Cycle rack recommendations for a Colorado

[chadr]

Apologies if that has been covered before......

I'm looking at options for carrying 2-3 (full-size) cycles on our Colorado and was looking at tow-ball or spare wheel mounted versions. There seems to be a lot of choice out there and from prices ranging from £20 to nearly 4 figures . Don't really want to go roof mounted as loading and unloading is going to be too much hassle.

The problem I see with the tow-ball mounted versions is that they usually do not account for the spare wheel or allow the Collie's rear door to open (they are usually designed to allow a upward/hatch type opening). I don't want to have to unload all the bikes, every time I have to open the rear door. So it seems the spare wheel mounted versions will fit the bill.

It's not something that we will use all the time and probably only for holidays and the odd weekend or two, so don't want to spend a fortune. Though the current requirement is just for 3 bikes, I'd like to have the option of perhaps carrying 4 in the future and will consider larger carriers.

Would appreciate any thoughts and comments.

Cheers.

 

[clivehorridge]

Modern ball mounted racks are a big improvement on the older ones which used to wear loose after a year or two of heavy use.

I've seen them in use lately with 4 heavy downhill bikes on and they're steady, but I don't have any brand names to guide you.

alternatively, a receiver mount system would be more reliable, but that depends on whether you have a receiver fitted to your truck.

 

[Paddler Ed]

Have a look at Thule, they might have something that will work towball wise.

Think about the weight of 3 bikes as well, and what it'll do to the hinges. Our 3 bikes would weigh in at about 75lbs, 1 Specialized carbon road bike, 1 Cannondale Ali hard tail and one Giant Ali full suspension, none of which would have given you change from £1-2k when new. If you've got cheaper bikes they may well be heavier, possibly nearer 30lbs -45lbs a bike (if full suspension) Also think about frame sizes and frame shapes; the Giant is a pig to load on our Thule as its only a 15" frame, whereas my bikes (the other 2) are both XL and normal diamond frames.

 

[silvercruiser]

I have the spare wheel bike carrier that folds in if required, so you can leave it on if you want( not that i do) ive had three bikes on it but i don't think i could fit four on.
It does allow for easy access into the rear too.

this is similar to my carrier and they say only two bikes but i have had three on my carrier.

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/acc...-racks/halfords-4x4-spare-wheel-cycle-carrier

 

[clivehorridge]

http://www.northshoreracks.com/

This is a great system, but maybe too extreme for your needs...

Also so look up tuff rack another US Company...

 

[chadr]

Thanks guys.

I like the look of that Halfrauds one - not too dear either.

Do you know whether I would need a number plate/light board? The picture doesn't show one but I would imagine the plate and lights will be obstructed when bikes are loaded.

Knowing my luck, the one time I go out with it, is the one time I get stopped!

 

[cmcmill01]

Got a 4 bike carrier on the back of the 80, it is a tow bar mount, but I have extended the mount out enough so it misses the rear tyre. When I say extended I mean the 2" hitch has now a longer custom made mount.


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[chadr]

Got a 4 bike carrier on the back of the 80, it is a tow bar mount, but I have extended the mount out enough so it misses the rear tyre. When I say extended I mean the 2" hitch has now a longer custom made mount.


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Thanks. Yes, that is an option. Though not sure whether that would get around the door opening issue. (Which you don't have on the 80/100 due to the hatch/tailgate configuration.)

 

[cmcmill01]

I do have the rear swing out wheel carrier, and that is a problem! I wanted it to be longer but then wasn't sure how strong the hitch would be, remember the Witter zx404 I think, flips down, even with this it still fouls the rear wheel carrier


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[clivehorridge]

Thanks guys.

I like the look of that Halfrauds one - not too dear either.

Do you know whether I would need a number plate/light board? The picture doesn't show one but I would imagine the plate and lights will be obstructed when bikes are loaded.

Knowing my luck, the one time I go out with it, is the one time I get stopped!

Probably.

Not worth the risk either, IMO, given the price a light board is from Halfrauds.

Or you could make one up, but the parts will probably set you back a similar amount to a ready made one.

Presume you have a light socket if you have the tow ball.

 

[silvercruiser]

Thanks guys.

I like the look of that Halfrauds one - not too dear either.

Do you know whether I would need a number plate/light board? The picture doesn't show one but I would imagine the plate and lights will be obstructed when bikes are loaded.

Knowing my luck, the one time I go out with it, is the one time I get stopped!

I would say yes you need a light board. the bikes do cover the lights.

 

[chadr]

Thanks - as I thought. I do have a socket but it's not wired in as I never tow anything!

 

[Dan W]

I have a Fiamma spare wheel rack and can would definately recommend it. Unfortunately they seem to be quite rare.
The cycle carrier part is very similar to the ones you see on the back of motorhomes but it has a bracket that goes between the spare wheel and its carrier and stays mounted. Then you can just slide the bike rack on really easily when needed. It also folds up and has a lock if you want to keep it on. Only holds two bikes though.

 

[clivehorridge]

Don't believe you Dan, no pics you see, that's the problem...

































A big empty space............

We neeeed pics !

 

[Dan W]

But I only have pictures of it on a lesser Toyota

















Oh fine then

 

[clivehorridge]

That looks neat enough

 

[wobbly]

Ive also got the Halfords rack, can squeeze 3 on, very happy with it, bought if 2nd hand so cheap as well!

 

[Citizen Brown]

At last a thread where I am not out of depth technical-wise!

i have the hang on tow bar rack MADE IN THE UK by these lot:-

http://www.pendle-bike.co.uk/index.php

It is (was) on the tow bar of the Mercedes van I had and will probably go on the 80, or it might not if I get a trailer.

The one I have holds 5 bikes comfortably 2 adults and 3 kids with the 4th kids bike in the boot.

They also do 4x4 spare wheel racks I see from the website. No experience of these but the tow-bar one is well made, strong and with good powder coating. Highly recommended.

 

[clivehorridge]

This is one I'm looking at, but it's a hell of a price.

Maybe to get one (similar) made up.

Its based on square receiver RHS steel, and the trays are modular, adding as many as you need (6 seems to be the max).


http://www.blessthisstuff.com/stuff/vehicles/misc/tuf-rack/

 

[Gav Peter]

Wow, they're some special bike racks Clive