Tow Bar/Hitch Rack for 4 Bikes - Recommendations

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 galpinos 08 Jul 2020

As there are quite a few keen bikers and biking families on here, I was wondering if anyone has any tips/recommendations for a 4 bike rack for the car.

We've just hit the tipping point with my youngest getting off stabilisers and wanting to bike everywhere so taking bikes camping is going to be a thing. We had been getting away with my eldest bike on the roof and my wife and my bike on a wobbly old cheap rack strapped to the boot but I now want a better solution (and I think i might need a bigger roof box!)

I'm assuming a tow bar and a jazzy Thule is the "best"/gucci option. Do I just go down this path or are there any other options I should be investigating?

 wilkesley 08 Jul 2020
In reply to galpinos:

Thule. Expensive, but worth the money. Ours is about 15 years old now and apart from having to replace the lightboard because I dropped it, it's still in good condition.

 TobyA 08 Jul 2020
In reply to galpinos:

I've got a four bike rack from Halfords that sits on the tow bar. I think its this one but from a few years ago https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bike-racks/towbar-mounted-bike-racks/halfo... Haven't used it much in a few years as my older kids are not super excited by cycling these days, and the little one arriving a few years back has made family bike trips more complicated. The carrier worked fine when we have used it though. I've not thought about it, but maybe selling it on makes sense. You would need to get a new number plate for it obviously. I can send you some more info if you think buying one second hand for maybe 50 quid makes more sense than buying one new?

 Dark-Cloud 08 Jul 2020
In reply to galpinos:

No direct recommendations as i don't use a towbar version but these guys are worth a look, always good service and some alternatives to the big brands, but you cant go wrong with Atera or Thule

https://www.roofbox.co.uk/bike-carriers/bike-carriers-racks-range-towbar-mo...

 ChrisJD 08 Jul 2020
In reply to galpinos:

Tilting rack on a tow ball are the way to go.

The current Thule 3+1 racks are now eye-wateringly expensive

We have the older 935 3+1 and it is very good (have a look on Ebay). We went Thule due to tilting and van rear tailgate, none of the others tilted enough.

Also look at Atera and Witter (only via their website https://www.witter-towbars.co.uk/bike-racks).  Another mate has a Buzz, but not seen it in action

Post edited at 11:41
 Dave B 08 Jul 2020
In reply to TobyA:

I got the halfords one too. Good enough for occasional to moderate use...

Heavy though. 

In reply to galpinos:

I have this one and it's superb. I spoke to Roofbox on the phone and they told me it was the best one they sold, and they all personally use it themselves (and it's not the most expensive one they sell which was good to hear) German brand and excellent build quality as you would expect.

https://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbvehsel4_tab.php/car-specific-accessorie...

 MarkAstley 08 Jul 2020
In reply to galpinos:

I use a 4 bike maxx raxx one, easy to store / assemble onto the car and dead easy to load.

https://maxxraxx.co.uk/bikes-racks/voyager/product/14-maxxraxx-voyager-flan...

I have the version that has an adaptor plate behind the towball flange so I could tow as well as carry bikes, though they do versions that clamp onto the towball.

Best check on your towbar nose weight limits and the weights of your bikes and bike rack you like before buying anything.

Regards

Mark

 Sam W 08 Jul 2020
In reply to galpinos:

We've used a couple of cheap ones.  The first was a Halfords one from a few years ago.  It did tilt, but was very heavy and the clips that held the wheels in place were unreliable, overall a bit rubbish.

We currently have an old one from Pendle like this https://singletrackworld.com/classifieds/advert/pendle-4-bike-wheel-support...

Although it looks rubbish, it actually works well, and they seem easy to pick up cheaply.  Disadvantage of it is that it doesn't tilt.  

As others have said, be aware of nose weight.  With 2 reasonably lightweight adult bikes and 2 kids Islabikes on it we have to be careful over speed bumps, and only just made it up the ramp onto the ferry when we went to Europe last summer.

 lurcher 08 Jul 2020
In reply to Bjartur i Sumarhus:

I've got the Atera Strada 4 bike towbar rack , great bit of kit.  Not using it any more so was going to  Ebay it at some point but if someone wants it I can probably do a better price than they go for used on Ebay...

Its only been used a few times for summer hols, I'd have to check its all good as been just sat in shed but shout if its of interest.    (Peak based)


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