Paul Ian
Member Since: 24 Jul 2011
Location: North London
Posts: 107
  
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Hi Guys could anyone advise on what is the best method for transporting bikes on the Discovery 3 as I am looking at several options either on the roof or using the rear of the vehicle. Obviously Land Rover make what appears a nice accessory however pricey, I don't want a system that rattles on a long journey through France. I also don't like the idea of trying to lift the bikes up on the roof as its quite high and I do not want to damage the roof. I am looking to transport three cycles.
Any help or guidance as usual very much appreciated
Paul
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 25th Feb 2012 10:01 am |
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al cope
Member Since: 08 Nov 2005
Location: Oldbury, WM
Posts: 10354
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I have a Witter bike rack on a fixed towbar, works great with 4
bikes and caravan on the back. Al Volvo 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
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| 25th Feb 2012 11:38 am |
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Ted Newman
Member Since: 09 Oct 2010
Location: SE London
Posts: 840
 
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If you have a standard fixed tow bar then the plate mounted type is more than adequate see http://www.towsure.com/product/Cyclemaster...le_Carrier they do an extension for three bikes.
We carried our bikes all over Europe on the back of out Sorento (with and without caravan hitched) and never had a problem.
Our problem now is that we have the LR Detachable ball and as our caravan has a stabiliser hitch we can not use the MAXXRAX system LR Discovery 4 XS pulling an Airstream 532 Caravan also own (since new) a 1996 MGF
Last edited by Ted Newman on 25th Feb 2012 6:29 pm. Edited 1 time in total
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| 25th Feb 2012 12:59 pm |
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DALEK
Member Since: 28 Jul 2011
Location: Near Stockport
Posts: 633
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Hi, Thule does an amazing rear rack that attaches to your tow bar. I have one and it transports 4 bikes happily. With the Disco 3 you need to tilt slightly to open tailgate.
A WORD OF WARNING.... I took family, boat, bikes and all the normal family paraphernalia to France last year and when you get to a toll road they have introduced height restrictions on most of the gates so if you have bikes on the roof you will have to go through with the wagons and caravans. At peak time this can mean hours spent waiting to pay for the road that was meant to get you there quickly!!!!!!
My solution would be bikes on the back…..no noise and no height issues. Can save a bit on Eurotunnel as well. If you are high you have to go on with the wagons and coaches.
Hope this helps PM me if I can be of further assistance.
Dalek D3 HSE ........................Gone!!!
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| 25th Feb 2012 1:09 pm |
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Popelka
Member Since: 31 May 2008
Location: Praha (Prague)
Posts: 2430
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| I'm confused why you dont |
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store them in the caravan while in transit or is that against the law or other reasons?? Experience is a difficult teacher, because she gives the test first and then the lesson afterwards!!!!
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| 25th Feb 2012 4:37 pm |
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al cope
Member Since: 08 Nov 2005
Location: Oldbury, WM
Posts: 10354
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Getting adult size bikes into the van is a pain, and can damage the interior Al Volvo 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
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| 26th Feb 2012 12:34 pm |
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ruggedpeak
Member Since: 10 Jun 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 1625
 
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http://www.disco3.co.uk/forum/topic64761.html
I'd definitely go with a tow bar mounted option. Lot easier. and there are loads to choose from.
I went with the rather radical option if importing a Thule rack from the US that works with the NAS square hitch receiver as it swings completely away from the back of the car (even when fully loaded with four bikes) so you have full rear access. The arm also folds away when not in use and it is easily removed and stowed in the boot when out cycling.
I don't tow anything like a tintent so happy to leave my NAS hitch on all the time as its less likely to be nicked than a conventional QR tow hitch
 Tony
Club RLD Wheel Protector & Sump Guard
Club 4x4 Info activated
Last edited by ruggedpeak on 26th Feb 2012 4:57 pm. Edited 1 time in total
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| 26th Feb 2012 2:22 pm |
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diverdave
Member Since: 21 Sep 2007
Location: manchester
Posts: 143
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hi just been reading about bike racks i have a detcable tow bar is there a rack that will go on this as i don,t want to have the bikes on the roof as the may cause a bit of drag  seeing that we drive a brick on wheels towing a big box to thanks for any advice david race
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| 26th Feb 2012 3:32 pm |
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sarumlight
Member Since: 06 Nov 2008
Location: Off the Plain
Posts: 1592
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Read the thread that's linked in ruggedpeak's post. I've got the Atera Strada and very happy with it. If you don't care about being able to open the tailgate without taking all the bikes off then there are cheaper ones.
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| 26th Feb 2012 3:35 pm |
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Ted Newman
Member Since: 09 Oct 2010
Location: SE London
Posts: 840
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David Race
If you want one when the trailer is on the back then the MaxxRaxx do one but not if you have a stabiliser hitch such as the AlKo and BPW Winterhof - we have the same problem. LR Discovery 4 XS pulling an Airstream 532 Caravan also own (since new) a 1996 MGF
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| 26th Feb 2012 3:52 pm |
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mickyd4
Member Since: 26 Jun 2010
Location: North
Posts: 786
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Thule bike rack mounted on a detatchable towbar. 2023 Ineos Grenadier 3.0 Diesel Commercial
2022 Mini John Cooper Works Hatch
2021 Golf MK8 GTD
1978 Land Rover SIII
1993 Range Rover Classic 3.9 V8
2007- Range Rover TDV8 - SOLD
2020 - Discovery 5 3.0 SD6 Landmark - SOLD
2020 - Defender 110 D240 First Edition - SOLD
2012- Discovery 4 3.0 SDV6 HSE - SOLD
2009- Discovery 4 3.0 TDV6 XS - SOLD
2007- Discovery 3 TDV6 GS- SOLD
2001- Defender 90 Td5 - SOLD
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| 26th Feb 2012 4:29 pm |
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Ted Newman
Member Since: 09 Oct 2010
Location: SE London
Posts: 840
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mickyd4 wrote:Thule bike rack mounted on a detatchable towbar.
Great but a wee bit awkward if you have a trailer hitched up 8) LR Discovery 4 XS pulling an Airstream 532 Caravan also own (since new) a 1996 MGF
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| 26th Feb 2012 5:07 pm |
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moorman
Member Since: 05 Jul 2009
Location: East Anglia
Posts: 276
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The best method I had to transport 4 cycles with caravan was a rack for 2 on the caravan A frame and another 2 on a rack on back of caravan. However this was on a German caravan. Now with a British van and only need to carry 2 bikes and they go on a tow bar mounted Thule rack and am able to turn full lock without hitting the van which surprised me. In my Range Rover days I tried roof rack variants with a ladder for getting up there and decided climbing a ladder with a bike was not a good idea.
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| 26th Feb 2012 9:07 pm |
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