Towball mounted bike carrier...

[fastbikes76]

I’m fully aware of the rules regarding trailers, reduced speed limits and no use of Lane 3 etc when towing a trailer. However I’m not 100% certain if a bike carrier mounted on the towball counts as a ‘trailer’ or not as it sits behind the car and has its own lights and number plate board. Given the lack of wheels and weight/stability issues I’m guessing I’m free to carry on as normal, but then I have been known to be wrong before

I’m about to head off to Holland next week and haven’t used one of these style racks before. Whilst probably a daft question for most , it’s something I would prefer to establish before hand . Carrier is one like the pic below

[Chester draws]

I'm not aware that you need to legally follow trailer speed limits. But it's probably wise to drop your speed a bit anyway.

Ive seen a video where an abrupt motorway lane change caused the carrier to rotate about the ball, and smashed the bikes into the car. Also hard braking the same.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=D7TLOUDw5vw around 1 minute in.

I tend to drive the car as if I had the trailer on when we have our 4 bikes on.

Edited by Chester draws on Wednesday 23 May 15:02

[spookly]

I've driven quite quickly with one of those on the back of a Range Rover. As noted by the gentleman before me, you need to clamp them down tight or they can swing about, but I've never had that happen.

From a legal perspective, don't know, but my assumption would be it isn't a trailer. Doubt you'd get stopped for going normal car speed limits with one attached.

[fastbikes76]

It will be tightened to buggery but I also intend to put a strap on either end into the boot onto the lashing hooks. That way with a little tention either end it won’t be able to swing around .

I don’t intend on driving like an idiot, but on the lovely open roads abroad and some of the way down to Dover I would prefer not having to trundle along like grandad.

My assumption seem about right then, not a trailer so carry on as usual but behave .

Thanks

[2Btoo]

I know it's not your question but go very easy with these. I followed a friend with one mounted on the back of their Astra two summers ago and it came adrift. It was heavily laden (four bikes - two adults' and two kids') and was a nasty combination of carrying more speed than would be wise and a sudden dip in the road but the thing drooped down very suddenly and caused two bikes to drag along the ground.

I didn't like the engineering of the thing as it puts a massive torque on the connection with the towball and was surprised they work at all. If I had one on the back of my car I'd go very easy indeed.

[TooMany2cvs]

I have (/had) a Thule ball-mount bike rack, but with an extra bracket which either fits behind the ball on a two-bolt bar, or clamps around a swan-neck. Two perfectly normal low-end mountain bikes on, and a sharp bump (a joint on a metal temporary road accessing a muddy field, so no great speed), and the entire rack drooped badly - turned out to have creased and bent just behind the ball clamp.

[vikingaero]

I asked my Insurers this. My Clubman S is not homologated for having a tow bar fitted for towing. However, I wanted to fit one for a bike rack. I never ever want to tow in it. They agreed it was fine and that I would be covered. They explicitly said that they would not cover me for towing a wheeled vehicle, trailer or caravan except for 3rd party liability.

In my view the tow bar bike rack is like a roof rack.

Roofbox.co.uk supply all their tow bar mounted racks with a free Fasty webbing strap to wrap around the frames and mounting arms on the bike rack to stop them "jumping" off. They say it is belt and braces.

[fastbikes76]

Cheers all,

Being the engineer type I am, I shall look to make and fit a strong bracket to prevent droop. Looking online it seems this issue has been resolved with the later Thule models like I’m getting but will do the belt n braces approach.

As for security of bikes, I will use the standard wheel straps and then a long 8mm bike cable to secure all three bikes together and to the frame too . It should all go swimmingly as I won’t be a loon, just would like to sit at a comfy 80 where situations allow.

[2Btoo]

fastbikes76 said:

... just would like to sit at a comfy 80 where situations allow.

Great username!

[glenmore3685]

I've been using an Atera Strada 3 bike rack for the last 6 years. Never had an issue with any movement and I pretty much drive the same as I do when its not mounted.

After trying all types of bike carrying options this is without a doubt the best option. Initially you do wonder how they manage to hold everything on with just one mounting point but the clamping mechanism on the Atera is really strong.

[tuffer]

I have a Thule one and the only issue I have had in 5 years is when I hit a speed bump at pace which I had not noticed (on a main A road!!!). Whilst the carrier does not move down easily, it does move up, the bikes very nearly came through the rear screen.

[Ranger 6]

fastbikes76 said:

As for security of bikes, I will use the standard wheel straps and then a long 8mm bike cable to secure all three bikes together and to the frame too . It should all go swimmingly as I won’t be a loon, just would like to sit at a comfy 80 where situations allow.

I've got the same one (Thule) as your picture - with sensible mounting and the straps you suggest I've not had any issues. I make sure both wheels are tethered to the carrier as I did have an issue with a bike moving when I'd only done one wheel. The usual 'short trip so doesn't matter', actually yes, it does.

I've also done a similar speed (and maybe a bit faster.... ) with two adult bikes on.

[bad company]

I have a BMW electric towbar and bike rack both purchased new with the car. There’s a sticker on the bike rack saying I shouldn’t exceed 130kph.

I always drive extra carefully with the bikes on the back though.

[Tiggsy]

Took my 2 mtb's up to Skye last month - if there is a limit on these tow ball things.....I was not sticking to it

[48k]

glenmore3685 said:

I've been using an Atera Strada 3 bike rack for the last 6 years. Never had an issue with any movement and I pretty much drive the same as I do when its not mounted.

After trying all types of bike carrying options this is without a doubt the best option. Initially you do wonder how they manage to hold everything on with just one mounting point but the clamping mechanism on the Atera is really strong.

We had the Atera Strada as well, very solid piece of kit, very impressed.

[Ardennes92]

I have a Westphalia triple bike unit as well as a Thule flexible carrier that I used for transporting my fathers "boot scooter" around; these were specifically chosen because there weren't any restrictions on their use at the time. Interesting thing is they have a max loading which exceeded the max towball load, 100kg for me but some cars are only 50kg. Never had an issue with stability of the unit or vehicle at any speed and have used both over thousands of miles around Europe.

[Chrisgr31]

Ardennes92 said:

Interesting thing is they have a max loading which exceeded the max towball load, 100kg for me but some cars are only 50kg. Never had an issue with stability of the unit or vehicle at any speed and have used both over thousands of miles around Europe.

This is the bit that interests me. I have a carrier that bolts on to the towball backing plate, so I can continue to tow and carry bikes. However I am careful and I only carry one bike when towing.

These bike racks do put a significant amount of weight beyond the rear of the car and I would be very surprised if they dont significantly affect handling especially in an emergency at speed.

[numtumfutunch]

Tiggsy said:

Took my 2 mtb's up to Skye last month - if there is a limit on these tow ball things.....I was not sticking to it

I have carried 4 bikes on a Thule rack to and from the Pyrenees and Alps a number of times at speed without any dramas and would do so again tomorrow

Cheers

[TooMany2cvs]

Ardennes92 said:

Interesting thing is they have a max loading which exceeded the max towball load, 100kg for me but some cars are only 50kg.

Applicable weight limit is whichever is the first one to be breached...

There's the carrier (should be on it), the towbar noseweight (should be on it), the rear axle max (on the VIN plate), GVW (also on the VIN plate).

[fastbikes76]

Thanks for the info chaps. My thoughts are confirmed, if I need to pass one of the many MLM’s pottering along at 55 I am free to use Lane 3 as normal.

Nose weight is 90kgs, carrier is 12kgs and load weight is a further 45. I will be well under and with polybushed M Sport suspension I should be fine for handling.

It’s been a good insight though from others experiences.

Many thanks
Fb