Bike Racks to attach to tow bar

[FifiLámour]

Just wondering if any of you folk here can recommend a bike rack that will attach to the back of the D3 on the tow bar. We are wanting to carry (ideally) 4 bikes, but at a minimum 3.

Needs to be "girl friendly" ;).

Any recommendations?

Any we should avoid?

As always, many thanks in advance.

[walc100]

Not for 3-4 but worth checking with them direct as low volume and may consider a special - but excellent quality and clearance for off road situations

iSi Advanced 4x4 Bicycle Carrier and Bike Rack Systems (http://www.isi-carriers.com/index.html)

[Disco4SE]

Just wondering if any of you folk here can recommend a bike rack that will attach to the back of the D3 on the tow bar. We are wanting to carry (ideally) 4 bikes, but at a minimum 3.

Needs to be "girl friendly" ;).

Any recommendations?

Any we should avoid?

As always, many thanks in advance.
Hi Fifi, I have a 4 bike rack as per this link Pacific 4 Bike Carrier (http://www.bicyclestore.com.au/pacific-4-bike-carrier.html)
It is very girl friendly, as once you have mounted the base plate onto your towbar, you only need to pull out 2 pins to remove the top section.
It does move around a little, but it is more so the movement of the towhitch rather than the rack itself.
Very handy to put bikes on and off as they hold in place via velcro straps.
Cheers, Craig

[trobbo]

Thule make some excellent bike racks. Bit pricey though Thule Australia > Roof Racks + Roof Boxes + Bike & Ski Carriers (http://www.thule.com.au/)

My major concern with a bike rack on the D3 is with how low the hitch sits and the potential for the overhanging bikes to hit the ground.

[weeds]

Hi Fifi, I have a 4 bike rack as per this link Pacific 4 Bike Carrier (http://www.bicyclestore.com.au/pacific-4-bike-carrier.html)
It is very girl friendly, as once you have mounted the base plate onto your towbar, you only need to pull out 2 pins to remove the top section.
It does move around a little, but it is more so the movement of the towhitch rather than the rack itself.
Very handy to put bikes on and off as they hold in place via velcro straps.
Cheers, Craig

my girlfriend has the three bike version of this one......really good for two bikes, very tight for three top end MTB's

[FifiLámour]

Thanks for your responses guys, will go check all of these out.

[DiscoWeb]

Fifi,

A mate of mine has a Thule carrier that hooks into/onto the tow hitch and type of drops down/pivots back and out of the way (even when loaded with 3-4 bikes) to allow access to the rear cargo area, however he recons it is heavy and probably not "girl friendly" to put on and off, but if you had someone put in on for you you could leave it for the day or days as needed it or were away and then got the same or different person (your choice) to take it off again. Note Thule is not cheap but is is really good kit.

I use the Thule roof rack ones, but these are not easy to use as the D3 is so tall it is a bit a struggle sometimes to put them up (even on access height), particularly when I have 3 or 4 up there, definitely not a job my wife would contemplate. There are small steps you can buy which work by fitting over the wheel and making one small step but you have to be able to and comfortable with lifting a bike over your head.

There are also a few that attach to the rear via staps and type of hook onto the rear door, often seen on smaller hatch backs etc, I see no reason these would not work. I think they are made by "Saris" try this link Saris Racks (http://www.saris.com/)

Good luck, the iSi one looks bloody excellent particularly if you are going off road with bikes.

George

[aferrier]

I decided on a Yakima SwingDaddy. It was a coin toss between that and the Thule Revolver. Both fit the standard 50mm hitch receiver and are completely lockable to the car with integrated cable lock for the bikes. Best feature is the swing to the side with all bikes attached for rear access. Oh yeah... handles up to 4 bikes.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=31483&stc=1&d=1291279965

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=31484&stc=1&d=1291279997

[640Newton]

We've got the Thule Revolver on our RRS and chose is because of the fact it easily swings away from the car allowing you to access the boot. It also had built in locking cables to secure the bikes. I'd certainly recommend this unit.

[sniegy]

I would like to konw who comes up with the names :wasntme:

"Revolver"
"Swingdaddy"

:Rolling:

Now back to the thread..

[FifiLámour]

LOL, yes, they sound like wrestlers! Or maybe pimps!

:o Did I say that? :angel:

[DiscoSaffa]

Hi Fifi, I have a 4 bike rack as per this link Pacific 4 Bike Carrier (http://www.bicyclestore.com.au/pacific-4-bike-carrier.html)
It is very girl friendly, as once you have mounted the base plate onto your towbar, you only need to pull out 2 pins to remove the top section.
It does move around a little, but it is more so the movement of the towhitch rather than the rack itself.
Very handy to put bikes on and off as they hold in place via velcro straps.
Cheers, Craig

We chose this one too. Was reasonably priced, can handle 4 bikes and velcro fastening is a dream.
Worth noting is that when fitted with the "boomerang" mount, you are still able to open the top half of the tailgate without having to remove the carrier.
It also comes with a stabiliser strap that helps a little with the movement.
As far as locking goes, I already have a locking pin for tongue and ball. To secure the rack to that, I just replaced one of the locking pins with a pad lock, and then chain the bikes to the rock with a good old bike chain.

[JohnF]

A catalogue I picked up at ALDI just yesterday listed a bike rack at just $39.95 that attaches to your towball tounge. It holds only 3 bikes. You do not say where in Queensland you are. If near Burliegh Heads on the Gold Coast, the RSPCA Op-shop in an industrial area, near the highway to Brisbane, had some second hand ones in their back room--we purchased one of these a few weeks back. Do not know if these would suit you, or if they still have stock.

[greenqis]

I have a bike rack that attaches to the spare wheel of the discovery. Carries 3 bikes. It is made in America by Allen. If you google Allen bike racks you will find the Australian distributor. They deliver anywhere by courier. When the rear door is opened the bikes swing away still attached to the spare. As a woman owner it is not too heavy and I don't have to worry about bolts and bits. The rack is very quick and easy to attach to the spare. It works very well for me.

[Bushwanderer]

Perhaps this works with a D1 or D2, but not D3/D4 without a rwc being fitted.

Best Wishes,
Peter

[FifiLámour]

Thanks everyone for your helpful replies.

[Mully]

Last weekend we did a trip away and a last minute decision to take bikes meant a trip to local Sprint Auto Parts who sold me a $125 3 bike carrier for $95 and on the D3 it goes into the (plow) towball tongue and works great. Quick and simple solution for a part time problem.

I've got two spares on the rear (long range tank fitted) and could still fit two bikes easy. Happy times....

Happy shopping.