I have one that works well enough for 3 bikes, have put 4 on at times.
its normally a tow ball mounted socket with two liftout bars that rise, kick out to miss the spare wheel and then a horizontal bar running back off each to mount the bikes. Its very simple but works fine, I've driven Dublin to Sommerset a couple of times with it.
The standard socket is mounted on the missus's xc90 as she doesnt need the tow bar. I made up a new socket that sits inboard on my towbar so that I can still tow even with bikes mounted, I think you can buy this off the shelf also. It just clears the spare wheel so I cant open the rear door at all when its on which can be a pain on a longer journey if you pack something into the boot which you then need to get.
I'll try find the make, I bought it from the UK.
Just a point on the trailer idea. I have a lovely big Ivor Williams tow a van trailer which has loads of space and is great for throwing bikes and all sorts into and reasonable secure. Problem is my speed limit is 50mph when towing, that used to never be inforced here in Ireland but times have changed. Its great on a short journey but sitting on a motorway at 50mph for an hour or two is no ones idea of fun, so then comes the penatly points !!!
Myself and a couple of friends ended up buying a van between us to put the motocross bikes into.
its normally a tow ball mounted socket with two liftout bars that rise, kick out to miss the spare wheel and then a horizontal bar running back off each to mount the bikes. Its very simple but works fine, I've driven Dublin to Sommerset a couple of times with it.
The standard socket is mounted on the missus's xc90 as she doesnt need the tow bar. I made up a new socket that sits inboard on my towbar so that I can still tow even with bikes mounted, I think you can buy this off the shelf also. It just clears the spare wheel so I cant open the rear door at all when its on which can be a pain on a longer journey if you pack something into the boot which you then need to get.
I'll try find the make, I bought it from the UK.
Just a point on the trailer idea. I have a lovely big Ivor Williams tow a van trailer which has loads of space and is great for throwing bikes and all sorts into and reasonable secure. Problem is my speed limit is 50mph when towing, that used to never be inforced here in Ireland but times have changed. Its great on a short journey but sitting on a motorway at 50mph for an hour or two is no ones idea of fun, so then comes the penatly points !!!
Myself and a couple of friends ended up buying a van between us to put the motocross bikes into.