F

fumes

New Member
Just about to start shopping around for a 3-4 bike carrier for the Freelander!

I was intially thinking of a towbar mounted version but the spare wheel mount option (bolt on) seems to make more sense as you can still open the rear door with the bikes on the back!

Anyone have experience/ feedback of this type and know the best place to find them? even better, anyone have a spare they want to sell?

Cheers

Fumes
 
I was looking at bike carriers in the summer and looked at a lot. Didn't get round to buying one though.

Tow bar carriers look good, but you can't access the boot without taking the bikes, or the carrier off. Thule do one that tilts, but I think that's more for estates where the boot lifts up. You also need to ensure that you get one that sticks out more than normal because of the spare wheel.

From what I read on forums about the spare wheel carriers is that they put additional strain on the rear door hinges and they could potentially sag with a lot of use. Obviously this will depend on amount of useage and the weight of the bikes.

Roof carriers are ideal, but due to height they're an obvious pain.

Just my 2p worth.....
 
I bought one from Simbars for the Discovery, its the one where you fit the boss thru the spare wheel and fit the rack when required, it padlocks in place. Holds 4 bikes.

I altered the boss slightly to fit the wife's Freelander so as to use the rack on both vehicles.

I have both a tow ball mounted and the one described above and as has been said with the tow ball one you can't open the rear door.

Use it quite infrequently but so far no had any problems with door sag.

The tow ball mounted ones can be far cheaper, think I picked mine uip for around £20 (Paddy Hopkirk 2 bikes only)
 
Check out maxxraxx.co.uk - I have one for the Disco - they do a Freelander version. Best bit is a wall mount for the garage for normal day to day storage...
 
I'd recommend against one that fits on the boot unless your bikes are quite light. On my dads old trooper the hinges started sagging a bit.

I have a roof rack carrier for my freelander. Just don't go under car park barriers with bikes on :doh:
 
I have one that mounts to the spare tyre, an ebay special for £2.50 and it was just around the corner. Great for 1 bike but once you have 2 bikes on you can feel the door sagging when you open it. So yes you can open the door but you don't really want to !
For 3 to 4 bikes I would go the tow bar route and try and get one the tilts to give you access to the rear door.
 
I have the Simbars one that fits through the spare. It does the job. I have used it for two adult bikes and a childs up to this year. When I tried 3 adult bikes its a squeeze. Because the rack is offset the bikes only really fit one way round otherwise the rear wheel sticks out too far. The "V" 's that locate the bikes don't have any protection so you need some foam to protect your paint. They also limit the flexibility for locating the bikes. It obviously puts strain on the door hinges but I haven't noticed any lasting damage. It works fine whilst towing a caravan (although its a bit tricky trying to get the AlKO stabiliser handle up or down with bikes on) and you can still open the rear door enough to get in whilst coupled. The major benefit is how quickly it can be fitted and removed. The number plate is obscured so you will need a trailer board to stay legal. Bikes can be securely locked to the vehicle through the spare wheel quite easily
For occasional use with or without caravan it is o.k. - easier than trying to get them on roof!

Hope this helps
 
Last edited:
Problem with wheel mounted as already mentioned is bikes can only go on way round due to overhang, Too much weight on hinges and you will still have problems with door opening bike wheels will jam against the bumper. For 4 bikes I would go for a good roof mounted system where the bike can be staggered ie. one facing front one to rear etc.
 
Since I already had the cross bars I used roof mounts for the bikes. Keeps the weight evenly and safely distributed and no access restrictions or light board needed. Also had side steps which helped with loading otherwise you would need something to stand on or use the door sills.
 
would go for tow bar or roof types. used wheel mounted type found door dropped slightly when opened fully had to gently lift door hand when closing with two tack bikes on, the rear wheel of bikes also block view of number plate
 
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