bike rack

i need to carry 2 kids bikes i have a bike rack that i used on my old mondeo ( a universal halfords type thing) now the top of the rack hooks over the top of the spare wheel and the bottom sits flush against the spare wheel whilst the staps can be fixed to various fixing points the question is is will it be ok to put the extra weight on the spare wheel / mounting as i have noticed the proper bike racks actually bolt onto the spare wheel! thanks

I have a bike rack that fits over the spare wheel as you describe, It was marketed for Defenders and Disco's.

Mine has a facility to offset the arms to "centre" the bikes and prevent them protruding beyond the drivers side. I think that's going to be your main worry rather than the weight of the bikes.

Hope this helps,

Alyn

Hi the centreing is no prob as i can take the wheel off and i will be towing a caravan anyway i just wanted to make sure the wheel was ok to take the weight cheers

It should be fine. I've carried my spare, a Hi-lift and three cycles with no (apparent) ill-effects. Just take the spare wheel off and have a look behind the wheel carrier, and it's mounting points, for tin worm ..

I've always carried 3 adult bikes this way no problem- I've even got a 'rods' that bolt direct into the spare bolt holes on the spare wheel to do away with all the straps etc. This way of carrying bikes seems good and the read door still opens unlike tow-bar mounts and roof mounts are a bit of a struggle when your vehicle is already taller than you are.

I also have carried 3 adult bikes many times and now carry a tandem on the spare wheel. as for the weight, I often kneel on the spare wheel when I am washing the roof and have stood on it to get a recover a radio controlled plane from a tree.

i carry 3 adult bikes on a normal rack tied down to the rear door and the lower arm sits just on top of bumper, you can still open and close the door but it does pull it back a bit and i get an anoying whistle at bout 60