Carrying bike on caravan

[Chris NewbyFraser]

I want to start taking my mtb tandem away on camping trips - always carried the road tandem inside the van but a muddy tandem is a no no. Has anybody ever fitted a bike carrier to the front of a caravan - onto the 'disselboom' ? Is there sufficient swing clearance when the car/van rig is maneuvering tightly?

 

I don't want to fit a tow rack to the back of the van as this has an effect on the van's weight distribution and resultant sway action.

[Warthog]

I wouldn't put it on the "disselboom"

 

I "inverted" a drop-down plate on my tow-bar, in other words put it on so that the extra holes is on top, and put an extra ball on, so I have two tow-balls, one above the other. I hook my caravan on the bottom tow-ball, and put my bike-rack (a Thule hang-on) on the upper one.

 

More than enough clearance.

[Chris NewbyFraser]

Such a simple solution. Thanks

[Benjamin]

Seen it done with a tow hitch fitted to the back of the van. Hang the rack on there and it sits nice and snug while you towing. Shouldn't affect the towing much unless it's a really long rack.

[Benjamin]

@ Warthog. Do you leave the two tow-balls attached permanently or just put the top one on when you tow your van?

[Martin PJ]

I carry my MTBS inside the van covered by some old duvets. Take the power washer on holiday and give each bike a good cleaning before packing them away.

[The MTBer]

Do not put anything behind a caravan, it mess with the wind turbulence, and swing the caravan, something we found out the hard way last December! I would also go for the 2 balls on the towbar.

[Benjamin]

I carry my MTBS inside the van covered by some old duvets. Take the power washer on holiday and give each bike a good cleaning before packing them away.

Normally do but it makes my current wife seriously grumpy.

[Martin PJ]

Normally do but it makes my current wife seriously grumpy.

 

1. Get a bigger van with his and hers sections, or

2. Buy the missus a bike too, or

3. Get a new wife....

 

I have been instructed to get a bigger van, buying the wife her own bicycle didn't work.

[Warthog]

@ Warthog. Do you leave the two tow-balls attached permanently or just put the top one on when you tow your van?

 

Benjamin, I normally leave both on:

 

1. Too lazy to keep changing it.

 

2. I also have a stand-rack which fits to the towbar, and fitting it on the top ball lifts it away from the exhaust.

 

3. Extra protection when I suddenly brake (without racks and bikes) in front of a backbumpersucker- (alias a taxi...)

[Chris NewbyFraser]

Normally do but it makes my current wife seriously grumpy.

?? current wife...?