nobbyclark
Member Since: 03 May 2005
Location: Perth, Scotland
Posts: 1268
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Hi all,
Can anyone recommend a bike rack for a D3 without a tow hitch or bar? I need to carry 2 adult and 2 kiddie bikes.
I've looked at Pendle's site and they imply that I need a towing device and I've also looked at Halfords' site, which tells me next to nowt.
My preference is for something at the back of the car rather than on the roof.
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14th Dec 2005 4:50 pm |
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BN
Member Since: 18 Mar 2005
Location: Here
Posts: 6463
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nobbyclark wrote:Hi all,
Can anyone recommend a bike rack for a D3 without a tow hitch or bar? I need to carry 2 adult and 2 kiddie bikes.
I've looked at Pendle's site and they imply that I need a towing device and I've also looked at Halfords' site, which tells me next to nowt.
My preference is for something at the back of the car rather than on the roof.
There is an adapter that slots into the tow box and racks can be fitted to that. LR charge about £160 I think for the adapter. It has been shown on the site previously.
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14th Dec 2005 4:54 pm |
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Slimer
Site Moderator
Member Since: 06 Jan 2005
Location: Last Exit to Nowhere
Posts: 16295
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Brian's talking about the removeable 2" receiver hitch, very good but if you have no other use for it you may as well spend a few pounds more (or possibly less on ebay) and get a removable tow-bar and a bike rack to fit that. At least then you could use it for towing too if needs be. Unfortuantely there aren't that many accessories readily available to fit 2" hitches in the UK. The End
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14th Dec 2005 8:45 pm |
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KL
Member Since: 16 Jun 2005
Location: Gilling, nr York
Posts: 713
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Slimer wrote:Brian's talking about the removeable 2" receiver hitch, very good but if you have no other use for it you may as well spend a few pounds more (or possibly less on ebay) and get a removable tow-bar and a bike rack to fit that. At least then you could use it for towing too if needs be. Unfortuantely there aren't that many accessories readily available to fit 2" hitches in the UK.
You're right. I had a good look at the 2" accessories available in the UK and there aren't.
As Slimer says, the best option would be to go for the removable tow ball (with electrics if you need a light board), and there are a few bike racks which will mount on the swan neck tow ball from the likes of www.roofbox.co.uk and others. Discovery 3 tdv6 7 seat Buckingham Blue
Had it since new - sold Jun 17 after 12 years and 214,000 miles
Last edited by KL on 15th Dec 2005 12:19 pm. Edited 1 time in total
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15th Dec 2005 12:19 am |
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KL
Member Since: 16 Jun 2005
Location: Gilling, nr York
Posts: 713
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nobbyclark wrote:www.rooftopbox.co.uk
Is that the correct URL? It comes up with a 404...
Oops
Edited now! Discovery 3 tdv6 7 seat Buckingham Blue
Had it since new - sold Jun 17 after 12 years and 214,000 miles
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15th Dec 2005 12:20 pm |
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nobbyclark
Member Since: 03 May 2005
Location: Perth, Scotland
Posts: 1268
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Ok, so it looks like I need to get a towbar fitted. Never having had one before, who do I turn to ?! Spent some time looking at Towsure, Witter and some others, but the D3 is conspicuous by its absence.
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15th Dec 2005 3:34 pm |
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Slimer
Site Moderator
Member Since: 06 Jan 2005
Location: Last Exit to Nowhere
Posts: 16295
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By the removable one from LR (or ebay), takes 10 seconds to fit The End
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15th Dec 2005 3:53 pm |
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KL
Member Since: 16 Jun 2005
Location: Gilling, nr York
Posts: 713
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Slimer wrote:By the removable one from LR (or ebay), takes 10 seconds to fit
Only fits to the heavy duty LR towbar - ie permanently fitted to your vehicle.
EDIT - thought you meant the removable bike rack, not the removable towball! Discovery 3 tdv6 7 seat Buckingham Blue
Had it since new - sold Jun 17 after 12 years and 214,000 miles
Last edited by KL on 15th Dec 2005 5:47 pm. Edited 1 time in total
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15th Dec 2005 5:38 pm |
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KL
Member Since: 16 Jun 2005
Location: Gilling, nr York
Posts: 713
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nobbyclark wrote:Ok, so it looks like I need to get a towbar fitted. Never having had one before, who do I turn to ?! Spent some time looking at Towsure, Witter and some others, but the D3 is conspicuous by its absence.
As far as I'm aware, the only place you can get a towbar for your D3 is off LR. [I'd love for someone to be able to contradict this!]
You can fit the detachable towbar (& electrics) yourself. Plenty of threads here on where to find the instructions off the LR Owners' site.
I'm fairly sure you can also fit the heavy duty one yourself - although check first before you buy! Discovery 3 tdv6 7 seat Buckingham Blue
Had it since new - sold Jun 17 after 12 years and 214,000 miles
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15th Dec 2005 5:42 pm |
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Slimer
Site Moderator
Member Since: 06 Jan 2005
Location: Last Exit to Nowhere
Posts: 16295
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KL wrote:Only fits to the heavy duty LR towbar - ie permanently fitted to your vehicle. I thought you could get bike racks that clamped onto the tow ball? The End
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15th Dec 2005 5:44 pm |
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KL
Member Since: 16 Jun 2005
Location: Gilling, nr York
Posts: 713
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Slimer wrote:KL wrote:Only fits to the heavy duty LR towbar - ie permanently fitted to your vehicle. I thought you could get bike racks that clamped onto the tow ball?
You can, but not from LR.
Thule and others do some. You can get ones that swing down so that the boot opens too. Discovery 3 tdv6 7 seat Buckingham Blue
Had it since new - sold Jun 17 after 12 years and 214,000 miles
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15th Dec 2005 5:45 pm |
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Slimer
Site Moderator
Member Since: 06 Jan 2005
Location: Last Exit to Nowhere
Posts: 16295
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Ah, knew I wasn't talking complete rubbish. So if you don't want a permanently fixed towbar get the quick release one from LR and a bike rack from elsewhere The End
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15th Dec 2005 5:50 pm |
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nobbyclark
Member Since: 03 May 2005
Location: Perth, Scotland
Posts: 1268
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Just for info, I bought a Halfords 'high mount' 3 cycle carrier and have been using that for the past 2 weeks. Fits ok, but the straps need to be tightly adjusted to ensure the whole thing does not move. Successfully went from London to Perth (and thence Aviemore) and back again without losing any of the 3 bikes on the back. Even survived the speed bumps in SW18, which eventually caused the Rhode Gear rack on my TDi 300 to give up the ghost after 8 years.
Only a temporary solution though, as it takes ages to get the thing on and adjusted, and it's impossible to open the tailgate once fitted. Will get a detachable tow bar and suitable rack when finances allow.
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4th Jan 2006 4:14 pm |
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