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Towing and carrying
The MAXXRAXX bike rack system includes cycle carriers that always leave the ball on your tow bar free for towing, even on most modern SwanNeck or gooseneck tow bars. So, it is possible to tow and carry at the same time. However, the combination of car and whatever you tow is different in every case. The space available to fit the bikes, turning restrictions and nose weight limitations all need to be considered.
On this page we have brought together several pieces of information that we hope is helpful for you to decide how many bikes you can carry on your particular vehicle and caravan or trailer rig.
Please read this section carefully and follow the links to other pages on our site and to some external web sites. Many of the points in this guide are very important for you to consider before setting off on your journey. In a few cases it may not be possible to carry any bikes at the same time as towing although of course the rack can be used to transport your bikes safely any time you are not towing.
Weight limitations and your tow bar
The tow bar on your vehicle has a maximum load that can be applied to it called the Nose Weight Rating. We have a Nose Weight Rating guide on our web site offering some general advice and includes specific guidance about the number of bikes your tow bar can hold. Remember, when towing you must allow for the nose weight of your trailer or caravan. This may restrict the number of bikes you can carry when towing at the same time.
Click here to select which rack is designed for your car and learn exactly how many bikes your specific vehicle can carry.
Always check your Owner's Handbook for the latest and most accurate information.
Checking the space available to carry bikes — Turning restrictions
Your MAXXRAXX cycle rack is attached to the tow bar and so is fixed to the car. It as though your car has been extended and the bikes are now effectively the rear of the vehicle. Once mounted on the bike rack, there must be sufficient room between the bikes and the trailer/caravan to allow for turning. Remember it is also possible to apply a much tighter steering lock when reversing so be particularly aware of these limits when parking.
You may require a Tow Height Extension, available from our Accessories section, for your MAXXRAXX bike rack. This lifts your bikes another 300mm in order to clear jockey wheel handles, gas bottles, etc. on your caravan or trailer 'A' frame. It is supplied with a special, large padlock which locks the height extension to the upright (S-tube) of your bike rack.
The dimensions of every caravan, trailer, towing arm and vehicle are different. Some small trailers and particularly trailer tents often have a very short tow arm but may also have a sloping front face to the trailer. This means that the number of bikes you can carry may be limited by the dimensions of the space available as well as by the tow bar strength and nose weight rating.
Towing clearance chart - plan view
This PDF document is a plan which gives guidance on the clearance needed when towing and carrying. It states how many bikes will fit in the space between the back of the vehicle and front of the caravan and this includes the minimum distance you require to ensure clearance when turning using each of our racks.
Rear lights and number plate
Your vehicle lights and the whole of your number plate must be visible at all times. This requirement still applies, and is especially true when carrying bikes. If you drive to other European countries like France and Germany, the traffic police actively enforce this law and you will be subject to a spot fine shortly after leaving the ferry or train.
Detailed guidance of the legal requirements is given by the NTTA, the National Trailer and Towing Association.
— Driving and the law concerning trailer lighting and number plates.
We can supply a Light Board and Hanger to help you comply with these regulations. The lightboard is ideally suited for use on bicycle carriers and the lightboard hanger provides a secure and convenient location to mount your light board.
We are unable to supply a number plate to fix to your light board as you will be required to show your V5 registration documents to whoever provides the plate.
New Number Plate Regulations
Until now it's been too easy for thieves to give a stolen vehicle a new identity: simply buy a new set of number plates. From the beginning of January 2003 it's going to get more difficult for the thieves and possibly a bit less convenient for you.
NUMBER PLATE SUPPLIERS From 1 January 2003 all number plate suppliers in England and Wales will have to be registered with DVLA and will have to keep records of all number plate sales.
If you want to buy a new plate for a trailer or caravan or to replace a broken one on your car you will have to show the registered supplier documents to prove both who you are and also that you have entitlement to the registration mark.
Various documents will be accepted including:
For proof of entitlement to the vehicle registration mark:
V5 registration document
V11 licence renewal application form
copy of hire/lease contract
company letter on headed paper, including VAT number or VE103 (vehicle on hire certificate)
proof of Cherished Transfer
For proof of identity:
A current photo card driving licence
Utility bill and current paper driving licence
Utility bill and passport
Utility bill and credit/debit card with photograph
Utility bill and travel pass card with photograph
Utility bill and foreign national identity card