

Thursday, Aug 02, 2007 at 10:35

Thanks Duncs. I am trying to redistribute weight rearwards, and may well have to do the water tank as well. Thought I'd start with the spare wheel though, as it is uncder the trailer and by far the lowest point. I've now seen the bike racks that strap to the wheel. That may well be a solution for only 1 bike, with care on dirt roads...
therfore I may still need to put some on the roof. I wonder if your friend would care to share his rooftop design, if he has digital photo's I'd love to see, on odeapenn@hotmail.com

FollowupID: 516592

Reply By: Hairy - Tuesday, Jul 31, 2007 at 22:45

Tuesday, Jul 31, 2007 at 22:45

Im not sure if I missed something or not, but are you talking about a motorbike or push bike?
Push bike....no worries
Motorbike...... bit more info.
Cheers

AnswerID: 255287

Reply By: Member - JohnR (Vic)&Moses - Wednesday, Aug 01, 2007 at 00:17

Wednesday, Aug 01, 2007 at 00:17

Nigel, I was talking to a guy with bikes just two weeks back who said he had seen quite a few that had been very badly damaged after their rear of trailer/caravan carrier had broken with the exaggerated movement at the very rear. Too much whipping around there unless it is done well. Kaput bikes :-((

AnswerID: 255298

Reply By: Member - Matt Mu (Perth-WA) - Wednesday, Aug 01, 2007 at 10:46

Wednesday, Aug 01, 2007 at 10:46

Just remember that any bike carrier mounted to the rear of car or trailer can not obstruct lights, numberplate or extend more than a metre rear of the origionl dimentions of the vehicle.
Trust me from experience...most bike racks that you see are illegally fitted but it just depends on whether the Police want to make an issue.....or more importantly you have an ACCIDENT!!!!

All the best

Matt.

AnswerID: 255328

Reply By: nigelp - Thursday, Aug 02, 2007 at 10:37

Thursday, Aug 02, 2007 at 10:37

Thanks everyone for comments, as usual it has helped advance my thinking. I take the point about stresses. I just saw an expensive bike rack that had failed at a weld, and apparently destroyed $5000 worth of bikes.
np

AnswerID: 255440