MySwag.org The Off-road Camper Trailer Forum
General => General Discussion => Topic started by: craigtempo on October 19, 2010, 10:45:23 PM
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just wondering about how to cart 2 adult push bikes ?
where do u have them mounted ? any photos ?
is it better to mount them on the car roof or is there a better way on the ct ?
craig
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Generally laid flat on top of the CT is the best way, less damage to the bikes.
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We had a bike rack (slightly modified so it could be mounted in a vertical hitch receiver on the drawbar, rather than your standard horizontal one as on a car) on the front of our camper, it could take two or three adults bikes (or one adults and two small kids bikes with difficulty because of the small size of the kids bikes). But I found in that sort of spot it got pelted with dust / dirt / rocks so for a permanent thing traveling on gravel roads I'd want to protect them with some sort of cover. They were in the way a bit for getting up there to flip the camper tent too. If we were to do it again I'd see if I could get a tyre mounted bike carrier, or some crank holders bolted to the drawbar or somewhere suitable (top of camper, roof of car). GripSport sells them and they are a fantastic way of securing bikes but still being able to get the in and out quickly!
(http://www.gripsport.com.au/images/products/thumbs/1887115Crank%20Holder%20Single%201.JPG)
http://www.gripsport.com.au/bike_main.php?part=bike_products (http://www.gripsport.com.au/bike_main.php?part=bike_products)
This was our set up...
(http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp253/mtbpebble/IMG_1722.jpg)
(http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp253/mtbpebble/IMG_0408.jpg)
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http://isi-carriers.com/
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THere was another thread on this recently.
On the rear of the trailer get a section of towbar tounge receiver welded on, then fit a towbar tounge, then a macrack
will work similar to
(http://home.exetel.com.au/belmoreauto/mgt/images/Passenger---Outside-Macrack.jpg)
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Depending on the bike you want to carry will dictate how to carry it. It is the kids etc then lying them down will do- just make sure it is derailleur up!. If you are carrying a good quality MTB or road bike, you can use racks on your CT with a quick release mechanism that attaches to your forks (as seen on bikes on roof racks). Don't know how effective this will be if you are doing some serious 4wding but worth a look
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The POD ct has a set of bars that fit above the trailer,and can pivot like a top-mounted boat rack. Am thinking of building something similar. Depending on how manybikes you could fit bikes and a basket.
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After several unsuccessful attempts, from many manufacturers and "welding Gurus", I can say don't put them on the back of a trailer or caravan, they will eventually fall to the road. On top of the car/camper or on a bike rack on the back of the car is the best option.
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Our camper did have a towbar receiver so we could have put a bike rack in there. Only issue was that we'd have to remove the lot to open the tailgate!
The bike carrier I have at the moment for the car is a cheapie similar to the one shown by lost, but it has two padded prongs sticking out which go under the bikes frame / top tube and you time them on. It's a pretty good system but I'd hate to trust it on serious corrugations over any longer period!
I guess like "not quite out there yet" said, it depends on what sort of bikes you have and how expensive they are as well. GripSport and other companies such as Thule make some pretty durable but also expensive bike racks, which you obviously wouldn't really consider if you've just got a couple of BigW bikes!
So it comes down to the sort of bikes you have, what sort of car and what sort of camper. You would also think about weather you're likely to forget the bikes are on the roof when driving under something low (carpark in the city or tree branches off road). Do you have to take the bikes off the camper if they are on top of it every night and do you mind doing that? Is there a spot you would perefer to keep the bikes where you wouldn't have to remove them unless you want to? If so then you've got to figure out how you can mount them there!
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Camper I bought had a bar mounted in photo on A frame, (dont have picture with bike on at moment) with quick connect to front bike wheel on bar. Works extremely well just put a hockey strap through the rear wheel on bikes across the trailer cover and attach to trailer sides.
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Generally laid flat on top of the CT is the best way, less damage to the bikes.
My DH is concerned this might puncture the CT cover. I would like to put my kids bikes on top as it would be easier.
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I'm also looking for the best option.
Not Quite There Yet. I'm not having a go here but we did just that, lying the bikes down, all be it for 3 Months of our six Month until they failed as we traveled. In the end and after 3 month we had to leave the bikes in Alice as the endless corrugations, dust and rubbish meant we ended up with shattered bearing in the peddle assembly. We got the bikes off one day and the entire shaft moved for side to side and the ball bearings fell out >:( so for the long haul I wouldn't suggest that. Off for a week up to coff, yep no worries but not for the 6 Months in a leaky Boat (or Camper ;D)
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My DH is concerned this might puncture the CT cover. I would like to put my kids bikes on top as it would be easier.
That too is my concern in doing this. But did see plenty of trailers going thru the Flinders this style.
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You could always remove a pedal, certainly not any harder than taking a wheel off or something like that (unless the biike isn't looked after too well I guess)! However you would also have to make sure the grips on the handlebars aren't worn because that would lead to a hole pretty quickly.
If removing pedals just remember "undo towards the back of the bike, do up towards the front ...that's referring to the direction you turn the shifter, easier to remember than the reverse thread rule! for me anyway.
Also a few spare bike tubes inflated could provide some cushioning and protection.
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I just take off the pedals that are to face down and loosen the gooseneck/strut or whatever you want to call it and turn the handlebars around. I then lay some carpet or the floor mat over the CT and ly the bikes on top. Have never looked like making a hole in the cover. ;D
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I agree SteveandViv. Like I mentioned I wouldn't do it if travelling for a prolonged time and/or in the rough. I think if you are serious about taking bikes with you and knowing space is at a premium, you need to weigh up the pros and cons and then commit to doing it properly. The advise of those recommending the Thule or ISI are on the money. :cheers:
I take my good MTB with me and decided I'd rather do it properly with a good rack than just laying it down and risking it turning into a donation for scrap metal recycling :'(
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Grip sport do custom jobs and have a few different versions of there bike racks, they also sell crank holders that could allow you to make your own and just strap down the bike http://www.gripsport.com.au/bike_main.php?part=bike_products&prodID=53
These crank holders are used on there bike racks like this http://www.gripsport.com.au/bike_main.php?part=bike_products&prodID=52 just slide the crank down the crank holder and strap tyres down or starp frame down.
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Not too sure about holding bikes by the crank on anything but bitumen. I'd recon that bumping over rock and through bulldust holes would be likely to bend the crank.
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yeah thanks for the replies everyone .its certainly given me something to think about .
it wouldnt be for serious off road stuff . so many ideas, what to do LOLOLOL
craig
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I used 60mm PVC Pipe sliced down the middle to make two channels, then place one ontop of the other (to give a bit more thickness and strength. I then secured the channels across the drawbar to hold three bicycles. They are located between the Spare Wheel and the Trailer Tub. To stop them rocking on the drawbar, I cut some discs out of a plastic cutting board with a 32mm hole saw then filed a dish in the top surface of the discs for the channel to sit into. the stainless bolts used to secure then went through the channels and the discs into the drawbar. Bike tyres are secured by Velcro straps around the tyres and channels and a bracket at the top which is secured by a pin and ‘R’ Clip onto the front of the Trailer Tub. The bracket only secures the back two bikes as the front bike is secured to the CT spare tyre bracket.
The bikes are very secure and the channels are light weight and will not rust. It is quick and easy to load the bikes up and the camper bed base can be lifted with the bikes in place.
(http://www.myswag.org/gallery/d/21626-2/Bike+Rack.JPG) (http://www.myswag.org/gallery/d/21662-2/Plastic+Discs.JPG) (http://www.myswag.org/gallery/d/21632-2/Bracket+to+secure+Bikes.JPG) (http://www.myswag.org/gallery/d/21634-2/Bracket+with+Bikes+Secured.JPG) (http://www.myswag.org/gallery/d/21630-2/Bikes+on+2.JPG)
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Excellent idea using pvc pipe.
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Excellent idea using pvc pipe.
did it work.
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As mentioned above
Isi bicycle carriers are designed for extreme off-road driving and are an option on Kimberley campers. They are able to fold down without removing the bikes from the carrier.
Designed by an engineer who loves MTB and 4wd.
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As mentioned above
Isi bicycle carriers are designed for extreme off-road driving and are an option on Kimberley campers. They are able to fold down without removing the bikes from the carrier.
Designed by an engineer who loves MTB and 4wd.
Have one of these and there is nothing better. Might even get it out tomorrow and head to Lysterfield with the family for a mtb ride
GG
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I couldn't justify the $ for an ISI for the amount of time I was using the rack. Id have one mighty quick though if money was no object.
Wasn't keen on them hanging out the back of the camper nor putting them up on the roof of the car. I did use a beak style rack once with a trailer and found it quite difficult to pack the bikes in a way that didn't hang down over the draw bar too far, combine that with not being keen to have to use an adaptor rack every time and the beak rack went.
I could justify the cost of a Torpedo 7 platform rack though and have been happy with it. When it came to bikes and the camper I mounted it up over the draw bar.
See it here: http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=38970.msg634484#msg634484 (http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=38970.msg634484#msg634484)
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Have one of these and there is nothing better. Might even get it out tomorrow and head to Lysterfield with the family for a mtb ride
GG
Once you get the bikes set up right the ISI carrier sure makes life easy!
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did it work.
They haven't needed any repairs or attention since fitting over 5 years ago. The bikes are quick to load and unload and very secure.
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Hey Gary that would have to be one of the slowest answers on myswag. One day short of a year ;D
KB
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The way I see it, as soon as I read it I replied. It just happened to be a year later. It's good to hear from you again, it's been a while.
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Way to go kb😬👍