UPDATE
I went to a Trailer 'specialist' and they didnt know anything about Thule 'U' brackets (even though they are Thule dealers) they recommended a trailer with loadbars as suggested here.
They also emphasized on the trailer wheelsize, for any long distances to stay away from small wheels as they would turn almost at twice the speed and cause blow out. They recommended a trailer with 13" wheels.
As you would expect they are a bit more expensive but safety must come first! Would you all agree on the tyre size issue??
We have a Nissan Note and this which carries 4 bikes but as you say it goes on the ball bit. I have been looking at a trailer on Ebay but the cheapest was £120 BIN up north all the rest are over £300!!! or made of plywood! That other alternative to put the rack on top of the trailer is excellent, Im going to the shop who fitted the tow bar and supplied the Thule and ask for advice!
DIANE, so you use that bike carrier and the trailer at the same time? Do you know if the bike carrier would be able to carry 4 and the trailer at the same time? As I understand it cant ???
Many thanks again for all the helpful replies and suggestions :)
Post last edited on 16/08/2011 12:48:53
we've tried to get 3 bikes on with the trailer but the last bike gets in the way of the trailer when turning, so our option this year is to have 1 bike on the towbar carrier and the other 3 on the roof of car or on the trailer load bars
we're planning to have a play tomorrow to decide before we set off for France next so will update with pics
------------- -x- Diane -x-
May 13 - Cala Gogo, St Cyprien (didn't go, hubby too ill to travel)
May 14 Ranc Davaine
August 14 Les Sablons
August 13 - Camping Playa Brava, Pals
Quote: Originally posted by campamum on 16/8/2011
UPDATE
I went to a Trailer 'specialist' and they didnt know anything about Thule 'U' brackets (even though they are Thule dealers) they recommended a trailer with loadbars as suggested here.
They also emphasized on the trailer wheelsize, for any long distances to stay away from small wheels as they would turn almost at twice the speed and cause blow out. They recommended a trailer with 13" wheels.
As you would expect they are a bit more expensive but safety must come first! Would you all agree on the tyre size issue??
Evidently not a Thule specialist if they don't know anything about the generic engineering principles adopted by Thule that allows interchanging across the lifetime of Thule products.
Ask them how the Back Up Box attaches to the Easy Base, or Back Rac. Or how 591 cycle carriers attach to non T track aero bars. Would you buy from a specialist who has no fundamental knowledge of the products they sell.
Of course they will sell you new stuff, and play the safety game if you seem to not know exactly what you want. I'd question their motives, name and shame them and stay well clear.
What a load of bollocks regarding wheel sizes. Ask yourself how the original Mini designed in the 1950's managed to run for decades with very few tyre blow outs?
My trailer as posted has done trips involving 8 hours driving a day across Europe at speed. My neighbour borrowed it to go to Cornwall the other week, fully load and he doesn't spare the horses.
I wrote they are Thule dealers not specialists. I will email Thule and let you all know the outcome. Anyway the point is I didnt take his word for it and posted here for feedback on his recommendation. Thanks for replying I think I will start a new thread for wheel sizes, if it's a general concensus that smaller wheels are just as safe then we will obviously be getting the cheapest and safest option. :)
I got this reply from Thule about the U Brackets you mention, so out of interest can you let us know this Thule product of which you have unique foundamental knowledge ??
Hi, I am afraid you have been mis-informed – we do not cover this type of conversion and have never advocated this type of conversion. We recommend you use the products as designed. Best Regards Mat Mat Nicholls Technical Department 01275 340404 mat.nicholls at thule.com
Hi Old Grey Im in Kent, Im looking for a 5x3ft trailer which can host load bars to put 4 bikes on top.
Looking for second hand around £150?? Not in a rush as wont be using it till next year and hoping to get a bargain over winter / xmas? :)
Item number: 170681826808 on Flea Bay has it all and is at a silly price, you would need to get it though. Reemember the load bars for Erde are £120 , the ABS lid to make it huge new is around £300 and the trailer new is around £400 .
So the all new version would cost over £800 ! Have you checked because the Nissan Note is a very light vehicle, do you have a tow bar fitted yet ? What is the maximum towable weight for that car. Deduct the weight of the trailer from this , and what you have left is the load you can carry without breaking the rules.
hi Old Grey thanks for that info you are very helpful
this is the Info on the Note, it's a 1.5 Diesel model
Max loading weight 445 kg
Max roof load 50 kg
Max towing weight (braked) 900 kg
Max towing weight (unbraked) 510 kg **
** does this include or exclude the trailer??
the bikes wont weight more than 60kg in Total.
I ll keep an eye for that trailer, but I suspect that it would go for much more than our budget, £400 may be reasonable but in that case I ll wait and save up a bit ore for it
Sad to say the weight you will have to watch is the unbraked towing weight !
So if your limit is 510 KG then the Erde 142 is around 100kgs
The bikes would be around .........................................60kgs
The lid ( ABS one on the item I mentioned)....say......... 10kgs
The bars on the trailer....................................................5kgs
Would mean you have 510kgs - 175kgs = 335 kgs of load.
AS an idea your tent bag will weigh about 27kgs, so you could carry 10 of those ! But you might find that your gear changes will have to be watched on downhills, if you have the ability to manual select gears make sure you start steep downhills in your early gears or you break pads might not last to the bottom ! You sure wont be dragging the lads at the lights either.
I too was told the larger wheels are far better ( and safer ) for long distances,,,,, the outer path of an 8" wheel is around 50".... the same for a 13" wheel is 133" so the larger turns less by heading on for 1/3.. could say the little fellas travel a much longer way = more bearing and tyre fatigue.
Quote: Originally posted by campamum on 18/8/2011
UPDATE
I got this reply from Thule about the U Brackets you mention, so out of interest can you let us know this Thule product of which you have unique foundamental knowledge ??
Hi, I am afraid you have been mis-informed – we do not cover this type of conversion and have never advocated this type of conversion. We recommend you use the products as designed. Best Regards Mat Mat Nicholls Technical Department 01275 340404 mat.nicholls at thule.com
That would be the parts Mat sent me in 2007 when I asked about fitting the easy base to my trailer. Which are the 591 u bolts for standard roof bars. Just mounted upside down to secure the easy base to my trailerAlso, Mat sent me fasteners for fitting a Thule Atlantis roof box to a non standard distance roof bar set up in the same parcel.
Please note that Thule no longer send out spare parts directly as they used to prior to their reorganisation in 2010 (accountants took over). Good Thule dealers will supply parts.
Like I said to start, you need to be handy. If you want to look at options available once you have your trailer, let me know.
I walk out of traders premises when they try to sell on the fear of safety.
You have loads of time to get a trailer off ebay, just set your price and stick to it. After the summer the prices drop.
hi Keefysher, Im handy in the kitchen and at researching not very good at "manly" things
thanks for offering further help once I get the trailer
old Grey
the Tent will weigh 27kg(Vango Tigris) + canopy , carpet etc. I think I might be ok with the weight. Does that weight include the boots space or can I put something in the boot in addition to the trailer?
The towing weight is a factor of the weight of the vehicle I understand, so because you have an auto the car weighs more and you can tow a little more ! This could be read to say that the heavier the car gets the more you can pull..... however you will fast arrive at the physical limit of the cars ability to pull. Dont forget she is a "town" car and is designed at a strong price point. When you put your six kids,makeup bag, 137 bottles of wine etc into the car it will feel sluggish, hang half of a camping shop on the back and you might need a sail on the roof and good wind!
If you play it gently you should be OK, I hear some people tow small caravans with those.
oh and by the way Im not those type of women that carries everything but the kitchen sink, less is more for me (im a bit of a minimalist) and am the one to take clothes out of my hubbys suitcase but I get your point...
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Topic: Hello and First Question (which trailer)
