Does anyone know if there is enough clearance to use a rear bike rack (on 4x4 spare wheel) whilst towing a caravan. Is this safe or restrictive in anyway.
I am looking to take 3 bikes away on hols in France. Can anyone recomend a bike rack to buy, some seem so expensive! I have a Cherokee Jeep with rear mounted spare wheel.
Any help appreciated.
Micky
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Micky, I'm fairly sure you won't have the clearance for three bikes. I can just get away with mounting one bike on the back then I carefully put the other two in the van itself (we pack fairly light). Last resort would be on top mounted rack.
Some vans supposedly boast a longer A frame for bike use (Adria do I think), but your Ace would be fairly standard and and I'm sure you'll get caught out.
We use a Witter towbar mounted bike rack on our Sorento but ten we don't have a spare wheel on the rear door. There are racks which fit over the spare wheel but with three bikes you might be pushing it. We sometimes have to remove the bikes if its a tight reverse onto a pitch.
There are racks that will fit over the tow bar & go around a 4x4 spare wheel, but I can't comment on clearance around a caravan. I'd guess they'd be tight. Biggest problem would be the extra nose weight if you use a tow bar rack. Check the nose weight ion your van & then the car handbook to see if there is any spare.
I use a witter tow bar mounted bike rack on my freelander and have had two bikes on while towing the caravan.....I think three would be a bit much spacewise when cornering or reversing
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Topic: Bike racks
