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Topic Closedbike rack on front of tow vehicle

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Andy View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Topic: bike rack on front of tow vehicle
    Posted: 19 Nov 2019 at 12:00pm
We would like to take bikes with us but have been uncomfortable with a bike rack on the back of the Pod.  So, I'm thinking of having a hitch installed on the front of the truck so I can use a rack in front.  Any thoughts/experience would be appreciated.

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mcarter View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Nov 2019 at 3:36pm
I have used front hitches for years. Mounted various items on them, and primarily use them to move my Pod around the place, much easier than the rear hitch method. Highly recommend.
Mike Carter
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Nov 2019 at 4:55pm
It'll mess with the aerodynamics somewhat, which probably would only be an issue in strong, gusty winds. You can buy a bike rack that mounts on the tongue of the trailer; several Pod'ers have them.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Nov 2019 at 5:05pm
Bum, I would ask you "splain" how a bicycle effected aerodynamics. I've seen a ton of uses for front hitches including heavy duty bumpers, winches, fishing holders, even a deer stand.
Mike Carter
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Tars Tarkas View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Nov 2019 at 6:34pm
I use a rack on my front receiver.  It's great except sometimes in the dark.  Between lights reflecting back at me off the bikes and the same light not illuminating the road for me it's barely doable at night.  It's not as much of an issue in the summer but I avoid bikes on the front as much as I can on winter nights.  I have a big fat tire e-bike that weighs 70 pounds.  For a "normal" bike it wouldn't be as bad.

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Nov 2019 at 10:16pm
Bikes on the front would most certainly mess with the aerodynamics. Especially on newer vehicles that use air dams and other tricks to smooth things over. OTOH, it can't be worse than pulling a travel trailer.

We put our bikes in the back of the truck and close/lock the tonneau cover. There is a ton of space back there.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Nov 2019 at 9:31am
We came across another couple on our last adventure across Canada and I liked what they did to carry their bikes. He also had a pair of kayaks on the setup. Home-build and done very well.

Theirs was on a full size P/U and I drew it to fit my Tacoma and see what was possible. They also had a tonneau cover (trip-fold much like mine) And it opened with all in place. I drew mine slanted and believe I may just have to go straight up (like they did). It just looks better slanted... Oh well..

Just another idea.

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Nov 2019 at 9:25am
We have had a rack on front for years and driving at night is definitely an issue due to reflection and reduced light.  I plan to add a set of auxiliary driving lights strategically placed so as to not reflect off the rims and frames.  I also pull the bike seat on the drivers side to aid in visibility. 

We are looking at the tongue mount racks but probably not till we move to lithium batteries.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Nov 2019 at 9:58am
Can you put the bikes inside the pod for travel?
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Nov 2019 at 9:59am
Originally posted by mcarter

Bum, I would ask you "splain" how a bicycle effected aerodynamics. I've seen a ton of uses for front hitches including heavy duty bumpers, winches, fishing holders, even a deer stand.

All those bicycle metal parts sticking into be breeze are certainly going to mess up the nice aerodynamics the manufacturers design into their vehicles. The question is, will you notice it. The lower your fuel economy is to start with the less noticeable impact adding a bike and rack (or other non-aerodynamic feature) will have. 

Prius owners report getting about 50 mpg at 60 mph without a rack and bike, and about 45 with it. Very noticeable. So, they go through about 4 gallons of fuel in 200 miles without the bike and about 4.4 with it. That means that dragging the bike through the air at 60 mph uses .4/200 or about 0.002 additional gallons per mile. 

Let's assume for a moment that a rack with a bike on it creates the same additional drag on a tow rig as it does on a Prius. Then if you use 1 gallon to go 13 miles without the bike you would use 1+ 13*.002= 1.026 gallons to go 13 miles with it. That works out to about 12.7 mpg. Probably not noticeable at all. Interesting though how a 5 mpg difference on a 50 mpg vehicle becomes a .3 mpg difference on a 13 mpg rig. 
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