Bike Carriers

**Sandtoyz** · 13th March 2007, 09:46 PM

Hi all,
We are looking at mounting a (mountain) bike carrier to the rear of our vehicle(s).
It mounts either on the existing tow-bar tongue (clamped by the ball), or straight into the hitch.
Question is,
Is there a maximum length you can have an object protruding from the rear of a vehicle?

With the carrier having to carry two bikes, it seems to create a lot of rear overhang!??
And with a rear mounted spare, it has to clear that too!

**Mick-Kelly** · 13th March 2007, 09:50 PM

I use a towball mount bike rack on the disco with no problems. I only carry one bike though a roadie packed with Campag

live the dream

**ladas** · 13th March 2007, 09:57 PM

I had to purchase a longer tow bar tounge to fit my bike carrier on as the original didn't allow it to clear the spare.

I do not think there would be a too tight restriction on the rear overhang - as the bike carriers are designed for the job, but some states may have different views.

Mine sticks out quite a bit - and I was almost tempted to put a red rag on the back - but in the end I didn't.

If I was going to drive with it on in the dark I may be tempted to put a number plate light on over the bike racks number plate, run from the trailer socket.

**waynep** · 13th March 2007, 10:07 PM

I'm pretty sure I read somewhere it is illegal to leave a bike carrier on the vehicle when not using it to transport the bikes to/from the place you are riding. ( well in Vic anyway)

If the bikes obscure the rear license plate it may be an issue with the plods. I just remove the normal plate and tie it on the bike rack.

My bike rack that goes onto the towball and hinges down so you can still open the back door ( not with the bikes on though ). The rack can take three bikes but I only ever put two on it. It works Ok but you need a few extra oky straps to stop the handle bars and wheels flopping around.

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