Member Since: 09 Mar 2016
Location: Southampton
Posts: 86
6 bikes on the rooF....possible??
Hi all,
I've put this in the Camping section as it's when we carry the bikes. Please move if somewhere better for it??
As we tow a caravan, and need instant access into the boot for the dogs, I really need to carry 6 bikes on the roof.
Has anyone managed this?
I am thinking I could get an extra roof bar (use genuine bars at the moment) and position this as far to the rear as possible (I would need to create an extra locking slot in the roof runner with a Dremmel).
Then I could stagger 3 on the front facing forward, and 3 on the rear facing back, with all 6 of the rear wheels landing on the centre bar (narrowest part of the Thule 532's I currently use.
I'd like to avoid changing the whole set-up to wider bars or different bike carriers if I can to save on the expense.
Any thoughts or previous experience.
Thanks
Ben
26th Jun 2017 3:31 pm
Snowman
Member Since: 06 Aug 2016
Location: Holmfirth
Posts: 317
this may be a daft question, but why not 4 on the roof and 2 in the van ,
then 4 on the roof and 2 in the back if travelling solo.
or rent a tow bar mounted rack and use that as well when solo.Andy.
Series 3 SWB Wagon OEC614Y sold
Discovery 1 50th Anniversary Edition S882 BMA sold
Freelander TD4 ES Y615 YEC sold
Freelander TD4 Kalahari NX53 EVH sold
D2 TD5 XS 2003 YF03 WVW sold
D3 TDV6 2008 SE
26th Jun 2017 3:42 pm
J@mes
Member Since: 10 Nov 2008
Location: Bomber County
Posts: 4547
Some vans can have bike racks mounted on the back - worth looking in to?
26th Jun 2017 3:45 pm
Benners66
Member Since: 09 Mar 2016
Location: Southampton
Posts: 86
Not a daft question.
We are running pretty close to maximum weight with all the stuff we need to carry for the kids and dogs. Ideally I'd like them up out of the way, if possible.
Cheers
26th Jun 2017 3:46 pm
Benners66
Member Since: 09 Mar 2016
Location: Southampton
Posts: 86
J@mes,
That could be an option when we swap vans but I'm struggling for weight. Think we'll have to swap in the next year or 2. Maybe twin axles have more weight allowance?
26th Jun 2017 3:49 pm
Snowman
Member Since: 06 Aug 2016
Location: Holmfirth
Posts: 317
Just a word of warning on Racks mounted to the rear of caravans.
don't forget that you will reduce your nose weight by doing this, i know my set up likes to be nose heavy.
also the weight of the rack and bikes will come off the payload of the Van so you will be possibly overloaded if you go down this routeAndy.
Series 3 SWB Wagon OEC614Y sold
Discovery 1 50th Anniversary Edition S882 BMA sold
Freelander TD4 ES Y615 YEC sold
Freelander TD4 Kalahari NX53 EVH sold
D2 TD5 XS 2003 YF03 WVW sold
D3 TDV6 2008 SE
26th Jun 2017 4:00 pm
al cope
Member Since: 08 Nov 2005
Location: Oldbury, WM
Posts: 10361
isnt the roof rack loading 75kg max. If so, each bike typically weighs 15kg, more if its a hefty mountain bike, so 6 bikes could be over the roof rack weight limit.
Also, just as a test, slide one of your bars right to the rear (obviously you cant lock it place) and then try opening the tailgate - I think it hits the cross bar
AlVolvo XC90 B5 Plus Dark
Gone - MY18 D5 HSE - Corris on 22's with Black Pack
Now gone - MY16 D4 SE Tech, Loire Blue, Almond Leather, Privacy, plus some other goodies.
Old - MY12 D4 SDV6 XS Auto - Ipanema Sand with Almond Leather - Plus other niceties, and D4.com sticker
Older - D3 TDV6 XS Auto - Lugano Teal with Almond Leather, 20" Stormers, Shiny Tailpipes, DVD/TV - and obligatory D3 sticker
Ancient - D3 TDV6 S - Tonga with Ebony, 20" Stormers, satnav & DVD
26th Jun 2017 4:01 pm
Benners66
Member Since: 09 Mar 2016
Location: Southampton
Posts: 86
Thanks Al
It does state 75kg but wasn't sure if that's per bar, per pair of bars or max load on roof.
You are right. I slid right to the back and yep, the tail gate hits the bike carrier. Something would break.
Also 6 tails will not fit on one bar.
Looks like its 4 bikes on the roof, and possibly 2 on a MaxxRaxx type carrier and have to take them off when we have to get the dogs out. Not ideal but can't see another solution.
Cheers for the replies.
26th Jun 2017 9:32 pm
LT
Member Since: 31 Dec 2005
Location: South West
Posts: 23866
Or hitch up a bike trailer behind the caravan:
2006 D3 HSE (Original & still the best)-GONE
2010 D4 HSE (A bit bling)-GONE
2014 D4 HSE (Almost too bling)-GONE
2015 D4 HSE (A heated what?)-GONE
2016 D4 Landmark (Written Off)-GONE
2016 D4 Landmark (Surely the last!) PD1881 rims-GONE
2017 FFRR SDV8 Autobiography (now semi-retired)
26th Jun 2017 9:52 pm
BorisBarKeep
Member Since: 13 Dec 2012
Location: Northants
Posts: 93
Managed to get 3 road and 2 MTB on roof all next to each other by removing pedals and turning bars sideways on MTBs.
Did think about having 3 bars and staggering them as you suggest
As above think weight is main concern - thankfully roadbikes all less than 10kg so was ok
27th Jun 2017 9:38 am
Simonstarski
Member Since: 24 Jun 2012
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 686
LT wrote:
Or hitch up a bike trailer behind the caravan:
I'm not sure about the legals of a trailer behind a trailer.. we did it for a couple of years towing jetski's about without ever being challenged. I even asked a policeman who scratched his hair and said as he actually didn't know he'd ignore us.
I'd like to know the difinitive answer. I was told of showmans licence but couldn't find out anything about it.
I'm going to be doing it again soon as the tackers are big enough for their own skis now but not old enough to drive. 3 skis is the most we towed but I'll go for two double trailers braked this time. About 1200kgs each loaded.
Narpy Grill, tinted windows, Smooth leather wheel (TLO Group buy), ACM fitted (thanks TLO), Rear door loom and Row 2 & 3 audio switch upgrade, RRS 20" wheel change, 285 Cooper LTZ's Sat Nav Mod (until I get a Faultmate upgrade), Front & Rear lamp guards. 4x4 screen now switched on - Woody32, Follow me home reverse lights - woody32, Auto release EPB - Woody32. Off Road Navigation - Woody32. Remap + EGR's switched off. Full chassis clean and Waxoyl.
27th Jun 2017 10:03 am
SouthernWombat
Member Since: 30 Aug 2014
Location: Devon
Posts: 224
When fully loaded, we let our dogs in and out using the LHS rear door - just fold the seat forward as for access to the third row when used.
27th Jun 2017 11:17 am
mark the spark
Member Since: 22 Jun 2011
Location: southampton
Posts: 2531
put a drop plate on the tow bar (assuming you have a fixed one it cant be done with the removable)
then you can get a rack that fixes onto the plate
you can then mount 4 on the roof and 2 on the back or 3 and 3 and still hitch ..be careful on tight turns tho
mind you in my experience its less hassle to just leave the kids at home and go on your own cos they wont appreciate the effort anyway and prob wont use them when your there MY05 SE D3 Manual my first LR what a car
MY10 HSE D4 auto
MY14 XXV more buttons than the spaceshuttle
27th Jun 2017 11:32 am
al cope
Member Since: 08 Nov 2005
Location: Oldbury, WM
Posts: 10361
If you have the fixed towbar you dont need the drop plate as there are 2 sets of holes availible anyway.
here's mine with a Witter bike bracket (its an older pc, pigtail now gone, replaced with flat bar with hole for attaching breakaway cable) :
Click image to enlarge
I've had 4 bikes plus the 'van hitched. Yes you need to be carefull the bikes dont hit the front of the 'van on tight manouvering turns (typically on site), but never any issues with normal road manouvers.
AlVolvo XC90 B5 Plus Dark
Gone - MY18 D5 HSE - Corris on 22's with Black Pack
Now gone - MY16 D4 SE Tech, Loire Blue, Almond Leather, Privacy, plus some other goodies.
Old - MY12 D4 SDV6 XS Auto - Ipanema Sand with Almond Leather - Plus other niceties, and D4.com sticker
Older - D3 TDV6 XS Auto - Lugano Teal with Almond Leather, 20" Stormers, Shiny Tailpipes, DVD/TV - and obligatory D3 sticker
Ancient - D3 TDV6 S - Tonga with Ebony, 20" Stormers, satnav & DVD
27th Jun 2017 12:12 pm
Gazellio
Member Since: 08 Jan 2011
Location: Chilterns
Posts: 4130
Best option is to mount carrier in front of caravan (not on car) for better weight distributrion....
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
