 | Home > Camping, Caravanning and Holidays > Four bikes and a caravan |
 
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| LandRoverAnorak Member Since: 17 Jul 2011 Location: Surrey Posts: 11240   
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My children have just had new bikes for their birthday, which means we now have four, essentially full-sized, bikes to transport when we go on holiday. They won't fit on a regular rear carrier as they're too close to the front of our caravan when towing.
The obvious solution is on the roof, but I wondered if anybody had any bright ideas either for alternatives or to make that solution easier. I'm quite taken with the sliding roof rack that a couple of members have but not sure how practical it would be with the weight of four bikes? Darren 110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak "You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia |
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12th Mar 2013 12:26pm |
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| Go Beyond Member Since: 30 Jan 2012 Location: Headcorn, Kent Posts: 6676
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Inside caravan or on rear of caravan ?
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12th Mar 2013 12:27pm |
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| LandRoverAnorak Member Since: 17 Jul 2011 Location: Surrey Posts: 11240
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Inside the van would be a real 'last resort', I think. It does have some advantages, but the risk of damage to the van is too great. Won't fit on the back either, I'm afraid. Darren
110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak "You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia |
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12th Mar 2013 12:41pm |
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| Green Machine Member Since: 19 Nov 2010 Location: North Yorkshire Posts: 1226 
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This was the kind of thing I was thinking of. 2005 Td5 | 90 Station Wagon | Tonga Green
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12th Mar 2013 12:55pm |
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| WarPig Member Since: 05 Dec 2009 Location: Sheffield Posts: 1748  
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LRA, I'm one of those with the tilting Karitek roof rack. It's a great piece of kit but any more than 2 adult bikes and it would be too heavy to lift up and slide. I manage with 2 adult bikes but any more and I might struggle, and I'm 6'3" & 21 stone so no lightweight. You may also need to put a securing strap from the rack to a roof bar to support the weight?
Another issue is encountering low bridges. The highest point of my outfit with bikes on roof is 3.4m high, meaning I have to check maps and google for any low bridges before setting off on my journey. But what if roadworks divert you off route and under a low bridge? How about a Maxxraxx that has a mounting bracket that lives behind the tow ball, along with their height extender that allows you to tow a caravan as well? They do them to carry upto 5 bikes. Or a combination of the Maxxraxx and a roof mounted system so your not overloading the towball? That's what I'm doing this year as we now have to carry 3 bikes. Ill be putting the child's bike on the roof and adult bikes on the tow ball. Last edited by WarPig on 12th Mar 2013 2:31pm. Edited 1 time in total |
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12th Mar 2013 1:11pm |
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| TheWarden Member Since: 25 Feb 2013 Location: Southampton Posts: 179 
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The maxxraxx website has a few pics of their racks being used at the same time as a caravan with space to spare.
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12th Mar 2013 1:40pm |
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| WarPig Member Since: 05 Dec 2009 Location: Sheffield Posts: 1748
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Here you go.. http://www.maxxraxx.co.uk/products.html 
and some photos from Def2 member richuk (height extender needed for towing caravan) http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic13865.html Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge |
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12th Mar 2013 2:35pm |
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| LandRoverAnorak Member Since: 17 Jul 2011 Location: Surrey Posts: 11240
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Thanks chaps, some interesting ideas there.
I like the principle of the arm that lifts them up to the roof. I don't think that specific one would work (height, size of bars and the fact that it only does two bikes) but the idea is good. Would probably have to have something made to suit though. The Maxxraxx is a definite maybe, too. My van (a Bailey Pagasus) has a much shorter A frame and more vertical front than the one shown hitched to the Disco II though, which might limit its' usefulness. I shall have to spend some time with a tape measure and see if I can work it out. On the plus side, if it does work then I could mount it on a separate Dixon Bate slider and position it above the towball slider, which is on the lowest position for the van. WarPig, if you get one of these any time soon, then I'd be interested to know how you get on and see some pics, please. Darren 110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak "You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia |
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12th Mar 2013 4:15pm |
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| WarPig Member Since: 05 Dec 2009 Location: Sheffield Posts: 1748
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LRA, I was hoping you would be my guinea pig
 I think Zag and Party Monkey both have the maxxraxx but I dont think they tow with them?
Looking at your website I see you have the NAS rear step. If so, you could perhaps get away with a Maxxraxx Discovery rack, this is designed to work with slimmer rear mounted wheels and doesnt stick out as far as their '4x4' rack, giving more space between the bikes and front of your caravan. Your nas step probably means your tow bar sticks out further than normal, so the Discovery rack might just work for you? Heres some more useful info on towing clearances when towing a caravan with a maxxraxx.. http://www.maxxraxx.co.uk/Help/tow_and_carry.html http://www.maxxraxx.co.uk/Guides/towing_clearance_chart.pdf Click image to enlarge Fitting the maxxraxx to a second slider is a good idea, I hadnt thought of that 
Heres my Karritek that has been fitted with two Thule 591 bike carriers. I could fit 4 bikes on it, but it would be too heavy to lift..
Admin note: this post has had its images recovered from a money grabbing photo hosting site and reinstated |
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12th Mar 2013 5:35pm |
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| LandRoverAnorak Member Since: 17 Jul 2011 Location: Surrey Posts: 11240
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Heh, heh.
Out of date, unfortunately. I now have a Dixon Bate, hence the idea of fitting it to a separate slider.
Yeah, I thought it might be, unfortunately. Thanks WarPig. The devil will be in the detail, so I definitely need to spend some time with a tape measure. Darren 110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak "You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia |
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12th Mar 2013 7:10pm |
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| TheWarden Member Since: 25 Feb 2013 Location: Southampton Posts: 179
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I've used the Maxxraxx on my Disco 2 for years. The only drawback was that I couldn't open the rear door fully, but I could open it enough to get stuff out.
I'm picking up my Defender on Thursday so I'll fit the Maxxraxx at post some pics. |
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12th Mar 2013 7:21pm |
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| LandRoverAnorak Member Since: 17 Jul 2011 Location: Surrey Posts: 11240
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Good man, I'll look forward to it
Darren
110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak "You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia |
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12th Mar 2013 7:32pm |
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| WarPig Member Since: 05 Dec 2009 Location: Sheffield Posts: 1748
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Which model of maxxraxx do you have? I assume its the '4x4' model? It would be nice to hear how it works on your defender, and some photos if possible? |
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12th Mar 2013 7:41pm |
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| WarPig Member Since: 05 Dec 2009 Location: Sheffield Posts: 1748
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I cant remember the Karriteks weight limit, but bear in mind that my two bikes are just standard run of the mill mountain bikes, and arent particularly light. If you have modern lightweight bikes then you could be ok? Or a second person to help lift/lower it? Being a red blooded bafoon I refuse any help from the wife when using my rack, when she asks if I need help I reply abruptly "No". |
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12th Mar 2013 7:48pm |
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