I have an '07 plate Seat Leon with a detachable towbar. I have a requirement to transport:- two full size mountain bikes, a 20" kids mountain bike and a bike trailer, like this:-



At the moment I have a two bike rack that fits on the boot lid / rear window via a set of straps. Unfortunately when we drove over 1,200 miles one year with this on the back it made a bit of a mess of the paintwork on the boot lid.

I was thinking of a roof rack with two vertical racks to hold the full size bikes and then just hang the small bike and trailer off the rear rack.

Does anyone have any recommendations? Experience? Ebay throws up hundreds of types and price ranges. I have seen a 4 bike / 60kg rack which attaches to the towball itself. Which would be great, but how does it clamp onto a round ball and not just fall down?

Years of experience carrying bikes to from bike races and in race convoys says...

Best place for them is inside the car (Iknow it's not always possible)

Second best is on the roof. Less chance of being rear ended and they stay cleaner. It's best to use a carrier that requires the front wheel out and attaches to the forks, as thats more secure. The ones with both wheels in require VERY secure straps on the wheels; Seen a lot roll down the windscreen under braking!

Third choice is a tow ball mounted rack. Most are basically 2 cups that clamp either side of the ball and a fork over the stem to lock it in place and prevent it rotating. PendleRacks are probably the best.

Forth and only as a last resort is a strap on tailgate rack.

If your going for the rear rack then you might need a trailer board. PendleRacks have one built in.

adrian

that is really handy advice - I am also looking for a bike carrying device...

The problem is that my girlfriend have a pashley (ladies bike). Impossible to get in the car and very difficult to get on the car.

A bit more thought needed i think....

If you were a bit closer to me you could have used the rack on my avatar. Fits nicely into a small box trailer and made for 4 bikes.
Im sure the bike trailer could be strapped in somewhere.