Tow Bar Bike Rack Gap Requirements

randomname2005

Hi All,

Apologies if this is covered elsewhere but I could not find anything in a quick search. Looking at getting a tow bar mounted bike rack and worried about space. The Halfords rack, https://www.halfords.ie/cycling/bike-accessories/bike-racks/towbar-mounted-bike-racks/halfords-4-bike-towbar-mounted-bike-rack-548658.html says it requires 65 mm between tow bar and bumper.

• "Fits standard 50mm diameter tow ball and requires a minimum clearance of 65mm between the tow ball and the bumper.

The advanced version says similar, but not on the website, on the box and in the fitting video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpPDRNu0e10&ab_channel=Halfords).

I haven't seen this requirement specified on any other rack web page I have looked at, but concerned that it would be on the box or elsewhere.

My questions - To anyone with a Halfords rack is this gap requirement actually needed, or is it just so that you don't claim for damaged bumpers if you bang against it? Does anyone know of other racks that have this requirement or is it only Halfords?

Thanks in advance

RN

Birka

Some UK sites say that there's an EU directive that specifies 65mm as the minimum distance between the tow ball and bumper for on-road vehicles but the Thule Velocompact instructions specify 40mm as the minimum distance (page 3 https://www.thule.com/-/s/approved/std.lang.all/38/99/593899.pdf?rev=5.3 ).

randomname2005

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120736536#Comment_120736536

Thanks. I will check that out

randombar

Hi Folks,

Apologies for resurrecting an old one but I thought you might know what's what.

Looking at 3 different ones at the moment.

https://www.halfords.ie/cycling/bike-accessories/bike-racks/towbar-mounted-bike-racks/halfords-4-bike-towbar-mounted-bike-rack-548658.html

https://www.theedge-sports.com/dpt/bike-storage-transport/buzzrack-buzzybee-4-bike-towbar-mounted-rack__16637

https://www.theedge-sports.com/dpt/bike-storage-transport/buzz-rack-buffalo-bike-hitch-rack-4-bike-carrier__6582

Very different design for the ones that have the bikes hanging vs sitting.

Other sitting ones seem more sturdy but maybe that's my imagination.

Usually going to be carrying two kids bikes (10 + 7 currently), maybe then my own road bike and the very rare occasion herselfs bike.

Any advice appreciated.

randomname2005

Have only used sitting 4 bike tow hitch carrier and like it. Space for storage is important too, so the hanging one might take up less space.

Do they all have the same weight allowance?

We have a boot mount 3 bike carrier which is a challenge to get three bikes on, so maybe check spacing and make sure you can get all bikes on the 4 hanging without issue

Shotser

I have an Oris one. it currently takes two bikes with the option of adding a third. Mostly it's just my bike and maybe one of the kids bikes, the youngest's bike still fits in the boot. The ability to tilt the rack in order to have access to the boot was major for me.