P38A Tow bar options/recommendations wanted.

DanClarke said:

For such a large & capable vehicle, the internal load space of the Rangie is a bit miserably small (L x W).
I would like to put my trike and camping gear inside for transport but the load space is too small for the footprint of the trike. So I probably need a tow-bar to mount a trike-rack to.
I bought one on e-bay allegedly for a P38 but it doesn't look like it has a faceplate to bolt any "rack" to. It just has the huge and very intimidating tow-ball on a long and very solid arm.

I didn't spend a lot on it, so will probably sell it on and buy a recognised brand (e.g. Witter).
One thing I am indeed confused about is whether Fitting a rack to the faceplate is additional to the tow-ball or instead of.

If anyone has been down this path and knows the answer, I would appreciate their insights.
Thanks in advance.

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brianp38dse said:

Sounds like you need one more like this
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Range-Ro...360412?hash=item1ed825949c:g:Fu4AAOSw7p5aYR3N.

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DanClarke said:

Many thanks @brianp38dse and @Datatek looks like I will be selling this one on and getting the Witter variant.

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Shropshire classic said:

I have used a Westphalia cycle rack and a Thule "easy base" carrier, both of which fit to the actual ball and include lights/number plate which makes fitting/use much easier and are also easy to swap between vehicles without resort to spanners

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DanClarke said:

I like the idea but unfortunately my "bike" is a "Trike" and is 80" long and 33" wide and I am not sure it would work for me. But I will go and have look. Thank you.

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tomcat59alan said:

Rigid tow frame?

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DanClarke said:

As in wheeled trailer? I am being fussy, I know. Sadly, I have nowhere to put a trailer, so a demountable platform that the trike can be lifted or wheeled up onto secured and then tipped to bring it in closer to the rear of the vehicle was my goal.
While only Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles (not Car/Bike hybrids) these things weigh a fair amount and lifting them up onto a roof rack is absolutely impossible.
My friend (a professional engineer) made a combined loading ramp & rack that fits onto his Ford Focus's towbar plate that he can wheel the trike up onto it, strap the wheels in place and then gas-struts help to lift it up off the deck and place the 2 front-wheels of the trike up and almost over onto the roof with the single rear wheel and rear rack vertical (almost) to the road surface.

With the size of a Range Rover and the split tailgate it makes it a bit more tricky to do this. I shall have to get my thinking cap on I can see.

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tomcat59alan said:

Fold the back seats down then some ramps on the bottom tailgate maximum mph and good brakes and its parked throw everything on top.sorted. b

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DanClarke said:

As in wheeled trailer? I am being fussy, I know. Sadly, I have nowhere to put a trailer, so a demountable platform that the trike can be lifted or wheeled up onto secured and then tipped to bring it in closer to the rear of the vehicle was my goal.
While only Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles (not Car/Bike hybrids) these things weigh a fair amount and lifting them up onto a roof rack is absolutely impossible.
My friend (a professional engineer) made a combined loading ramp & rack that fits onto his Ford Focus's towbar plate that he can wheel the trike up onto it, strap the wheels in place and then gas-struts help to lift it up off the deck and place the 2 front-wheels of the trike up and almost over onto the roof with the single rear wheel and rear rack vertical (almost) to the road surface.

With the size of a Range Rover and the split tailgate it makes it a bit more tricky to do this. I shall have to get my thinking cap on I can see.

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DanClarke said:

Sadly its too long (she said) at 80" and no matter what I do the seats are just in the way. :-(
But its a good thought.

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Grrrrrr said:

You just need an A-frame type affair to connect to the tow-ball and hold the front wheel off the ground and securely in place. After that the wheels will just follow. It'll hang in the shed easily.

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DanClarke said:

The trike is a "Tadpole" 2 wheels up front @tomcat59alan , and Single rear wheel. A bit like the Hienkel Messerschmidt bubble-cars of old.

Right this moment I feel pretty effing silly guys , because I tried a different approach and I HAVE managed to get the thing in the Rangie.
This time I did not fully fold the rear seats forwards, just dropped the backrests forwards onto the squab's.
A bit of heave-ho up the hill and over the other side of the rear seats and the pedals, motor, greasy chain etc. is sticking through the gap in-between the 2 front seats with the front seats preventing any forward rolling and the rear rack wedged tight against the rear tailgate. Should be safe officer, honestly. I just dare not look to my left for fear of whacking my face onto a pedal.
Just got to get all the camping gear in there too now (loads of room).
Wish me luck!

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Datatek said:

A suicide trolley.

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DanClarke said:

The trike is a "Tadpole" 2 wheels up front @tomcat59alan , and Single rear wheel. A bit like the Hienkel Messerschmidt bubble-cars of old.

Right this moment I feel pretty effing silly guys , because I tried a different approach and I HAVE managed to get the thing in the Rangie.
This time I did not fully fold the rear seats forwards, just dropped the backrests forwards onto the squab's.
A bit of heave-ho up the hill and over the other side of the rear seats and the pedals, motor, greasy chain etc. is sticking through the gap in-between the 2 front seats with the front seats preventing any forward rolling and the rear rack wedged tight against the rear tailgate. Should be safe officer, honestly. I just dare not look to my left for fear of whacking my face onto a pedal.
Just got to get all the camping gear in there too now (loads of room).
Wish me luck!

Click to expand...

DanClarke said:

The trike is a "Tadpole" 2 wheels up front @tomcat59alan , and Single rear wheel. A bit like the Hienkel Messerschmidt bubble-cars of old.

Right this moment I feel pretty effing silly guys , because I tried a different approach and I HAVE managed to get the thing in the Rangie.
This time I did not fully fold the rear seats forwards, just dropped the backrests forwards onto the squab's.
A bit of heave-ho up the hill and over the other side of the rear seats and the pedals, motor, greasy chain etc. is sticking through the gap in-between the 2 front seats with the front seats preventing any forward rolling and the rear rack wedged tight against the rear tailgate. Should be safe officer, honestly. I just dare not look to my left for fear of whacking my face onto a pedal.
Just got to get all the camping gear in there too now (loads of room).
Wish me luck!

Click to expand...