Hey guys, I would like your opinion on the best way to mount the below rack - possibly from someone with an understanding of forces when loaded with two mountain bikes.

Before you suggest a Thule tow-bar + rack (which I'm planning for), I have no wish to mount the bikes on the roof.

What do you think?

- Bad idea overall?
- Its ok if the bottom part rests on the tailgate cover because main force is on the top two straps?
- Its ok if the bottom part rests on the glass because main force is on the top two straps?

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Thule rack on a Thule detachable ball, excellent, never had a problem

I realise now that I prob got the mounting all wrong.. classic RTFM

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Wouldn't have the mounting touching the rear screen unless you are on good terms with autoglass. Landrover - turning owners into mechanics since 1948

2014 Orkney grey Freelander SD4 GS.
2004 Zambezi silver Discovery 2 Td5 (Gone)
1963 Surf blue Morris Mini Minor Super de Luxe (my little toy)

What Bob said!

Bobupndown wrote:

Wouldn't have the mounting touching the rear screen unless you are on good terms with autoglass.

It isn’t just the force when loaded. Acceleration, braking and even the vibration of a rough road surface will put varying loads on the mounting points. I’ve had both tailgate mounted and tow bar mounted cycle carriers and would go for a tow bar mounted carrier every time.

@bossbob - on the back of that - i think i'll just take your advice and ditch the carrier for the thule tow bar mounted version.

Fixed towbar coming is the one here - https://www.enganchesaragon.com/esp/enganc...ander/2014
With 100E labour.

Bike mount - havent got down to getting quote of that - wallet has to recover!

I’ve bought from https://www.roofbox.co.uk/bike-carriers/bi...unting.php and they have a good choice. No link other than a satisfied customer.

@bossbob Thank you for that link

I wanted to updated this post with some pics of the best interim solution - taking into consideration the manual and your opinions before i get the tow-bar setup.

This setup puts no pressure on glass and is rock solid - the only downside being that it covers the number plate a bit - so am not sure if that is an issue in Italy and Malta - time will tell i guess.

Anyhow - I am sharing also for the benefit of others to show that it is possible with the Peruzzo Venezia model you see here.

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Surely you could fix a second number plate to the rack, or the cycles?