Motorhome bike rack question

Sandancers

Sandancers

Joined
May 29, 2013
Posts
2,732
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Location
Tyneside
Funster No
26,231
MH
Chausson best of Flash 10
Exp
Several years now
I'm looking at building my own bike rack to fit above the spare wheel carrier on our MH.

The carrier will be set at angle with the highest part in the middle. This means that when an adult bike is carried then the high level brake light will be party or wholly obscured by the bike seat. Is this a problem legally ?
 
Yes.. as with all lights (and numbers plate) they cannot be obscured.
 
pappajohn said:
High level brake light is not an obligatory running light so not a problem.
Click to expand...
If it's there it has to work...so remove it !!

To the OP.

I have a motorbike/scooter rack that fits onto a tow ball. If its if any use to you let me know (even if its just for donor parts) Just make a donation to the Firefighters Charity of an amount you think is suitable?


Oops, just realised it's a pedal bike rack you want LOL, if anyone else needs it, just pm me !!
 
You could just put a trailer board on the bike. If yours is a ford base theres a trailer socket already fitted as standard tied up under the back bumper.
 
The Wino said:
You could just put a trailer board on the bike. If yours is a ford base theres a trailer socket already fitted as standard tied up under the back bumper.
Click to expand...
Trailer boards don't have high level (3rd brake light)
Thanks pappajohn.. always thought if any light fitted must be functioning and visible but not apparently high level brake lights.
 
Sounds like some conflicting views here. I'll do more digging and see if I can get a definitive answer.
 
Have had this question checked out by some Traffic Cops.

They say that as long as your other, (lower / normal), brake lights are visible then don't worry about obscuring the high level brake light.

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poppycamper said:
Trailer boards don't have high level (3rd brake light)
Thanks pappajohn.. always thought if any light fitted must be functioning and visible but not apparently high level brake lights.
Click to expand...
Just found this.....
Additional stop lamps, over and above the obligatory requirements, must be tested. However, if you are not sure that they’re connected, you should give the benefit of the doubt.
Click to expand...

Take the bulb out.
 
poppycamper said:
Trailer boards don't have high level (3rd brake light)
Thanks pappajohn.. always thought if any light fitted must be functioning and visible but not apparently high level brake lights.
Click to expand...
But if the lower lights are still visible and you pur the trailer board on the bike where it obscures the high level light it would be a very pernickerty policeman to do you! Looks like it's ok anyway.
 
Make sure it has no sharp edges to it, put caps on any protruding parts I.e. the wheel rails as it might not pass an MOT.
You could get done for if not.
 
However, high level brake lights are massively effective. Can you install a new LED one below the bike carrier? It would actually be more effective at medium height, than high up anyway.
 
Sandancers said:
I'm looking at building my own bike rack to fit above the spare wheel carrier on our MH.

The carrier will be set at angle with the highest part in the middle. This means that when an adult bike is carried then the high level brake light will be party or wholly obscured by the bike seat. Is this a problem legally ?
Click to expand...
Is this on an Autotrail with spare wheel pod on rear wall if so weight restrictions are different.
I see MoT test regulations being quoted to justify road lighting regulations the two are not related. and cant be inter mixed.

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Geo said:
Is this on an Autotrail with spare wheel pod on rear wall if so weight restrictions are different.
I see MoT test regulations being quoted to justify road lighting regulations the two are not related. and cant be inter mixed.
Click to expand...

No, I custom built a spare wheel carrier for the back of my Chausson Flash 10
 
Sandancers said:
No, I custom built a spare wheel carrier for the back of my Chausson Flash 10
Click to expand...
Then be careful your not overdoing it
Normal bike racks take about 60 kilo max
The one made by fiamma for the Autotrails with spare wheel pod is down rated to 40 kilo inc the rack itself circa 30kilo payload for a bike dont forget the rear wall is already carrying the spare wheel unless of course you have beefed up the rear wall some how
 
Geo said:
Then be careful your not overdoing it
Normal bike racks take about 60 kilo max
The one made by fiamma for the Autotrails with spare wheel pod is down rated to 40 kilo inc the rack itself circa 30kilo payload for a bike dont forget the rear wall is already carrying the spare wheel unless of course you have beefed up the rear wall some how
Click to expand...

No, it isn't hanging off the back wall. With the weight of a spare I'd be very nervous about that ! Construction is shown below;

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

Spare wheel on a Chausson ? Yes you can !

Like many on here I have been nervous about not having a spare wheel available on my MH. Crawling about underneath my Chausson Flash Best of 10 with a tape measure quickly confirmed that there was no space big enough to fit a spare wheel underneath. I considered fabricating a couple of new...
www.motorhomefun.co.uk www.motorhomefun.co.uk
 
Missed that little project completely
A really nice job,
And that coming from a guy who thinks the Mona Lisa is just a pic of an ugly bird.
 
Sandancers said:
This means that when an adult bike is carried then the high level brake light will be party or wholly obscured by the bike seat.
Click to expand...
Why not just remove the bike seat? I always remove anything from bikes that might be a temptation to any prowling scroat and to lighten the load.

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Have you never noticed Scroats dont use the seats anyway they ride bikes
standing up like Meercats on steroids 101% alert for plod or opportunities
 
As previously mentioned it is not a legal requirement to have one but if is visible it must work, it was suggested by a mot tester to pull wire off and cover with tape.
In your case cover the light completely, belt and braces put in a switch.
 
If visible or If fitted Must Work.
An MoT myth perpetuated over years
And never written anywhere in the MO T manuals.
 
the1andonly said:
As previously mentioned it is not a legal requirement to have one but if is visible it must work, it was suggested by a mot tester to pull wire off and cover with tape.
In your case cover the light completely, belt and braces put in a switch.
Click to expand...

Or, more simply, don't have any bikes on the rack when going for an MOT.
 

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