I have a standard dealer fitted fixed towbar. I am looking to purchase a towbar bike carrier and like the maxxraxx products - would want to put four bikes on the carrier and also tow my caravan. However I am concerned that if I put the maxxraxx carrier, 4 bikes and my caravan all on the towbar I might be overloading the towbar.

At a rough estimate the caravan nose weight on the towbar is normally under 100kg. I estimate about 50kg for the bikes and say another 10kg for the maxxraxx. Can the standard towbar really take 160kg - seems like a lot of weight on the bolts!

If anyone knows where I can find info to check what the towbar can take please let me know.

Page 152 of the FL2 handbook specifies a max nose weight of 150 Kg.

There is more towing info on pages 150 & 212 ..............

I have the same standard dealer fitted swanneck towbar and on the label it also states a maximum weight of 150 Kg

I think you should be OK, because most caravan's nose weight is around 75Kg max I thought 

Tim_Barnes wrote:

I have a standard dealer fitted fixed towbar. I am looking to purchase a towbar bike carrier and like the maxxraxx products - would want to put four bikes on the carrier and also tow my caravan. However I am concerned that if I put the maxxraxx carrier, 4 bikes and my caravan all on the towbar I might be overloading the towbar.

At a rough estimate the caravan nose weight on the towbar is normally under 100kg. I estimate about 50kg for the bikes and say another 10kg for the maxxraxx. Can the standard towbar really take 160kg - seems like a lot of weight on the bolts!

If anyone knows where I can find info to check what the towbar can take please let me know.

I would be more concerned abount clearance of the 4 bikes against the caravan when turning.

I would also work out the ideal hitch weight for the caravan first, (7% of max ladened caravan i think ) then weigh each bike and the rack instead of esitmating.

If you were pulled over and your excuse was that you estimated it, I don't think the boys in blue would take it as a valid reason.

50 kg is only enough for 4 bikes if they are all lightweight carbon fibre racing bikes. landrover do specify a maximum towbar load(vertical) I think it is 150kg

Thanks all for the very useful replies - looks like 150kg is the max. I note some of the other points made (eg turning circle with caravan & 4 bikes etc..although I note there is a useful turning circle template on the maxxraxx site) and will obviously take those into account. Now to get some scales and start weighing....

Thanks all once again for your input

In the September 2007 caravan Club Magazine they reviewed the FL2

They say the

Kerb weight 1820KG
Towing Gross Vehicle Weight is 2505KG (+100KG if towing at less than 60MPH)
Gross Train Weight 4505KG
Noseweight limit 150KG**

The ** is were it get interesting it says

** can increase to 250KG with equivalent reduction in MLW (Maximum Laden Weight)

npinks wrote:

In the September 2007 caravan Club Magazine they reviewed the FL2

They say the

Kerb weight 1820KG
Towing Gross Vehicle Weight is 2505KG (+100KG if towing at less than 60MPH)
Gross Train Weight 4505KG
Noseweight limit 150KG**

The ** is were it get interesting it says

** can increase to 250KG with equivalent reduction in MLW (Maximum Laden Weight)

As long as you use the height extension you will have no problem towing with 4 bikes, I do with my D3 using a Maxx Raxx D4 HSE Lux for me
FL2 HSE Zermatt & Alpacca for the wife now gone
Skoda Yeti L&K for the wife.

emmm,
Is it not possible to put a couple of bikes inside the caravan to reduce towball weight and provide more clearance, then put the 4 bikes on the cycle rack once you park your caravan? Out with the old (2007 SE)
In with the new (2012 Dynamic with everything). Now also gone.

wildrover wrote:

emmm,
Is it not possible to put a couple of bikes inside the caravan to reduce towball weight and provide more clearance, then put the 4 bikes on the cycle rack once you park your caravan?

I could do that with my van as it has a side door to load the bikes in (max 75kg)

what am i talking about, I do, do that with my van as i can't find a bike rack that would carry my 20month old son 3 wheelier trike, complete with push handle.

Under the heading of 'Essential Towing Checks' on page 151 of my hand book, it explains what to do if it is necessary to increase nose weight allowance up to a amximum of 250 kgs.