jimmyr

Got some excursions coming up this summer and I would love to take the BD along. Have any of you hauled your Dummy on your car/truck/SUV yet?

We have a Toyota RAV-4, which has the spare tire thing on the rear door, so that probably precludes using a rack that hangs on the door itself. I am thinking I may have to go with one that fits in the trailer hitch...of course since I don't have a hitch I would have to have that installed first.

But I am wondering about the length of the Dummy...has anyone had any problems with it mounted on the rear of the vehicle? Using a roof rack is out, for when my fam'bly hits the road they pack so much junk I have to put the cargo carrier on the roof rack.

Any suggestions and experiences will be welcome, thanks!

coldbike

There are a couple of racks that attach to the spare tire holder - so you may not need the hitch mount. If you can get your bike to hang diagonally, it might not stick out quite so far on each side.

jimmyr

Really? I have never seen one that attaches to the spare holder...any examples? Gonna do a search..

cman

I haul my Xtracycle on a hitch rack behind a newer LandCruiser. Works fine. I would think you need a hitch rack as the tire on the Rav4 is off to the side.

Dan Burkhart 

I have a Hollywood Sportrider II reciever mounted rack that works great for long wheelbase bikes. I have carried my Big Dummy on it, but unfortunately, I didn't take a picture. I do have pictures of a couple of my other long bikes on it though.
https://batpxg.bay.livefilestore.com/...winn%20002.jpg
https://cid-c5aa741102f41823.skydrive...rack%20002.jpg

jimmyr

Well...dang! That 'bent is longer than the Dummy! I will have to check that out. I have seen some of that style on fleabay, but didn't know if they would extend to match the long wheel base of the Dummy. I guess I will have to get "hitched" after all.

Thanks!

Dan Burkhart 

Yup. The tandem is quite a bit longer than the Dummy too.

StephenH

Maybe ask on the Tandem forum.

freediver

I bought a recumbent tray to put on my roof rack for hauling around my Xtracycle. It works ice, but i ran into the same trap that you did- carrying extra camping gear in the cargo box on the roof and needed to move things onto the back.

After that I tried a Rhodegear spare tire rack. It worked, but it only holds two bikes and since my spare tire is mounted off to the side the bike sticks out one side of my car.

Latest thing I switched to a a Thule hitch mount rack. This keeps things centered in the back of my car so no parts are sticking out too far on just one side. I do run and extra strap from the hitch mount rack to my roof rack for my own piece of mind. I'm not sure if it makes a difference or not, but i feel better driving down the highway with it on.

Jon

halfbiked

I used to use a Yakima Tread Head on my Jeep - it mounts to the spare tire carrier rather than the hitch. The thing with the hitch mounts, not unlike the roof mounts, is that sometimes you have a need for that 'space'. If you anticipate ever towing a trailer while hauling bikes, the hitch mount is not for you.

There are several mfrs that make spare-tire mounted racks. The better ones are adjustable horizontally so you can better center your load on the vehicle even if the spare tire is offset. The cheesier mounts attach to the tire itself, not to the spare tire mount.

Sturmcrow

With regards to the difficulty of running a cargo box with bike racks, I just went with longer crossbars on my Yakima and have room enough that I can mount two racks outside of the Q-towers and a cargo box inside. IIRC, it's no more expensive to get longer bars at the outset. The only minor problem I've had is that I have a tiny car, and my passengers like to hit their head on the crossbar over the door when getting out. I stuck some foam pipe insulation on there, so it's more an inconvenience for them than a hazard.

dwnptrl_777

I haul mine in my Tacoma using motorcycle-style straps. It's not ideal, but it does work. Here's an older photo to show you how far it hangs off the back:



Obviously, add the front tire and it extends that much further. Currently, I leave the front tire and Old Man Mountain rack on and strap the complete bike down. Having the Kickback kickstand deployed is a big help with stability.

I've been interested in a hitch solution. And love the engineering/though behind MWE racks, where you not only get hitch rack capability, but you can swing the rack out:

https://mweracks.blogspot.com/

Only problem with MWE is they seem to be having a hard time launching their business.

Grim

My mom own a Rav and I would NEVER try to use a spare tire rack on it and risk the extra weight screwing up the door.

I HATE loading on the roof and loading a heavy bike like a Dummy would really suck.

I'd build a custom rack if you are bringing only one bike out of some steel and make a T to go in the hitch. With as long as the Dummy is I would use a rack the you remove the front wheel and lock it into the rack. Like this. https://www.rei.com/product/783751 and bolt that to the T. I actually found in a yard sale for $10 a very simple single carrier rack that has become my favorite by far. It fits tight to the bumper and I just leave it on all the time on my older 4Runner. It is sturdy and my vertically challenged wife uses it as a step to get stuff out of the back with the window down.

If you need to carry multiple bike then buy mounts like these : https://www.rei.com/product/670315 you can get non locking for $17 at Performancebike
Mount them to one of these utility baskets: https://www.southwestwheel.com/store/...o-carrier.aspx I got a non folder for $45 at wally world. Mounted two roof rack tracks in it and it works great.

qmsdc15

I thought it was against the law to have your load extend beyond the width of your vehicle. I don't know. I would suggest removing the wheels though if possible. Please change lanes to pass. Thanks

kuan

I mount mine on my VW Rabbit using a Rocky Mounts Lariat SL Recumbent rack with a disc brake adaptor. Works fine and it's easy enough to get on and off with everything taken off the back.

keithm0

I think you've got it backwards -- you should be towing the RAV-4 behind the Big Dummy.

Bat22

08 Miata, oh never mind. I caught on to the random issued plate thing two days ago.
Plate issued in May, Got the BD in May.

dougmc

My Xtracycle-equipped bike fits inside my Taurus stationwagon if I put the seats down. I don't have to, but it becomes even easier if I take the front wheel off.
For the record, my Bike-E recumbent fits similarly, though it's easier if I take the seat off.

Dan Burkhart 

When ya gotta use a trunk lid mount carrier, nothing beats that Saris Bones. I sold a ton of those when I had my shop, and got nothing but positive feedback. Used one myself for a while when a hitch mount wasn't an option.

Bat22

The miata setup was a NE road bike plan I had for last summer.
Then my rotor cuff acted up. Even the best laid plans.
Feels too iffy with the BD. Luckily,I got a pickup plan B.

qmsdc15

Bat22, no one replied to my comment on the legality of transporting items wider than the vehicle. I certainly hope there are laws against what you were trying to doing with that Big Dummy and Miata. That's a cyclist's worse nightmare.

On a similar note, watch out for lawn care trucks, they tend to have rakes and stuff sticking out beyond the wide truck beds typically found on such vehicles. This is a tip I heard on The Spokesmen podcast. Thought I would pass that along.

Dan Burkhart 

As long as the load does not exceed 96" in width, you should be good on any road. 102" is allowed on designated routes. Exceeding the width of the vehicle is not an issue in any jurisdiction as far as I know.

qmsdc15

OK, I'm agin it though.

Dan Burkhart 

Would you rather he buy an 8 ft wide Hummer to haul it with? Obviuosly, a protruding load requires extra attentiveness on the part of the driver, but it's not illegal.

Bat22

I got those WIDE LOAD signs for nothing.
I don't find the Miata too doable. The pack frames go in the small trunk.
Add another bike and supplies for two on an interstate ride?