Towbar or door mounted bike rack?

Anyone with advice to offer? We envisage the use  of 2 bikes by both of our daughters and their partners when they are using the motorhome and we will probably take up cycling again for access to local amenities and attractions when on-site. Not anticipating a need for electric bikes just yet!
Considering a Thule Easyfold towbar mounted.

If you are not carrying heavy bikes and you want to use the rear doors then a door mounted rack is probably the most convenient.

This is the tow ball  type that I have for two bikes.
Absolutely brilliant, easy to put on/off.

Downsides, even in the lowest position, I can't open the back doors without them hitting it.
I should have bought a three bike rack as when the bike is on the nearest to the van position, I have to rotate the handlebars to give clearance to back of van.

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PB

ps. don't use them for electric bikes. I've seen one collapse!!

Thule and others have towball racks designed for e bikes which has a load rating of 60kg. They have the option of tilting to be able to open the boots of cars. Worth a check to see if it would clear your doors. The towbar and bike rack setup is not cheap.

Many thanks for the practical tips. I had wondered about clearance for the handlebars as well as the potential for damage to the paintwork from a door mounted rack itself.
   We will probably not use the back doors much, I suspect. When we had a Bilbo Celeste on a swb VW Transporter we used the lifting tailgate a lot.
   The towbar appeals for the added defence against knocks, too.

Two bikes hanging on a back door?  Not an option I would take.

Apart from the weight (and the dynamic weight) on the door - it's a high lift to get the bikes onto the rack.

G

I use one of these from Witter, very easy to use:
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Jollywalker

I have my cycles high on back doors on my symbol with two storage boxes bolted to the doors below them. Quite a bit of weight but it is supported by wedges on top of rear step,,Done 6000 miles now with them on and no problems..BUSBY 65.

Hi Martin

Gram's point is possibly the most compelling - the high lift.

You don't need electric bikes yet, but you will probably be thinking of getting them before too long. Take it from one who learned from experience, they are very heavy to lift up onto a high rack.

We found we were not using them very much because it took both of us to get them on and off, so we often didn't bother, missing out on an enjoyable aspect of a holiday. Since we got the Thule towbar mounted rack (already mentioned above) it's dead easy. We can even get the cover on them with no problem, whereas it was impossible before without a step ladder.

Might be worth thinking ahead? Dismal thought I know (I'm older than you!!!) but planning for the most likely future could be wise - and save some cash.

Like Gromit, lifting 20kg e bikes up high made me go the towball rack way. Some e bike racks have the option of a ramp, so you don't even have to lift them.

Gram wrote:Two bikes hanging on a back door?  Not an option I would take.

Apart from the weight (and the dynamic weight) on the door - it's a high lift to get the bikes onto the rack.

G

Yes, my thoughts from the start but one does see door mounted racks used successfully. At 71 and 72 yrs old we may eventually have electric bikes. For now I have to trust my daughters and their partners to be as careful as we are! The Thule towbar racks with the upper supporting struts locking onto the crossbars seems to offer more reassurance that the bikes will not damage the bodywork.

Gromit wrote:Hi Martin

Gram's point is possibly the most compelling - the high lift.

You don't need electric bikes yet, but you will probably be thinking of getting them before too long. Take it from one who learned from experience, they are very heavy to lift up onto a high rack.

We found we were not using them very much because it took both of us to get them on and off, so we often didn't bother, missing out on an enjoyable aspect of a holiday. Since we got the Thule towbar mounted rack (already mentioned above) it's dead easy. We can even get the cover on them with no problem, whereas it was impossible before without a step ladder.

Might be worth thinking ahead? Dismal thought I know (I'm older than you!!!) but planning for the most likely future could be wise - and save some cash.

Thanks Gromit, your comments have helped me make the decision to go for a towbar. Many thanks, Martin.