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WarPig



Member Since: 04 Dec 2009
Location: Sheffield
Posts: 1748

England 1996 Defender 110 300 Tdi USW Bonatti Grey
I guess one other thing to consider is the the 90 having a tighter turning circle than a 110?
Post #224425 3rd Apr 2013 7:09pm
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LandRoverAnorak



Member Since: 17 Jul 2011
Location: Surrey
Posts: 11324

United Kingdom 
Hi Warpig,

Many thanks for that test. Exactly what I needed to know and basically confirms that the Mazzraxx doesn't solve my problem, unfortunately. A rear mounted spare, the need to carry four bikes and the shape of our 'van means there won't be enough clearance Big Cry Darren

110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak

"You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia
Post #224473 4th Apr 2013 5:32am
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WarPig



Member Since: 04 Dec 2009
Location: Sheffield
Posts: 1748

England 1996 Defender 110 300 Tdi USW Bonatti Grey
Thats a shame. I certainly dont think that 4 bikes could be carried whilst towing my caravan, but two should be ok. Plus you would need the 4x4 model which sticks out further.

Another option is a full roof rack with the bikes laid flat? But then you'd need a small step ladder. Its a shame there arent any racks that fasten to the side of the defender, with a bike strapped to each side Smile . But that might not be legal? Shocked

Would a swing away wheel carrier help, with a couple of bikes mounted to it, and the other two inside the caravan?

I dont like the idea of carrying them in the caravan, but lots of folk do just that, and pack them with bedding duvets etc.
Post #224515 4th Apr 2013 9:05am
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LandRoverAnorak



Member Since: 17 Jul 2011
Location: Surrey
Posts: 11324

United Kingdom 
Yeah, I'm really not keen on transporting them inside the van, either.

On the roof is really the only option, I think. I'd just like an easier way to get them up there. I've got in mind a gallows-shaped frame that could be fixed to a roof bar or rack sufficiently strongly to use a pulley to lift the bikes up. It'd have to be demountable, of course, and be able to rotate so that it could be swung out over the side.

I'll have to give it some more thought Confused Darren

110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak

"You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia
Post #224525 4th Apr 2013 9:42am
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WarPig



Member Since: 04 Dec 2009
Location: Sheffield
Posts: 1748

England 1996 Defender 110 300 Tdi USW Bonatti Grey
What make of caravan have you got? Some caravans such as Swift are constructed with wooden studs in the rear wall that a Fiamma bike rack can be fixed to.

It could even have a beneficial effect on the nose weight, but too much weight at the rear could imbalance your outfit? Could be a good way of getting a couple of your bikes mounted?

http://www.fiammastore.com/Fiamma-Carry-Bikes-For-Motorhomes





Or how about this if your A-frame allows (though Ive never seen one on a UK caravan)..

http://www.camperlands.co.uk/fiamma-carry-bike-caravan-xl-a.html


Post #224569 4th Apr 2013 12:42pm
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LandRoverAnorak



Member Since: 17 Jul 2011
Location: Surrey
Posts: 11324

United Kingdom 
My parents used to have one of those A frame mounts on a Lunar some years ago. It worked very well but it wouldn't fit on our van, which is a large twin axle Bailey Pegasus. It's got a very short A frame and there's no way I'm drilling holes in the back! Darren

110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak

"You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia
Post #224751 4th Apr 2013 11:57pm
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WarPig



Member Since: 04 Dec 2009
Location: Sheffield
Posts: 1748

England 1996 Defender 110 300 Tdi USW Bonatti Grey
I can only suggest your family takes up unicycling then Rolling with laughter
Post #224794 5th Apr 2013 9:37am
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LandRoverAnorak



Member Since: 17 Jul 2011
Location: Surrey
Posts: 11324

United Kingdom 
Rolling with laughter Darren

110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak

"You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia
Post #224796 5th Apr 2013 9:49am
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appaloosadude



Member Since: 17 Oct 2012
Location: Buckinghamshire
Posts: 630

United Kingdom 2003 Defender 110 Td5 DCPU Havana
Buy two tandems?
Post #224823 5th Apr 2013 11:54am
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Jimmiboy



Member Since: 19 Apr 2013
Location: London
Posts: 19

2002 Defender 110 Td5 XS DCPU Bonatti Grey
Could you buy a rack for the caravan?
Post #231112 28th Apr 2013 9:19am
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LandRoverAnorak



Member Since: 17 Jul 2011
Location: Surrey
Posts: 11324

United Kingdom 
Just a quick update to this one - i've settled on four roof mounted bike carriers but I'm going to mount them in two pairs, one in front of the other across three roof bars. That way I can load them all from the side without having to climb up on the roof.

I've ordered a set of four Thule 591 carriers from this Ford accessory site, as recommended by Warpig, which was the cheapest by far:

http://www.fordonlineparts.co.uk/product/4...8518_591x4

I'll put some pictures up when they arrive. Darren

110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak

"You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia
Post #253878 26th Jul 2013 9:23pm
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WarPig



Member Since: 04 Dec 2009
Location: Sheffield
Posts: 1748

England 1996 Defender 110 300 Tdi USW Bonatti Grey
Good work Darren Thumbs Up When I first started using them I was obsessed that the bikes were going to fall off when driving Very Happy I even used to angle my mirrors to check the bikes were ok. But now I dont even look.

When you receive them I would also recommend replacing the locks on three of them to match the 4th. I ordered my locks from http://www.roofracks.co.uk/Thule-Replacement-Keys/#.UfMvKRYWxkE, just tell them the lock number (though it may be cheaper to order a set of 4?). Then they all work off the same key. Easier than carrying 4 keys around.


Im still finding the Thule 591's extremely useful. Since buying a roof box I now have just two 591's on the roof. Here how Im currently carrying my bikes etc when towing...


Click image to enlarge


Admin note: this post has had its images recovered from a money grabbing photo hosting site and reinstated Mr. Green
Post #253885 27th Jul 2013 2:22am
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rossy



Member Since: 29 Nov 2010
Location: Co. Roscommon
Posts: 1296

Ireland 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 CSW Stornoway Grey
That looks neat Warpig.

We still put ours in the caravan. I invert a B&Q garden furniture cover and put the bikes sort of into it so they don't mark anything. Then I just put stuff around them.

I'm sure I'm not the only person who puts everything - clothes, shoes bedding etc into blue IKEA bags. In fact I don't know how we ever managed without them !
Post #253895 27th Jul 2013 7:24am
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WarPig



Member Since: 04 Dec 2009
Location: Sheffield
Posts: 1748

England 1996 Defender 110 300 Tdi USW Bonatti Grey
I like the garden furniture bag idea. Thumbs Up

Putting bikes in the caravan does make life a lot easier. Do you have to loosen the handlebars and turn them in line with the front wheel?
Post #253924 27th Jul 2013 12:03pm
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rossy



Member Since: 29 Nov 2010
Location: Co. Roscommon
Posts: 1296

Ireland 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 CSW Stornoway Grey
no you can just about get them in a standard caravan door width (back end first) but I suppose it depends on the bike. Its not too much of a faff considering the fun the kids get out of them
Post #253940 27th Jul 2013 3:46pm
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