Author Topic: Off Roading with 5 bikes  (Read 5444 times)

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Offline stevemalcs

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Off Roading with 5 bikes
« on: April 09, 2014, 08:56:39 PM »
Hi folks,

We're about to set off on a 16 week trip from Melbourne to Kakadu, turn left to Broome, turn left to Perth and then one more left to get home.

Most of the trip will be on bitumen but in terms of off-roading we're planning on taking the Oodnadatta track, Gibb River Road and into the Bungle Bungles.

We're pulling an Aussie Jays Crusher (with an early-ish model Mitsubishi Challenger) and the plan was to put a Thule Vertex on the back of the crusher and carry 5 bikes (me, wife, 3 kids).

We've got no worries on the bitumen but I wondered if anyone had any similar experience or advice they might like to share.  I'm a bit concerned about the bikes bouncing around on the back of the trailer.

Thanks all.

Steve

Offline gclan

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Re: Off Roading with 5 bikes
« Reply #1 on: April 10, 2014, 08:43:14 AM »
Corrugations aside, how far out do 5 bikes sit? I'd be concerned about them hitting the ground at every dip and creek crossing, and there are plenty on the road in to the Bungle Bungles and the gorges off the GRR.

I don't want to be the party pooper, but they apparently bounce quite a bit, and Thule says not to carry more than 75kg, and that they're not to be used on trailers or offroad :(

Can you maybe take less bikes and share them so you can strap them on top of the camper?

Alternatively, have you considered a different offroad capable bike rack? This Australian company sells genuine 4x4 bike racks, but they are double the price of Thule.
http://www.isi-carriers.com/products.html

Good luck. I hope you find a solution.

I'd love to be heading back North and West. Have a great trip!


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Offline martyst

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Off Roading with 5 bikes
« Reply #2 on: April 10, 2014, 08:55:24 AM »
We have mounted an ISI Carrier to our drawbar, they are very heavy duty. It does only carry 4 bikes though. It wouldnt be too hard mounting a point for the 5th bike. Check out my thread MDC TBOX MODS.
Marty
« Last Edit: April 10, 2014, 10:12:33 AM by martyst »

Offline Jjw1234

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Re: Off Roading with 5 bikes
« Reply #3 on: April 10, 2014, 09:01:41 AM »
We had 4 bikes on our aussie jays. Ok for small distances but longer and the double bounce does damage. We got half way home from flinders rangers and noticed that the bike carrier was buckling and warping. We had to stop and buy and new one. Not sure what we will do in the future.

Offline GGV8Cruza

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Re: Off Roading with 5 bikes
« Reply #4 on: April 10, 2014, 09:58:38 AM »
5 bikes hanging off the back of a trailer is asking for problems in my opinion, unless you get the ISI carrier which I have for the back of the Patrol. The other way is to mount them on a rack on the top of the trailer where I carry our 4 when out an about. I take the front wheels of and mount the forks in a carrier clamp. The bikes do not move at all and I know they will be there at the end of the journey.

Do you really need the bikes, when we did the Flinders last year we decided not to take any and the kids had enough to keep them interested in all the new places we went to. If you do take them make sure you take a good supply of new tubes and patches as some places will make a strainer out of an inner tube with the thorns

GG

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Re: Off Roading with 5 bikes
« Reply #5 on: April 10, 2014, 10:12:58 AM »
Quote from: GGPatrol
Do you really need the bikes, when we did the Flinders last year we decided not to take any and the kids had enough to keep them interested in all the new places we went to. If you do take them make sure you take a good supply of new tubes and patches as some places will make a strainer out of an inner tube with the thorns

GG
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Offline chester ver2.0

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Re: Off Roading with 5 bikes
« Reply #6 on: April 10, 2014, 10:40:17 AM »
x 3 we took ours on our half lap put them on the roof only rode them 4 times and found that after the OOdnadatta and Gibb one had a crack in the front forks and both would have needed derailers and other things replaced due to dust

In essence they were disposed of in perth and 2 new bikes purchased. It is actually one of the reasons i went  to the dmax so the bikes could travel in the back under the canopy next time

In all honestly maybe just take the kids a scooter each to keep em happy
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Offline GraemeL

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Re: Off Roading with 5 bikes
« Reply #7 on: April 10, 2014, 11:09:27 AM »
Do yourself a favor, buy a 4x4 rack from ISI it will last you for many many years to come. It is built to last and loading and unloading the bikes is a breeze.

I have their town and country and had George make up a mount for my old Venture trailer.

There is no need to buy a rack for your vehicle and one for the camper.

You could by the 4x4 rack that fits to the rear of your vehicle and you could have him design a mount that would fit on either the front of the camper where the spare wheel is or just in front of it. Although if it was me, I would look at moving the spare to the back. Or you could have him make a mount to fit the bikes to the rear of the camper.

When you want to use the camper, simply remove the rack from the standard hitch mount and attach it to the camper mount.

The design of the ISI is such that the rack is angled up behind the vehicle, This helps to cut down on the total overhang length but also keeps your bikes well up out of the way from rocks etc. You can travel along rough roads without the worry of the bikes hitting the ground.

The bikes are very easy to load, the front and rear wheels sit in a cradle and a center post locks them in place with padded hooks, each bike is separate and do not rub against each other.

The rack is also hinged, if you have it on the rear of the vehicle it swings down to allow access to the vehicle without having to remove the bikes from the rack.

More info here, http://www.isi-carriers.com/index.html click on the Adventures tab to the left, this will help to give you ideas.
if you see a Hyundai IX35 and a white Venture trailer this is ours :)

George is excellent and nothing is too much trouble, give him a call and expalin what you want and he will work with you, to come up with a deign that suites your needs.

Offline martyst

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Re: Off Roading with 5 bikes
« Reply #8 on: April 10, 2014, 12:30:00 PM »

Do yourself a favor, buy a 4x4 rack from ISI it will last you for many many years to come. It is built to last and loading and unloading the bikes is a breeze.

I have their town and country and had George make up a mount for my old Venture trailer.

There is no need to buy a rack for your vehicle and one for the camper.

You could by the 4x4 rack that fits to the rear of your vehicle and you could have him design a mount that would fit on either the front of the camper where the spare wheel is or just in front of it. Although if it was me, I would look at moving the spare to the back. Or you could have him make a mount to fit the bikes to the rear of the camper.

When you want to use the camper, simply remove the rack from the standard hitch mount and attach it to the camper mount.

The design of the ISI is such that the rack is angled up behind the vehicle, This helps to cut down on the total overhang length but also keeps your bikes well up out of the way from rocks etc. You can travel along rough roads without the worry of the bikes hitting the ground.

The bikes are very easy to load, the front and rear wheels sit in a cradle and a center post locks them in place with padded hooks, each bike is separate and do not rub against each other.

The rack is also hinged, if you have it on the rear of the vehicle it swings down to allow access to the vehicle without having to remove the bikes from the rack.

More info here, http://www.isi-carriers.com/index.html click on the Adventures tab to the left, this will help to give you ideas.
if you see a Hyundai IX35 and a white Venture trailer this is ours :)

George is excellent and nothing is too much trouble, give him a call and expalin what you want and he will work with you, to come up with a deign that suites your needs.

The point of being interchangeable got us and very strong. 




Offline Jjw1234

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Re: Off Roading with 5 bikes
« Reply #9 on: April 10, 2014, 02:23:12 PM »
We def wouldn't take the bikes the next time we go to the flinders!

Offline GraemeL

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Re: Off Roading with 5 bikes
« Reply #10 on: April 10, 2014, 06:17:09 PM »
The point of being interchangeable got us and very strong.

Yep, it would take some serious bashing to damage these things. Very well thought out and constructed.

Offline GeoffA

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Re: Off Roading with 5 bikes
« Reply #11 on: April 10, 2014, 06:25:00 PM »
I'd leave the bikes at home. They will become painful.
The kids will find other things to amuse themselves.
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Offline #jonesy

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Re: Off Roading with 5 bikes
« Reply #12 on: April 10, 2014, 06:45:32 PM »
My aussie jays didn't have a locking bolt on the rear recovery/bike mount so it bounced around a far amount.  I have since put in my own locking bolt but still wouldn't do the trip you suggest

What about put a bar just in front of the tent like a H boat rack, stick 5 of these on top
http://www.cyclingdeal.com.au/buy/bicycle-bike-fork-mount-rack-car-carrier/CB-617C
And on top of the stone guard put some sort of mount for the rear wheel.
« Last Edit: April 10, 2014, 06:55:12 PM by #jonesy »
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Offline GraemeL

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Re: Off Roading with 5 bikes
« Reply #13 on: April 10, 2014, 07:01:00 PM »
The problem with fork mounts is they put a lot of stress through the forks and frame. travelling off road could result in cracked forks. Same thing for the racks that have the top frame sitting on a bar, this can also cause damage when going off road, unless it's very well padded.

Something that sits on the wheel is much better, the tires tend to act as shockies.

Offline stevemalcs

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Re: Off Roading with 5 bikes
« Reply #14 on: April 11, 2014, 09:22:59 AM »
What a brilliant community this is.  Many thanks for all the informative responses. It's made the decision very easy and the bikes are staying at home this time.

Thanks again
Steve



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Offline chester ver2.0

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Re: Off Roading with 5 bikes
« Reply #15 on: April 11, 2014, 09:34:31 AM »
The problem with fork mounts is they put a lot of stress through the forks and frame. travelling off road could result in cracked forks. Same thing for the racks that have the top frame sitting on a bar, this can also cause damage when going off road, unless it's very well padded.

Something that sits on the wheel is much better, the tires tend to act as shockies.

exactly what happened to hours 1 crack where the wheel goes into the fork and another where it meets the frame

I found there was just too much side to side motion when mounted on the roof
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Offline #jonesy

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Re: Off Roading with 5 bikes
« Reply #16 on: April 11, 2014, 09:19:09 PM »
Thanks for that Graeme.  I'll take that off my idea list for my trailer!
2013 Aussie Jays - Crusher      2013 Toyota Hilux. 

Offline weeds

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Re: Off Roading with 5 bikes
« Reply #17 on: April 12, 2014, 06:56:30 AM »
I built my CT to carry our five bikes.........it was a waste as we haven't used it as planned. The bikes normally just sit there for the whole trip

We did go one one dedicated MTBing trip I which the bikes were used every other day


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Offline ozstickman

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Re: Off Roading with 5 bikes
« Reply #18 on: April 12, 2014, 07:30:52 AM »
We've taken our daughters bike every trip before and during having out camper and she has only riden it once. Now we just take her scooter. Takes up bugger all room and if it doesn't get used it's not really in the road.


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Re: Off Roading with 5 bikes
« Reply #19 on: April 12, 2014, 09:51:51 AM »
Wont help your issue but we dumped the bikes in favour of scooters with inflatable tyres.  Far easier to carry.  And you look Uber Cool!


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