Spare Wheel Mounted Cycle Carrier

[SarahW]

Hi

We have a 2002 model Rav4 and are trying to find a spare wheel mounted cycle carrier - any ideas??

We do not have a towbar. Thanks

Sarah

[ulysse]

Hi Sarah

I have a 2003 RAV and have just been through this! I did not find a wheel rack that would fit because of the wheel cover and the inability to get anything behind it. It is a real pain and I have gone for the option of getting a tow bar fitted and getting one that clicks onto the tow bar (get in in two weeks). I dont know the name of it (very helpfull!) but it is a block that fits behind the 'sticky up bit' on the back of the tow bar and two metal poles fit into it (vertically)allowing 3 bikes to be mounted at the rear.

If I find a link on the net, I will post it on this thread

Andy

[SarahW]

Thanks Andy

I had an idea that was going to be the answer!!

Sarah

[jonbr]

You could always try fitting some roof bars and getting a rack to fit them. Thule ( www.thule.co.uk ) do both if you don't mind putting the bikes on the roof.

[AMH]

I had a Pendle one on my previous Rav - it needed a two bolt fixing for the tow ball (not a swan-neck) for the mounting block - though they now do one that clamps to the ball itself.

Very strong and stable though the down side was having to fit a tow bar just to carry bikes.

Not a fan of the spare wheel type or the ones that simply srtap onto the back of regular boots / hatches - always look too feeble to me ...

[ulysse]

Thats the ones! I have had mine fitted and its a PENDLE TYPE APPROVAL 4-BIKE LANDROVER RACK. You can have the Discovery rack (£10 cheaper)that gives you 6 inches of clearance from the tow bar, but the bike pedals and handlebars may scratch the spare wheel cover (hard type), so I went for the 10 inches of clearance. I had to pay £120 for it from a local shop but I have seen them for that around the net

http://www.pendle-bike.co.uk/mountins.asp will explain the clearance

http://www.pendle-bike.co.uk/nulldet.asp?R...androver%20Rack is the one I have

I know what you mean AMH, I have paid for a tow bar just to carry bikes!

[AMH]

Yes - it is a pain but it is a seriously secure way of carrying them - Pendle do make good kit.

[SarahW]

Thanks guys - appreciate your answers - will probably have to look into the towbar option. I had a look on the Pendle website and saw one that attaches to the spare wheel fixture - anyone used that one or know anymore about it?

[ulysse]

On the fitting guide it says 'A' for the spare wheel rack, not sure what that means as the ones that fit have a tick. I would e-mail them and ask them.

[theory900]

Previously I used a Thule spare wheel mounted bike carrier on my Shogun, but I suspect from the postings above that maybe it won't fit on a RAV4.

I now hove an Atera tow ball mounted bike rack on my Amazon. It holds 3 or 4 bikes, is lockable, and only takes 2 minutes to fit or remove.

It also has the added benefit that when not in use I sit it on two long shelf brackets high up in the garage and the bikes are stored on it, out of the way.

I bought it, and the spare wheel mounted unit, from: http://www.roofbox.co.uk/