carrying bikes with range rover

Hi all

I could do with some advice on the best way to carry our bikes (two) with
our range rover classic whilst towing the van.

I have a rack that clamps onto the two ball which is fine when not towing,
but obviously no good when hitched up. I believe there are types that bolt
onto the two lowball bolts, any good? and any recommended models? The only
down side I can see is that you would not be able to access the top
tailgate, is there any way around that?

There seems to be plenty of models around for clamping on the back of
hatchback cars but I can't see how they would fit the range rover.

I suppose the other way would be on the roof, but I am a bit dubious about
the overall height as it is a biggish vehicle anyway. Someone suggested
putting them inside, but with all the kit we carry there wouldn't be the
room.!! (its only a small van).

I am sure there are other classic owners that have had a similar problem,
any ideas?

Thanks

John

john.miller188 wrote:
> Hi all
>
> I could do with some advice on the best way to carry our bikes (two) with
> our range rover classic whilst towing the van.
>
> I have a rack that clamps onto the two ball which is fine when not towing,
> but obviously no good when hitched up. I believe there are types that bolt
> onto the two towball bolts, any good? and any recommended models? The only
> down side I can see is that you would not be able to access the top
> tailgate, is there any way around that?

> Thanks
>
> John

You will probably have had to fit the tow ball fairly low down to match
the caravan, possibly even on an additional drop plate. There is likely
to be space to fit a second ball above the first. I have two balls 9.5
inches apart. (Don't go down that route!!) That second ball could take
your existing bike rack. Possible?

Yes, you'll lose access to the top tailgate. How do you get on for
clearance between the bikes and the caravan when on full lock?

Dougal wrote:

>That second ball could take
> your existing bike rack. Possible?

Make your eyes water though.

Steve

You need one like this:
http://www.haymanreese.com.au/consumer/products/bikeracks/index.htm

Third one down- as they say, ' Can tow while fitted '.
We've got a similar one, towing's no problem, though opening the top
tailgate is. '98 RR now, used to use it with my old dear departed '83
(*snif*). I think we could get the top tailgate open on the '83 when the
carrier was on & loaded, but can't be certain- it was a while ago.

Alternatively, weld the carrier's bottom plate to your drawbar. I've seen it
done, looks OK.

A. Top posters.
Q. What's the most irritating thing about usenet?




"Dougal" <DougalAThiskennel.free-online.co.uk> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> john.miller188 wrote:
> > Hi all
> >
> > I could do with some advice on the best way to carry our bikes (two)
with
> > our range rover classic whilst towing the van.
> >
> > I have a rack that clamps onto the two ball which is fine when not
towing,
> > but obviously no good when hitched up. I believe there are types that
bolt
> > onto the two towball bolts, any good? and any recommended models? The
only
> > down side I can see is that you would not be able to access the top
> > tailgate, is there any way around that?
>
> > Thanks
> >
> > John
>
> You will probably have had to fit the tow ball fairly low down to match
> the caravan, possibly even on an additional drop plate. There is likely
> to be space to fit a second ball above the first. I have two balls 9.5
> inches apart. (Don't go down that route!!) That second ball could take
> your existing bike rack. Possible?
>
> Yes, you'll lose access to the top tailgate. How do you get on for
> clearance between the bikes and the caravan when on full lock?

Or there's always this sort of thing, mounted on the rear of your caravan:
http://www.bernsbeaks.com.au/bernsbeaks3/Caravans.htm

As he points out, a single pole carrier isn't strong enough for offroad
work, either on your vehicle or on your van.. You'l need an A-frame carrier-
because of course, you do take your LR offroad, don't you.

P.S. we had no problems with clearance on full lock...



"Natalie Drest" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> You need one like this:
> http://www.haymanreese.com.au/consumer/products/bikeracks/index.htm
>
> Third one down- as they say, ' Can tow while fitted '.
> We've got a similar one, towing's no problem, though opening the top
> tailgate is. '98 RR now, used to use it with my old dear departed '83
> (*snif*). I think we could get the top tailgate open on the '83 when the
> carrier was on & loaded, but can't be certain- it was a while ago.
>
> Alternatively, weld the carrier's bottom plate to your drawbar. I've seen
it
> done, looks OK.
>
> A. Top posters.
> Q. What's the most irritating thing about usenet?
>
>
>
>
> "Dougal" <DougalAThiskennel.free-online.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > john.miller188 wrote:
> > > Hi all
> > >
> > > I could do with some advice on the best way to carry our bikes (two)
> with
> > > our range rover classic whilst towing the van.
> > >
> > > I have a rack that clamps onto the two ball which is fine when not
> towing,
> > > but obviously no good when hitched up. I believe there are types that
> bolt
> > > onto the two towball bolts, any good? and any recommended models? The
> only
> > > down side I can see is that you would not be able to access the top
> > > tailgate, is there any way around that?
> >
> > > Thanks
> > >
> > > John
> >
> > You will probably have had to fit the tow ball fairly low down to match
> > the caravan, possibly even on an additional drop plate. There is likely
> > to be space to fit a second ball above the first. I have two balls 9.5
> > inches apart. (Don't go down that route!!) That second ball could take
> > your existing bike rack. Possible?
> >
> > Yes, you'll lose access to the top tailgate. How do you get on for
> > clearance between the bikes and the caravan when on full lock?
>
>

so Natalie Drest was, like...
> Or there's always this sort of thing, mounted on the rear of your
> caravan: http://www.bernsbeaks.com.au/bernsbeaks3/Caravans.htm
>
>
Looks pretty dire to me. Mounting bikes on the *rear* of a caravan is not
recommended because a) the GRP rear panel that most caravans have is not
designed for that kind of load, and b) it's putting a substantial weight
where it can do most harm to the stability of the outfit. Heavy weights
in/on the van should be carried as near to the centre of rotation (the
caravan axle) as possible. There are only four places to mount cycles which
don't compromise stability: on the roof of the towcar, on the rear of the
towcar, above the drawbar of the van (I have seen it done, on European vans
mostly), and inside the van, over the axle.

None of the mainstream caravan accessory people offer this type of mounting.
This website looks a bit amateurish, and I wonder how many of these they
have made and how far they would back you up if anything went wrong with the
product. The fact that they won't guarantee their coatings and any
components of the mounting not made by them doesn't inspire confidence.
They say "we can't guarantee gear we don't make". Australian law may be
different, but they could not say that in the UK.

Motorvans don't have this stability issue, which is why you see lots of
bikes (and even motorbikes)mounted across the rear.


--
Rich
==============================
Disco 300 Tdi auto
S2a 88" SW
Tiggrr (V8 trialler)

"Richard Brookman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> so Natalie Drest was, like...
> > Or there's always this sort of thing, mounted on the rear of your
> > caravan: http://www.bernsbeaks.com.au/bernsbeaks3/Caravans.htm
> >
> >
> Looks pretty dire to me. Mounting bikes on the *rear* of a caravan is not
> recommended because a) the GRP rear panel that most caravans have is not
> designed for that kind of load,

He mounts it on a fabricated subframe/bumper if you don't have one. Some
caravans here have proper bumpers standard.
I'd suggest you take a closer look at his site, but it seems to be off the
air. His missus must have stopped pedalling.


and b) it's putting a substantial weight
> where it can do most harm to the stability of the outfit.

So take it into account- like one does with everything else loaded into a
'van.

Heavy weights
> in/on the van should be carried as near to the centre of rotation (the
> caravan axle) as possible. There are only four places to mount cycles
which
> don't compromise stability: on the roof of the towcar, on the rear of the
> towcar, above the drawbar of the van (I have seen it done, on European
vans
> mostly), and inside the van, over the axle.

Point taken.
But we aren't talking about mounting a motorbike here, just a treadly. They
weigh less than a spare tyre, & I've definitely seen tyres on the back of
vans- didn't seem to do any harm.

>
> None of the mainstream caravan accessory people offer this type of
mounting.

Doesn't mean anything. Not many of the 'mainstream' companies offer a
practical solution for the gentleman's problem either. Took me a while to
find a site showing one like the one I own, which does solve his problem-
see previous post.

> This website looks a bit amateurish,

Agreed!!

and I wonder how many of these they
> have made

Lots actually.

and how far they would back you up if anything went wrong with the
> product.

My experience with family businesses that actually make things is that
they'll look after you much longer than a 12-month warranty from a big-name
company that has its stuff made in China. No problem for them to take it out
to the workshop and do a spot of welding, or even an improvement for you-
even years later. They have pride in their workmanship. This fellow's site
may be amateurish, but I think it communicates that pride in workmanship
quite well. He's clearly a hands-on, make-things kind of guy, as opposed to
a web-nerd or a marketing person. Also, these kinds of businesses that
fabricate gear for use in the outback have years of experience, & take their
creations out on tour themselves to test & refine them. And if it lasts out
there, it'll last anywhere.

The fact that they won't guarantee their coatings and any
> components of the mounting not made by them doesn't inspire confidence.

To what degree are coatings guaranteed by LR? If I scratch the paint on my
car's steel panel & it rusts over time, will they fix it for me?
I think that may be what he's getting at.

so Natalie Drest was, like...
>>> Or there's always this sort of thing, mounted on the rear of your
>>> caravan: http://www.bernsbeaks.com.au/bernsbeaks3/Caravans.htm
>>>
>> Looks pretty dire to me. Mounting bikes on the *rear* of a caravan
>> is not recommended because a) the GRP rear panel that most caravans
>> have is not designed for that kind of load,
>
> He mounts it on a fabricated subframe/bumper if you don't have one.
> Some caravans here have proper bumpers standard.

Even more weight where it's not wanted

>>and b) it's putting a substantial weight
>> where it can do most harm to the stability of the outfit.

> So take it into account- like one does with everything else loaded
> into a 'van.

Can't agree with that. It's not a matter of careful loading and balancing,
it's the distance of a heavy weight from the axle of the caravan. If you
load up the rear, you'll need to put some weight onto the front end to get
the correct noseweight - and then you have a dumbell, heavy at the ends and
light in the middle, the worst situation possible for stability. Add a
passing artic on a windy road, and I'll see you in the ditch.

> >Heavy weights
>> in/on the van should be carried as near to the centre of rotation
>> (the caravan axle) as possible.

> Point taken.
> But we aren't talking about mounting a motorbike here, just a
> treadly. They weigh less than a spare tyre, & I've definitely seen
> tyres on the back of vans- didn't seem to do any harm.

Average bike 15Kg? Times two? Add the fabricated subframe? Adds up to
quite a lot. And I have never seen a spare wheel on the back of a caravan
in the UK or Europe.

>> and I wonder how <snip> how far they would back you up if anything went
>> wrong with the
>> product.

> My experience with family businesses that actually make things is that
> they'll look after you much longer than a 12-month warranty from a
> big-name company that has its stuff made in China. No problem for
> them to take it out to the workshop and do a spot of welding, or even
> an improvement for you- even years later. They have pride in their
> workmanship. This fellow's site may be amateurish, but I think it
> communicates that pride in workmanship quite well. He's clearly a
> hands-on, make-things kind of guy, as opposed to a web-nerd or a
> marketing person. Also, these kinds of businesses that fabricate gear
> for use in the outback have years of experience, & take their
> creations out on tour themselves to test & refine them. And if it
> lasts out there, it'll last anywhere.

Yup - agreed.

>> The fact that they won't guarantee their coatings and any
>> components of the mounting not made by them doesn't inspire
>> confidence.

> To what degree are coatings guaranteed by LR? If I scratch the paint
> on my car's steel panel & it rusts over time, will they fix it for me?
> I think that may be what he's getting at.

Imagine - "Your new vehicle is made to the highest standards of quality, but
if it rusts, don't come to us cos we didn't make the paint, and if the
brakes fail, well we didn't actually make them so we can't be held
responsible, now can we?" I don't think so!


--
Rich
==============================
Disco 300 Tdi auto
S2a 88" SW
Tiggrr (V8 trialler)

Thanks everybody, I have got plenty to go on with your responses

Cheers
John

Hey ...why not put them in the caravan and save yourself a lot of
problems ???

Hugh