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Author Topic: Bike carrier for tow ball  (Read 7959 times)

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Offline jetcrew

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Bike carrier for tow ball
« on: October 08, 2016, 06:05:13 PM »
has anyone had exp with this style, I have had the other ones before where you put the frame in and strap down but this style looks better.

http://www.torpedo7.com.au/products/T7CATNNM2/title/torpedo7-4-bike-rack-mk2

looking for advice ..will carry 2 x adult and 1 child mountain bike around town not scrub.

Jet ;D
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Offline D4D

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Re: Bike carrier for tow ball
« Reply #1 on: October 08, 2016, 06:21:13 PM »
Not a fan of supporting bikes by their top tube.

I have this T7 rack and it's a ripper, carries 2 x MTB and 1 x kids bike. Takes about 5 min to fit/remove and you need a HR hitch for the plate to fit. Bit of a jigsaw to work out how to fit the bikes the first time, but ok from there.
http://www.torpedo7.com.au/products/T7CATN03B/title/torpedo7-towball-mount-3-bike-channel-rack
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Offline Paddler Ed

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Re: Bike carrier for tow ball
« Reply #2 on: October 08, 2016, 06:41:39 PM »
I've got an older Thule 'prong' rack that I got locally on the Buy, Swap and Sell page for $20 or so.

Works fine for my bikes (XL frames) but no good for the wifes Small framed bikes as the top tube isn't long enough to hang neatly on the prongs.

In the past I've used fork mount roof racks, and much prefer those.

One last problem... I flip my towbar over so the tow ball is at the highest setting as with 3 bikes on the back and 4 in the car, I found on steep driveway to road transitions that it bottomed out and knocked a bike loose on the rubber frame holders.
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Offline Bird

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Re: Bike carrier for tow ball
« Reply #3 on: October 08, 2016, 06:43:56 PM »
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Offline #jonesy

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Re: Bike carrier for tow ball
« Reply #4 on: October 08, 2016, 09:02:51 PM »
I used to use one a bit like the mac rack but with individual clamps. It was no good for the kids bike due to the small triangle. I now have a anaconda prong one like the first link.
It works well for even the kids bike. The top tubes aren't long enough on their bikes. On one prong I use the area between the seat tube, and rear stay and rear wheel (just under the brakes). It is a tight squeeze but works. For the other bike I use a prong under the headstem (between the fork and sloping down tube)
Haven't had any issues and I can space the bikes as far apart as needed. I also put one of those blue foam mats between each bike.

I do like the look of D4D's rack.
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Offline tombie

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Re: Bike carrier for tow ball
« Reply #5 on: October 08, 2016, 10:26:26 PM »
I've got one of these... http://www.isi-carriers.com

Not cheap, but bullet proof and offroad capable








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Offline D4D

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Re: Bike carrier for tow ball
« Reply #6 on: October 09, 2016, 06:22:30 AM »
Quote from: #jonesy on October 08, 2016, 09:02:51 PM
I do like the look of D4D's rack.

4 way rack is on special today, it is no ISI however it is good enough for around town.
https://www.torpedo7.com.au/products/T7CATN04B/title/torpedo7-towball-mount-4-bike-channel-rack
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Offline Renno

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Re: Bike carrier for tow ball
« Reply #7 on: October 09, 2016, 11:03:13 AM »
We have one of the Chanel racks.
Works well for us. Pretty easy. Had to get the lights as well.
http://m.torpedo7.com.au/products/T7CATN03B/title/torpedo7-towball-mount-3-bike-channel-rack
Renno
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Offline Paddler Ed

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Re: Bike carrier for tow ball
« Reply #8 on: October 09, 2016, 12:02:01 PM »
Just seen someone (rightly) mention lights for the rack; I got a full trailer board for $50 from supercrap.... spent another $10 on a flat plug and I was sorted - as stock it came with a 7 round which was no good to me, but for $60 instead of around $100 it was worth doing.

Check local stock and see what you can get, they're listed online at $92, so may need a visit. My store only had a couple. I'm going to shorten the cable so its about 1.5m long instead of 8m and put in a pair of 7 flats so I can use it on trailers with no lights or on the bike rack. I'll probably run a couple of screws through so I can whizz on plates as needed.
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Offline Paddy16

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Re: Bike carrier for tow ball
« Reply #9 on: October 10, 2016, 06:01:38 AM »
I use this one - not cheap but great design http://www.roofracksuperstore.com.au/bike-carriers/rear-mounted/thule/euro-ride-tow-bar-carrier-160/product-detail.aspx
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Offline D4D

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Re: Bike carrier for tow ball
« Reply #10 on: October 10, 2016, 06:05:39 AM »
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Offline GBC

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Re: Bike carrier for tow ball
« Reply #11 on: October 10, 2016, 06:57:51 AM »
These from autobarn are solid and keep the bikes separated. I've had one for a few years now. No issue carrying ally Mtb's by the top tube. I wouldn't put my carbon roady in it though. I carry a combination of kids and adult bikes with it and it tilts away to access the car.
https://www.autobarn.com.au/streetwize-ball-mount-tilt-3-bike-rack-abbc3t
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Offline bergersau

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Re: Bike carrier for tow ball
« Reply #12 on: October 10, 2016, 07:59:32 AM »
I use one of these

https://www.anacondastores.com/cycling/bike-racks-storage/pacific-4-bike-a-frame-top-rack/p/90011163003?gclid=CLGApLfbzs8CFZcsvQodEH8Phw

Though it should be said that our bikes are not high end machines and the ladies and kids bikes do need an adaptor bar to fit properly.
I like these for ease of use.

http://www.cyclingdeal.com.au/buy/ladies-bike-or-y-frame-alternative-car-rack-bar-ad/CB-610
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Offline frenchac

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Re: Bike carrier for tow ball
« Reply #13 on: October 10, 2016, 03:30:18 PM »
G'day Jet,
I have used a very similar rack to the one in your link for about 5 years. 
Great idea as any bike will fit.
We can carry 2 adult bikes and 2 kids bikes no problem.
Definitely wouldn't take it off the beaten track though.
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Offline NewieCamper

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Re: Bike carrier for tow ball
« Reply #14 on: October 10, 2016, 03:39:41 PM »
Quote from: D4D on October 09, 2016, 06:22:30 AM
4 way rack is on special today, it is no ISI however it is good enough for around town.
https://www.torpedo7.com.au/products/T7CATN04B/title/torpedo7-towball-mount-4-bike-channel-rack
I've got one of them too. Good value, if a little more fiddly/cumbersome to use than the ISI carrier. Downside is it doesn't tilt, so bikes need to come off to open the rear door on the pathfinder, upside is it was pretty easy to add a post to mount it on the camper above the draw bar.
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Offline The Caseys

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Re: Bike carrier for tow ball
« Reply #15 on: October 12, 2016, 03:56:19 PM »
I have a question. Can any of these bike carriers be attached to the towball and then attach the camper trailer at the same time?
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Offline frenchac

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Re: Bike carrier for tow ball
« Reply #16 on: October 12, 2016, 04:00:00 PM »
not the style Jetcrew has asked about
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Offline Renno

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Re: Bike carrier for tow ball
« Reply #17 on: October 12, 2016, 05:18:13 PM »
Quote from: The Caseys on October 12, 2016, 03:56:19 PM
I have a question. Can any of these bike carriers be attached to the towball and then attach the camper trailer at the same time?


Not sure how one of the Dual Hitches would go. Might be alright if only doing easy tracks.
can get them on ebay but I would be worried about how they are made, dont know if they are certified.
Renno
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Offline GBC

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Re: Bike carrier for tow ball
« Reply #18 on: October 12, 2016, 05:47:42 PM »
Quote from: The Caseys on October 12, 2016, 03:56:19 PM
I have a question. Can any of these bike carriers be attached to the towball and then attach the camper trailer at the same time?

Yep the one in my link can - theoretically. I haven't had the need to try it out though.
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Offline Ben.Archer

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Re: Bike carrier for tow ball
« Reply #19 on: October 12, 2016, 06:27:19 PM »
Quote from: GBC on October 12, 2016, 05:47:42 PM
Yep the one in my link can - theoretically. I haven't had the need to try it out though.

I would be worried that in any tight turn it would get hit by the stoneguard on the trailer.......

Not sure I would want to test it.
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Offline GGV8Cruza

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Re: Bike carrier for tow ball
« Reply #20 on: October 12, 2016, 06:51:18 PM »
Quote from: The Caseys on October 12, 2016, 03:56:19 PM
I have a question. Can any of these bike carriers be attached to the towball and then attach the camper trailer at the same time?
I have the isi. Have a hitch for the 200. A hitch for the wifes car and just fitted up one to the trailer.

GG

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Offline NewieCamper

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Re: Bike carrier for tow ball
« Reply #21 on: October 12, 2016, 07:17:34 PM »
Quote from: The Caseys on October 12, 2016, 03:56:19 PM
I have a question. Can any of these bike carriers be attached to the towball and then attach the camper trailer at the same time?
I had one similar to the one GBC linked, but pacific brand. I used it once, well twice to get back home, with a box trailer hooked on pre camper days. It worked ok, but was a bit of a battle getting a full size MTB to fit, the kids bikes were a bit easier to fit, but it was like playing Tetris getting everything together to work with the trailer.
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