Evening,

Just a quick question to put me at ease, I've read my mk3 scout has a 80 kg noseweight limit, I've had a westfella detachable swan neck fitted, the  new (unused)bike rack weighs about 21 kg with the 4th bike attachment fitted, the rack can carry a max 60 kg of bikes,

I haven't loaded car up yet with 4 mtb bikes. 4 riders and a weeks worth of kit, so I'll be near the 80 kg nose weight limit, will all be ok for a trip to the alps and back?.....

A

The front end can go a bit light on a car and an issue even with bigger FWD's, but with the Scout and AWD you should be all good.

Winter Tyres , carry chains and you are sorted.

 

The Alps or at least some areas sound like nothing is moving right now.

My young lad is in Chamonix and sent a picture today and said it was OK for snow but had been raining quite a lot.

Hi,

You should be ok but depending on the type of mtb being carried 60kg might not go very far, as per the bike rack instructions, put the heaviest bike closest to the car and work out to the lightest bike.  The weight you are adding isn't a force that is straight down on the towbar, so you will now doubt exceed the noseweight & it sounds like the boot will also have quite a bit of weight in there too (while this doesn't affect the noseweight, it will add to the weight on the rear suspension), I'f you find the back end of the car does sink lower than you are comfortable with, you could look at some Graystone spring assisters to help firm up the rear suspension, I used these on a mk2 octavia when towing a caravan and the behaviour on the road was much better.

^^^ Great Advice. 

I have them on the rear of my Jimny i use for Towing and had them on my Fabias.

Thanks guys, I haven't seen those spring assisters before, think I'll try a day trip in the uk, loaded up to see how it feels.

snow shouldn't be a problem as a summer trip, was really just getting my head around 80kg hanging out the back of the car...