Towbar bike rack with Ozhitch?

[derekclapham Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close derekclapham]

Hi guys,

This last week I bought a 2011 Trackabout Camper Trailer. It's hitched to my 150 via an Ozhitch.

This weekend we're looking to take the kids down to Kangaroo Point and I want to take the bikes with me. However, due to the way the Ozhitch fits to the towbar, I can't mount the bike rack base on top of the towbar (without modifying it). As a solution I've mounted the bike rack base UNDER the tow bar. (See attached pictures).

My question (and concern) is that the downward load of the bikes and rack will be placed solely on the towbar nut and potentially cause issues. I would estimate the load to be around 75kg with 3 kids bikes and the bike rack itself.

http://postimg.org/image/9sa87w46h/
http://postimg.org/image/xrmtms401/
http://postimg.org/image/ipfyu5cvv/
http://postimg.org/image/7k7ckxahf/

Long term I'm looking at getting an iSi system rack for the trailer: http://www.isi-carriers.com/customer...e-carrier.html but until then I need a working solution.

Your advice would be much appreciated!

Derek

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

I cannot see why you don't just take the Ozhitch off? Theoretically ok but I would like some more thread poking through, say two full threads and also a nice big flat washer between the spring washer and the bike rack.

I recently bought an iSi carrier from George and it is superb, great engineering and workmanship. I needed something that would fit my fat bike and compared to my other bike carrier it is much easier to use.

[Guest Close Guest]

Yes, either take the Ozhitch off or turn the entire lot upside down so that the bike carrier is on top and the Ozhitch underneath.

[derekclapham Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close derekclapham]

I cannot see why you don't just take the Ozhitch off?

@mjrandom: The reason I'm not taking the Ozhitch off is because I'm planning to travel with the camper and the bikes - . So, until I have an "on-camper" bike carrying solution I have to make this work.

turn the entire lot upside down so that the bike carrier is on top and the Ozhitch underneath.

@amts: Are you suggesting that I mount the Ozhitch physically upside down? That would mean I would now have a > 150kg (Not entirely sure what the ball weight of the trailer is) load straining the nut rather than a ~ 75kg load I would have thought. Could be totally wrong though!

Another option is for me to cut the necessary grooves in to the bike rack mount so that the Ozhitch fits snuggly.

[Guest Close Guest]

@mjrandom: The reason I'm not taking the Ozhitch off is because I'm planning to travel with the camper and the bikes

You didn't mention that crucial bit of information. Are you allowed to do that? If you go over a ditch, your bikes will hit the camper.

[derekclapham Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close derekclapham]

Are you allowed to do that? If you go over a ditch, your bikes will hit the camper.

That's a good point @amts, however for what I'm doing in the short term I should have ample clearance between the bikes and the camper... (all on road for the next couple of weeks). I wouldn't use this hack of a solution for any off-road touring.

[Guest Close Guest]

Be careful over large speed humps too, or when traversing gutters/driveways.

[derekclapham Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close derekclapham]

I might actually consider a longer bolt with 2 nuts (using the 2nd as a lock of sorts). Just to give a little extra strength for the downward force.

[Guest Close Guest]

A flanged nut and a really thick washer would help.

[derekclapham Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close derekclapham]

A flanged nut and a really thick washer would help.

@amts: Good point. Will head to bunnings tomorrow

[Guest Close Guest]

What size bolt and grade is currently on there? I don't think Bunnings is the right place to go for such things. Best to go to a specialist fastener shop. Coventrys used to be the place to go but not sure now.

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

Definitely go for a grade 8.8 bolt or higher (10.9 or 12.9). Cannot remember but if it is M20 or M24, either way grab a really good thick flat washer or make one up out of some 3t or 5t flat.

However, I wouldn't be planning running both the bike rack and the hitch at the same time. Lash the bikes flat on the camper or stow them inside. I made up an adapter that allowed me to run my bike carrier on the drawbar or on the back, both better ideas than having both on the one bolt.

[derekclapham Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close derekclapham]

However, I wouldn't be planning running both the bike rack and the hitch at the same time. Lash the bikes flat on the camper or stow them inside. I made up an adapter that allowed me to run my bike carrier on the drawbar or on the back, both better ideas than having both on the one bolt.

Yes. The more I think about it the more I think for this weekend I will just lash them to the top of the Camper Trailer.