Have just fitted a Towball to the front of our Eriba Troll to take a carrier for bike(s). This should also help with the nose weight as we used to use a rear carrier which meant loading everything inside the front of van to get stability. Now to find a suitable carrier to buy.

WP_20170502_15_38_54_Pro_LI.jpg - Bild entfernt (keine Rechte)

WP_20170502_15_39_01_Pro_LI.jpg - Bild entfernt (keine Rechte)

]WP_20170502_15_39_13_Pro_LI.jpg - Bild entfernt (keine Rechte)

Sorry about including my new red knob !

Quote: eribaMotters wrote in post #2

---

Mike you want a Thule 970 Express. Decathlon used to offer the best price at £50. https://www.decathlon.co.uk/xpress-970-t...id_8176983.html They may not look like much but they grip the ball well, are easy to use an well made.

Colin

---

They have them at amazon

best price so far is PF Jones at £53.95

We use a Thule HangOn 972-3. It clamps on to the towball using a spanner so is rock solid and also has a tilt facility if needed.

I notice from your pictures that your towball looks a long way forward on your drawbar. You will have to be very careful when turning not to catch the bikes on the car. Could your bracket be turned round to fit behind the jockey wheel as that's how ours fits.
2017-05-02 21.46.41.jpg - Bild entfernt (keine Rechte)

Hi Mike,
Best of luck with the bike carrier. I too made one up and fitted it last week end. Sadly, I don't think I can use it. The weight on the tow ball is way too heavy.
I posted this on Saturday last:
I had the cycle carrier mounting plate manufactured and galvanised. Painted it and fitted with a new tow ball. All looked great but I think I am as far out as the lighthouse with nose weight. I have a timber block, which when on a bathroom scales is the exact towball height of my car. With the awning stowed mid way inside on the floor I get a nose weight of 55 Kgs. Spare wheel and leisure battery are in their standard locations. I have reduced most else right down, I only have a camping gaz cylinder in the front locker ( 5 Kg? ) When I mount the cycle carrier and 2 x bicycles the nose weight increases to 90 Kgs ! So time for a re think perhaps..like forget the bicycles
As far as I am aware my total allowable weight is 100Kgs. The AL-KO plate on the axle states 900 Kgs. and the van weighs 800 Kgs. I presume that the "800 Kgs" on the plate bottom left of the door is advising 800 Kgs.as unladen weight. Am I missing out on something here? Thanks for any advise.
Chris
I note you have fitted it to a Troll so no doubt your outcome will be better.

Quote: addisb wrote in post #9

---

Hi Mike,
Best of luck with the bike carrier. I too made one up and fitted it last week end. Sadly, I don't think I can use it. The weight on the tow ball is way too heavy.
I posted this on Saturday last:
I had the cycle carrier mounting plate manufactured and galvanised. Painted it and fitted with a new tow ball. All looked great but I think I am as far out as the lighthouse with nose weight. I have a timber block, which when on a bathroom scales is the exact towball height of my car. With the awning stowed mid way inside on the floor I get a nose weight of 55 Kgs. Spare wheel and leisure battery are in their standard locations. I have reduced most else right down, I only have a camping gaz cylinder in the front locker ( 5 Kg? ) When I mount the cycle carrier and 2 x bicycles the nose weight increases to 90 Kgs ! So time for a re think perhaps..like forget the bicycles
As far as I am aware my total allowable weight is 100Kgs. The AL-KO plate on the axle states 900 Kgs. and the van weighs 800 Kgs. I presume that the "800 Kgs" on the plate bottom left of the door is advising 800 Kgs.as unladen weight. Am I missing out on something here? Thanks for any advise.
Chris
I note you have fitted it to a Troll so no doubt your outcome will be better.

---

Quote: chezmart wrote in post #8

---

We use a Thule HangOn 972-3. It clamps on to the towball using a spanner so is rock solid and also has a tilt facility if needed.

I notice from your pictures that your towball looks a long way forward on your drawbar. You will have to be very careful when turning not to catch the bikes on the car. Could your bracket be turned round to fit behind the jockey wheel as that's how ours fits.
[[File:https://files.homepagemodules.de/b614104/f12t37

Quote: chezmart wrote in post #8

---

We use a Thule HangOn 972-3. It clamps on to the towball using a spanner so is rock solid and also has a tilt facility if needed.

I notice from your pictures that your towball looks a long way forward on your drawbar. You will have to be very careful when turning not to catch the bikes on the car. Could your bracket be turned round to fit behind the jockey wheel as that's how ours fits.

---

6541p46087n2_hsREoNJK-thumb.jpg|none]]

---

I can adjust the position of the ball on the bar if need be to nearer the van. I was planning to mount the carrier so the arms will be towards the gas locker ie backwards if you know what I mean. Need to get a carrier first to determine position.
Keep you posted

Mike



Carrier and Bike roughly in position with carrier mounted facing gas locker|addpics|8pl-5-802e.jpg-invaddpicsinvv,8pl-6-b9bc.jpg-invaddpicsinvv|/addpics|

Never really understood the logic of taking a bike with a caravan? to me a bike is hard work and slow moving and by necessity I have a dirty great car that I have to take to pull the van anyway, so if the car is there anyway why bother wearing yourselves out riding bikes?

Nothing personal Mike just wondering why anyone in general would want to.

Well Nev its good exercise for one reason and environmentally friendly plus you can't drive a car along a tow path or cycle way. I'm sure more bike owners have their own reasons too

bike.jpg - Bild entfernt (keine Rechte) OK, I have got the bike now how do I fix it????

Hi Mike,
Great idea, one forward and one aft. I'm afraid I'll have to re-think totally. We are not fanatical cyclists, it was just a nice idea to have them along for a cycle.
We were planning to do the Greenway in Co. Mayo but we will have to hire bikes instead.
http://www.greenway.ie/

Chris