Bike rack on the back of the camper

[timmmmm]

Hi,
I've got a bike rack that's going on the back of the camper trailer and I am a little worried about the bikes slightly obscuring the trailer lights. They're still visible, but I would like to try to do the right thing, and mount some additional lights to the bike rack, kind of like some old school boat trailers with the removable light board.

I am fine to wire up the additional light board, but the only part I can't seem to find is a double adaptor to plug into the car 7 pin socket, so I can plug in the lights connection for the trailer and the additional light board. Has anyone seen such a thing? I could make one up myself, but would rather one that's made properly, if you know what I mean...

Thanks,
Timmmmm

[#jonesy]

Can't say I've ever seen one. It would be a straightforward thing to make.
Or put a trailer socket on the back of the trailer, so you don't have to route the extension lead the full length, which is one of the things on my to do list.

[tryagain]

Not sure about in Vic but here in QLD you have to also have to purchase a special little number plate for the rack as well, I am planning on using something like one of these to mount onto the bike rack http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Smoke-20-LED-Motorcycle-Turn-Signal-License-Plate-Mount-Brake-Rear-Tail-Light-/281801099530?hash=item419ca7890a:g:bUEAAOSwHnFVrLRC I think wiring a plug on the back of the trailer is the route I will take, then you just need a small length of cable and can be easily used on the vehicle as well.

[D4D]

Same in VIC, you need a bike rack plate and lights. I used this light for my bike rack, although I do like the motorbike light idea too.
http://brightlightautoparts.com/files/BL-204ARAM2.pdf

[MDS69]

Problem with bike rack plates in NSW is you can only get them for the car and not the trailer. Apparently it is illegal to put the cars bike plate on the trailer technically but that is what I do as to me that is the most commonsense way to comply.

[PenUltimate Destinations]

Problem with bike rack plates in NSW is you can only get them for the car and not the trailer. Apparently it is illegal to put the cars bike plate on the trailer technically but that is what I do as to me that is the most commonsense way to comply.

Funnily enough this is exactly what the RMS told me to do...


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[NewieCamper]

Can't you put the trailer plate on the bike rack? Plenty of plates on swing out tyres etc, not much difference in it being on the rack provided it has the plate light shining on it. I've switched the car late onto a bike rack once when the car rack plate didn't arrive before a trip

[PenUltimate Destinations]

You could, but a bit of a pain unless you are using the bike rack every time you use the camper, and only with the camper...

Sent from my SM-N920I using Tapatalk

[tryagain]

Can't you put the trailer plate on the bike rack? Plenty of plates on swing out tyres etc, not much difference in it being on the rack provided it has the plate light shining on it. I've switched the car late onto a bike rack once when the car rack plate didn't arrive before a trip

In QLD its illegal to do this with the vehicle (dont know about trailers) you have to pay $75 for the mini plate, The only reason I can think that a full size easily visible plate is not allowed but a mini extra purchased one is is to make money.

[timmmmm]

Thanks for the replies. I was shocked too when I found out I can't get a bike rack plate for the trailer. But then again it's via the government, so I shouldn't be surprised...
I've got the stuff to make it all up myself, and strap the light board to the bike rack. I'll probably just attach the trailer plate to the light board and hope for the best.
Thanks again,
Timmmmm


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[terravista]

Can't help with the light query, but has anyone had problems with quick release wheels falling off, do they not vibrate off, or is this prevented by a few occy straps?
cheers

[PenUltimate Destinations]

Can't help with the light query, but has anyone had problems with quick release wheels falling off, do they not vibrate off, or is this prevented by a few occy straps?
cheers

I always use a rack that supports the bikes by the wheel, rather than the frame. Just got an iSi rack which is superb!

Sent from my SM-N920I using Tapatalk

[paulo]

If your new light board has all of the lights on it, why not just plug it in and not worry about plugging the trailer lights in?

[Crisp Image]

I wired a trailer plug under the back of the trailer so just plug it in there.
Vicroads also said I could not get a bike plate for the trailer so I use the car one. Either way if you get done by a safety camera they can still identify you.
Crispy

[NewieCamper]

In QLD its illegal to do this with the vehicle (dont know about trailers) you have to pay $75 for the mini plate, The only reason I can think that a full size easily visible plate is not allowed but a mini extra purchased one is is to make money.

Probably illegal here too, but in a pinch I'd rather have the vehicle plate on the rack, visible than on the car hidden, then plead innocent with anyone that pulls me over as 'at least I'm having a go' and hope for a warning.

I don't have a bike rack on the back of my trailer, but wouldn't be putting the vehicle rack plate on it as it is more like deception than using the plate off the trailer IMO.

Until recently at least in WA it was illegal to conceal your vehicle plate and illegal to fit it to a bike rack or use a home made rack plate and the govt didn't have the rack plates available. Rock, hard place. Sounds the same currently for trailer plates.

[timmmmm]

If your new light board has all of the lights on it, why not just plug it in and not worry about plugging the trailer lights in?

I thought of that too, but then I remembered the trailer plug is needed for the brakes to work... There's always something..

[wedwards]

I just went through this in Vic and found Vic Roads to be particularly useless. They told me you sent allowed to attach a bike rack to any kind of trailer, which is why you can't get a second number plate for the trailer. Person I spoke to checked with their manager who confirmed this despite my protestations that I see racks on trailers everywhere. Long story short, I went back to George at ISI who make the best bike rack for off-road I've ever seen, and he said to only move the number plate to the bike rack so it's visible, and just make sure the lights can be seen though the spokes of the bikes etc. he's seen lots of cases where people had attached lights to the rear of the rack and been fined every time. I've done exactly what he said and had no probs so far.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[D4D]

...and just make sure the lights can be seen though the spokes of the bikes etc. he's seen lots of cases where people had attached lights to the rear of the rack and been fined every time.

That doesn't make sense...

[wedwards]

It doesn't, no, but he's police setup at entry points to mountain bike parks/trails fining everyone who had attached lights to rear of their rack, but everyone who had just attached number plate got through fine. Doesn't make sense to me either, but then neither do a lot of other laws


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[D4D]

I wonder if it is because the bike rack number plate wasn't illuminated, nice technicality...
http://roofcarriersystems.com.au/2015/bike-carrier-laws-vicroads/

[#jonesy]

Fined for what?
Unless they fitted lights and not the number plate then yes.  Or the rack was empty. But I can't for the life of me think of an offence for having the lights fitted (if they work correctly)

Thule even sell a lightbar ad for that purpose as shown in the link.

In Vic you can either use a bike rack plate or relocate the vehicle plate, but no home made ones.  Bike plate only needs light at night.

Technically you can't use the car plate on the bike rack on the trailer. 

[wedwards]

I agree completely; coppers and Vic roads don't apparently.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[#jonesy]

I agree completely; coppers and Vic roads don't apparently.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

In what regard?  Someone told someone who told you they were booked, but for what?
I hear thesee type of stories 3rd hand all the time but rarely ever direct from the person involved.

Vic Roads are pretty clear (which matches with all the relent legislation).
https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/registration/number-plates/standard-number-plates/bicycle-rack-number-plates
No mention of illegal extra lights being illegal.

[wedwards]

I was specifically told by Vic roads that it is illegal to put a bike rack on the back of any trailer, which is why they don't sell secondary plates for trailers - caravans are fine apparently. Can't get much more first hand than that? The account of others being booked were people with bike racks on cars.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[wedwards]

In what regard?  Someone told someone who told you they were booked, but for what?
I hear thesee type of stories 3rd hand all the time but rarely ever direct from the person involved.

Vic Roads are pretty clear (which matches with all the relent legislation).
https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/registration/number-plates/standard-number-plates/bicycle-rack-number-plates
No mention of illegal extra lights being illegal.

Exactly - the legal requirement is that your number plate be visible. It doesn't mention any requirements about lights so don't screw around with them and you'll be fine.

Sometimes what is not written in law is just as important as what is written.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk