Tow Bar Bike Rack

[RobboMC Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close RobboMC]

I tried to fit my old bike rack to the tow bar of my recently purchased 2001 Prado GXL and found to my displeasure that the spare wheel gets in the way of the bike closest to the car.

Has anyone else already solved this problem?

I really don't want to buy a new bike rack to fit to the spare, and tat would mean removing the wheel cover;
and the roof will have a roof pod for our luggage, and extra bike carriers for the roof will be expensive.

I had an RV6 about 10 years ago and I don't remember it being such a problem, but of course the GXL wheel is wider.

[Guest Close Guest]

Re: Tow Bar Bike Rack

I assume that your towbar is the 50mm square hitch receiver type. If so, you can extend the bike rack further out by buying some steel square hollow section of the same thickness and find a nice welder to extend it. To make sure that the weld is strong, you would weld flat plates to all 4 sides or if you are lucky, there might be a square hollow section that could slip over the existing 50mm tube, then weld all round.

If the bike rack is made of 50x5mm SHS, then you could slip in a 40x4mm SHS inside, preferably extending the entire length of the bottom bar of the bike rack and then weld at will.

[RogueAussie Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close RogueAussie]

Re: Tow Bar Bike Rack

I have considered the very same thing.

1. Standard tow ball hitch mounted bike carrier = fail because of the wheel (as you already stated)
2. Spare wheel mounted bike carrier = fail? I believe the bikes will stick out too far to the drivers side
3. Roof mount bike rails = fail? Far too high to be lifting a bike on and off

So yeah, I'm stumped too.

amts may be on to something though. Can you buy an extended tow ball? I don't like the idea of something welded up unless it is rated, last thing i want is bikes bouncing down the road at 100km/hr.

[rhs58 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close rhs58]

Re: Tow Bar Bike Rack

Easy....just ask your local towbar shop if they have a longer / extended 50mm hitch, or can they make one up.
Have seen plenty around.
Cheers
Ron

[Chriso57 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chriso57]

Re: Tow Bar Bike Rack

I have considered the very same thing.

1. Standard tow ball hitch mounted bike carrier = fail because of the wheel (as you already stated)
2. Spare wheel mounted bike carrier = fail? I believe the bikes will stick out too far to the drivers side
3. Roof mount bike rails = fail? Far too high to be lifting a bike on and off

So yeah, I'm stumped too.

amts may be on to something though. Can you buy an extended tow ball? I don't like the idea of something welded up unless it is rated, last thing i want is bikes bouncing down the road at 100km/hr.

I did exactly what amts suggested a few years back and it works fine. As long as you get a competent welder to do the job you wont need it "rated". Realisticly, what does a couple of pushbikes weigh these days? 10-15kg each? Any good small engineering firm will knock this up for you for about $50.
Only pain in the ass is when you need to open the rear door. I just leave the bikes on the rack, pull the towbar pin out and slide the whole lot out in on hit.

Chriso

[Guest Close Guest]

Re: Tow Bar Bike Rack

If you have a photo of the existing bike rack, that would be more helpful.

If you have a fixed bike rack, it might be easier to cut off the bottom bar and weld a longer piece.

If it is one that tilts down, you might have to remanufacture the entire bar or do the extension.

[RobboMC Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close RobboMC]

Re: Tow Bar Bike Rack

I have considered the very same thing.

I did exactly what amts suggested a few years back and it works fine. As long as you get a competent welder to do the job you wont need it "rated". Realisticly, what does a couple of pushbikes weigh these days? 10-15kg each? Any good small engineering firm will knock this up for you for about $50.
Only pain in the ass is when you need to open the rear door. I just leave the bikes on the rack, pull the towbar pin out and slide the whole lot out in on hit.

Chriso

One small detail I forgot to mention, I also intend to tow a box trailer that is very, very full of camping gear. As the children have grown and the load grows each year I became concerned about the 750kg unbraked towing limit; so last year I took the fully loaded trailer to a weighbridge before we set off; it came in at 650kgs gross including trailer, tarps, ropes and spare trailer wheel.

So I think a spot of welding ( and I know proper welding can be as strong as the parent metal ) will be frowned upon by the insurance company if it ever fails. Add 4 bikes @ 12.5 kg average and another 10 kg for the rack, that's a total of 60 kg, plus say 50kg of ball downforce and the load is adding up quickly. If I can get an extension or a longer tongue I'll put up a picture.

Extending the rack itself isn't an option as the bikes will hit the trailer, especially when turning. I need to move the trailer ball
backwards in concert with the bike rack.

The other answer is to put the spare on the outside of the trailer, or on top of the trailer load, but it becomes just one more task when we arrive and unload the whole thing. And then drive around with no wheel cover for the holiday, which is no huge catastrophe.

The door swing problem isn't an issue, I just get the kids to unload from inside over the 3rd row of seats. We did this with our Falcon Wagon many times but the kids have outgrown the 3rd row seats in that, hence the Prado.
Pulling all 4 bikes off at once isn't a great idea as it's 60kg plus and not good for the back.

We have just procured a roof box to add even more luggage space, if I ever get the thing packed up in time for the holiday in Sept I'll put up a photo of the finished rig, it should look quite a sight.

[RogueAussie Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close RogueAussie]

Re: Tow Bar Bike Rack

I did exactly what amts suggested a few years back and it works fine. As long as you get a competent welder to do the job you wont need it "rated". Realisticly, what does a couple of pushbikes weigh these days? 10-15kg each? Any good small engineering firm will knock this up for you for about $50.
Only pain in the ass is when you need to open the rear door. I just leave the bikes on the rack, pull the towbar pin out and slide the whole lot out in on hit.
Chriso

Chriso, not going to argue anyones competency on the welder, just saying I'd prefer to pay for a "Professionally" and/or "Commercially" produced product for piece of mind. As for what does a bike weigh? maybe 10 - 15kg static (and for the record I am no mathamatician) but that weight is multiplied a GREAT deal when you start hitting pot-holes and rough roads. The down force exerted on the bar would increase dramatically. Again, my personal choice would be to get it from the pros rather then put others at risk with a "mate's rates" job. If you get a locally business to knock one up for you, great! Just make sure you tell them exactly what it's for before they knock it up and keep an invoice in case something should happen.

[dereki Member Find all posts View Profile Close dereki]

Re: Tow Bar Bike Rack

I have seen hitch a receiver welded under the tailgate end of the trailer with bike rack fitted... how about that for an option.

I can't find it now, but I am sure I have seen it as an option in some camper trailer I was looking at recently.

D

[Guest Close Guest]

Re: Tow Bar Bike Rack

Just note that with any extension of the tow bar where the towball is moved, the towball down force rating needs to be changed accordingly. The further away you move the towball from the car, the lower the down force needs to be.

[RogueAussie Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close RogueAussie]

Re: Tow Bar Bike Rack

Has anyone looked at the tow bar mounted bike racks that fold down so you can open the rear of the vehicle. I haven't had any first hand experience with them myself so I don't know how far down they lower.

If you're confused about what I mean, I beleive they have a retaining pin, which when removed allows the upright of the bike carrier to fold down away from the back of the car, basically laying the bikes parrallel with the ground without having to remove the bikes.

Not an Aussie site I'm sorry but give you an idea of what I mean http://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Bike-Rack ... TW200.html
and also http://www.citystop.com/bikes/SWAG__64960_New.htm

EDIT:
And now I find that Rhino make one http://www.rhinorack.com.au/AccSubCateg ... 48_11.aspx

[Chriso57 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chriso57]

Re: Tow Bar Bike Rack

I have considered the very same thing.

I did exactly what amts suggested a few years back and it works fine. As long as you get a competent welder to do the job you wont need it "rated". Realisticly, what does a couple of pushbikes weigh these days? 10-15kg each? Any good small engineering firm will knock this up for you for about $50.
Only pain in the ass is when you need to open the rear door. I just leave the bikes on the rack, pull the towbar pin out and slide the whole lot out in on hit.

Chriso

One small detail I forgot to mention, I also intend to tow a box trailer that is very, very full of camping gear. As the children have grown and the load grows each year I became concerned about the 750kg unbraked towing limit; so last year I took the fully loaded trailer to a weighbridge before we set off; it came in at 650kgs gross including trailer, tarps, ropes and spare trailer wheel.

Yeah I certainly wouldn't contemplate using a modified tow bar to hold bikes and pull a trailer. My next suggestion would have been to fit the bike carrier to the rear of the trailer but dereki beat me to it.

[quote="RogueAussie

Chriso, not going to argue anyones competency on the welder, just saying I'd prefer to pay for a "Professionally" and/or "Commercially" produced product for piece of mind. As for what does a bike weigh? maybe 10 - 15kg static (and for the record I am no mathamatician) but that weight is multiplied a GREAT deal when you start hitting pot-holes and rough roads. The down force exerted on the bar would increase dramatically. Again, my personal choice would be to get it from the pros rather then put others at risk with a "mate's rates" job. If you get a locally business to knock one up for you, great! Just make sure you tell them exactly what it's for before they knock it up and keep an invoice in case something should happen.[/quote]

RA:

I wont try to start an argument here because I value everyone's opinions. My view on what you are saying, is that "Commercialy Produced" products are not always "Professionally" built.

For example the welding and general construction of the "commercially produced" bike carrier I purchased leaves a lot to be desired. I am sure it must have passed some sort of standard to be sold. However its likely it was made in some Chinese factory from low grade steel and welded together by a low paid worker. The attachment I had made however was made by a "professional" welder out of thick steel using high quality equipment.

Sure, one could argue that it was not load tested, crack tested, or given engineering approval. I think given the circumstances it will be used in (rough roads potholes etc) the extension will live far longer than the actual bike carrier.

Like I said, I value all opinions and certainly see your point. I have seen hundreds of dodgy mods that make me shudder. Unfortunately Common Sense seems to have gone out the window these days.

Chriso

[Derb Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Derb]

Re: Tow Bar Bike Rack

Hi Folks. Robbo - I had the same problem a few years ago taking loaded trailer and kids bikes to the beach. I welded a piece of heavy flat bar across the trailer drawbar and drilled it to accept an 1-7/8" towball. Hey presto - bike rack fits onto the drawbar of the trailer. phatoo easy.

[Tony&Tracey Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Tony&Tracey]

Re: Tow Bar Bike Rack

Hi Robbo,

i can give you some advice from a legality and insurance viewpoint. until recently, i worked for a company selling and fitting towbars.

as soon as you extend either a factory or aftermarket hitch, it does in fact change the ball weight rating of the hitch, a bit like trying to pick up a broom with your arm extended, your arm looses all it's strenght. thats how both the hitch manufacturer and the insurance companies look at it. so if you are towing your trailer with this extended hitch and have an accident whereby the trailer disconnects from the car, your insurance is also disconnected its cover from you and your car. this also applies to some hitches having another hole drilled in it to pull out the original hitch further out and re insert the pin.

i think the idea of either a rear towbar on the trailer or over the drawbar is best option. re what towbar to use at the back, try your local towbar guy and see if he has any old stock of bars with a 50mm receiver that he can modify and attach to your trailer.

all the best

Tony

[RobboMC Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close RobboMC]

Re: Tow Bar Bike Rack

The extended tow bar I got from Carasel Trailers works great. We had a fantastic trip, fully loaded trailer and 4 bikes on the rack and a roof box full of luggage as well, and 7 people in the car. My biggest problem was not getting booked for speeding as the Prado is magnificent at pulling up the hills regardless of the weight on board; around 1100 kgs of loaded weight, but over 6 wheels not 4 so no GVM issues.

This week my lady found a slight problem with the longer bar fitted, she backed down the diveway and as she crossed the gutter got a wheel off the crossing, no big deal in a high clearnce 4WD, except that the longer bar with bike rack attatchment dipped into the road and dug a nice trench in the bitumen. From now on we will simply drive out forward when the bar is fitted.

But the lesson is that this longer bar does impact on your rear angle of attack over obstacles.