Carrying 4 bicycles

Choochtown

Hello! New to this forum. I've recently rediscovered the cycling bug but now have a wife and 2 kids to join me. Was thinking of buying a trailer to carry the 4 bikes but read somewhere that it mightn't be good for the bikes (too little weight so the trailer would bounce around???). Anyone have experience with this?
Found a trailer on an american site that's designed to carry bicycles. Anyone know of an Irish company that might sell such a trailer? My car isn't big but does have a towbar.

Thanks!

Captain Havoc

Could you get a car rack for three and put one in the boot or would there be too much luggage? Or put a roof rack on also?

DirkVoodoo

Motor pacing.

ashleey

http://www2.thule.com/Thule/ProductPage____83131.aspx

This is what I use. You might need to buy a crossbar adaptor if your kids bikes are a bit small and the 'grabs' can't reach down to the crossbar of the bikes.

I have mixed adult and kids bikes on this and the towbar mounting is brilliant because you can still get into your boot by tilting the carrier forward.

nosedive

What about approaching a metal fabricator to build you/adapt a trailer that would suit. The right person will likely have most of the materials lying around from previous jobs; I couldn't see it costing you much more than buying one and it's a custom built solution. I really feel that on this economy, the guy operating out if his shed has much more to offer than mass producers/suppliers and deserves your support much more too!

You may not find it suitable but isn't it worth investigating?

Esroh

I think you maybe able to mount the roof Cycle racks across a Car Trailer.
I have seen this outside the Halfords in Castlebar.
If the Trailer is double axel it would be much steadier on the road and also easier to reverse etc.

Or as said above a local trailer builder may be able to make a flat bed where 4 racks could be easily mounted

ashleey

Would a trailer plus adaptation be cheaper than a purpose built solution? I don't know but dragging stuff behind your car isn't a simple thing. Make sure you set things up properly.

Paul Kiernan

Why not just put them on the roof? Just don't forget they're there:rolleyes:.

GTDolanator

buy a crew-cab van,job done

Mr.Boots

You would be mad to buy a trailer....get a tow ball mount bike carrier...http://www.micksgarage.ie/home.aspx?DeptID=137

Choochtown

Many thanks for advice. Didn't realise there was a rear cycle carrier that would take 4 bikes.

bcmf

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/thule-9708-hangon-4-bike-towball-carrier/

I bought this 3yrs ago and honestly cannot fault it. Hauled 4 bikes(2 adults and 2 kids) from here all the way down to South of France. Once you figure it out takes 15mns to attach.130kmh on motorway in France without a budge.
You will need a lighting board with number plate otherwise you could be pulled in.

Choochtown

bcmf wrote: »

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/thule-9708-hangon-4-bike-towball-carrier/

I bought this 3yrs ago and honestly cannot fault it. Hauled 4 bikes(2 adults and 2 kids) from here all the way down to South of France. Once you figure it out takes 15mns to attach.130kmh on motorway in France without a budge.
You will need a lighting board with number plate otherwise you could be pulled in.

Thanks BCMF. I think that's what I'm going to get. Did you need anything extra for the kids' bikes to fit on?