Cycle rack - Page 2

AB-UK · Jul 29th, 2010, 16:35

Just had a quick look at the table, and it looks like the FWD version can tow a greater load than the AWD. I would have thought it would be the other way round.
Can anyone offer a brief explanation please?

nigelearle · Jul 29th, 2010, 16:44

I fail to see if the weight is on the tow bar or hanging off the tailgate or even in the boot what's the difference as long as you dont exceed that max loading, the suspension is self leveling so the whole rig runs nice and level, I did fit a jocky wheel with a built in weight guage and reduced the nose weight a little to compensate. Plan to put a laser pico on the roof for our holiday south of Bordeaux, fuel consumption is my only grief.

TruckbusUK · Jul 29th, 2010, 16:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by AB-UK

Just had a quick look at the table, and it looks like the FWD version can tow a greater load than the AWD. I would have thought it would be the other way round.
Can anyone offer a brief explanation please?

Not at all sure ... but the page is from the US/Canada spec cars, so also not sure if that has a bearing as the cars will be the same but maybe the North America tow hitches etc are of a different spec to the european ones ....

RoyMacDonald · Jul 29th, 2010, 16:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by AB-UK

Just had a quick look at the table, and it looks like the FWD version can tow a greater load than the AWD. I would have thought it would be the other way round.
Can anyone offer a brief explanation please?

It's the total weight of the vehicle that affects the towing load and the AWD system adds weight. The actual max load is decreased for FWD cars though. It's only when the affect of passengers over the rear axel come into play the FWD cars can tow more. If you look at the affect passengers have for instance you can reduce the towing load to 0kg. (recommended load)

qm2 · Jul 29th, 2010, 22:00

Hi Folks just to bring the original question back on line I asked if anyone had used a tailgate mounted rack as the tail gate is plastic and i'm a bit worried about it. I will be towing a caravan using a Volvo detachable swan neck towbar which has a max of 90kg so I can't fit a towbar mount even if I wanted. The towball max has nothing to do with GVW it is the tested and plated weigted the towbar and ball should carry. If a bike carrier is mounted on the bar the weight of the bikes should be taken into consideration.
Has anyone used a tailgate rack please?

ianu · Jul 29th, 2010, 22:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoyMacDonald

How fast were you going Ian. ;-)

...:-) about 5mph actually - but down a pot holed track - the cross bar clamp came adrift and the bike fell sideways on to the roof - ouch. The dent the peddle made is still there - it's on the list of things to get done - I've been quoted about £120 to have it pushed out.

Anyway qm2 - appears I may be the only one on here..
I can honestly say as per my previous post - the weight of the rack plus bikes resting on the top of the bumper was fine for me (all adult size mountain bikes). I set it up so that the weight leaning forward onto the rear screen was enough to try and keep the centre of gravity as far forward as possible at the same time. The dumb-bell straps through the top of the tailgate were reinforced by two seperate webbing straps tied off to the end of each roof rail - I wanted these to take the stress of any rearward movement instead of the top of the tailgate.
Lateral movement covered by two sidestraps + 2 straps hooked under the bumper.
Honestly - it was going nowhere and precious little of the load was directly on the tailgate at any point.
I checked the tension of all straps at every stop we made - no problem. Only annoyance is you can't open the tailgate obviously - so we kind of loaded the boot 'backwards' from inside the car before we left.

Cheers
Ian.

CSS-Enterprise · Aug 1st, 2010, 15:41

Has anyone used a tailgate rack please?[/QUOTE]

I've used a bike carrier with the weight taken by two hooks mounted on the tailgate and the rack resting on rear windscreen. Sounds horrendous doesn't it?!

It works fine with three adult mountain bikes. 200 mile trip to the peak district, covering motorways, A-road, B-road and off roads.

The only downside is the effect on fuel...the protruding wheels sit square on to the direction of travel and act like a giant air brake.

Hope that helps.

Jul 29th, 2010, 16:35	#11
AB-UK Premier Member Last Online: Today 10:10 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Nottingham	Just had a quick look at the table, and it looks like the FWD version can tow a greater load than the AWD. I would have thought it would be the other way round. Can anyone offer a brief explanation please?

Jul 29th, 2010, 16:44	#12
nigelearle Junior Member Last Online: Mar 5th, 2020 13:57 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Penshurst	I fail to see if the weight is on the tow bar or hanging off the tailgate or even in the boot what's the difference as long as you dont exceed that max loading, the suspension is self leveling so the whole rig runs nice and level, I did fit a jocky wheel with a built in weight guage and reduced the nose weight a little to compensate. Plan to put a laser pico on the roof for our holiday south of Bordeaux, fuel consumption is my only grief.

Jul 29th, 2010, 22:00	#15
qm2 New Member Last Online: Jul 3rd, 2023 19:09 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: stourbridge	Hi Folks just to bring the original question back on line I asked if anyone had used a tailgate mounted rack as the tail gate is plastic and i'm a bit worried about it. I will be towing a caravan using a Volvo detachable swan neck towbar which has a max of 90kg so I can't fit a towbar mount even if I wanted. The towball max has nothing to do with GVW it is the tested and plated weigted the towbar and ball should carry. If a bike carrier is mounted on the bar the weight of the bikes should be taken into consideration. Has anyone used a tailgate rack please?

Aug 1st, 2010, 15:41	#17
CSS-Enterprise Junior Member Last Online: Apr 3rd, 2014 20:43 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: London	Has anyone used a tailgate rack please?[/QUOTE] I've used a bike carrier with the weight taken by two hooks mounted on the tailgate and the rack resting on rear windscreen. Sounds horrendous doesn't it?! It works fine with three adult mountain bikes. 200 mile trip to the peak district, covering motorways, A-road, B-road and off roads. The only downside is the effect on fuel...the protruding wheels sit square on to the direction of travel and act like a giant air brake. Hope that helps.

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