Roof Rack for bikes on a cobra clamshell top?

[Matt Herron Jr.]

I have searched discussions on bike racks and trailers. I tend not to like the trailer hitch extension solution as stability is compromised, as well as access to the car or trailer hatches. Has anyone installed a traditional roof rack on top of a fiberglass Cobra trailer? Looking to support one E-Bike up there.

Thanks for any experience or suggestions.

Matt

[George Haeh]

If you take off the wheels, there's a good chance you could tuck the bike
inside.

A bike rack on top is going to cost you gas and may unfavorably affect
trailer
handling.

[Matt Herron Jr.]

On Wednesday, February 28, 2018 at 2:15:10 PM UTC-8, George Haeh wrote:
> If you take off the wheels, there's a good chance you could tuck the bike
> inside.
>
> A bike rack on top is going to cost you gas and may unfavorably affect
> trailer
> handling.

That would be great, but a Q5 is not huge inside, and typically there is a lot of extra stuff going to a contest for a week, including camping gear, etc. Not all of it can go in the trailer. I want to explore my options.

[Nick Kennedy]

Matt
Look into the Yakima rack system.
They have bits you can bolt onto your trailer top and then mount a standard Yakima rack on with a bike mount accessory.
I've seen this on several trailers and it looks sturdy and works really well.
You can also lock your bike with the rack locks.

[Veli-Matti Karppinen]

torstai 1. maaliskuuta 2018 4.53.28 UTC+2 Matt Herron Jr. kirjoitti:
> On Wednesday, February 28, 2018 at 2:15:10 PM UTC-8, George Haeh wrote:
> > If you take off the wheels, there's a good chance you could tuck the bike
> > inside.
> >
> > A bike rack on top is going to cost you gas and may unfavorably affect
> > trailer
> > handling.
>
> That would be great, but a Q5 is not huge inside, and typically there is a lot of extra stuff going to a contest for a week, including camping gear, etc. Not all of it can go in the trailer. I want to explore my options.

Howabout something like this?

https://www.caravancamping.co.nz/Our-Products/Motorhome-Caravan-Boat/COVERS/BIKE-RACKS/Thule-Caravan-Light-AFrame-Bike-Rack/

BR VMK

[Andy Blackburn[_3_]]

On Wednesday, February 28, 2018 at 6:53:28 PM UTC-8, Matt Herron Jr. wrote:
> On Wednesday, February 28, 2018 at 2:15:10 PM UTC-8, George Haeh wrote:
> > If you take off the wheels, there's a good chance you could tuck the bike
> > inside.
> >
> > A bike rack on top is going to cost you gas and may unfavorably affect
> > trailer
> > handling.
>
> That would be great, but a Q5 is not huge inside, and typically there is a lot of extra stuff going to a contest for a week, including camping gear, etc. Not all of it can go in the trailer. I want to explore my options.

I like this rig. Only drove into a garage with it once.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1wII8ZgXUA7CTZoZ0bfWV7c7MCso_z3ID

9B

[Matt Herron Jr.]

On Wednesday, February 28, 2018 at 7:07:14 PM UTC-8, Nick Kennedy wrote:
> Matt
> Look into the Yakima rack system.
> They have bits you can bolt onto your trailer top and then mount a standard Yakima rack on with a bike mount accessory.
> I've seen this on several trailers and it looks sturdy and works really well.
> You can also lock your bike with the rack locks.

What a creative group! Amazing variety of solutions I would not have thought of. Now I need to ponder a bit. Thanks to everyone for sharing.

Matt

[Tim Taylor]

I saw a rear hitch reciever installed on the side of a trailer in front of the wheels so you can then use one on of the hitch racks and carry the bike along the side of the trailer. Less drag and no holes in the top.

[AS]

On Thursday, March 1, 2018 at 10:56:26 AM UTC-5, Tim Taylor wrote:
> I saw a rear hitch reciever installed on the side of a trailer in front of the wheels so you can then use one on of the hitch racks and carry the bike along the side of the trailer. Less drag and no holes in the top.

Tim - beat me to it! :-)
I saw a trailer with some uni-strut rails mounted sideways underneath in front of the axle. These protruded out just far enough to mount a std. roof bike rack. Seemed very sturdy with less drag than the top mounted solutions and certainly easier to get to than suggested racks mounted to the trailer roof. I have a metal roof Cobra trailer for a two-seat glider and would need an extension ladder to get up there!
Uli
'AS'

[Justin Craig[_3_]]

Suction mounted rack on ther Cobra trailer might be a good option.

https://www.seasucker.com/collections/racks

[Mike the Strike]

I would caution against mounting bike racks on top of a trailer. A friend did this years ago on a tent trailer and found the vibration shook the hardware loose and the whole contraption parted company onto the freeway. The result was very non-reversible! I suspect the vibration on a glider trailer might be similarly problematic.

I would look at solutions on the front of the trailer or around the hitch, as others have suggested. In the USA, double hitches enable using both a hitch-mounted bike rack and a trailer hitch.

Mike

[[email protected]]

On Wednesday, February 28, 2018 at 4:43:35 PM UTC-5, Matt Herron Jr. wrote:
> I have searched discussions on bike racks and trailers. I tend not to like the trailer hitch extension solution as stability is compromised, as well as access to the car or trailer hatches. Has anyone installed a traditional roof rack on top of a fiberglass Cobra trailer? Looking to support one E-Bike up there.
>
> Thanks for any experience or suggestions.
>
> Matt

I have a foldable bike that fits well inside my Q5. Very practical at contest sites, not great for longer rides.

[bumper[_4_]]

I built a rack mount for my Cobra trailer to mount two bicycles, one each side forward of the trailer wheels. The rack is strong enough that I can sit on my bike while it's on the trailer - stays firm, no sagging.

I considered using standard automotive receiver hitch mounts, but IMO there's a better way, stronger and probably less weight.

Search online <nesting square steel tubing> You'll need roughly 1 1/2" will do nicely for the outer tubes, 2 each to span the width of the trailer. Each length provides a receiver hitch on each side.

4 shorter lengths are used to slide into (nest) the cross tubing to provide the attach points for the bicycle tray style rack. I used a Thule: https://www.amazon.com/Thule-9044-Classic-Bike-Receivers/dp/B019RNQCHA/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1520104104&sr=8-10&keywords=thule+bike+rack

Not cheap, but nice quality. If you get the version for 1.25" mount, and your receiver cross tube is sized accordingly (1/8 wall 1-1/2 tube) you can use the brackets that come on the carrier (though you will need a couple of extra for the 2-point mounting). I used the standard 2" receiver hitch Thule, and saved the hitch tube so the racks can be used off the trailer. Then the Thule tray tube is attached to each mount tube (smaller nesting tubes) with a single through bolt.

The mount tubes can pivot for storage off the trailer. The only critical dimension is the trailer mounted cross tubes must be near perfectly parallel, this allows to mount tubes to slide in/out easily.

Mount tubes are secured in trailer cross tubes using hitch or safety pins:
https://www.amazon.com/Curt-Manufacturing-25080-CURT-Safety/dp/B001GN3H5A/ref=sr_1_4?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1520104968&sr=1-4&keywords=safety+pin&dpID=31AuMqtASEL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

[Andy Blackburn[_3_]]

On Saturday, March 3, 2018 at 11:23:51 AM UTC-8, bumper wrote:
> I built a rack mount for my Cobra trailer to mount two bicycles, one each side forward of the trailer wheels. The rack is strong enough that I can sit on my bike while it's on the trailer - stays firm, no sagging.
>
> I considered using standard automotive receiver hitch mounts, but IMO there's a better way, stronger and probably less weight.
>
> Search online <nesting square steel tubing> You'll need roughly 1 1/2" will do nicely for the outer tubes, 2 each to span the width of the trailer. Each length provides a receiver hitch on each side.
>
> 4 shorter lengths are used to slide into (nest) the cross tubing to provide the attach points for the bicycle tray style rack. I used a Thule: https://www.amazon.com/Thule-9044-Classic-Bike-Receivers/dp/B019RNQCHA/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1520104104&sr=8-10&keywords=thule+bike+rack
>
> Not cheap, but nice quality. If you get the version for 1.25" mount, and your receiver cross tube is sized accordingly (1/8 wall 1-1/2 tube) you can use the brackets that come on the carrier (though you will need a couple of extra for the 2-point mounting). I used the standard 2" receiver hitch Thule, and saved the hitch tube so the racks can be used off the trailer. Then the Thule tray tube is attached to each mount tube (smaller nesting tubes) with a single through bolt.
>
> The mount tubes can pivot for storage off the trailer. The only critical dimension is the trailer mounted cross tubes must be near perfectly parallel, this allows to mount tubes to slide in/out easily.
>
> Mount tubes are secured in trailer cross tubes using hitch or safety pins:
> https://www.amazon.com/Curt-Manufacturing-25080-CURT-Safety/dp/B001GN3H5A/ref=sr_1_4?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1520104968&sr=1-4&keywords=safety+pin&dpID=31AuMqtASEL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

Could you post a link to a photo? That was too much nesting to follow clearly. Also, why not get a 2" cross tube and slide the bike racks in directly?

Andy

[bumper[_4_]]

On Saturday, March 3, 2018 at 3:19:00 PM UTC-8, Andy Blackburn wrote:
>
> Could you post a link to a photo? That was too much nesting to follow clearly. Also, why not get a 2" cross tube and slide the bike racks in directly?
>
> Andy

Okay, will try using Imgur:

https://i.imgur.com/4qJV6NC.png
Bike Friday folder, only bike I have at the hangar right now, but mountain bikes fit fine (make sure you allow spacing for bars)

https://i.imgur.com/9my8buo.png
close up of attach flange, the round chunk of tubing on the left is for a lock
cable.

https://i.imgur.com/pzlp5DD.png
Shows both mounting tubes.

I chose not to use a single standard 2" receiver hitch primarily due to the added complexity and weight of the required attach to the trailer. A single point mount also allows the bike to rock back and forth unless a tightening clamp is installed. Using two cross tubes allows loads to carry through to each side flange of the trailer.

[joesimmers[_2_]]

Very nice engineering and fabricating job Bumper!

[bumper[_4_]]

On Monday, March 5, 2018 at 4:31:31 AM UTC-8, joesimmers wrote:
> Very nice engineering and fabricating job Bumper!

Thanks Joe!

A couple of other considerations in choosing how/where to mount bikes on the Cobra, roof vs side. Bikes are relatively light, but at 73 getting a mountain bike up onto the Cobra roof would be a real chore, with my side mount it's easy.

With the side mount, the trailer wall lower flange provides a solid mounting surface that requires no more reinforcement than washers on the mounting bolts. For a roof mount, wind loading and moment arms would require more attention to reinforcement to prevent flexure and possible metal fatigue on the aluminum topped version.

When I carry the bikes on the back of my motorhome, if I don't use covers, they can get filthy. At least in good weather they stay clean on the trailer, so I haven't bothered to cover them. The side trailer mount also has them tucked in and mostly out of harm's way to all but the most determined side attacking, insurance-free, "road kamikaze".

[Muttley]

Why bother with Bikeracks, just fold it up and put in the boot of your car or into the glider trailer, where it will be safe!! Needs to be in view of the price

https://gocycle.com/about/

[[email protected]]

Maybe I'm wrong, but while I applaud the ingenuity and craftmanship, I think any external bike rack on the sides of the trailer would be road-illegal in Europe due to considerations regarding the safety of pedestrians, cyclists and animals in the unlucky case of a collision. Such racks would certainly aggravate the consequences for the victims.

All the best,
Aldo Cernezzi
www.voloavela.it

[Charlie M. (UH & 002 owner/pilot)]

Maybe you put a side rack away from the road edge?

I am not happy seeing things on top of a glider trailer. Flexing of the top, odd airflow, reaching the rack, etc.

[bumper[_4_]]

On Friday, March 9, 2018 at 6:04:09 AM UTC-8, wrote:
> Maybe I'm wrong, but while I applaud the ingenuity and craftmanship, I think any external bike rack on the sides of the trailer would be road-illegal in Europe due to considerations regarding the safety of pedestrians, cyclists and animals in the unlucky case of a collision. Such racks would certainly aggravate the consequences for the victims.
>
> All the best,
> Aldo Cernezzi
> www.voloavela.it

Could be, guess you guys use smaller tow vehicles. In the USA, tow vehicles are typically wider than the trailer. Even with mountain bikes, which have wider handlebars, the bikes don't extend past the sides of the tow vehicles I use.

Most US states allow a vehicle width of 102 inches (259 centimeters).

[Matt Herron Jr.]

I have picked a solution and implemented it. First, my bike is an electric mountain bike from LunaCycle so it is large and quite heavy (60 lbs). That eliminated the roof rack category. The handlebars are wide, so I was a little concerned about mounting it on the side of the trailer. Also this direction seemed complex, and a std bike rack would stick pretty far out. That left the "double hitch" solution as an option.

I needed to find a suitable bike rack as well. It had to support the weight of the bike, be compact with only one rack, and be secure. I ended up with a Thule T1 for about $300, and I am very happy with this rack. It comes with a built in lock for the bike, and a lock for the receiver pin. I had to shorten the tongue about three inches so that the bottom of the rack would clear the hitch and trailer when installed. This required drilling a few holes and a lot of hacksawing. The new length works both on the car alone, or with the double receiver.

I used two hitch clamps to stabilize the hitch extension which I highly recommend, even if you are using a standard rig. cuts down on noise and play, which helps stabilize towing. I had to extend the chains to accommodate the extra length, and ended up with a connector pig tail as the trailer plug was not quite long enough.

Pictures are available shortly

Matt

[Matt Herron Jr.]

Here is the link to pictures: https://flic.kr/s/aHskwtvXc4

[Senna Van den Bosch]

Op woensdag 18 april 2018 17:27:34 UTC+2 schreef Matt Herron Jr.:
> Here is the link to pictures: https://flic.kr/s/aHskwtvXc4

Your licence plate is amazing!

[Matt Herron Jr.]

On Wednesday, April 18, 2018 at 8:53:51 AM UTC-7, Senna Van den Bosch wrote:
> Op woensdag 18 april 2018 17:27:34 UTC+2 schreef Matt Herron Jr.:
> > Here is the link to pictures: https://flic.kr/s/aHskwtvXc4
>
> Your licence plate is amazing!

Thanks.

It has a double meaning, as I nick named my house "Cloudbase" as well. The house is high enough that we are often engulfed in clouds. On my way home I can tell Siri, "Take me to Cloudbase", and she of course obliges.

Matt

[xcnick]

Nice looking Crusher. 1up racks are very versatile and can do things like Bumper did as well as just using the rails on a tongue or roof. Here is my Luna with a 1up. The 1up is very versatile and the only one that will handle my prosthetic limb.

https://electricbike.com/forum/filedata/fetch?filedataid=10499

[Matt Herron Jr.]

On Thursday, April 19, 2018 at 8:53:27 AM UTC-7, xcnick wrote:
> Nice looking Crusher. 1up racks are very versatile and can do things like Bumper did as well as just using the rails on a tongue or roof. Here is my Luna with a 1up. The 1up is very versatile and the only one that will handle my prosthetic limb.
>
> https://electricbike.com/forum/filedata/fetch?filedataid=10499

seems to be a bad link

[xcnick]

> seems to be a bad link

Maybe a dropbox link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/9s32vtiidtffm5x/rack%20with%20ski.jpg?dl=0

or a google photo link: https://photos.app.goo.gl/0J3AWFvTSTc4ElQ83

I am pretty useless with flight computers as well.

[Matt Herron Jr.]

On Friday, April 20, 2018 at 8:20:28 AM UTC-7, xcnick wrote:
> > seems to be a bad link
>
> Maybe a dropbox link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/9s32vtiidtffm5x/rack%20with%20ski.jpg?dl=0
>
> or a google photo link: https://photos.app.goo.gl/0J3AWFvTSTc4ElQ83
>
> I am pretty useless with flight computers as well.

OK, that is a very radical Bike! Well done.

Matt

[Jonathan St. Cloud]

Years ago I took a flight with Life Flight, they said 40% of their Life Flights were mountain bikers, at least in San Diego county.

On Sunday, April 22, 2018 at 7:43:32 AM UTC-7, Matt Herron Jr. wrote:
> On Friday, April 20, 2018 at 8:20:28 AM UTC-7, xcnick wrote:
> > > seems to be a bad link
> >
> > Maybe a dropbox link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/9s32vtiidtffm5x/rack%20with%20ski.jpg?dl=0
> >
> > or a google photo link: https://photos.app.goo.gl/0J3AWFvTSTc4ElQ83
> >
> > I am pretty useless with flight computers as well.
>
> OK, that is a very radical Bike! Well done.
>
> Matt

[xcnick]

On Sunday, April 22, 2018 at 7:43:32 AM UTC-7, Matt Herron Jr. wrote:
> OK, that is a very radical Bike! Well done.

Thanks, have enduro BBSHDs for the summer if you find an off day in Truckee, but the mutant was great winter fun when not flying wave or skiing powder.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVT4akEyWDc

[Dieter Jaeger]

On Wednesday, April 18, 2018 at 11:27:34 AM UTC-4, Matt Herron Jr. wrote:
> Here is the link to pictures: https://flic.kr/s/aHskwtvXc4

Really cool. Got to copy that. -Dieter

[[email protected]]

On Wednesday, February 28, 2018 at 2:43:35 PM UTC-7, Matt Herron Jr. wrote:
> I have searched discussions on bike racks and trailers. I tend not to like the trailer hitch extension solution as stability is compromised, as well as access to the car or trailer hatches. Has anyone installed a traditional roof rack on top of a fiberglass Cobra trailer? Looking to support one E-Bike up there.
>
> Thanks for any experience or suggestions.
>
> Matt

I used a 2 bike rack on top of an aluminum top Cobra trailer - it worked fine -
not flying now so will sell it for $150 plus shipping - rhwoody at earthlink.net
970-925-3960 - photos available

[2G]

On Wednesday, February 28, 2018 at 1:43:35 PM UTC-8, Matt Herron Jr. wrote:
> I have searched discussions on bike racks and trailers. I tend not to like the trailer hitch extension solution as stability is compromised, as well as access to the car or trailer hatches. Has anyone installed a traditional roof rack on top of a fiberglass Cobra trailer? Looking to support one E-Bike up there.
>
> Thanks for any experience or suggestions.
>
> Matt

You can get a dual receiver extension (https://www.amazon.com/Bicycle-Receiver-Adapter-Extender-Extension/dp/B000P6CJ9O) that would permit the use of a receiver mounted bike rack. Years ago, I got a bike rack that clamped around a receiver extension tube, but can't find it now.

I would not put a bike rack on top of your glider trailer. The trailer was never designed to take this load, and repeated pounded by the bikes and rack on top of the trailer could damage it.

Tom