Bike Carriers and Tow bar to match?

Hi All,

Been flicking through the Forum and reading up on Towbars and some info on Bike Carriers, but just could do with some info on real experiences. Basically I need to purchase a Four bike carrier, that sits on the towbar, i.e. none of that clamp to the back of a tailgate stuff.

At the minute I have no towbar fitted to the Kuga, but as I won't be using the tow bar very regularly it'll have to be a nice removable one, with nothing showing underneath and will purchase the bike carrier and tow bar to match as it were. I can never see me towing a van, but I might hook up a borrowed trailer for the odd rubbish dump runs.

I have decided the wiring will be a Kuga specific kit, which will therefore disable the rear parking sensors (if I've read things correctly) and 7 pin (can't see much point getting the 13 pin for the intended use, but of course adaptors are available).

The four cycle carrier I was looking at is a Witter unit and can be seen here -> From Towequipe

The trouble is, that it states it needs a flanged tow bar, which I can only see Witter doing one of these again here -> Towequipe again

The trouble is I like the look of all the other swan neck(?) type tow bars I've seen on here, which are cheaper and look like less metal work to me, but if I have to have a flagged one, so be it.

So if anyone has experience of four bike carriers, how they attach (do you really need a flanged tow bar ?, does it almost fail the bumper ?) and also using a detachable tow bar.

All replies would be greatly appreciated, before spending the cash.

Many Thanks,
KS.


Edited by KugaSpud - 08 Jan 2012 at 5:55pm

I have a Thule Easybase 949 multi-platform with 3 Easybike 948 adapters and a Westfalia detatchable towbar from Towequipe.

Works great for up to 3 bikes but if you need 4 I recommend you try roofbox.co.uk who I have used several times and are very good for both pre and post purchase customer service.

 http://www.roofbox.co.uk/bike-carriers/bike-carriers-racks-range-towbar-mounting.php

I am in the exact same boat as you KugaSpud.

Thinking of going for the Westfalia bar cos the bumper cut appears to be much smaller. Assuming I can just use the 7 pin bog standard wiring kit that comes with it but I think we need the bypass.

I have factory fit sensors so can switch them off with the button..

Looking at cycle racks I also need one that is a 4 biker but only occasionally - will usually be carrying 3 bikes. I want a ball mounted one and I see that Thule do a 3 bike rack called a Euroclassic and you can get a 4th bike adaptor for it. Would be perfect but the rack is £400 and the additional adaptor is £90.

Still looking at racks

Might just go for the Thule 9503 and stick the 4th bike on the roof bars if and when I need to take it.


Edited by Any1else - 10 Jan 2012 at 10:10pm

KugaSpud wrote: I too have the parking sensor disable switch by the gear stick, but I was also under the impression that if you have the vehicle specific wiring kit, it would disable the rear sensors when you plug the electrics in, but I could be wrong. Anyone ?

DJRAH wrote:   http://www.kugaownersclub.co.uk/forum/how-to-disable-factory-rear-parking-sensors_topic5302.html

Thanks DJRAH, I had seen your post on your switch suggestion, but for me I'll probably hook every thing up and fill the boot with stuff, and then kick myself for not operating the "hidden" switch.  Or forgetting to not switch it all back on, and then back the Kuga into a fence post or something. 

Perhaps a waterproof roller type switch fitted just above the electrical socket, so when you open up the socket to plug the electrics in, the switch gets operated and hay presto the reversing sensors are disabled. Therefore no missing with wiring in the plug which stays standard.

But I was hoping that anyone having the Kuga specific wiring fitted, might give us an idea of the benefits, apart from the not affecting the warranty or splicing into cables, or missing up the delicate nature of the on-board systems. etc.

AMC1, thanks for posting the pics, it all looks kind of compact and close, and see what you mean about the top tailgate just missing. But I don't see any straps on the bits where the bike wheels go, has this not the potential for them to jump out on a particularly bumpy road ?

Also the Westfalia detachable is getting my vote, after seeing the many pictures on this Forum, thanks to all the Photo Posters and many thanks again for your postings and info.

KS.