iansoady Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 I have an AlKo towball fitted to my Land Rover Disco (200 series). I want to fit a bike carrier above the level of the towball, but this would encroach on the clearance for the AlKo stabiliser. Is it OK to fit a 1" spacer to the towball? I generally run at just under 100Kg noseweight with our Bailey Pageant Vendee. I'm just a little concerned that this may result in excessive bending force, although the 16mm bolts do seem well able to take the strain. Quote Ian. 2013 Freelander 2 SD4 Auto / 2005 Bailey Pageant Vendée; 1952 Norton ES2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank.A Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 Hi Ian, It is generally accepted that the fitting of a spacer up to 25mm is permitted as most tobar manufacturers test their products with a spacer fitted. Spacers are in fact available up to 38mm. Here is the NTTA view on the matter. "Most towbar manufacturers have allowed, in the towbar test and approval application, for the inclusion of various accessories, often by including a spacer in the towbar kit, which is removed when the accessory is fitted. This information should be clearly stated in the fitting instructions. If there is any doubt, you should contact the towbar manufacturer. This would apply to all accessories that move the towbar rearwards from the towbar." Best, Frank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iansoady Posted April 3, 2009 Author Share Posted April 3, 2009 Many thanks Frank, just what I was looking for. Quote Ian. 2013 Freelander 2 SD4 Auto / 2005 Bailey Pageant Vendée; 1952 Norton ES2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beejay Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 Any additional spacers fitted to a type approved towbar should also be type approved. But you will have problems finding them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The 2 Tops Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 What is the maximum noseweight for your vehicle? If you are going to carry bikes on the towball whilst towing your caravan, you must include the bikes as part of that noseweight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iansoady Posted April 5, 2009 Author Share Posted April 5, 2009 150 Kg - I did know that. ... And as it's a 1993 vehicle, TA isn't an issue. Quote Ian. 2013 Freelander 2 SD4 Auto / 2005 Bailey Pageant Vendée; 1952 Norton ES2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The 2 Tops Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 150 Kg - I did know that. ... And as it's a 1993 vehicle, TA isn't an issue. If your vehicle noseweight is 150 kg as specified by the manufacturer (handbook), then your caravan noseweight, plus the weight of any bikes loaded onto the towbar accessory bracket, must not exceed 150 kg. Not being type-approved does not relieve you of the responsibility to keep within specified weights. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlakesWig Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 What about the Caravan allowed noseweight from the chassis manufacturer? That could be a lot less than 150kgs Quote Formally 'MagentaMan'... with Hyundai Santa Fe Premium 5 seat Auto 2011/Lunar 530 2013 with mover. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank.A Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 (edited) The caravan hitch download limit as specified by such as Alko is likely to be 100kgs,so even if he used the full 100kgs for the van,there is still 50kgs left for bikes and carrier. I would limit the van noseweight to 80kgs,leaving 70kgs for the carrier and bikes. If the bikes weight more than that,it is time to buy some new ones. I can't see that he has a problem. Best, Frank Edited April 5, 2009 by Frank.A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The 2 Tops Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 Just one point about carrying bikes on the towball mounting (i. e. between the car and the caravan), I feel sure that I have read somewhere that it is not permissible to do this when going on fery and/or tunnel. I cannot imagine any reason for this, but it is worth an enquiry for anyone planning to cross the channel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iansoady Posted April 7, 2009 Author Share Posted April 7, 2009 I'm sure I've seen this on ferries before, but as you say worth checking. I suppose the only possible reason would be side clearance in narrow lanes. Quote Ian. 2013 Freelander 2 SD4 Auto / 2005 Bailey Pageant Vendée; 1952 Norton ES2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neil Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 Just one point about carrying bikes on the towball mounting (i. e. between the car and the caravan), I feel sure that I have read somewhere that it is not permissible to do this when going on fery and/or tunnel. I cannot imagine any reason for this, but it is worth an enquiry for anyone planning to cross the channel. Hi The 2 Tops (and others) Isn't this just slightly mis-remembering the story of the need for tunnel staff to check gas bottles are closed and the bikes make it difficult - from a couple of weeks ago? I can't find it though to prove my guess though. .. neil Quote Bailey S5 Pageant Auvergne & Vauxhall Signum CDTI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The 2 Tops Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 I'm sure I've seen this on ferries before, but as you say worth checking. I suppose the only possible reason would be side clearance in narrow lanes. Not sure about that. Would a bike be long enough to protrude beyond the width of a caravan? Neil: I know there are (or have been) issues regarding gas cylinders on the tunnel. But, never having used the tunnel, I haven't checked the T&C in detail. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.