Bike Rack Extreme
Many people fit tow bars to enable them to carry bike racks and there is a common misconception that this is an easy job for a towbar; some people ask us to fit a very light duty towbar as “it is only going to be used for a bike rack”.
However, you should be aware that the entire weight of your bikes and bike rack is being carried by the tow bar where as a trailer distributes most of its weight through its wheels. Also, each time you place another bike on the rack, the load centre extends further from the vehicle with the leverage effect increasing exponentially. Obviously an overloaded towbar/bike rack combination can cause stress on the tow bars anchorage points and the tongue. Extreme bike rack loads in excess of the towbars ratings can even bend the towbars tongue.
So, carrying bikes is a significant job for a towbar and a common sense evaluation is needed to decide on the number of bikes to be carried and the rating of the tow bar chosen. Other important factors are the weights of the bikes and style of bike rack fitted.
Megatyre, Browns Bay, North Shore, Auckland. www.megatyre.co.nz
I am glad I read this blog, I was going to get a huge bike rack but now i think i will settle for something smaller.
Yes, there is no point getting a huge bike rack if it is not needed. Also, they place quite a strain on the towbar when fully loaded.
Heya i am for the primary time here. I found this board and I in finding It truly useful &;
it helped me out a lot.
very good blog!
Hi.
Could you please give me a quote to fit a towbar to a
2008 Honda Jazz sports model hatchback. Reg no. EMZ486.
I want to carry two bikes only. No need for electrics.
Thanks
Hello
thanks for your inquiry. I tried to email you last night but I see it has bounced back. We can fit a towbar to your Honda Jazz for $445.00 all up inc gst.
Brian
I want to fit a towbar to my ’07 Corolla Wagon for carrying bikes amongst other things. My car is rated for a 1200kg towbar, with a vertical load of 55kg. Will this be sufficient to carry say a triple or quad rack for bikes? Thanks, Mark
Hi Mark
we can supply and fit towbar rated to 450 unbraked, 1200 braked and a tongue load of 55 kgs for $475.00 inc gst. But a 3 or 4 bike load is a very big ask.
Peter
Just bought an Avantie electric bike and a bike rack . I have a 2008 Carolla hatchback.
Please quote for a tow bar including electric wiring.
The rack is reasonably light suited for 2 ordinary bikes but seeing I will only be having the one bike on the rack closest to the car I have been told this would be OK.
Hi Pam
I replied directly to you via email, Your email of today’s date has been noted.
Brian