Opinions on carrying bikes on the roof of the 4WD.

[ldsparrow]

We are wanting to take bikes with us on our lap and from what I can see we really only have 2 options on how we can take them.

1) Bike racks on the roof
2) Get a boat carrier on the camper trailer and get the racks fitted there.

Option 1 is the cheapest option as we have the roof racks and just need to buy the bike racks and fit them, but we want to get off the beaten tracks as much as possible and Im worried the height would be to high with over hanging trees etc.  Option 2 we can do but it adds another $1500 to the cost of the trailer, but I suppose the benefit is then if we ever decide to get a tinny then the trailer is ready to hold it.

Has anyone got opinions or experience on placing the bikes on the roof? Would the boat carrier be the better way to go?  We need to make a call fairly soon on which way we are going to go as the Tambo is being delivered early October  , so any thoughts would be appreciated.

[SUPA105]

Not knowing your camper setup you should be able to do better than $1500.......had a mate with a Prado with his "real good" (hence light and strong) road bike on the roof when he forgot it was their and drove in under his carport.......it took out the bike goes with out saying but also the bike rack, Rhino racks and the gutters on the car sperated from the turret........$$$$$$$


Cheers

[Bird]

have them fit a section to the rear of the trailer, fit another towbar tounge, and a normal Mac rac.. shouldnt cost $200 all up with rack...

[Fivid]

have them fit a section to the rear of the trailer, fit another towbar tounge, and a normal Mac rac.. shouldnt cost $200 all up with rack...

x2

Keep your height down as much as possible


Dave

[toeball]

It shakes the sh#t out of them hanging out the back, see if you can fit them on the draw bar. I would also ask youself if you ar really that keen on riding them, my parents have just taken their bikes on a 6000km trip and used them once!

[Bird]

It shakes the sh#t out of them hanging out the back, see if you can fit them on the draw bar. I would also ask youself if you ar really that keen on riding them, my parents have just taken their bikes on a 6000km trip and used them once!

x2

[camdyson]

I would only put my bikes on roof for short trips, because

a) constant high speeds dry out all the bearings/lube

b) bikes get covered in dust, dead bugs and stone chips, and

c) sooner or later you will drive under a low tree, carport, bridge or whatever.......

Basically offroading with bikes outside your vehicle will stuff them wherever you hang them, and I wouldn't do it for any great distance. I stick them in the back of the 4by on long trips but then I have no kids so plenty of room.

Cheers,

Cam

[savanahkelpy]

If you do decide to carry bikes on the roof of your vehicle or anything else that's fairly high, then get and fit an old 2-way radio arial on your bull bar, and wrap some bright coloured tape, or paint around it, level with the exact height of the highest part your roof rack, (not what is on it).This will be your easy to see height guage. Anything that contacts the top of it or above the tape will be regarded as being too low to go under. Being aware of and remembering, what you have up there will help you to get used to using it. If you still manage to wipe out your rack and/or its contents,,,,hmmmmm,  ,,WTF? 

[Markss]

Buy some cheap fold-up bikes and take them - like this: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Folding-Commuter-bike-Strida-Style-/110724259929?pt=AU_Sport_Cycling_Bikes&hash=item19c7ae2059#ht_1345wt_1137

[ldsparrow]

Thanks all for the replies, I wont take them on the roof, will have a chat to Tambo and see what we can come up with otherwise wont bother taking them.

[jeeps]

Motorbikes on roof are bad ok?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a15Ycu7Z_Ss


cheers

[earle]

Motorbikes on roof are bad ok?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a15Ycu7Z_Ss


cheers

Check out right at the end, in the filming car there seems to be an open fuel container with pouring nozzle attached. Not a lot of safety going on anywhere in this one.