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Which Bike Rack


k 12
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hi all, need to pick your brains i have a 53 reg rav and im trying to find out if i can fit a cycle rack to my rear wheel or have i got to get a tow bar to carry them dont want to use the roof cos im a short ***** !!!

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hi all, need to pick your brains i have a 53 reg rav and im trying to find out if i can fit a cycle rack to my rear wheel or have i got to get a tow bar to carry them dont want to use the roof cos im a short ***** !!!

Hi k12 and welcome to the RAV section of TOC - we have all sorts of *****'s here so you should fit in well :thumbsup:

As far as a bike carrier goes I guess to some extent it matters whether you mean "bike" or "bikes". My personal recommendation would be to use a towball mounted rack as the weight is transferred to the structural part of the bodywork rather than just the spare wheel bracket and the door hinges - but if it was just one bike you might consider a spare wheel mounted version a justifiable risk. Have a look at http://www.skidrive.co.uk/cycle/search.php?type=Spare%20Mount I've used this company on a couple of occassions and found them excellent both as regards product knowledge and price. I take it your vehicle is not fitted with a towbar at the moment and using a towball mounted one would mean fitting the towbar as well? If you do decide to go down that route, there are a few threads on here ( use search )that deal with DIY towbar fitting and wiring. Let us all know how you get on and don't be afraid to ask if you need further information. :yes:

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Hi,

I had the same issue but ended up going for a roof carrier, although you would also need roof bars.

The spare wheel carriers are generally incompatible, although you can use them if you remove the spare wheel cover.

The tow bar ones are okay but my brother has one (not cheap either) and has constant problems with the bikes leaning backwards and continually needing to stop and readjust the straps etc. :ffs:

I think it is largely because the force of the weight of the bike is constantly against the straps and the wheel holders as the inertia and drag caused by the acceleration adds to the weight of the bikes.

With the roof carriers there is much less resistance from the bike because it is facing into the wind so to speak.

I know what you mean about reaching the roof to load and unload, I got a mini plastic kitchen step from Asda for £2 and keep it in the boot. Does the job perfectly :thumbsup: . You do need a little strength or two people to be able to hold the bike over your head and load it up and it takes a couple of goes to get into the flow but once your done you'll never look back.

The bike carriers I got where from Halfords own range - 2 for £80, not sure of they're still doing them, they're identical to one of the more expensive 'brands' and I've had a year out of them with no issues so far.

:)

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The tow bar ones are okay but my brother has one (not cheap either) and has constant problems with the bikes leaning backwards and continually needing to stop and readjust the straps etc.  :ffs:

I think it is largely because the force of the weight of the bike is constantly against the straps and the wheel holders as the inertia and drag caused by the acceleration adds to the weight of the bikes.

With the roof carriers there is much less resistance from the bike because it is facing into the wind so to speak.

Your brother must have a faulty one then  :unsure:  :unsure: as the tow ball mount one's are rigid...some have the hinge to allow access into your boot (not much use on the RAV as it's a side hinged door) Mine is a Thule one and secures very tightly onto the tow ball, then clips in...I use a bungey strap to secure to the bike as well. As it also has rubber straps for the bike...that hold the frame in place...they wont break...once in place this does not move...

Had this on the RAV for a mountain bike race up in Nottingham so from Essex up there and back... no issues... Mate has a Big Hyundai Teracan jeep, and puts his bike up on the roof... but he's 6 foot 2 so can reach...still a long way up on the roof of the RAV though (I believe member DaveM uses a ladder to clean his RAV's roof   :P  :P) 

Always have my on the back...easily stores folded in the boot when not needed...just need to remove the tyre cover to place it on..

Here's the one I have...Click Here not too expensive...

970-folded.jpg

And fitted on the RAV...I remove the Front bike wheel so the number plate is still visible..  :rolleyes:  :rolleyes:. I broke the rear gears on this bike at the weekend...so it was off to the bike doctor this morning... :huh:  

b2c1baba.jpg

af7352ee.jpg

Luckily for the invention of cable ties....I got home OK....be it single speed  :D :D

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I'm looking at the Thule G5 909. On a normal car it will take 3 bikes and you can buy an extension for a 4th -but on the RAV the spare wheel needs a cover that takes up one bike space. You also need a 13 pin-7 pin adaptor.

That costs around £360 which isn't cheap -it looks good but has anyone got one?

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thanks for all your replies tow bar it is any recomendations?

They one that Toyota supply is a badged Thule. Bought mine from Halfords ( don't laugh )'cause it was cheapest place I could find. Buy the wiring kit ( genuine Toyota, which just plugs in with no scotchlocs or soldering ) from Parts King who is our resident parts specialist. PM him and he will quote you a good price. Easy but interesting DIY job. :thumbsup:

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  • 2 weeks later...

hi got myself a towbar for the rav. swan neck but cant seem to find many bike racks for it any ideas or recomendations. cheers

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hi got myself a towbar for the rav. swan neck but cant seem to find many bike racks for it any ideas or recomendations. cheers

Assuming the tow "ball" is stuck out beyond the spare wheel this would work. Chatman and I both use something similar: http://www.skidrive.co.uk/cycle/product_detail.php?partno=970000

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Assuming the tow "ball" is stuck out beyond the spare wheel this would work.  Chatman and I both use something similar: http://www.skidrive....p?partno=970000

Yep that's the one I brought and shown in the picture's above..... Fitted to a Toyota swan neck tow bar.... very sturdy and a tight fit...have to watch out of the release on the bike rack as it will smack you on the head of your not watching when removing it...

Very please with the rack and now no sticking a dirty bike in the back of the RAV 

(Oh and the bike is fixed now....took it on a nice 45 mile track test...just to be sure the gears all worked... :lol::lol::lol::lol: )

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thanks for that this looks like the one ill get, please tell me that i dont have to do 45 miles to try it out !!!!! i can only do 20 and still cant loose the mrs.....

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thanks for that this looks like the one ill get, please tell me that i dont have to do 45 miles to try it out !!!!! i can only do 20 and still cant loose the mrs.....

:lol::lol::lol:  do what I do...and only buy bikes for yourself.... :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes: Works a treat.....

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got a genuine toyota tow bar £45 of eBay swan neck type brilliant nick but no electrics. any ideas what i need on a 53 reg petrol model and can i do it myself it will be used for a trailor and for a bike rack

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got a genuine toyota tow bar £45 of ebay swan neck type brilliant nick but no electrics. any ideas what i need on a 53 reg petrol model and can i do it myself it will be used for a trailor and for a bike rack

PM to "Parts King" on this forum and ask him for a quote for a genuine Toyota wiring kit. They are foolproof to fit ( no insult intended :!Removed!: ) and well worth the money. You would only need the "12N" kit for a trailer or bike rack rather than the 13pin euro type socket that is used on most caravans these days.

If you absolutely MUST do the job the cheapest way, you could get a kit from Halfords or pretty well any trailer supplier. They use Scotchlok connectors to splice into the existing loom. They are fraught with difficulty when used with the polythene insulated wire used on the RAV ( NOTE! I'm assuming that polythene was used on the 2003 model - not absolutely sure ), but it is an option. Don't be tempted to use Scotchloks under the car - carry the wiring into the boot area and make the joints there.

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