Bike transportation puzzle

[dunnymel]

Anyone have experiences transporting bicycles on a D4 roof mounted rack? We're talking 2 x light carbon road bikes (7-9kg). Is it practical to get them on/off being so high up on a D4? I don't have or want side steps but would consider one of those rear ladders.
The other options (bike in the back of vehicle or on a tow bar mounted rack) are out as I'm thinking family holiday with car stuffed full and the camp trailer behind. I've seen roof bike racks mounted on camp trailers but the kids bikes (3) live up there and I shudder at the thought of wayward stones that get past guards taking chunks out of my latest favourite toy.
Thanks!

[geoz]

I have built my own 2 bike rack connecting to the tow bar receptor. Basically a 50x50 as the carrier and 2 100x50 channels across to sit the tyres in. Another vertical box section with a cut to receive the crank.
Simple, light (made from aluminium), easy to load.

[Vern]

Have a look at isi bike carriers.:)

[letherm]

Have a look at tyre steps. They hook over the tyre and you can stand on them. This may be enough for what you want.

Here's a picture.

Google Image Result for http://i00.i.aliimg.com/photo/v2/1347846616/Foot_font_b_Step_b_font_for.jpg (http://www.google.com.au/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fi00.i.aliimg.com%2Fphot o%2Fv2%2F1347846616%2FFoot_font_b_Step_b_font_for. jpg&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.alibaba.com%2Fcar-tire-step-promotion.html&h=600&w=600&tbnid=J-QyC0j72vSG4M%3A&zoom=1&docid=wi9hySaUpR0hbM&ei=UFzhU_-nAdjp8AX804LgBA&tbm=isch&ved=0CEMQMygdMB0&iact=rc&uact=3&dur=1149&page=1&start=0&ndsp=41)

[rufusking]

.... I don't have or want side steps but would consider one of those rear ladders. ...

If you have the lower tailgate down but close the top section it gives a great platform to load stuff on to the roof. My favourite milk crate gives me another 300mm of height when needed. See if that works for you.

[~Rich~]

If you have the lower tailgate down but close the top section it gives a great platform to load stuff on to the roof. My favourite milk crate gives me another 300mm of height when needed. See if that works for you.

X2 + stand on top of the rear wheel.

[Marmoset]

Thule used to do a rack that would lower from the roof and then a hydraulic ram would get it up there for you. I'm not sure if you can still get them.

Otherwise, slam it into access mode and try the "Sagan" technique :D

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3nu5PkoyLc


Edit: Another option is a rack such as this:

http://gippslandkayakcompany.com.au/store/product/easy-load-roof-rack-crossbar-mounting/

[RoverLander]

I have a front runner roof rack. I purchased two rhino clamps. They cost about $70 and are normally used to mount bikes in the back of ute trays.

The front wheel of the bike is stored in the rear of the car. The front forks go in the clamp and the back wheel is strapped to the rack. I have no problem lifting the bikes onto the roof from ground level (i am 6'6 tall!) I have used this approach while travelling around Australia and some very corrugated roads. It works well.

Peter

[dindsy]

I guess your camper trailer doesn't have a tow bar connection for recovery purposes? I put my bike rack on the back of the C.T.

[davidsonsm]

With such precious cargo, I shudder the thought of having them on the roof. They're simply too high in my view (having had an incident). Even a drive through has height restrictions. There are too many instances of people shearing their bikes on low roofs etc.

I would much rather have them behind the vehicle or camper trailer.

Guess if you have a rack that goes on the tow bar, you'd want it to pivot down to allow opening of the upper tailgate. Those racks exist.

Isn't the draw bar long enough to mount the bikes on? And the suggestion of a hitch mounted rack at the rear of the trailer is a good one.

Head out to "roof rack world" or similar. They're sure to have a solution.

[gossamer]

I carry the bikes (1 roadie and 1 Mountain) on the roof of the D3. I throw a small 2 step ladder in the back of the car. I also have a sign that hangs from the rear view mirror as a reminder the bike are up there.

[Epic]

We're about to order out camper and will most likely fit a modified ISI bicycle rack system to the draw bar. The rack on the roof for is just a little too hard I'm my view.

[Sparkybreno]

Isi on mine, brilliant bit of kit. Australian made, aussie steel and welding wire. Worth the money, he also makes one to mount on campers etc. Talk to George.

[dunnymel]

Thanks everyone for fantastic feedback. That Youtube video link from Marmoset is an absolute winner! I'd love to see him try that with a Discovery!
Thanks to all those who suggested ISI. This looks like the go. Yes I have a tow hitch on the back of the TrakShak and have had an old top tube gripper style bike rack on there before but it wobbled clunked and caused some bike damage due to poor fit between the tow hitch and the receiver (and crumby rack design). However after checking their website I can see an ISI rack and some mods to the receiver working out just fine especially as I'll be able to use it on the car as well as the trailer.
As per EPIC and davidsonsm, I'm coming around to the idea that the roof is probably best avoided re practicality and safety, and I'd rather avoid the drawbar given that despite a big stone guard at front of the trailer, the front of the trailer looks like it has been sand blasted (an awful fate for a carbon bike!).

Thanks again!