Outboard Carrier - Would you dare

[smallribber]

I have just bought a Thule 970 express bike rack that clamps onto the tow hitch of your car to. I am using it for our 2 bikes. Looking at the specs this is rated to 30kg total weight of 2 bikes.

A friend of mine suggested that if you were to fit a transom plate across the top it would be good to carry a small outboard on if your sib were in the boot and space was limited. It got me wondering if anyone has ever thought of this.

The rack (which has not arrived yet) looks good but I am not convinced by the fixing method

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Thule-970...53.m2749.l2649

[chipko]

Ha Ha! Many years ago had the hair brain idea of converting an old Thule 9503 base into such a beast.

Turned out very solid and robust. Did we ever use it?

No Way!! Just seemed so wrong having the motor hanging out there. Scary.



Note; Lightboard not fitted in pic.

[smallribber]

That is how I feel Scary..... But so many people have two bikes (often high value ones) bouncing around on such a carrier..

Interesting.

Your conversion looks very good by the way

[HDAV]

Don’t see why it wouldn’t work a Thule 949 is rated for 50kg

[jeffstevens763@g]

you can get a tow bar rack that will take 100kg

[paddlers]

What about one of these or similar ?

[smallribber]

Originally Posted by paddlers

Attachment 134887

What about one of these or similar ?

Now that is very posh

[smallribber]

Well the Bike rack arrived and I attached it to my ball hitch. It is incredibly strong and aint going any where

[spartacus]

Ultimately everyone who hauls trailers, uses roof-racks or bike-carriers on the tailgate runs the risk of falling foul of the law and being issued with a fixed penalty notice and points for failing to secure a load properly.

Hitting a outboard engine on the motorway is a whole different ball-game. I know the load rate on most tow-balls is around 80kg. At least trailers have break-away cables as a last resort.

Not convinced about an outboard whatever the size, unless it's attached to a boat transom, or in a trailer.

[Poly]

Originally Posted by spartacus

Ultimately everyone who hauls trailers, uses roof-racks or bike-carriers on the tailgate runs the risk of falling foul of the law and being issued with a fixed penalty notice and points for failing to secure a load properly.

Hitting a outboard engine on the motorway is a whole different ball-game. I know the load rate on most tow-balls is around 80kg. At least trailers have break-away cables as a last resort.

Not convinced about an outboard whatever the size, unless it's attached to a boat transom, or in a trailer.

I think that would be the problem - making sure the outboard stays attached to the dummy transom board (we all know stories of people losing them off boats and thats probably less "rattly" than a a car at 70 mph). And then of course that the dummy transom stays attached to the bike rack.

[Mikefule]

Based on >35 years as an insurance claims assessor/investigator, which included many years of handling motor liability claims:

You would be using something for a purpose other than that which it was designed for.

The total weight may be the same or less, but the concentration of weight would be different an therefore the stresses and risks would be different. Who knows whether a component might break, buckle or shear until it does?

If an incident occurred in which the outboard fell off, or the bike rack came loose, or someone rear ended you and the outboard caused more damage than might have been caused in a similar "normal" accident, then you may find that your insurance is not valid.

Also, using something for a purpose other than the one it was designed for, the onus would be on you to persuade a police officer that it was OK if you were stopped.

My professional opinion: NO.

[Fenlander]

I have sat on my hands re this thread so far but...

If such a rear mount option was deemed ideal it would be far better to bolt a fixed marine transom bracket as below to your tailgate/boot with penny washers spreading the load.

Then when selling the car with said bracket removed the holes cold be covered with stickers... I reckon one Welcome to Scotland and one Welcome to Wales should do the job.

Of course it would bring up the dilemma as to bolting the OB on or a safety chain.

[Allye]

Originally Posted by Fenlander

Then when selling the car with said bracket removed the holes cold be covered with stickers... I reckon one Welcome to Scotland and one Welcome to Wales should do the job..

Note to self, do not purchase a car from Fenlander!

[Fenlander]

I could do you different stickers... "We have seen the lions of Longleat" maybe?

[HDAV]

Originally Posted by Fenlander

I have sat on my hands re this thread so far but...

If such a rear mount option was deemed ideal it would be far better to bolt a fixed marine transom bracket as below to your tailgate/boot with penny washers spreading the load.

Then when selling the car with said bracket removed the holes cold be covered with stickers... I reckon one Welcome to Scotland and one Welcome to Wales should do the job.

Of course it would bring up the dilemma as to bolting the OB on or a safety chain.

Surely you just buy a pickup and bolt it to the tailgate? Ala Clarkson?


https://topgear.fandom.com/wiki/Toybota

[Allye]

Originally Posted by Fenlander

I could do you different stickers... "We have seen the lions of Ribnet" maybe?

More accurate I reckon!

[Steve509926]

I agree, pickup is the way to go. SIB on the roof OBin the back of the truck with all the other stuff.

[smallribber]

Originally Posted by Steve509926

I agree, pickup is the way to go. SIB on the roof OBin the back of the truck with all the other stuff.

You will look like a redneck however

[Steve509926]

That's the first time I've been compared to a redneck, been called worse I suppose.

[pumpkinking]

Steve - still disappointed I didn’t have time for us to meet with the boat at Ullswater, I want your truck!! Looks like we’re both enjoying our purchases though?!

Pickup definitely the perfect SIB transport but I imagine expensive to run if you don’t also use it for work and not very London on-street-parkable for me...