Swing Away Tow Bar Mounted Bike Racks

[Captainfunbags]

Afternoon all,

I am trying to source a swing away tow bar mount for a bike rack similar to the items in the links below. However, I am struggling to find something that has a UK style tow ball hitch. They all seem be the US hitch style.

HERE & HERE

Any pointers would be appreciated.

TIA

 

[Viktorgeorge]

Afternoon all,

I am trying to source a swing away tow bar mount for a bike rack similar to the items in the links below. However, I am struggling to find something that has a UK style tow ball hitch. They all seem be the US hitch style.

HERE & HERE

Any pointers would be appreciated.

TIA

@Webbah_in_Switzerland, who posts here, has one in Switzerland (obviously ...) but I unable to find the details via search. You might have luck for example using a Google search.

 

[Captainfunbags]

Thanks mate,

I have some contacts that are fabricators so could possibly modify one but rather buy some thing 'off the shelf'

There is also the legality/insurance issue to consider

 

[Webbah_in_Switzerland]

Thanks mate,

I have some contacts that are fabricators so could possibly modify one but rather buy some thing 'off the shelf'

There is also the legality/insurance issue to consider

Here’s the one I use:

SpaceMaker der Adapter für deinen Fahrradträger | pick-up-and-go

Mit dem SpaceMaker können zwei Fahrräder einfach 90° weggeschwenkt werden und bieten so vollen Zugang zum Heck deines Fahrzeuges.

www.pick-up-and-go.ch

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[Viktorgeorge]

Here’s the one I use:

SpaceMaker der Adapter für deinen Fahrradträger | pick-up-and-go

Mit dem SpaceMaker können zwei Fahrräder einfach 90° weggeschwenkt werden und bieten so vollen Zugang zum Heck deines Fahrzeuges.

www.pick-up-and-go.ch

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That was quick, @Webbah_in_Switzerland!

 

[Captainfunbags]

Here’s the one I use:

SpaceMaker der Adapter für deinen Fahrradträger | pick-up-and-go

Mit dem SpaceMaker können zwei Fahrräder einfach 90° weggeschwenkt werden und bieten so vollen Zugang zum Heck deines Fahrzeuges.

www.pick-up-and-go.ch

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thank you for posting.

What is the connection type/style for both to the vehicle and to the rack ?

Here in the UK we have this style of tow ball

 

[Webbah_in_Switzerland]

Thank you for posting.

What is the connection type/style for both to the vehicle and to the rack ?

Here in the UK we have this style of tow ball

View attachment 121697

It’s exactly for this. Mine attaches to my towball and then when closed the SpaceMaker towball is about 9cm farther out. It’s also slightly higher due to the design but not an issue for me. Can support loads of up to 65-70Kg.


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[Captainfunbags]

Perfect

I have messaged them to see if they can supply one to the UK.

Do you have any pictures of it in action ?

Thanks guys

 

[Webbah_in_Switzerland]

Perfect

I have messaged them to see if they can supply one to the UK.

Do you have any pictures of it in action ?

Thanks guys

See why they say, otherwise my mechanic here works closely with Leighton Vans in the UK so he might be able to ship one there or something. He’s crazy busy though so that’s a last resort.


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[Webbah_in_Switzerland]

Perfect

I have messaged them to see if they can supply one to the UK.

Do you have any pictures of it in action ?

Thanks guys

Photos of when I mounted it


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[Captainfunbags]

Looks perfect, exactly what I am after

 

[Webbah_in_Switzerland]

Looks perfect, exactly what I am after

You may wish for yours to swing the other side for the UK. They can do either.


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[Captainfunbags]

See why they say, otherwise my mechanic here works closely with Leighton Vans in the UK so he might be able to ship one there or something. He’s crazy busy though so that’s a last resort.


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I might just road trip over and collect

 

[Webbah_in_Switzerland]

I might just road trip over and collect

I was mainly looking for something to extend my towball outward so the handle bars would clear the storage box I have on the back. And then found this which was a bonus to swing away. Love it for mounting my bike rack or another storage box!


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[Captainfunbags]

So versatile, ideal for cleaning the bikes in situ away from the van.

I even thought about some kind of outdoor kitchen/box for cooking outside..

 

[Justinitus1972]

@Captainfunbags have you tried Just Kampers - based in Hampshire?

Swing Out Towbar Adaptor

 

[Captainfunbags]

I can't see anything listed on their site

 

[Webbah_in_Switzerland]

I can't see anything listed on their site

That one is not made for VW and likely has too long of arms as it’s for larger vans like Ducato.


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[Captainfunbags]

Click Here

 

[Captainfunbags]

Click Here

They have confirmed it does not fit a VW as it sticks out passed the side of the van (Cyclist sweeper).

 

[sidepod]

Those Memo ones are cheap and cheerful. If it’s too wide the just cut the arms and chop a bit out then weld it up again.

 

[Captainfunbags]

Those Memo ones are cheap and cheerful. If it’s too wide the just cut the arms and chop a bit out then weld it up again.

As in the quality isn't great ?

 

[sidepod]

No just as in not as nice design and less aesthetic than the Swiss made one.

The Memo is just box section powder coated so easy to modify and make nice. It’s perfectly fine , well made and simple.

I’ve studied them at length with a view to making my own. I considered using a Memo as a donor.

Personally I don’t like the double tow ball design, rack on a rack approach especially when you’re using a heavy folding ebike rated rack on the swing out unit.

Using a swing out unit means you’ve solved the bikes-in-the-way-of-the-door problem so why add a folding rack as well. Non folding ones are available obvs.

In my op, there is a huge gap in the market for a lighter rack with a better method of mounting the bikes to the rack and certainly something a bit less obtrusive.

 

[Webbah_in_Switzerland]

No just as in not as nice design and less aesthetic than the Swiss made one.

The Memo is just box section powder coated so easy to modify and make nice. It’s perfectly fine , well made and simple.

I’ve studied them at length with a view to making my own. I considered using a Memo as a donor.

Personally I don’t like the double tow ball design, rack on a rack approach especially when you’re using a heavy folding ebike rated rack on the swing out unit.

Using a swing out unit means you’ve solved the bikes-in-the-way-of-the-door problem so why add a folding rack as well. Non folding ones are available obvs.

In my op, there is a huge gap in the market for a lighter rack with a better method of mounting the bikes to the rack and certainly something a bit less obtrusive.

I have a Thule Epos 3 and mount my Super73 RX Mojave to it which is 32Kg. The rack doesn’t budge at all when the swing away is locked in position. I drove from Luzern to Ticino without an issue.

That said, I had the same concern initially but after speaking with the company and giving it a test I was convinced it would be fine. On the van side it has 2 securing bolts to lock onto the tow ball and it’s not going anywhere.


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[RedWhiteMonkey]

I suspect it is well within tolerance and causes no issue but 32kg is 2kg more than the Epos is rated for a single bike. Its a shame they don't make a Epos 4 as I need to carry 4 bikes and I really like the look of the Epos.