Thought it best to share today’s experience and caution others. Please please please check and recheck any towbar mounted bike racks. Even though we triple checked before setting off, ours decided to part company today whilst travelling at 60mph on the M1. Standing helpless at the side of the motorway waiting for the inevitable accident is not a nice feeling. It ended up straddling lanes one and two and most people avoided it but unfortunately one car strike pushed it into another cars path. Then I was on the carriageway warning other motorists not to hit the car with the bikes underneath it that had stopped half way into lane one. A big thanks to Highways England for their assistance and if you were caught up in the tailbacks of a closed M1 Northbound at Woodall services this morning, my apologies. Then to top it all off the battery died whilst we were on the hard shoulder dealing with the aftermath of insurance details so it’s thanks again to the AA and no thanks to Moll batteries.
WARNING - towbar mounted bike racks
- Thread starter minicharli
- Start date
Nobody was hurt though, so not all bad news. Mate of mine had his roof mounted carrier flip off on the M74 chewing his car roof on the way.What actually broke? We used our for the first time today.
So any idea what actually caused the detachment?
Surly the fitment of the bike rack and towbar have safety locking systems to stop this happening.?
So if it was fitted correctly and secure.... how did it become detached.?
Surly the fitment of the bike rack and towbar have safety locking systems to stop this happening.?
So if it was fitted correctly and secure.... how did it become detached.?
Hopefully, this was an isolated case and you just got very, very unlucky. I think there are many users of both of those things (including together) on this forum and we would probably have heard about it if it had also happened to someone else (unless I missed it). As I said, I'm a possible purchaser of both so I've got a vested interest.
The towbar is still intact with a few scratches where the carrier obviously moved before flying off. I can only imagine it being our fault but we never even used the bikes this weekend so nothing was removed from the journey to the campsite last Friday only tilted back to gain access to the rear doors when camping. It’s more just to highlight possible user error and the potential knock on effects of that
So did it hinge back or did the clamp come loose?
I took mine off today (no idea what make....) and the thread on the clamp bolt had picked up. The resulting breaker bar action destroyed both the bolt and captive nut and I am currently trying to find another M14 bolt to replace it.
I took mine off today (no idea what make....) and the thread on the clamp bolt had picked up. The resulting breaker bar action destroyed both the bolt and captive nut and I am currently trying to find another M14 bolt to replace it.
@The Bear78 not sure mate thought it was a blowout to start with then saw something bouncing along the carriageway and got that sinking feeling. Pic attached taken when home
I'm genuinely sorry to hear about your misfortune. Considering the bike section is detached from the clamp section I wonder if it hinged back and the resulting impact with the ground broke it off?
Got a pic of the tow ball?
Just happy for you all that no one got hurt......but on the back of this ...do you have to inform your insurance company that ....
A. You have a towbar
B. You have a cycle carrier
As next year I’m looking to fit a Westfalia towbar and bike carrier
A. You have a towbar
B. You have a cycle carrier
As next year I’m looking to fit a Westfalia towbar and bike carrier
After fitting my tow bar I thought it prudent to let my insurance company know as I recall the form when I took out the policy asked that very question.
I also mentioned the carpet and soundproofing as that was also finished. They made a note but didn't add anything to the premium.
This was with Aviva if anyone is interested.
I also mentioned the carpet and soundproofing as that was also finished. They made a note but didn't add anything to the premium.
This was with Aviva if anyone is interested.
That's still in the clamped position, so would be interesting to see the underside of the ball clamp, to try and find out where it let go
I wonder if it’s possible to have some kind of tether system so if this happens to someone else, the worst case scenario would be the van would be dragging the bikes and rack along and therefore stopping them flying off into another lane or on coming traffic, a bit like how the F1 cars have their wheels tethered - just a thought
Can we have more close up pics of the mounting points pls?
On carrier and ball?
On carrier and ball?
@Dellmassive tomorrow mate. Please bear in mind this and the bikes were trapped under a car and dragged along for a few hundred yards before coming to a stop. And I then had to pull these out from under there while they reversed
My Witter 4 bike carrier has two straps that clip onto tailgate / doors of the car / van its fitted to. The carrier drops onto ball, an M14 clamp bolt is tightened and a long M8 bolt passed in front of the clamp plate meaning it cannot come off the tow ball even if the M14 bolt comes undone.
I too am interested to understand what happened to learn. Glad everyone was safe.
I too am interested to understand what happened to learn. Glad everyone was safe.
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