 | Home > Technical > Towbar extender for bike rack |
 
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| Tonyrec Member Since: 22 Feb 2014 Location: Lake District Posts: 137  
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Fellrunner, many thanks for the update.
I tried several ways but just couldn't get it to work. Pleased to see that you have figured it out though and I may be tempted to re purchase the adapter and give it another go.  |
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5th Jan 2015 7:20pm |
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| Fellrunner Member Since: 28 Sep 2014 Location: Wandering Posts: 257  
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Tonyrec - I have the Nakatenanga rear wheel carrier fitted. I don't know if this effects the distance the spare wheel sits away from the rear door and hence how it in turn interacts with the Thule adapter.
I can measure the rear wheel distance from the rear door if it'd help? |
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5th Jan 2015 8:10pm |
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| Fellrunner Member Since: 28 Sep 2014 Location: Wandering Posts: 257
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kmac - with your tow ball extender fitted, can you fully open the rear door without it fouling on the Atera Strada carrier when it's slid away from the car?
Would you also know the length of the extender piece. I now have the extension box which measures 5" in additional width and wondered how this compares to the part you're using? Thanks |
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8th Jan 2015 9:53pm |
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| kmac Member Since: 07 Oct 2009 Location: Middlesex Posts: 1308 
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Hi
I can open the door easily without it catching on anything with the bike rack in the "slide open" position I also have a Nak spare wheel carrier but the older non-stainless version I will measure the tow ball extender and post tomorrow |
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9th Jan 2015 10:32pm |
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| kmac Member Since: 07 Oct 2009 Location: Middlesex Posts: 1308
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Actually, just nipped out as its not raining...
The extender itself is 16cm ( just over 6 1/2 inches) - that's without the tow ball attached The tow-ball itself moves the rack further outward You could get a welder to make one for your for much less than the LR box extender - ask RLD on here nicely  |
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9th Jan 2015 10:37pm |
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| kmac Member Since: 07 Oct 2009 Location: Middlesex Posts: 1308
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In the pic below - you can see the bike rack attached but slid down. There is ample space to open the door.
And that's with my old shorter extender There is a bike in the foreground in the way but that bike is on the ground - you can just make out a sloping tyre of a bike on the bike rack  Click image to enlarge Admin note: this post has had its images recovered from a money grabbing photo hosting site and reinstated  |
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9th Jan 2015 10:53pm |
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| Fellrunner Member Since: 28 Sep 2014 Location: Wandering Posts: 257
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kmac - that's great, thanks so much
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10th Jan 2015 3:03pm |
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| Fellrunner Member Since: 28 Sep 2014 Location: Wandering Posts: 257
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Just an update to keep pooling knowledge.
The Thule carrier will fit, but requires the adapter which means you lose one of the bike slots. However, with the Thule carrier tilted down whilst the rear door will open it fouls the carrier once about a foot or so open. I haven't checked whether the Thule would work with a tow bar extension fitted, but my guess is that it wouldn't because the door would still foul (I don't think an extension would push the carrier far enough away from the vehicle). Also, a Discovery 2 extension box will not fit a 110 tow plate (the fitting holes align horizontally but not vertically). I think where that leaves us - thanks to kmac's input too - is that to fit a tow ball mounted bike support to a 110 (not including the suspended bike types) requires BOTH (1) extending the tow ball and the (2) the Atera type carriers which slide away from the vehicle and therefore in so doing don't increase the vertical height of the carrier such to foul the rear door when opened. This way you get to both leave the rear wheel on the door and are able to fully open the door with the carrier fitted. Now I just need to return the Thule 929 and Disco 2 extension box I bought and buy an Atera bike carrier and either a tow ball extender or a 130 tow plate (part number VPLDT0086)  |
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12th Jan 2015 2:09pm |
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| Tiger Member Since: 06 Jul 2012 Location: Wales Posts: 2265 
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This works for me, fit / remove in seconds
£60 I think Up to 4 bikes and full door opening |
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12th Jan 2015 2:52pm |
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| Fellrunner Member Since: 28 Sep 2014 Location: Wandering Posts: 257
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Thanks for sharing the info Tiger. A neat solution. Given that you have roof rack is there any reason you didn't opt for the Kari Tek solution?
Personally I don't want to hang off the rear door/carrier hence looking to go the tow ball route, but your set up does look very simple and effective. |
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12th Jan 2015 3:48pm |
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| kmac Member Since: 07 Oct 2009 Location: Middlesex Posts: 1308
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I have a Kari-tek for my canoe. Not too keen on it to be honest - a bit of a faf and you have this fugly contraption on the roof
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12th Jan 2015 9:53pm |
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| Xelr8 Member Since: 26 Aug 2014 Location: Sheffield Posts: 165 
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Hi Fellrunner Which Atera bike rack are you going for? |
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14th Jan 2015 7:36pm |
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| Fellrunner Member Since: 28 Sep 2014 Location: Wandering Posts: 257
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Lots of great reviews of the Strada DL, which is a relatively very light rack too. Then saw the Vario which, whilst heavier, seems to fold down to a very convenient size for storage. Think it will be one of those two.
Sent an email to Westfalia earlier in the week seeking info on the extension bar kmac refers to, but haven't had a reply yet. I've also found an extension bar made by "Holdfast" in South Africa which can be delivered to the UK, though the Westfalia option seems like a great unit (if it's available of course!). |
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15th Jan 2015 7:23pm |
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| kmac Member Since: 07 Oct 2009 Location: Middlesex Posts: 1308
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The Westfalia one was available through this company in Denmark
http://web.monoflexdata.se/index.htm?Go2Shop=?lang=da-dk They seem to have shorter ones now though - only 90cm I got Westfalia UK to import it for me from their Skandi subsidiary Monoflex |
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15th Jan 2015 9:44pm |
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