RickH wrote:Inside is usually my first choice. Does you rear seat have a split fold? Dropping the back only of the bigger side is usually enough.If you bike doesn't fit whole then taking the wheels off is usually enough, possibly only the front wheel. Taking both wheels off & putting the bike across the back seats or upside down in the back footwell will leave the boot free for the dog.
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Nature of dog (Border Collie) means limited space with back seats up is not practical.
I'd not considered the muck thrown-up with the bike on the back.
As it's going to be very occasional use (I've not needed it for 4 years and only looking now because of the moving to provide live-in care for parents for some time) I'm not keen on spending more than necessary (but at the same time, don't like buying cheap rubbish that does not work well).
I had a chat with my garage (good capable garage I've been using for sometime) and apparently they do check the tow bracket each MOT and they agreed about the drag and leverage on the towball fitted ones but were not against them - they seemed to thing the towballs were up to the task.
When I have previously put the bike in the car (without dog and removing the front wheel) the mudguards seem very vulnerable.
I'm actually not too worried about increased petrol consumption as, being retired, I just drive slower - I'm virtually never in a rush and certainly wont be with a bike on the roof.
Re: Grand Fodo and number plate - I think I'll be OK as my number plate is on the bumper rather than up on the boot door. It's just a question on viewing the indicator from an angle and using a light board with it would be "challenging" (particularly with just one bike).
Many thanks for all the comments.
Ian