Who needs a roof rack?

Having decided I needed some extra carrying space but not keen on sticking a roof rack on, I saw mention of tow bar carriers. So a quick visit to an online supplier and last night I took delivery of a Thule EasyBase. It clips on really easily and is rated to 60kg, so should be good for the likes awning, poles etc and other such stuff. I've yet to get the storage bag that goes with it, this is just the base unit, but I'm pleased so far.

Looks good. A towbar and associated items may be our next purchase.

That's a great peice of kit, Chris.

You might have to make a GREAT BIG sticker for the front of your van to remind you it's there,! Would make a nasty mess of van and anything behind!!!! With it being below window height it may take some getting used to,but otherwise very practical,does it have a fully waterproof bag to sit things in ? as spray from the road onto back of van is quite excessive ,nothing worse than a soggy awning to put up.

Interesting bit of kit - hope it all works OK!

lilyvdub wrote:

You might have to make a GREAT BIG sticker for the front of your van to remind you it's there,!

. . . or perhaps a little flag on a small pole that you can see thro' the rear window!

lilyvdub wrote:

You might have to make a GREAT BIG sticker for the front of your van to remind you it's there,! Would make a nasty mess of van and anything behind!!!! With it being below window height it may take some getting used to,but otherwise very practical,does it have a fully waterproof bag to sit things in ? as spray from the road onto back of van is quite excessive ,nothing worse than a soggy awning to put up.

Yep, I think you're right, a great big neon sticker. Mind you, although I haven't tried it yet, I imagine e reversing sensors will go haywire, so that might help remind me.

The bag is 315litres, made of waterproof material, taped seams and integrated ziplock (though what good that is on a bag is anyone's guess). Should be good enough, hopefully.

Scooby wrote:

or perhaps a little flag on a small pole that you can see thro' the rear window!

Now that seems a good idea.

A Brazilian flag!

Bag sounds fine, as for the flag..........

I'm not sure if your suspension has been lowered Sunny as mine has, but our towing hook often grounds when entering/leaving driveways excetera where there is a dip in the road surface. I'm pretty sure you will encounter the same problems on a more regular basis.

irishman wrote:

I'm not sure if your suspension has been lowered Sunny as mine has, but our towing hook often grounds when entering/leaving driveways excetera where there is a dip in the road surface. I'm pretty sure you will encounter the same problems on a more regular basis.

Good point, what's the ground clearance of the 'platform' when attached?

I doubt regular roads will cause any problems, but drives or car parks with slopes might. I wouldn't recommend attempting to cross any fords with it attached, some of the extra and exit slopes/ramps can be quite severe. Oh and boarding ferries at high or low tide might be an issue too....

Tallulah wrote:

Good point, what's the ground clearance of the 'platform' when attached?

I'll have a look next time I put it on and report back.

Quote :

some of the extra and exit slopes/ramps can be quite severe. Oh and boarding ferries at high or low tide might be an issue too....

Well I'd better make sure all is ok before France trip next year then

Don't come to York with it on ,we have hundreds of sleeping policeman humps on the roads ,you would def ground it out!!!

Mrs B and I going to York on thurs/fri. Taking the Disco so no worries about sleeping policemen!