monty_jon Posted March 30, 2011 Report Share Posted March 30, 2011 (edited) What you havn't said is how and what it is mounted to. Only ever as strong as the weakest link etc. Also sure the sale of goods act will not cover if you do not conform to manufacturers recommendations re nose loading etc. According to the information supplied with the rack it state that it will carry 130kgs, and on the rack manufactures website I've used it on an Escort Diesel & currently use it on a Berlingo van, but I must say Ive only used it on heavy duty towbar assemblies (the type with ½ steel gussets behind the towball rather than the 40mm box type) Edited March 30, 2011 by Monty_Jon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b40rt Posted March 30, 2011 Report Share Posted March 30, 2011 According to the information supplied with the rack it state that it will carry 130kgs, and on the rack manufactures website I've used it on an Escort Diesel & currently use it on a Berlingo van, but I must say I Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnyboxer Posted March 30, 2011 Report Share Posted March 30, 2011 Most saloons/hatchbacks and estates are 50-75kg nose weight max Most 4WD's and Vans have a 100kg noseweight max Therefore most hatches/saloons/estates are overloaded with weight of rack and fuelled bike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete_scorpa3 Posted March 30, 2011 Report Share Posted March 30, 2011 Most saloons/hatchbacks and estates are 50-75kg nose weight max Most 4WD's and Vans have a 100kg noseweight max Therefore most hatches/saloons/estates are overloaded with weight of rack and fuelled bike Yes. It's all very well saying this bolt will take that weight and that bracket will take this weight. But the fact remains that the manufacturers state a figure, if this is exceeded and the vehicle is involved in a fatal accident then the driver is likely to be held accountable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazzaecowarrior Posted March 31, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2011 Well i never thought this topic would be so hotly discussed. Wasn't poking fun by saying 'cavalier attitude'. I was just suprised people didn't seem to care about the law. Maybe thats another reason why off road sport is in such a mess. But thats another topic. As an update, I spoke to the towbar manafacturer and they now tell me that the load limit of 50kg on the nose was actually a misprint and that it should have read 75kg. Thankfully this mirrors the 75kg nose limit that Mitsubishi stipulate. My Beta is bang on this weight so all is well. In supporty of bike racks over trailers. Not all of us have garages at the side of the house to store our bikes and accessories. I live in wales, live in a terraced house and everything has to come through the front door. I have no lane access. It's bad enough bringing a bike through the house never mind a trailer. I've used racks for 20 years and love them. No speed restrictions or problems reversing down country lanes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ross brown Posted April 19, 2011 Report Share Posted April 19, 2011 (edited) Did anybody else laugh at this. [quote name='gazzaecowarrior' I have no lane access. It's bad enough bringing a bike through the house never mind a trailer. Photos of cavalier bike usage indoors! At the risk of being accused of a thread hi-jack, I can't understand why my wife was so concerned about a Montesa being transported through the house! Anybody else have similar transport problems ie. no access to the rear of the property except THROUGH the house. Back on topic. I have never felt 100% comfortable using a rack as the bike DOES move around at motorway speeds when a bump is encountered. I've even tied the bike to the roof rack to secure it. And while this works, it adds to the complexity of loading and un-loading. In wet weather the rack also prohibits easy access to my gear in the back of the 4WD/car. As posted elsewhere, not all of us living in cities have space for trailers. Fortunately, I managed to fit a 6X4 garden trailer, turned sideways, into my driveway. A 7x4 would not fit. So it comes down to horses for courses. Perhaps most tellingly, now that I have both rack and a trailer, I'd say I choose the trailer 9 out of 10 times over the rack. Edited April 19, 2011 by Ross Brown Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan Posted May 19, 2011 Report Share Posted May 19, 2011 there are two issues here 1) are you breaking the law? the nose weight is a manufacturers recommendation, the plod would only be interest in axle weight - so in most cases carrying a trials bike is not as bad as having two fat birds in the back of your car. 2) Is it safe? If your bike and rack were to fall off, you would almost certaintly be accussed of "unsafe load" regardless of the manufacturers recommendations If you lost control due to weight on the back which does effect braking, steering and handling i am fairly sure you would be viewed as negligent for exceeding manufacturers recommendations. I have a fairly big car, I exceed the nose weight slightly, but feel confident I am legal, but i drive fairly steadily especially in the wet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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