Jump to content

Bike rack on the front of a vehicle...


andyrtmorgan

Recommended Posts

Hi guys, just wondering, I have a towbar on the front of my vehicle for launching a boat. Is there anything wrong with popping a bike rack on there? Means I can carry bikes with my camping or boat trailer out back. Seems common in the States, but I don't see it here too often.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, andyrtmorgan said:

Hi guys, just wondering, I have a towbar on the front of my vehicle for launching a boat. Is there anything wrong with popping a bike rack on there? Means I can carry bikes with my camping or boat trailer out back. Seems common in the States, but I don't see it here too often.

Please post a photo once you do 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Is there not a restriction on how much further than the front bumper extends  something is allowed to protrude past it . Visibility will also be a problem . 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

A rack on the back needs a working "trailer bord", i.e. lights and number plate.

 

 

Going to be interesting making a custom board for the front ....

 

 

Certainly an interesting concept ....

Link to comment
Share on other sites

No. Obscuring your headlights will be the biggest issue that you won't be able to get around without major modification. 

If you need the rear towbar, get roof racks. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think the guys at Gravity Hub have/had rack mounted on the front of their van, but I assume it was only used for shuttle days

Link to comment
Share on other sites

34 minutes ago, Jewbacca said:

You guys have no imagination! It's a pretty common sight in some parts of the world.

RV's, busses and vans that are high enough work brilliantly. We are so set in our ways here. 

Com on denominator is that the driver  all sit higher than a bakkie, SUV or car driver. 

OP: If you can see safely over the bikes, it may be worth a try. I'm pretty sure every second speedcop on a power trip without a clue will try to have a go on writing you a fine though. also, double check how strong the mounting points for the front row bar is. If it is there to push into the water it may not be able to handle the dynamic load of a bike(s) on the front. 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

13 hours ago, andyrtmorgan said:

Hi guys, just wondering, I have a towbar on the front of my vehicle for launching a boat. Is there anything wrong with popping a bike rack on there? Means I can carry bikes with my camping or boat trailer out back. Seems common in the States, but I don't see it here too often.

i think this will wreck your bike if you take long trips - think of all the stones and road debris that gets kicked up from other cars.  Also, I'm not sure that tow-bar mounted bike racks are designed to take the sort of force that head-on wind resistance will impose - this is not a good idea for anything other than a campervan where the whole vehicle is a wind block

Link to comment
Share on other sites

When I was in  school and we came to cape town for the cross country events the kombi we came in had a bike rack in the front as well.. .  mates.telling you that your bearings is wearing out while the wheels are spinning on the drive????????

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I would think the best solution (if you don't want roofrack mounts) is to get a towbar on the camping trailer, or put the bikes in the boat if the boat is big enough. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just put bikes on the roof................I've used EVERY other permutation, and on the roof is where they are by far the least likely to get damaged by mud, dust stones, hot exhaust etc, especially if you are adventurous and likely to drive bad roads. People are so worried they will drive into a parking garage with bikes on the roof, but that is such an unlikely thing if you have your brain engaged.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
Settings My Forum Content My Followed Content Forum Settings Ad Messages My Ads My Favourites My Saved Alerts My Pay Deals Help Logout