Bike Rack For Landrover Defender? Tow Bar Mount?

ShaggyRS6

Anyone know of a bike rack that would fit onto a tow bar kind of like this http://www.showmesome.info/hilux/workshop/rack2.htm ?

I have an old Defender 90 that i use for shooting that would be perfect for transporting mine and the kid's bikes to some trails further away from me.

nicklouse

any thule tow bar mounted rack.

that one linked does not fit on a tow bar.

ShaggyRS6

Ah right. just looked as though it did. I dont want to spend too much, as the rack will probably be worth more than the Landy :P

Its gotta be able to attach to this

rudedog

how much do you want to spend and how many bikes do you need to transport?

this will take 3 bikes

http://www.skidrive.co.uk/cycle/product ... tno=950300

ShaggyRS6

I want to spend as little as possible and transport 2 bikes. Thanks for the link.

rudedog

then this is probably as cheap a solution as you are going to get (£20)

http://www.towsure.com/product/416-Clip ... ng_Carrier

Northwind

I take it just taking the ragtop off and sticking them in there isn't on the cards?

ShaggyRS6

Thanks Rudedog. And yeah Northwind, once that puppy comes off it takes an hour to put back on

Tank-slapper

I have a Defender too Shaggy! It took ages to figure out the best way to carry my Spark, hope the following helps.

The big problem with a towball mounted rack is that you can't open the back door when it is fitted. This might not be a problem for you as you could open the tarp and reach inside. For my hardtop, the only external solution I found was a spare wheel mounted rack and the one I eventually got was by Mottez for 3 bikes. Cost about 50 quid from Towequipe, but I can't find it on their website anymore. Of course your spare wheel isn't mounted on the rear door. Also, if bikes are going to be hanging from it, it would be best to mount the wheel on a swing away arm as well. This would add 100-150 sponds to the cost.

Then I decided my Spark was worth too much to have dangling off the back anyway, so I got one of these and stuck it inside:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Delta ... 360006702/

A much better solution for me, but there is only room for one bike in the back of a 90.

ShaggyRS6

Thanks for the reply. Nice to hear from another Landy owner . The problem I have with getting it inside us that I have the spare wheel in there which looses me another foot in length.

I have not actually tried getting it in yet. It may actually wedge in. Will try I'm a bit. What you think?

Tank-slapper

An adult bike won't fit lengthways in a 90, it has to go in diagonally. It may just miss the spare wheel. I used to have a highlift attached to the bulkhead and the bike missed it by miles. You will have to have a look.

My fork mount is positioned on the wheel arch, behind the driver seat, against the side wall, about 20cm from the bulkhead. In the nearside rear corner, I have an old inner tube looped through a hole in the bodywork to tie down the rear wheel. The front wheel can be tied into this as well. The bike doesn't move when in place and there is still plenty of room around it to put in weekend camping gear and stuff.

ShaggyRS6

I have an added problem of the benches in the back though. I will take a piccie. Gimmie 5 mins.

ShaggyRS6

I found a picture before the respray

Tank-slapper

Your spare wheel shouldn't be a problem. Can't see the benches in the pic though. Are they folded up?

ShaggyRS6

Well they are not really benches. Just the side bits you can see that act like a bench

Tank-slapper

You mean the wheel arches?

ShaggyRS6

Yeah

Tank-slapper

Nothing you can do about them.

ShaggyRS6

Those are what make it difficult to get in.

shogunsteve

i can highly recommend this one:

http://www.skidrive.co.uk/cycle/product ... o=9502PACK

And as pictured on my vehicle loaded with my enduro:







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Tank-slapper

The trickiest bit is getting the bike through the door. Once it is inside, the forks rest on one wheel arch and the back tyre leans against the other.