where do you stick your bikes?

G'day Steve, Same dilemma here !! The back would be ok for say 40kg inc of rack but the obstruction of lights etc eventually put me off it .... plus the amount of dust on the back of BT on dirt roads I thought I'd have to clean bike just to ride it. I thought of the deck lid on tow vehicle using two or three "C" channel aluminium sections for the tyres with a strap and tie downs on the handle bars like a trailbike trailer. Loading and unloading probs saw its demise especially as I need to open deck lid with bikes on .... Eventually went for A frame mount .... used a standard bike rack that mounts to tow ball hole on hitch. Drilled a hole near rearward edge of BT A frame plate. Bolted rack on facing rearward just like on a car. I thought it was a bit unsupported with only one bolt holding it and might get fatigue cracks over time on dirt roads. I have two supports coming up from handbrake mounting (40x 40 RHS). I only have the kids bikes on the rack ..... one 20in girls mountain, one 16in with trainers getting a third on and keeping supports would be possible ... you would have to undo supports everytime. Boss has been wanting her bike on board lately ...so far I have resisted because I would have to rethink supports ..... a guys work is never ending !!! [smile] I'll see if I can post a pic of rack on BT ..... I have the extended A frame though... Regards Anthony

Steve, Back in August 2002, I came across a web site which had photos of a bike rack specifically designed to mount on the FRONT of Bushtrackers. It was a specifically built frame which sat obove where the Jerry Cans go. The website was - http://wilmesbikecarrier.250x.com I've tried to revisit it and it says it's "under construction" I did print out the page back in August and there was a telephone number - (07) 5479 0687. Not sure what the situation is now. If you would like to see a copy of the website printout, let me know and I can either fax it or post a copy

Steve, We recently saw a Bushtracker at Forster which was on tour out of Qld. They had a very impressive, heavily-engineered bike carrier which was made by a specialist outfit in Brisbane. One of the advantages was that the bikes were mounted up high, above the stone guard, towards the front window and well out of the way of rocks. This also left the A-frame free for access to gas, jerry cans, etc. (the disadvantage being that the bikes have to be lifted higher to be mounted). We took some photos which I will scan and post later next week. Phil

Thanks Phil .... I would be interested to see that carrier as well. Anthony

All, I have added photos of a rack spottted on a Bushtracker recently. See Pictures/Bike Racks, Phil

Phil, That's the bike rack I saw on a web site. It's mentioned in an earlier posting on this subject. Company must be "Wilmes" or something like that. The web site doesn't appear to be operational anymore, so I'm not sure if they are still producing bike racks.

On our trip out around Birdsville, our van with standard length A frame behind F250 received far less stone impact on the front of van above stone guard, (Very few stones missed guard) than our friends BT with longer A frame behind Patrol. We were travelling at same speeds on same road. Terry also stated that if taking push bikes on unmade roads the amound of dust and grime that gets into the important working parts of the bikes, makes it a very expensive bike riding exercise. He stopped taking his bikes with him due to the damage caused to them. Sorry bike riders.