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View Full Version : Motorcycle carrier on the back of Discovery I? Seen it? Done it?

migsel
2nd Nov 2007, 22:33
Hi,

I'm considering mounting a motorcycle carrying rack on my Disco I.
Would be for my old bmw R80G/S, which weighs about 200kg (440lbs).

Does anybody here have experience with something similar?
Is it legally OK?
Can the suspension take it?
Does it affect handling too much?
...

Cheers,
Michel
redhand
2nd Nov 2007, 23:21
I've seen bikes mounted to the back of landies but never as big as yours, single bike trailer might be easier.
Smokebelch
3rd Nov 2007, 00:13
If you have no wehere to store the trailer, you could get a collapsible one.
I'm thinking of geting one myself from here ... http://www.bikelug.co.uk/
migsel
3rd Nov 2007, 08:55
I have a bike trailer, but a rack has quite a few advantages towards:
- handling (reversing and such)
- ferry and toll road fees
- fuel consumption
- parking
- ...

But I fear that 200kg so far to the back is not a good idea.

So I was looking for people who did similar things, not necessarily with a bike but fairly heavy things mounted behind the rear bumper.

Cheers,
Michel
ahebron
3rd Nov 2007, 10:36
Hi Michel.
My biggest concern would be all that weight hanging off the back of the vehicle and its affect on the handling. Also being a past owner of a BMW R80G/S I think the width and length of the bike should be taken into consideration. My R80G/S was wider than my current bike a R1150GS.
I would have thought the motorbike rack would be suitable only upto 250cc bikes.
Adrian
scootlife
3rd Nov 2007, 10:49
How about a dowing dolly ? Ive seen one before thats bolts on the towbar hitch and is about 5inch by 20 inch and the front wheel sits in it. strap the front end down and off you go. never seen one advertised though anywhere. It was £30 at an autojumble ---- should have bought it !!
TBM
3rd Nov 2007, 12:27
How about a dowing dolly ? Ive seen one before thats bolts on the towbar hitch and is about 5inch by 20 inch and the front wheel sits in it. strap the front end down and off you go. never seen one advertised though anywhere. It was £30 at an autojumble ---- should have bought it !!

was going to suggest something similar. I've seen it advertised before, somewhere in the states and was for towing Harleys, so should handle the BM no problem. It lifted the front wheel of the floor, and attached it to the towhitch, keeping the back wheel in the floor. Reversing could be an issue though!

Unfortunately can't remember where I saw the advert!
TBM
3rd Nov 2007, 14:17
http://www.fatz.com/

Here we go. Sure it would easy to get something knocked up similar!
migsel
3rd Nov 2007, 21:54
Yea, maybe I should consider something like that instead.

I've seen it done on the back of a camper though.
So I figured a 2 ton Disco should be capable enough...

Cheers,
Michel
TBM
3rd Nov 2007, 22:20
http://www.watling-towbars.co.uk/motorbike_scooter_carrier.html

like this...
migsel
3rd Nov 2007, 22:35
Yes indeed, something like that.

But to carry the weight, not just bolted to the tow bar attachment.

I was thinking of two rectangular sections bolted or welded to the chassis , that stay there all the time. And a removable rack on two smaller tubes that slide into the fixed ones.

Then maybe a tie point where the spare wheel normally sits, to secure the bike.

Cheers,
Michel
migsel
3rd Nov 2007, 22:38
My R80G/S was wider than my current bike a R1150GS.

Hi Adrian,
Good to find another GS'er here!
Are you present on the UKGSer forums or GSClubUK as well?
Cheers,
Michel
Smokebelch
3rd Nov 2007, 23:05
A mate of mine used one of those carriers that bolt to the towbar a few years back on a vectra. He was carrying a Honda CR250 and it pulled the whole back half of his car so far out of shape that the boot wouldnt open.
ahebron
4th Nov 2007, 01:21
Yes Michel I am also on the UKGSer forum.
I fear the fatz trailer would end up distorting the back of many cars. There must be some impressive twisting forces being put through the tow connector on the car as the trailer has to keep the motorbike vertical at all times. A normal 2 wheel trailer or tow dolly just follows the car.
Adrian
redhand
4th Nov 2007, 23:01
one of the landy mags did an article last year about a father & son doing an african tour with a disco & Bike (sure it was a GS80) and they used a dolly that lifted the front wheel off the floor.
TBM
5th Nov 2007, 06:37
IIRC Tony109 did a conversion where he mounted a tail lift on the back of a Hi-Lux to lift Aga and Rayburn's. That would involve similar weights. Have a word with him. he may be able to suggest something.
redhand
5th Nov 2007, 10:12
IIRC Tony109 did a conversion where he mounted a tail lift on the back of a Hi-Lux to lift Aga and Rayburn's. That would involve similar weights. Have a word with him. he may be able to suggest something.

Thats probably OK while the vehicle is stationary. I doubt he kept em parked on it whilst driving. Which is when the main stresses and shock loading will take place.
Sprockett
6th Nov 2007, 15:10
I am looking at something similar but for my freelander.

Have a look at these

http://www.motorcycle-trailers.co.uk/index.html
redhand
6th Nov 2007, 16:56
I am looking at something similar but for my freelander.

Have a look at these

http://www.motorcycle-trailers.co.uk/index.html

yep the single wheel one is the one I've seen before. not sure I'd want to put a big beemer on the hydraulic one though.