Bike carrier on rear of car with spoiler

rogerlake626
rogerlake626 Forum Participant Posts: 3
edited January 2020 in Parts & Accessories #1

I wish to carry bikes on the rear of our car, Mazda CX5  2015, which has a rear spoiler, whilst towing a Bailey Pursuit 400 

I would like to avoid a roof carrier or carrying bikes inside the caravan

Would the bikes touch the caravan on sharp turns? Anyone recommend such a carrier for a car with spoiler?

Any advice would be most welcome

Many thanks in anticipation of any responses

Comments

  • Boff
    Boff Forum Participant Posts: 1,742
    1000 Comments
    edited January 2020 #2

    Have a look at the roof box company they have a database of suitable racks.  Don’t know how accurate it is but might be a starting point. 

  • rogerlake626
    rogerlake626 Forum Participant Posts: 3
    edited January 2020 #3

    Many thanks Boff.

    Will certainly check them out, as an initial look on their website looks promising

  • ocsid
    ocsid Forum Participant Posts: 1,395
    1000 Comments
    edited January 2020 #4

    I towed with two 700 hybrid bikes on the rear of a Land Rover 110 for some years.

    The Bailey Pursuit 400 however is amougst those vans with an exceedingly short hitch to front span, compounded by being flat right across the van's front and with a minimum of front leanback.

    My experience with the rather restricted steering lock of the 110 is I could not get a foul up going forward though going astern it happened far too readily. This was with a van with a significantly curved front end, affording greater clearance than the bailey's flat front. 

    I feel your set up is at best going to be very challenging. If possible it would be best ot beg borrow or steal a rack, and test progressively moving to full steering on a early Sunday morning in a local superstore car park, prior to investing much money. For sure going astern is going to be very limited.

    Things can be significalty improved by removing quick release wheels on the aft bike, and by carrying it very high, though here the lean back of the Pursuit affors only a bit more space.

    Bikes hung on the back are a curse with vehicle rear access, even hitching up and unhitching the electrics can be an on knees job.  I was relieved when we moved on stowing them inside even though that required a bit of rebuilding them for use.

  • rogerlake626
    rogerlake626 Forum Participant Posts: 3
    edited January 2020 #5

    Hi Ocsid

    Many thanks for your swift and very detailed response. Your experience certainly reinforces my concerns. We may have to have a rethink !

  • lornalou1
    lornalou1 Forum Participant Posts: 2,169
    1000 Comments
    edited January 2020 #6

    don't forget your nose weight will be altered (heavy ) when bikes are fitted on a frame.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited January 2020 #7

    OP want to carry bikes on the back of car ... not the front of the caravan 😉