Club 80-90 Forums

Good morning all,

I'm taking grandchildren on holiday next month and thought it would be a good idea to take their bikes, which will afford them some independence. They will of course be armed with a walkie-talkie each so I can achieve some measure of peace of mind when they decide to go on a jaunt.

I have purchased a gismo (base-rak) from an outfit called http://www.bak-rak.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; together with a 4 bike contraption which fits onto the tow-ball.

I have a 1987 VW Caravelle GL Syncro 2.1 (petrol/lpg) and wondering if any of you egg-heads can hit me with the nose-weight value? Yes, I know I should have enquired about this before I bought the gismo (given myself a slap).

Naturally, I am nervous about jeopardising the integrity of the vehicle when travelling about for obvious reasons, notwithstanding the law as I have read somewhere that the police are stopping cars towing caravans and the like, increasingly.

Any guidance will be appreciated.

Eric.

I think you'll find that a couple of children's bike weigh a lot less than a caravan so I can't see that you have anything to worry about. I am sure that the police would be more interested that your load is secure, that the light board is working and from another posting here, that the style of the registration numbers and letters comply with regs.

Normally the nose weight is 50 kg, some tow bars are plated at 75 kg. That is the static load the dynamic load can be a lot more so it would be unlikely the bike rack would cause a problem. Just make sure the rear lights and numberplate are visable or fit a trailer board they have been very hot on this on the M25 and M3 for a few years now.

Thank you for your imput lads.

I have found the info in the handbook.

My Syncro have a `noseweight` rating of 75kg. The bog standard T3's are rated at 50kg's.

Thanks once again,
Eric.