sliding roof rack

I know somone on heres got one on their Fender, but can't remember who...

quick question, was it bought, or fabricated? looking for somthing similar to take out bike, theres 5 of us and we use a caravan, so a rear mounted carrier is no good, and we cant fit 5 bikes in the caravan

http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f37/what-did-mr-postman-bring-you-today-225367-6.html

This one?

this be the one, where are you Mr Leadfarmer??

Im here.

I got the idea from a nice man on a different LR forum and I bought it last year from Karritek (who I think are well known in the kayaking world?) and its designed for carrying kayaks on the roof. Not cheap though at about £450!! It has to fit onto roof bars.

I factored the price in when buying my caravan as I wanted somewhere to carry our bikes when touring and didnt want to carry them in the caravan. They sell some adapter brackets that allow the Thule 591 bike carriers to be fitted (shown in piccys). I often carry 3 bikes on it, I could fit a 4th on there but it would be too heavy to lift!!!

Ive recently purchased a Thule Atlantic 200 roof box which came with the quick claw fittings, but these wont clamp around the Karritek, so I removed these and use the Thule T-bolts instead, which slide into the Karritek channels. With the roof box fitted I dont have space for our 3 bikes and it would also be very heavy to lift, so Ive added a Maxxraxx bike carrier that fits behind the tow ball, allowing me to tow my caravan at the same time.

Heres a few photos, ask away if you have any questions....

Tim, seeing as you want to carry 5 x bikes whilst towing I highly recommend the Maxxraxx, heres a few piccys showing my Maxxraxx Discovery bike carrier that can carry 4 bikes, taken during a trial fit..








Heres the bracket that bolts behind the tow ball...




The Maxxraxx tilts away so you can open the rear door...



Bear in mind I dont have a rear door mounted spare wheel carrier, so the Maxxraxx discovery model fits mine perfectly. If you have your spare on your rear door you will need the Maxxraxx 4x4 model which allows for the spare wheel, but will push your bikes out a little further. Check for clearance between bikes and caravan.

I now carry our 2 adult bikes on the Maxxraxx, and our boys bike on the roof with the roof box. You can add another cradle so ithe Maxxraxx carries 5 x bikes, but you have to consider the noseweight of your towball/Defedner. Also, 5 x bikes would protrude too far and rub on the caravan. I would look at carrying 2 x bikes on the Maxxraxx and 3 x bikes on the roof.

Ha ha, Ive gone to all that trouble and timtheenchantererer is nowhere to be seen. Where are you Mr timtheenchanteruk?

Im here Cheers, looks good, I'll have to have a look into that rear rack too, 3 of the bike are only kids ones (currently)
Does it tilt down enough to access the rear door with the caravan attached??

no rear mounted spare on mine either.

Mmmm, from memory no. The bikes would foul on the caravan before the rear door could be opened. The bikes can be removed from the rack quite quickly though. If I needed to access the rear door to let my dogs out whilst the caravan was attached, I would either remove the bikes and then remove the rack, or uncouple the caravan and drive forward a few feet.

One thing I forgot to mention, when towing a caravan you need an extra piece, a height extender. This lifts the bikes up above the caravan A-frame. I had to jiggle my bikes about initially until I found how to load them so they dont foul the jockey wheel handle. Now I know how to do it its a doddle. Also, when using the height extender you must use the two securing straps that come with the rack, they fasten from the top of the rack to my rear roof bar. These straps stop the rack/bikes from moving when going over a bump.

nice one, :hug:

reet, im off to price these things up now, see if how she fares in the MOT on Friday to if she deserves a treat (although i did think i heard a slight bearing rumble on the way home this eve, unless its paranoia for the MOT )

Hello there, I just stumbled upon this thread. I wanted to ask and see if the bike rack came with any drawings or dimensions? Also, how does the rack refrain from hitting the side of the truck?

Hi @spencer craig ,

As this thread has not been replied to since June 2013, i do not think unless one of the protagonists is watching it that you will get a response.

However, If we tag @LeadFarmer, he may respond and be able to answer.

Also, it would be nice if you went to the introduce yourself section and posted a brief hello there.

Cheers

neilly, your tagging did indeed work.

Spencer, are you referring to my tilting/sliding roof rack or towball mounted Maxxraxx?

spencer craig said:

Hello there, I just stumbled upon this thread. I wanted to ask and see if the bike rack came with any drawings or dimensions? Also, how does the rack refrain from hitting the side of the truck?

Click to expand...

The tilt down roof rack can't touch the side of the LR, the mechanism wont allow it.

@LeadFarmer Thank you. I was seeing how the mechanism constricts the LR from being hit

The rack will only pivot so far. Have a look at the kari-tek website

http://www.karitek.co.uk/shop/roof-racks-rails/easy-load-roof-racks

thank you kind sir