Swing Away Tow Bar Mounted Bike Racks

[Webbah_in_Switzerland]

I suspect it is well within tolerance and causes no issue but 32kg is 2kg more than the Epos is rated for a single bike. Its a shame they don't make a Epos 4 as I need to carry 4 bikes and I really like the look of the Epos.

I checked on this with the vendor (dachbox.ch) and they assured me it would be ok. That said, I wouldn’t mount 2 of these bikes. 1 of them with my daughters little bike is fine though.


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[RedWhiteMonkey]

Yes, I suspect the stated max. weights are significantly under what the carrier can actually hold. What that tolerance is will be an industry secret but I doubt 32kg on a 30kg rated rack would be a problem. I'm looking at carriers at the moment, I need to be able to carry two adult bikes and two kids bikes. I think my only option is the Velospace XT3 with the additional rack.

 

[Webbah_in_Switzerland]

Yes, I suspect the stated max. weights are significantly under what the carrier can actually hold. What that tolerance is will be an industry secret but I doubt 32kg on a 30kg rated rack would be a problem. I'm looking at carriers at the moment, I need to be able to carry two adult bikes and two kids bikes. I think my only option is the Velospace XT3 with the additional rack.

The Velospace also has the advantage of being able to mount their extra storage box if needed. I have an MFT BackBox for that purpose for trips to the dump!


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[RedWhiteMonkey]

Yeah, being able to add the storage box looks like a good option too, especially as my kids are only getting bigger.

 

[Webbah_in_Switzerland]

Yeah, being able to add the storage box looks like a good option too, especially as my kids are only getting bigger.

And this brings another advantage of the swing away. Depending on what you have in the storage box it’s better the swing away than tilt down with contents inside.


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[Webbah_in_Switzerland]

Looks like campingshop.ch has 2 of them in stock for immediate delivery. Not sure about UK though!

SpaceMaker L - schwenkbarer Fahrradträger

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www.campingshop.ch

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[RedWhiteMonkey]

I like the idea of the swing away holder but the price of that plus the XT3, the extension rack and the box quickly gets eyewateringly expensive.

 

[Webbah_in_Switzerland]

I like the idea of the swing away holder but the price of that plus the XT3, the extension rack and the box quickly gets eyewateringly expensive.

True that. Pay once, cry once as @wildslammer says!


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[sidepod]

I have a Thule Epos 3 and mount my Super73 RX Mojave to it which is 32Kg. The rack doesn’t budge at all when the swing away is locked in position. I drove from Luzern to Ticino without an issue.

Well yes. The basic design of these things does ensure that, when in the transit position, the actual swingy function sees virtually no load which is fine.
I would just much rather see a design that picks up on the chassis rails either side of the spare wheel rather than the tow hitch.
In addition a light simple method of bike attachment.

 

[Webbah_in_Switzerland]

Well yes. The basic design of these things does ensure that, when in the transit position, the actual swingy function sees virtually no load which is fine.
I would just much rather see a design that picks up on the chassis rails either side of the spare wheel rather than the tow hitch.
In addition a light simple method of bike attachment.

The problem with that is it likely then requires homologation. But I agree this would be more solid.


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[sidepod]

Here’s a better starting point. At least this gets rid of one ball mount.

Receiver hitch style towbar | Witter Towbars

View Receiver hitch style towbar and buy online

www.witter-towbars.co.uk

 

[sidepod]

Then you could fit one of these, assuming they were available in the UK.

Try to concentrate on the actual rack!

Why we can’t get stuff like this here is nuts. Type approval craziness.

 

[Webbah_in_Switzerland]

Then you could fit one of these, assuming they were available in the UK.

Try to concentrate on the actual rack!

Why we can’t get stuff like this here is nuts. Type approval craziness.

This is the rack I wanted initially and I researched extensively how I could make it happen. In Switzerland changing the tow hitch to a 2 inch receiver is illegal and homologation is not possible (on a VW at least). Therefore I went with the only solution I could find and fortunately it doesn't require homologation at all. Super73 even has this rack on their US website as recommended. At any rate, I've had no issues at all with the swing away I chose with the Epos 3. So all good.

 

[scotia]

@Webbah_in_Switzerland - We're also in Switzerland and we're struggling to find a solution to the 4 adult (the kids grow v fast...) bike problem on a bike rack.. we also have a T6 camper.

Would ou be so kind as to take a picture of your setup with a bike on the epos in the nearest position to the van? My idea is to modify a thule/vw boot rack to 1 bike, use the epos mounted on this swing away arm and then all is good... but im not sure the nearest bike would clear..

 

[Webbah_in_Switzerland]

@Webbah_in_Switzerland - We're also in Switzerland and we're struggling to find a solution to the 4 adult (the kids grow v fast...) bike problem on a bike rack.. we also have a T6 camper.

Would ou be so kind as to take a picture of your setup with a bike on the epos in the nearest position to the van? My idea is to modify a thule/vw boot rack to 1 bike, use the epos mounted on this swing away arm and then all is good... but im not sure the nearest bike would clear..

Hi there, unfortunately I can’t right now as my van is in service for the next days. New flywheel, oil pump, water pump and timing belt. Ouf!

However for 4 bikes maybe consider the Velospace with the add on 4th bike mount? You could then have a storage box mounted on the tailgate for extra storage if needed. The swing away will definitely help with 4 bikes and give you extra clearance for the storage box.


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[scotia]

Hi there, unfortunately I can’t right now as my van is in service for the next days. New flywheel, oil pump, water pump and timing belt. Ouf!

However for 4 bikes maybe consider the Velospace with the add on 4th bike mount? You could then have a storage box mounted on the tailgate for extra storage if needed. The swing away will definitely help with 4 bikes and give you extra clearance for the storage box.


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ah ok no issues! when you mount your bike - do you put it on the 1st row or 2nd on the epos?

we actually just sold our thule velospace - long story but we changed the towball for a 2" receiver hitch as i wanted to use a vertical bike rack.. Did all through the SAN so all ok legally but 1st use of the rack and we're not convinced really... the bike/rack move a lot and doesnt inspire confidence..

also the main reason we sold it was i was fed up spening 45mins arranging the bikes everytime due to the poor spacing between bikes... the epos solves this..

 

[Webbah_in_Switzerland]

ah ok no issues! when you mount your bike - do you put it on the 1st row or 2nd on the epos?

we actually just sold our thule velospace - long story but we changed the towball for a 2" receiver hitch as i wanted to use a vertical bike rack.. Did all through the SAN so all ok legally but 1st use of the rack and we're not convinced really... the bike/rack move a lot and doesnt inspire confidence..

also the main reason we sold it was i was fed up spening 45mins arranging the bikes everytime due to the poor spacing between bikes... the epos solves this..

Well my bike is a fat bike Super73 RX Mojave so it’s a bit special. I have no choice but to mount it on the 2nd or 3rd space. I have the Epos 3.


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[scotia]

Well my bike is a fat bike Super73 RX Mojave so it’s a bit special. I have no choice but to mount it on the 2nd or 3rd space. I have the Epos 3.


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right ok, and do you know if you can fit a normal mtb on the epos anywhere else on the rack or does it foul with your box? im doubting my idea will work now as ive seen on a few cali's the height of the vw rack when deployed..

 

[scotia]

Here’s a better starting point. At least this gets rid of one ball mount.

Receiver hitch style towbar | Witter Towbars

View Receiver hitch style towbar and buy online

www.witter-towbars.co.uk

I have this fitted to our T6 https://www.westfalia-automotive.com/de/en/product-overview/towbars/receiver-hitch/

the idea being to use a vertical rack for 4 bikes, but we're not convinced by the rack in the end.. a lot of slop..

ive since contacted westfalia about their swing away accessory that you can see here but they are saying its not available anymore... shame for a 2023 product to go away so quickly..

 

[scotia]

No just as in not as nice design and less aesthetic than the Swiss made one.

The Memo is just box section powder coated so easy to modify and make nice. It’s perfectly fine , well made and simple.

I’ve studied them at length with a view to making my own. I considered using a Memo as a donor.

Personally I don’t like the double tow ball design, rack on a rack approach especially when you’re using a heavy folding ebike rated rack on the swing out unit.

Using a swing out unit means you’ve solved the bikes-in-the-way-of-the-door problem so why add a folding rack as well. Non folding ones are available obvs.

In my op, there is a huge gap in the market for a lighter rack with a better method of mounting the bikes to the rack and certainly something a bit less obtrusive.

@sidepod when you say there are non folding racks available...where?!

if i could find a rack with 230mm spacing, 4 bikes then i'd be happy.. i'd connect it to the swing away spacer saver (or other) and happy boy..

 

[Webbah_in_Switzerland]

right ok, and do you know if you can fit a normal mtb on the epos anywhere else on the rack or does it foul with your box? im doubting my idea will work now as ive seen on a few cali's the height of the vw rack when deployed..

right ok, and do you know if you can fit a normal mtb on the epos anywhere else on the rack or does it foul with your box? im doubting my idea will work now as ive seen on a few cali's the height of the vw rack when deployed..

Here’s a photo with both boxes mounted. At least you can see how far out the swing away ball is. My Heckbox is the largest one available.

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[Webbah_in_Switzerland]

Here’s a photo with both boxes mounted. At least you can see how far out the swing away ball is. My Heckbox is the largest one available.

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The rear suspension looks low as it is currently lowered with the auto-level (air suspension)


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