Hello all, would anyone be able to tell me if my Peugeot Partner 2.0HDI could accomodate a bike rack to carry a Montesa 4RT. Its too much messing about getting a bike in and out of the back & although it does go in, it would be much nicer to lift it onto a rack. Thanks in advance

Andy

i to have looked into this myself not the same vehicle but the same idea the only thing to watch out for is the towbars nose weight mine was only 75kg and the 4rt is 81kg with a full tank of fuel as its not a cheap machine to start with i opted out of that idea didnt want to see it bouncing down the road behind me

I would have thought it would be safer and out the eye's of chav's to put the bike inside the van (can we still use the word chav's) anyway what ever way you look at it you still have to lift the bike roughly the same height what ever way you decide.

Edited July 23, 200818 yr by bilc0

We've had a similar question before on this topic.

The outcome was, that, 'legally' most vehicles have a nose wheel limit of 75kg for the tow-bar.

That has to include the tow-rack as well!!

So if you're like me and use a rack( Sherco@75kg + rack@20kg) you're breaking the law.

You 'ain't seen me ,roight

I don't think that there'd be a physical problem if you exceed the nose weight as there'll be a design safety factor built in, at a guess this is going to be 1.5 to 2. Problems start if you have a bump, at a guess you've nullified your insurance. I'd also say that plod could do you for overloading but having seen the booze runners coming off the Dover ferry with there arses dragging you'd be unlucky. Now whether you get caught out with this, you pays your money you takes your chance.

One trick I have found when loading my bike into a small van such as a combo/berlingo/partner is to use a tie down strap to compress the forks (run it from front wheel spindle to bars, still allows wheel to rotate) prior to putting the bike in the van. This makes it much easier to clear the roof when loading, and also manouvre the bike into position in the back of the van. Then once in position, the strap can be released if required. Always works well for me and I much pefer this to using a rack.

I did'nt think of the spindle tie down to handlebars idea i will go with that, great idea. I did think about the nose weight and as was pointed out in one of the posts....I do'nt fancy complications on an insurance claim if someone smashe sinto the back

According to the local plod, the nose weight is only a manufacturer's recommendation. The only thing the the traffic cops would be interested in is the axle weight. So my guess is unless you are unlucky enough to be escorted to the weigh bridge with 3 fat birds in the back of the van as well as the bike on the back, you will be OK.