Rear Wheel Bike Rack

[pjtynan]

Hi, I am thinking of fitting a bike rack to the spare wheel mounted on the back door of my 2008 Rav.4.

I would be grateful for any info. from anybody who has used one of these and if there are any potential structural or safety issues with these racks.

Thanks in advance

pjtynan

[crofter]

If you enter "spare wheel mounted bike carrier" under Search and then click on the RAV section down the page you will find info on this posted before which may help

Del

[pjtynan]

If you enter "spare wheel mounted bike carrier" under Search and then click on the RAV section down the page you will find info on this posted before which may help

Del

Thanks Del, Gives me something to think about. Always better to get unbiased info. rather than sales blurb.

Regards pjtynan

[Uncle_P]

I looked into this for my 4.2 but settled on roof bars and cycle clamp thingy.. The wheel rack didn't look secure enough to trust a thousand pound to!

[flyboyprowler]

Just a thought, but if you have a tow bar, Thule make an excellent unit that clamps on the ball, so no mess, and no chance of scratching the car!

[firemac]

I looked into this for my 4.2 but settled on roof bars and cycle clamp thingy.. The wheel rack didn't look secure enough to trust a thousand pound to!

Welcome to the forum (I always imagine us all wearing togas when I say that.......).

We've got three bike racks (Halford's best) that we attache to the roof bars when needed. Work a treat - as long as you remember not to go into multi-storey carparks with bikes up top!

I've never liked the strap-on rear hangers as there appears to be too much opprtunity to damage the bodywork or obstruct the tail-lights. I seem to remember reading somewhere that not every tail mounted rack will work with the RAV's spare wheel arrangement although I know that some of the tow-bar mounted units are very good.

Good luck

[redlew]

I think that the weight of a bike on a spare wheel mounted bracket is too much. Roof mounting is ok but it helps if you are six foot six with powerful arm muscles. I've got the towbar though it is a bit of faff putting it on and off and with my 4.2, you can only open the rear door about 3 inches. None are ideal -buy a Transit?

[crofter]

I think that the weight of a bike on a spare wheel mounted bracket is too much. Roof mounting is ok but it helps if you are six foot six with powerful arm muscles. I've got the towbar though it is a bit of faff putting it on and off and with my 4.2, you can only open the rear door about 3 inches. None are ideal -buy a Transit?

To mount your tow ball,do you bolt two flat plates together.

I was wondering, if you could use a "drop plate" which would make the ball too low for towing,could you then get away with a bike rack ??

Del

[redlew]

Step 1 is to put on the detachable part of the towbar leaving the ball sticking up.At this stage you can only open the rear door about 3 inches

Step 2 is to put the bike rack onto the ball -you really need two people as mine is the 3 bike carrier.

Step 3 is to mount the bikes

When at destination you do worry about someone trying to pinch the empty rack while you are away as the lock doesn't seem very strong and the whole thing is too big to put in the boot notwithstanding that you would have to take the detachable off.

I think one of the little Vauxhalls do a rack that pulls out

[pjtynan]

Hi,

Thanks to all who offered advice to the wheel carrier query. I was concerned about weight on the door even though Mont Blanc who supply the rack claim it would not be problem with two bikes.

Since my first post I have found a different rear carrier that is two arms that screw into the spare mounting holes in the wheel carrier. I suppose to save weight with this you could put the wheel in the boot and just carry the two bikes.

This is by far the cheapest option @ £21 which I can pick up from Bradford and save carriage charges.

I have roof bars and racks but I think I will cost up the price of a lighting board and wiring kit first.

Regards pjtynan