4 ebikes - UK ball mount rack?

[calot]

Hi all, any suggestions for transporting 4 ebikes (so 104-110kg)

I'd rather not take out the batteries...

The velocirax look brilliant but they only do hitch type receiver and no plans to do a ball mount sadly, so that's totally out of the question as it seems it's illegal to have hitch in the EU/UK.

I've plenty of nose weight available, as the car can take up to 240kg, so that's not an issue, it's more a case of finding a rack that's suitable and can take the weight of the bikes.

What is everyone else using?

 

[Jackware]

I'm struggling to find any rack, regardless of the number of bikes that is spec'd as carrying more than 60kg...
The nose weight limit is high, is your vehicle a pickup or van, that would allow more options?

 

[Chips]

I thought most ball type tow bars were limited to about 80kg. Towing weight is different and you might know this as I don`t know what nose weight means. these things are clamping on to the ball not resting on it like a trailer that is supported by wheels. Only so much clamping force you can apply before you`ll need wheels under the thing and tbh that may be your solution - get a trailer.

 

[Mcharza]

I think that ball mount limits the max. weight.

 

[Highland Wheels]

I doubt you'll find a towball rack that's capable of taking 4 ebikes on it

 

[PeeJay1]

Do, Thule make one for e-bikes?..

 

[Jackware]

Do, Thule make one for e-bikes?..

They, do, but none are, rated for 100,kg

 

[Mikerb]

for 4 EMTBs you need a trailer. It only needs to be a light weight trailer and probably cheaper than a multi bike towball rack anyway. A covered trailer would be ideal......if you are interested in second hand check out windsurfing forums. Quite a few use covered trailers for their kit and could probably be fairly easily modified for bikes.

 

[Dax]

Put three on the rack and one on the roof?

Receiver hitch might be legal for a bike rack, it’s towing they are not type approved for.

 

[Alfmeister]

for 4 EMTBs you need a trailer. It only needs to be a light weight trailer and probably cheaper than a multi bike towball rack anyway. A covered trailer would be ideal......if you are interested in second hand check out windsurfing forums. Quite a few use covered trailers for their kit and could probably be fairly easily modified for bikes

Totally agree, trailer would be far better for 4 emtb’s. The added bonus of a trailer, you can carry all your dirty kit in the trailer and not your car, after the ride. Plus you could have a cage with cover, which would keep bikes out of sight from lowlifes, and protect from road salt and rain.

 

[calot]

I'm struggling to find any rack, regardless of the number of bikes that is spec'd as carrying more than 60kg...
The nose weight limit is high, is your vehicle a pickup or van, that would allow more options?

4x4 SUV - but this also means its impossible to use roof racks, so I do need something on the back.

Also finding same as you in terms of finding high load capacity :/

 

[calot]

Put three on the rack and one on the roof?

Receiver hitch might be legal for a bike rack, it’s towing they are not type approved for.

Interesting!

 

[Jackware]

Unless it's a SWB Defender or similar is there an option to put 2 stripped down bikes - ie wheels off inside?

 

[Plummet]

Hi all, any suggestions for transporting 4 ebikes (so 104-110kg)

I'd rather not take out the batteries...

The velocirax look brilliant but they only do hitch type receiver and no plans to do a ball mount sadly, so that's totally out of the question as it seems it's illegal to have hitch in the EU/UK.

I've plenty of nose weight available, as the car can take up to 240kg, so that's not an issue, it's more a case of finding a rack that's suitable and can take the weight of the bikes.

What is everyone else using?

Regardless of the download rating fixed tow bar tongues are noodles underload with the leverage ratio of a fully loaded vertical bike rack. My max recommdation is 75kg of bikes on a fixed tongue style tow bar strapped back to a roof rack.

The best solution is as you have the tongue load rating it to fit an aftermarket removable 50mm hitch tow bar. Then you can run the box section vertical.

Ps I am a vertical rack designer and manufacturer.

 

[weihlac]

Even in the US with 2" hitch receiver, most 4 bike racks will not carry 4 x 50+lb bikes. Many are rated for 2 bikes @ 60 lbs plus two non-ebikes.

The Kuat Piston Pro, one of the most robust (and ridiculously expensive) hitch racks has these specs.

Piston Pro 2-Bike Rack
67 lbs. per tray on 2” 2-bike
60 lbs. for 1.25” version
Dedicated 2” model is able to carry up to 3 or 4 bikes with optional Piston® Pro Add-On

Piston Pro Add-Ons (*2” models only)
3-Bike configuration (using +1-Bike Add-On): 50 lbs. per tray
4-Bike configuration (using +2-Bike Add-On): 40 lbs. per tray

You can mount a hitch rack to the front of the vehicle and carry two in front and two in back.

 

[rabitec]

Regardless of the download rating fixed tow bar tongues are noodles underload with the leverage ratio of a fully loaded vertical bike rack. My max recommdation is 75kg of bikes on a fixed tongue style tow bar strapped back to a roof rack.

The best solution is as you have the tongue load rating it to fit an aftermarket removable 50mm hitch tow bar. Then you can run the box section vertical.

Ps I am a vertical rack designer and manufacturer.

Plummet I assume there is no plan to manufacture and export a product for ball towbars? Your 4 bike vertical bike system is quite cool, including the fact it can be moved into the garage easily for indoor storage.

I could find some 2" square receiver adapters (thanks for the tip!) that could be bolted to the flange towbar, but I have not researched if they would be allowed for non trailing use cases such as carrying bikes.

To the OP - I occasionally carried 2 full weight emtbs + 2 regular mtb using an old but very sturdy BuzzRack BuzzQuattro bike carrier. Not something I would recommend for long trips or regular use, considering that like Plummet says the fourth bike is very far from the tow nose creating a massive lever... (I would generally load bikes heavier to lightest)

 

[Plummet]

Plummet I assume there is no plan to manufacture and export a product for ball towbars? Your 4 bike vertical bike system is quite cool, including the fact it can be moved into the garage easily for indoor storage.

I could find some 2" square receiver adapters (thanks for the tip!) that could be bolted to the flange towbar, but I have not researched if they would be allowed for non trailing use cases such as carrying bikes.

To the OP - I occasionally carried 2 full weight emtbs + 2 regular mtb using an old but very sturdy BuzzRack BuzzQuattro bike carrier. Not something I would recommend for long trips or regular use, considering that like Plummet says the fourth bike is very far from the tow nose creating a massive lever... (I would generally load bikes heavier to lightest)

There's not enough margin in my product to export it and have reseller margins and freight costs. By the time it adds all those costs on its double the price and make it uncompetitive in price.

FYI. I'm not talking about a bolt on adapter to turn a tongue into a box section towbar. The entire tow bar needs to replaced with one that with a removable 50mm shs hitch option.

 

[calot]

Regardless of the download rating fixed tow bar tongues are noodles underload with the leverage ratio of a fully loaded vertical bike rack. My max recommdation is 75kg of bikes on a fixed tongue style tow bar strapped back to a roof rack.

The best solution is as you have the tongue load rating it to fit an aftermarket removable 50mm hitch tow bar. Then you can run the box section vertical.

Ps I am a vertical rack designer and manufacturer

Super interested in your options! Please send me a DM

 

[calot]

Plummet I assume there is no plan to manufacture and export a product for ball towbars? Your 4 bike vertical bike system is quite cool, including the fact it can be moved into the garage easily for indoor storage.

I could find some 2" square receiver adapters (thanks for the tip!) that could be bolted to the flange towbar, but I have not researched if they would be allowed for non trailing use cases such as carrying bikes.

To the OP - I occasionally carried 2 full weight emtbs + 2 regular mtb using an old but very sturdy BuzzRack BuzzQuattro bike carrier. Not something I would recommend for long trips or regular use, considering that like Plummet says the fourth bike is very far from the tow nose creating a massive lever... (I would generally load bikes heavier to lightest)

So I maybe pushing it, but I have an old Thule 3 mount towball rack - I've carried 2 ebikes and 1 analogue, with another ebikes in the boot - it bounces a bit, but it's not failed - however I am really mindful it's going to bend at some point or fail totally. Especially when in lanes going up and down hills to get to a good riding place... Hence my ask for a vertical.


I think if hitch isn't possible in the UK (even tho velocirax say they can take the weight, the coupling is likely illegal) then a trailer as others mentioned before maybe the only way?


Seems ridiculous at any rate that my Vw touareg is more than capable but is restricted by blanket laws designed to cover a ford fiesta