Witter cycle carrier

Does anyone have any experience of the Witter ZX99 cycle carrier on a Freelander 1? On some instructions I read it suggests the top of the rack is bungied over the top of the door, not a good idea as it is glass. Can you do it to the spare wheel instead? I am not keen on mounting a carrier to the spare wheel, but any other suggestions for mounting on the tow hitch appreciated.

zip01 said:

Does anyone have any experience of the Witter ZX99 cycle carrier on a Freelander 1? On some instructions I read it suggests the top of the rack is bungied over the top of the door, not a good idea as it is glass. Can you do it to the spare wheel instead? I am not keen on mounting a carrier to the spare wheel, but any other suggestions for mounting on the tow hitch appreciated.

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We carry bikes on the roof (roof bars and carriers). Seems the more obvious place on a Fleabag.

I'm looking at getting this 1 LAND ROVER FREELANDER CYCLE CARRIER '98 TO'06 | eBay

A while back I bought a Simbar 4 cycle rack for the Discovery.
It fits thru the centre hole of the spare wheel and the boss stays in place behind the wheel.
The rack itself is fitted onto the boss and padlocked in place.

My wife had also had a Freelander and rather than buy another rack I modified the boss slightly to fit thru the centre hole of the spare wheel and used it on both vehicles.
Even when the bikes were on the rack, the back door could still be opened.

Sadly the thing sits in the garage collecting dust as are the bikes but maybe this year if it stops raining for more than 5 mins we may have a day out!

I started off with a towball mounted one but didn't like it as there was no access to the boot when it was on.

This is the one I had, but there are others out there.
http://www.johncraddockltd.co.uk/land-rover-parts/jc213994-4-bike-rack-discovery-2-by-simbars.html

This one does exactly what you are looking for..
Mottez 4x4 Spare Wheel 3 Bike Cycle Carrier Rack A500P Land Rover Freelander m1 | eBay

over the spare wheel not the roof

The Simbar one is good.

Fits to a plate behind the spare wheel through the centre boss.

Took three bikes to Greece and back - no problems - doesn't prevent use of the rear door at all.

Thanks for the replies, but I am really looking for something to go on the back of the tow ball, like the Witter ZX99. Any one out there ever use one, and if so how did you secure the top of it.

zip01 said:

Thanks for the replies, but I am really looking for something to go on the back of the tow ball, like the Witter ZX99. Any one out there ever use one, and if so how did you secure the top of it.

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Why do you want it on the tow-ball?

It's extremely inconvenient there - I looked at all the possibilities and rejected the tow-ball idea almost right away.

Why don't you use something like mine. Twinnyload with adapter because of the wheel on the back. Also is this one with an extension usefull for 3 bikes. Without adapter usefull on other cars and also usefull on our caravan.

By going "behind" the towbar, all of the bike wieght is taken up by the tow bar and vehicle chassis, rather than on the door hinge. I have used this form of rack on previous saloon cars, ,however, the freelander introduces new challanges. The witter rack comes apart quickley, but as stated earlier, suggests that a strap is used from the top of it, to the top of the rear door. This may be ok on other 4x4, but not here, due to the retracting rear window. I am not sure if the strap is important, or if it can be secured to the spare wheel. With the wheel not bieng central on the door, this may not be a good idea, and I may have to consider the wheel mounting option.

I think this one would not fit unless you remove the spare wheel..

WITTER ZX89 3 Bike Towbar Mounted Cycle Carrier Fits Flange Towbar Types NEW | eBay

These ones looks that kind of thing your after,,but my god there expensive.

Witter ZX300 Bike Carrier Towbar Mounted Platform Rack | eBay

Witter ZX400 Bike Carrier Towbar Mounted Platform Rack | eBay

Witter ZX404 Bike Carrier Towbar Mounted Platform Rack | eBay

Good luck with either..
P.S neither one when fitted require any more than the tow ball to fix too..
do a Google image search and see for yourself...no top restraint at all..

Unless you have 3 or more bikes on it..

This one doesn't use any restraint systems,,

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CYCLE-CAR...ailers_Transporters_Parts&hash=item4603c9675f

I have one of these

Halfords | Halfords 4 Bike Tow Bar Cycle Carrier

Great bit of kit, especially when I got it £100 cheaper.