Tow bar bike carrier question

jeannot18

I may inherit my wife's car when we get her a newer car. Her car is a Citroen Picasso and has a tow bar. I have question regarding the tow bar bike carrier in general. Are they very easy and quick to fit on the car? Do they just hold by the tow bar or do they get straps as well that go behind bodywork/door etc?
Thanks
JC

Chunkers1980

Have a search on Thule's webby - come highly recommended.

bails87

Towbar= best. A lot of the cost is in fitting the towbar, so you've done well!

bluechair84

They don't support themselves via straps to the bodywork - I though about supporting my carrier this way but decided that if there was flex built into the carrier it would pull on the bodywork... No idea other than speculation but decided to trust it. I have a 15pound one from ebay that takes two, and am looking to upgrade to a three by a proper brand...

ToeKnee

I am delighted with my Thule carrier:
http://www.thuleonline.co.uk/product/1287-57/Thule-928-EuroClassic-G6-LED-Towball-Mounted-Bike--Cycle-Carrier-NEW

It just attaches to the towbar (no straps) and takes a couple of minutes to fit (including connecting the electrics). Loading and unloading the bike is easy too. Also, you can still use the boot/tailgate with the rack in place, even when loaded with bikes.

My only concern is the locks and that the mounting arm can be easily sliced - nothing a good lock and chain would not fix I guess but I've no intention of leaving my bike(s) unattanded.

nicklouse

just done a 1200Km drive with 3 bikes on the back. with my thule rack. they are ball mounted only and work fine.

jeannot18

Thanks guys, I have found a couple of video on YouTube, and they seem to be fitted on the car very quickly (compared to my current one using straps and sometimes does not feel that secure). I was looking at the Thule 970 Xpress, 2 bikes will be the maximum I will be carrying and most of the time it would be only 1 bike. Amazon does it for just under £40, so I may get it as we are going to Center Parc next week and will save me to take my old banger to carry the bikes. Thanks again
JC

jeannot18

Another question, would I need to buy also an extra accessory to display the number plate and brake light?
JC

Chunkers1980

Depends where your lights and plate are... In most cases as it's so low being tow bar mounted, yes. Police are known to be quite hot on that sort of thing.

lostboysaint

Something that you ought to consider:

Do you want access to the boot of your car whilst the bikes are on the carrier? (I'll give you a clue, the answer is "yes" in most instances).

If the answer is "yes" (and it should be!) then that one is of little use as you won't be able to open the hatchback with the bikes on. Trust me, every time you pack the car and bikes you will always put something in the boot of the car that you really should have kept handy.

Have a look at the Thule 9503 if the one linked in one of the posts above was a bit costly. It's a great rack, not quite as simple as that one but still offers the same "tilt" feature so that you can get in and out without mucking about with the bikes or taking the rack off.

jeannot18

Chunkers1980 wrote:

Depends where your lights and plate are... In most cases as it's so low being tow bar mounted, yes. Police are known to be quite hot on that sort of thing.

Thanks Chunkers, shall I go for a cheap one from Ebay or buy the Thule (it's another £50).
LostBoy, thanks for that good point but I don't really want spend (or shall I say can't really spend more on a rack). I can access the boot from inside, I know it is not perfect but it will have to do. When I go out on my own the car inside will be plenty for storage anyway.
JC

davewalsh

I have a Thule 9403 that I bought for £60 from the classified ad's on here. Fits in minutes (one securing bolt and the electric plug) and has no other attachment to the car. Comes complete with lights, you'll need to get another number plate made up though. I'm not too keen on the design of the 970 as if you're carrying more than one bike it's difficult to stop them rubbing against each other.

swedenuk

I just got one from Halfords:

viewtopic.php?f=20005&t=12816938

nicklouse

My halfords racks are all in the bin.

Chunkers1980

Mine's still going. Bottom of the range. But I'd never trust it with 2 wheeled bikes at em 70mph.

louthepoo

jeannot18 wrote:

Chunkers1980 wrote:

Depends where your lights and plate are... In most cases as it's so low being tow bar mounted, yes. Police are known to be quite hot on that sort of thing.

Thanks Chunkers, shall I go for a cheap one from Ebay or buy the Thule (it's another £50).
LostBoy, thanks for that good point but I don't really want spend (or shall I say can't really spend more on a rack). I can access the boot from inside, I know it is not perfect but it will have to do. When I go out on my own the car inside will be plenty for storage anyway.
JC

i bought one from decathlon for £19.99, it plugs into the towbar electrics and has lights and just needs the number plate on it.

I bought it because i got stopped on the way back from Cannock Chase on sunday and didnt have anything displaying my number plate and the lights were slightly restricted by the bikes tyres and had a warning to get it sorted - so i did! cheaper than a fine!