Additional uses for tailgate bike rack?

[AndyNichs]

Hi all, I have fitted a Thule wonderway 3 bike tailgate bike rack on the back of my van and was wondering, if I wasn't carrying any bikes, is it safe and legal to carry something else on it? For example, a tent, awning or maybe a windbreak?

Obviously, it goes without saying it needs to be tied down with straps so it wouldn't fly off, but wondered if people use the rack for carrying stuff other than bikes?
Thanks

 

[SAF1981]

Makes a decent clothes horse when on site.
Strap the kids car seat to it to counteract the "are we there yet" noise. It's like wing walking, they love it.
There's no legal definition or legislation to define what you carry on your bike rack because it's called a bike rack, same as a roof rack. Then you really would have a mobile home.
Just that it is secured safely in transit

 

[Salty Spuds]

Hi all, I have fitted a Thule wonderway 3 bike tailgate bike rack on the back of my van and was wondering, if I wasn't carrying any bikes, is it safe and legal to carry something else on it? For example, a tent, awning or maybe a windbreak?

Obviously, it goes without saying it needs to be tied down with straps so it wouldn't fly off, but wondered if people use the rack for carrying stuff other than bikes?
Thanks

I had a large waterproof bag made to fit our bike rack. It’s got straps to fix it in place. It can carry a huge amount of kit.

 

[moomin-j]

Fit a cut down plumbers tube to carry the windbreak?





You do lose 1 of the bike carriers though...

 

[JOG]

Yep, it is safe and legal so long as it is secured!

 

[AndyNichs]

Ok, this is what I'm after but can't find it anywhere! I can see it's a Thule product but can't find out what the item is called? Anyone know or got one? I'm thinking it might be discontinued...
Thanks

 

[Broadside]

That looks like a Thule Ranger roof bag which has been strapped on to the rack.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Thule-Ranger-Foldaway-280-Litre/dp/B000MR9I90

Also check on eBay, quite a few seem to come up for about £150

 

[SAF1981]

You can use Google Lens app and it will be able to detect objects from the pic

 

[AndyNichs]

That looks like a Thule Ranger roof bag which has been strapped on to the rack.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Thule-Ranger-Foldaway-280-Litre/dp/B000MR9I90

Also check on eBay, quite a few seem to come up for about £150

Yeah I thought that as well, but the writing on the side looks different. It's larger in the picture than on the ranger, that's what makes me think it's something else?

 

[SAF1981]

Tule THAOE

 

[AndyNichs]

You can use Google Lens app and it will be able to detect objects from the pic

Yeah tried that, but unfortunately didn't work

 

[Loz]

We have one of these:

 

[Salty Spuds]

Ok, this is what I'm after but can't find it anywhere! I can see it's a Thule product but can't find out what the item is called? Anyone know or got one? I'm thinking it might be discontinued...
Thanks

View attachment 157890View attachment 157891

That’s basically what I had my local bag man make to my spec. Cost me about £70. Great service, highly recommended.

Made To Measure Bags In Wakefield | Bags4Everything

Originally established in 1988 as GARDNER OF WAKEFIELD it was thanks to our customers who over 30 years on seeing our range of over 300 bags on display would say “Look they’ve got BAGS4 EVERYTHING!” that led to our name change. We have more than 300 bags and covers in our range.

bags4everything.co.uk

Here you go

BIKE RACK REAR STORAGE BAG - Bags4Everything

Store your caravan/motorhome accessories in a strong heavy duty bag on the back of your bike rack. It is made from our anti-rip reinforced and water resistant canvas material. Ideal for those items you cannot fit inside your vehicle like levellers, camping chairs, pegs, tools and so on. It is...

bags4everything.co.uk

 

[cgtmiles]

There’s all these options, they may need some adaptation for your rack though (and a mortgage for the Thule options as usual!)

 

[SAF1981]

Get the Amazon one it's only volume with some straps you need as a practical use. The THULE print on the side doesn't make it 10x better with the price difference. It's all made in China or Poland anyways

 

[cgtmiles]

Buying Thule does normally mean you can sell it in for a good price when you are done with it but for 500 quid shipping the stuff by courier might be more economical!

 

[Broadside]

That’s basically what I had my local bag man make to my spec. Cost me about £70. Great service, highly recommended.

Made To Measure Bags In Wakefield | Bags4Everything

Originally established in 1988 as GARDNER OF WAKEFIELD it was thanks to our customers who over 30 years on seeing our range of over 300 bags on display would say “Look they’ve got BAGS4 EVERYTHING!” that led to our name change. We have more than 300 bags and covers in our range.

bags4everything.co.uk

Here you go

BIKE RACK REAR STORAGE BAG - Bags4Everything

Store your caravan/motorhome accessories in a strong heavy duty bag on the back of your bike rack. It is made from our anti-rip reinforced and water resistant canvas material. Ideal for those items you cannot fit inside your vehicle like levellers, camping chairs, pegs, tools and so on. It is...

bags4everything.co.uk

Great link thanks. May get in touch to see if they can make a custom bag for my fire pit so I can take it camping a bit easier.

 

[cgtmiles]

That’s basically what I had my local bag man make to my spec. Cost me about £70. Great service, highly recommended.

Made To Measure Bags In Wakefield | Bags4Everything

Originally established in 1988 as GARDNER OF WAKEFIELD it was thanks to our customers who over 30 years on seeing our range of over 300 bags on display would say “Look they’ve got BAGS4 EVERYTHING!” that led to our name change. We have more than 300 bags and covers in our range.

bags4everything.co.uk

Here you go

BIKE RACK REAR STORAGE BAG - Bags4Everything

Store your caravan/motorhome accessories in a strong heavy duty bag on the back of your bike rack. It is made from our anti-rip reinforced and water resistant canvas material. Ideal for those items you cannot fit inside your vehicle like levellers, camping chairs, pegs, tools and so on. It is...

bags4everything.co.uk

Firstly, you have a local bag man??

But that rack bag has got me wondering if I can fit it on the rack and at 36cm deep still get 2 bikes on and all without it getting too heavy when packed.

 

[Nigel W]

I have in my shed one of these bags, unused and as new. If you are interested please send me a pm as it’s just gathering dust!

 

[Salty Spuds]

Great link thanks. May get in touch to see if they can make a custom bag for my fire pit so I can take it camping a bit easier.

He’ll make anything you want. He made me a padded bag to take my BBQ, all shaped to fit. If it’s a complicated job he prefers to have the article in front of him rather than work of dimensions. The end result is better.
His name is Dillon, top bloke.