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The Pub For General Automotive Related Talk |
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24-11-2014, 01:17 PM | #1 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Adelaide, SA
Posts: 222
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So, it appears that Santa is going to bring the kids new bikes for Christmas. Lucky them.
Anyhow, my wife wants the kids to be able to take their bikes with us when we go away camping, with our camper trailer, which means having to get some form of bike rack. I was thinking of the easy option and getting a tow bar mounted carrier, that leaves the ball uncovered and can be used when towing - something like this: http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/onl...ecommendations Or this http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/onl...ecommendations These would be mounted on a SZ Territory (Hall towbar with removable tongue). From what I have been told, these carriers still allow towing. But I am not convinced. Has anyone here used a carrier like those above and towed? Cheers |
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24-11-2014, 01:32 PM | #2 | ||
#neuteredlyfe
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 10,654
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You can't tow when you put a bike rack on the towbar for two reasons;
The bike rack and bikes make up most of the "ball weight" and When you put the bikes on the rack the trailer has no clearance to be able to turn corners. |
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24-11-2014, 01:37 PM | #3 | |||
Regular Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Adelaide, SA
Posts: 222
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Quote:
As for clearance, my trailer has a long A Frame. As long as the bikes don't go lower then the hitch, I think I should be OK. I have looked at other options:
I am open to suggestions or experiences from other people. |
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24-11-2014, 01:40 PM | #4 | ||
Pity the fool
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Wait Awhile
Posts: 8,997
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Nyet! We have one of those bike racks and have used it plenty of times while towing our camper. The only way it will clash with the trailer is if you jack knife it and with 270kg maximum load on the towball you should have plenty of capacity there unless your camper puts a hefty weight down on the ball.
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Fords I own or have owned: 1970 XW Falcon GT replica | 1970 XW Falcon | 1971 XY Fairmont | 1973 ZG Fairlane | 1986 XF Falcon panel van | 1987 XFII Falcon S-Pack | 1988 XF Falcon GLS ute | 1993 EBII Fairmont V8 | 1996 XG Falcon ute | 2000 AU Falcon wagon | 2004 BA Falcon XT | 2012 SZ Territory Titanium AWD Proud to buy Australian and support Ford Australia through thick and thin |
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24-11-2014, 01:42 PM | #5 | ||
#neuteredlyfe
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 10,654
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Apologies, maybe I should have worded it a little better.
Instead of you can't - you should really consider. Check with your state gov dept (in NSW RMS) for a definitive answer. |
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24-11-2014, 01:45 PM | #6 | |||
Regular Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Adelaide, SA
Posts: 222
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Quote:
The tow bar I have is rated at 160KG ball weight. The last time I measured the weight (Jockey wheel on bath room scales), the ball weight was around 80kg. I could change that by a bit of better weight distribution |
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24-11-2014, 02:00 PM | #7 | ||
Pity the fool
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Wait Awhile
Posts: 8,997
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Ah ok I thought you had the HD one
80kg for ball weight isn't that much and if you're only putting kiddie bikes on the rack then I can't see it being an issue. The rack itself is only going to weigh 10-15kg.
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Fords I own or have owned: 1970 XW Falcon GT replica | 1970 XW Falcon | 1971 XY Fairmont | 1973 ZG Fairlane | 1986 XF Falcon panel van | 1987 XFII Falcon S-Pack | 1988 XF Falcon GLS ute | 1993 EBII Fairmont V8 | 1996 XG Falcon ute | 2000 AU Falcon wagon | 2004 BA Falcon XT | 2012 SZ Territory Titanium AWD Proud to buy Australian and support Ford Australia through thick and thin |
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24-11-2014, 02:14 PM | #8 | |||
Regular Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Adelaide, SA
Posts: 222
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Quote:
As for the legalities of it, the only thing I have read relates to number plates.... |
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24-11-2014, 05:28 PM | #9 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Canberra Region
Posts: 9,019
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The basic weight of the rack and bikes is not the issue, its the fact its leveraged off the towbar that increases the actual load. Also any time you go over a bump or a dip there is even more load placed on it.
Its one thing to have 80kg directly ontop of the towbar, its another thing to have it a meter in the air and half a meter rearwards.
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2016 FGX XR8 Sprint, 6speed manual, Kinetic Blue #170 2004 BA wagon RTV project. 1998 EL XR8, Auto, Hot Chilli Red 1993 ED XR6, 5speed, Polynesian Green. 1 of 329. Retired 1968 XT Falcon 500 wagon, 3 on the tree, 3.6L. Patina project. |
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24-11-2014, 05:53 PM | #10 | ||
BANNED
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 2,886
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I wouldn't and have never worried about it.
Just put the bikes on and relax about it, the world won't end. |
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24-11-2014, 07:36 PM | #11 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,128
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Last edited by SumoDog68; 06-04-2018 at 08:23 PM. |
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24-11-2014, 08:56 PM | #12 | ||
Experienced Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Australasia
Posts: 7,690
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Purchase a Fiamma bike carrier that sits on the camper-van draw bar, they will fold down when camper van is in use, these can be purchased at any caravan dealer.
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24-11-2014, 09:02 PM | #13 | ||
Formally FairmontPom
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 1,125
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Try one of these with 50mm receiver compatible bike rack (try a Yakima one)
Then let me know if it works before I go out and buy one !
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1998 XH Falcon V8 S Pack, white, couple of dents. Bogan project 2024 Everest Platinum |
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24-11-2014, 09:17 PM | #14 | ||
3..2..1..
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Bellbird park
Posts: 7,218
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Just make the kids ride their bikes to the destination...
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24-11-2014, 09:18 PM | #15 | ||
Same ****-Different Day
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Northern Vic
Posts: 1,287
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I use a Pacific rack, very similar to the first link, with our caravan and have not had an issue,
It came with a strap to clip over the top of the tailgate, to stop any leverage as suggested by xr6martin.
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24-11-2014, 11:17 PM | #16 | ||
Thailand Specials
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25-11-2014, 08:31 AM | #17 | ||
Regular Member
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Location: Adelaide, SA
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25-11-2014, 09:39 AM | #18 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Wollongong
Posts: 3,115
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i have one like the first pic and i tow fine, however if i turn too sharp it turns the rack and almost hits the bumper. and the tow ball gets lose sometimes
but i keep my lower section on simply so i can hook my wheely bins on it and tow my bins back from the road and it works great
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25-11-2014, 09:48 AM | #19 | ||
Isn't it obvious?
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: in a world of idiots
Posts: 5,383
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put a rack on the caravan??
roof or end solves all worries about tow ball weight
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08 Strike G6E T. 10 Ergo G6E Sept 75 XB Falcon in mushroom beige, 3 on the tree 200cid for sale, offers in the teens |
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25-11-2014, 03:19 PM | #20 | |||
Experienced Member
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Location: Australasia
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Quote:
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25-11-2014, 08:04 PM | #21 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 366
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We have one similar to the first pic ,I've towed our camper trailer on our Jeep with the kids bikes attached no problems at all
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25-11-2014, 09:10 PM | #22 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 126
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My mum and dad had the first kind for years on their 1999 AU and would still have it if they had a tow bar to put it on. We used to tow with the bikes on the back every summer. I suppose the ball weight capacity would be a consideration, but we never had any trouble cornering.
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