Bike rack on a trailer

[Merida002]

Hi All,

 

I am going on a two and a half week trip into Namibia and Botswana and have decided to take my bike with to get some rides in while there.

 

The problem is that the bike rack that I have fits on the back of my land rover and because I am taking an off road trailer (Venter Bushbaby) with me I can't have the bike carrier and the trailer on at the same time.

 

What I was thinking about is somehow fitting my bike rack to the rear of the trailer. Has anyone already done this? and if so any advice would be greatly appreciated. Venter have already told me that they won't fit the bike carrier to the back and don't suggest that I do either. I am strugling to find reasons as to why not.

 

Regards

Merida0022009-06-11 06:28:56

[TiBones]

Why not a frame for the top of the Ventertjie with QR adapters?

[juggie]

Get a towbar fitted to the trailer

[Ratty]

We hired a trailer 2 years ago that had a bike rack on it.  Can't remember makes / brands though.  It worked really well.

 

 

[CAAD4]

I think Campmaster makes one with an integrated bike rack.

[Jackes]

 

I can't see why not,  one of the campmaster trailers has a rack that can be attached of taken of and swivels at the back of the trailer.  Try to get a look at one of these at a game, makro or builders market.

Jackes17542009-06-11 07:36:13

[DawieO]

Challenger

[Shebeen]

towrope and you freewheel. more space in car.

 

what's on the back of your trailer? if it's spare wheel, then you could definitely find a way to attach rack to that.

 

just don't get a flat

[Titanium Rocket]

I have an offroad trailer with a roofrack on top of the lid. I used the usual QR system to take 3 bikes to Lesotho. Within 15 km of sh*t road, the bikes were flopping all over the place....too flimsy, not robust enough, also no good for the forks. Now I turn the bikes upside down, put pieces of 1-inch thick high denity foam under the bars and saddles, and strap them down with ratchet tie-downs, 2 per bike.  Sweeeeet... also eliminates the problem of finding space for the front wheels.

[Johan Bornman]

One problem with fitting a bike at the back of any vehicle on dirt roads is that the bike is basically trashed when you get to your destination. The entire bike is covered in dust and the drivetrain obviously too.

I used to partially solve the problem by washing the bike before I leave, including completely de-oiling the drivetrain. Once I get there, I hose the bike down, dry and oil it and go ride. Usually that's the last ride of the trip, and taking the bike with is a waste of time.

Later on I used a hybrid solution. The bike on the trailer until the road gets dusty and then onto the roof. This works, except that the bike then catches the odd tree.

If you have a single destination it's not an issue but touring from place to place...then I leave it at home.

 

[Karl Beaton]

I have also a 4X4 trailer with bike rak at the back ... lost both biks a month a go doen the Cederberg mountain. The rack ripped out the metal where attached to trailer ..... not a pretty site seeing bikes go down the mountain. The probelm is that I used a hanging bike rack and the bounce was to much.  good luck and take insurance 

[Guest Big H]

Are you sure the bike on your carrier behind the vehicle with the trailer will not work. I have an V-Tec trailer and can comfortably carry my Tandem with the wheels removed on the vehicle.

 

[flex]

My Epic partner welded a towbar onto his motorbike trailer and we attached a Thule rack to it, then carried 2 mountain bikes on it.

[Cassie]

I have also a 4X4 trailer with bike rak at the back ... lost both biks a month a go doen the Cederberg mountain. The rack ripped out the metal where attached to trailer ..... not a pretty site seeing bikes go down the mountain. The probelm is that I used a hanging bike rack and the bounce was to much.  good luck and take insurance 

 

**** Miggies...that is bad news!!

Were the bikes insured? This would be a good test to see what the insurers do....pay or not pay?

 

I know those Cederberg roads....not very kind on your gear!!

 

[Karl Beaton]

Bikes were not completly insured, but at least got R5k from a R15k claim. I have managed to sell off the parts not damaged. My suggestion to anyone is ... stay away from a hanging rack.  The hanging system just adds to much strain on the trailer and bike rack when going over bumps, rocks etc. I have bought a Thule rack where the bikes stand and am busy attaching a ball hitch to the trailer. What is a holiday without the bikes?

[Karl Beaton]

Are you sure the bike on your carrier behind the vehicle with the trailer will not work. I have an V-Tec trailer and can comfortably carry my Tandem with the wheels removed on the vehicle.

 

 

Hi Big H,

 

I have the same set up as you and very simlar trailer. I had a fitting made to where your spare wheel attaches to your trailer. This fitting allowed me to attached the hanging rack. The spare wheel and rack ripped the metal out of the trailer (only two bikes) ...If you stay on smooth gravel and tar you should be fine. It is the movement that is the problem. I had tried several ways to stop the up and down movement, but as I found out with no luck. As in your trailer I have also tied the kids bike to the wheel arch and that works great.