Bike rack

Looking to towbar mounted bike rack for our Kingham, any recommendations please. Want to carry two full size mountain bikes, is there any advantage in buying a three bike version for ease of loading?

I've got one of these:

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I wished I got the three bike version because a bike with straight handlebars will hit the rear doors on the inner most location.
However all it means is I have to turn the handlebars 90 degrees each time on loading.

PB

I have one of these:-
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Used it on my last van conversion. It's a quality product. It also folds up quite compact to store inside if you don't want to leave it fixed on your towbar when you are using your bikes. The storage box that sits on it as an extra, is also very useful and well engineered too.

the Thule one can tilt slightly backwards so it misses the back doors when bikes are on it

carlc wrote:the Thule one can tilt slightly backwards so it misses the back doors when bikes are on it

Not on mine unfortunately.
You still can't open the back doors.

PB

I I bought an Atera Strada DL3 for our Kingham, check this link out, you can slide the rack away from the doors which allows you to open them without taking bikes off the rack.
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We use Thule XT2 folding bike rack that sits on a Witter tow ball system This has been used successfully for five years abroad and all over UK. We carry either two Dawes Galaxies with which I don't have to alter the handle bars or two Orange mountain bikes where I do turn the bars to avoid hitting the doors. This is only a matter of undoing two bolts to alter each set of bars. Always be careful to position cranks, pedals and bars so that they don't rub on the other bike. Consider pipe insulation foam as extra protection and use extra locks.
The bike rack, when folded, fits under the rear of our Sussex Duo when on site and takes up little space in the garage at home.
The only possible issue is the weight, it seems to get heavier as I get older. mmmm

We use a Maxx raxx for our bikes. 
 
Remove a pin and the whole thing comes off. You can open one door with it on or lower it down and open both doors.
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I bought a 3 bike towbar mounted rack,when i’m next home i’ll have to check the manufacturer out,as i’ve forgotten. 
There’s no way you could fit 3 bikes on without padding to prevent tha cranks rubbing the next bike,and at least one would have to have the handlebars turned. I find it works best with two bikes,with one’s front wheel on the near side and the other bikes facing the drivers side. If I remember correctly the rack is just the same as Thule,but was £100 cheaper.

peugeotboxer wrote:I've got one of these:

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I wished I got the three bike version because a bike with straight handlebars will hit the rear doors on the inner most location.
However all it means is I have to turn the handlebars 90 degrees each time on loading.

PB

Hi PB

Our Thule is a slightly different model, but the mod I've done may still work on yours.

We don't need to use the tilting facility so I've fixed the rack so it's permanently tilted by about 10 degrees, just enough to allow clearance for the handlebars against the rear of the van. I just undid the securing knobs and inserted a bit of wood so the tilting part was held open a little way. There's plenty of thread to tighten up the fixings, and I further strengthened it with some strong nylon zip fasteners.

Might be worth checking yours out. It saves having to reach for a spanner every time you load and unload the inner bike.

Gromit wrote:Hi PB

Our Thule is a slightly different model, but the mod I've done may still work on yours.

We don't need to use the tilting facility so I've fixed the rack so it's permanently tilted by about 10 degrees, just enough to allow clearance for the handlebars against the rear of the van. I just undid the securing knobs and inserted a bit of wood so the tilting part was held open a little way. There's plenty of thread to tighten up the fixings, and I further strengthened it with some strong nylon zip fasteners.

Might be worth checking yours out. It saves having to reach for a spanner every time you load and unload the inner bike.

Thanks for the tip Gromit.
Good idea.
I will check that out on mine.

PB

Try looking at bac-rak.com. Lots of variations. 

Paul O