Cycling UK Forum

Are there any tow bar fitting models that don't inhibit towing?

I doubt it.

The ones I looked at, all used the tow-ball and the electric socket, so there'd be nothing left to tow from.

I think you can get racks to fit to the front of a trailer/caravan.

When we had a caravan, I towed with no problems using a Halfords (Thule) towbar mounted rack. You don't need the sockets for a lightboard when the van is hooked up. The only problem can be restricted space to hook the van up if the bikes are on the rack, but it's perfectly do-able. Another option is to put the bikes in the caravan. I sometimes did this if we were taking all five bikes away (us and kids). The bikes just lay on old sheets on the floor of the van and I used a bungee to keep them in one place.

N

If the towbar was used to mount the rack, how did you tow the caravan?

I must be missing something here!

Mine doesn't inhibit towing. It bolts between the towball & the car's towing bracket. The only caution is to take care when reversing at full lock in case the bikes get squashed against the caravan bodywork.
As discussed on previous threads: the older bolt-on towball allows easy fitting of accessories. The modern "Euro" swan-neck requires special clamp-adapters.

Ah, I see!

Tow Bar, as opposed to Tow Ball.

Mine's a Tow Ball.

We have the £27 one from towsure that has a plate bolted behind the tow ball. The extra £29 4x4 adaptor plate lifts the rack up to clear the A frame although moves the bike 6ins towards the trailer.

Thankyou one & all for the helpful posts.