Trailer board

[Mids]

Hi looking at attaching a trailer board to my bike rack has any one done this if so what make and how is it attached . When you but a cover the bikes all of the bike rack is covered

[Dbvwt]

I’m sure there have been a couple of detailed threads recently about the same subject.
I will see if I can find them but I’m sure someone will beat me to it 

[marconi]

This thread should have all the details you need.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

We worked everthing out for the Nuevo but it applies to Broadway also. Maypole do a board, there are others on the Web, Halfords version I found was unfit for purpose as the light units filled with water being designed to mount horizontally and used vertically.

Also pay attention the the Law on Reflectors many boards have Triangular Reflectors which are for Trailers only, we changed Triangular for Legal Square ones.

[Gromit]

Also pay attention the the Law on Reflectors many boards have Triangular Reflectors which are for Trailers only, we changed Triangular for Legal Square ones.

Or not - either accidentally or deliberately! 

I wasn't aware of this regulation, and I haven't checked but assume you are correct.

We have used a Thule carrier for years, and have never though to modify its light board - which does not have square reflectors.

See the images [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

I can't imagine many (if any) of the thousands of other Thule users have altered their boards either, or that Messrs Thule have got it wrong for the carriers they sell in the UK.

I can only conclude that there's a sub, sub paragraph somewhere in the regs that applies specifically to bike carriers, or that HM Plod are not concerned about something so relatively trivial.

Interesting one. 

[Mids]

Hi marconi
How do you attach trailer board securely  to bikes

[Mids]

Hi gromit
I take it you gave a tow bar fitted  for your thule bike carrier
Did the back of motorhome  have to be modified  for this

[marconi]

Hi marconi
How do you attach trailer board securely  to bikes

Gromit I see no triangles on the Thule. A triangular reflector denotes a Trailer, I have seen "must not" somewhere in the regs. Like all these things after an accident Mr Plod may be interested as well as the Insurance Company.

I know people use Bungee Cords or strap arrangements. Personally as I have a Fiamma Box on my rack I wanted a more permanent fixing so I fashioned brackets to hang from below the rack, obviously each case will find its best solution. Mine has withstood a five thousand mile permantly fixed test through storm and tempest at times.

[Gromit]

Hi gromit
I take it you gave a tow bar fitted  for your thule bike carrier
Did the back of motorhome  have to be modified  for this

No.

The tow bar sticks out below the skirt, so there are no mods apart from the iron work underneath.

[Mids]

Gromit any chance you could post st a picture of yours fixed

[Gromit]

Gromit any chance you could post st a picture of yours fixed

Not easily, sorry.

I can reassure you however that it's far easier and more convenient to use than the high level Fiamma carrier as normally fitted to the vans.

No heaving the bikes up to chest height, and fitting a cover over them is quite easy, as compared to damn near impossible on the high carriers. We found we use our bikes far more with the tow ball carrier, as it's so much quicker and easier to take them off and put them back on.
The bikes do hide the van number plate and partly the lights as well, but (not to dispute what Marconi says as I'm no legal beagle  ) I have no worries about the legality of the reflectors on the Thule carrier. They have sold thousands in the UK, many through Halfords, so I can't realistically believe there will ever be a problem.

[rogerblack]

The Thule carrier board is perfectly legal as it is not a trailer and therefore quite properly has no triangular reflectors. So all is well with your set-up, Dave.

The problem would occur if someone with a rear mounted bike rack bought and fitted a board designed for use on a trailer, such as this one from Halfrauds:
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

This does have triangular reflectors, which would be correct if it were fitted to a trailer, in accordance with the regulations:

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

However this would not meet the legal technical requirements if it were attached to a vehicle or appendage such as a bike rack, not being a trailer. Of course it would also only be any use if the vehicle had a towbar fitted anyway, or at least towbar electrics.

Whether or not the police would bother to stop you for this if all else was OK is moot.

[Caraman]

The Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations 1989 Schedule 18  [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] states:

(b) No vehicle, other than a trailer or a broken-down motor vehicle being towed, may be fitted with triangular-shaped rear reflectors.


The Regulations do not stipulate the shape of the rear reflector if it is not fitted to 'a trailer or a broken-down motor vehicle being towed'.  Therefore, rectangular or round reflectors on the back of a motorhome with or without a lighting board are fine providing it is not being towed.  Lighting boards with triangular reflectors should only be used on the back of vehicles being towed including trailers.