Tow bar cycle rack fitting in Exeter
Professional tow bar cycle rack fitting services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60
Typical Duration
20-30 mins
Location
Exeter, Devon
Tow bar bike rack fitted securely and safely. Clamped tight, properly adjusted, ready to carry your bikes - perfect for Devon's trails and coast paths.
Bikes Ready For Your Next Adventure
Fancy a ride along the Exe Estuary? Heading to the Tarka Trail? You need a proper bike rack that won't let your bikes wobble all over the A38.
💡 Pro tip: A poorly secured bike rack is dangerous. Bikes can shift, hit other cars, or worst case the whole rack can come off on the motorway. Worth getting it fitted right.
Why Proper Fitting Matters
There's attached, and there's secured properly:
| ✅ Done Right | ❌ Done Wrong |
|---|---|
| Tight on tow ball, no movement | Wobbles, bikes shifting around |
| Weight distributed correctly | Lopsided, unstable |
| All fixings properly tightened | Loose bolts, comes off |
| Number plate visible/lights working | Illegal, MOT fail |
What You Get
🔧 The Full Service
I'll attach your bike rack securely to the tow bar, tighten all fixings properly, check the weight distribution, and make sure lights and number plate are legal.
📦 You're Left With
- Securely mounted bike rack
- All fixings tight and safe
- Legal lights and number plate
- Ready to load bikes
Pricing Guide
| What's Involved | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Tow bar bike rack fitting | 20-30 mins | £60 |
£60 minimum charge. Quick job but worth doing right for safety.
Perfect For Your Project If...
✅ New rack - want it fitted safely first time
✅ Heavy rack - takes serious force to tighten
✅ Not sure if it's secure - peace of mind matters
✅ Family cycling trips - carrying multiple bikes
Why Choose Us for Tow bar cycle rack fitting in Exeter?
Securely attached to tow bar
Properly tightened and safe
Quick 20-minute fitting
Ready to load bikes
What to Expect
Step 1: Check Compatibility
Make sure your rack's compatible with your tow bar type. Flange balls, swan necks, and detachable tow bars all need different rack types.
Step 2: Secure Mounting
Attach the rack to the tow ball, tighten all fixings properly. Some need significant force to clamp securely - this is where people often don't tighten enough.
Step 3: Safety Check
Check all movement is eliminated, weight's balanced, lights work, and number plate's visible. Test with actual bikes loaded if you want.
🔧 DIY Tips
Tow bar bike racks are mostly DIY-friendly:
🔧 Tools you'll need
- Your bike rack
- Usually just the supplied handle/wrench
- Sometimes a socket set
- Possibly a torque wrench (for bolt-on types)
📐 Fitting process
Clamp-on racks (most common):
- Place rack over tow ball
- Tighten the clamp handle - needs serious force
- Lock it with the security key
- Test for any movement - there shouldn't be any
Bolt-on racks:
- Thread bolt through tow ball hole
- Secure with nut underneath
- Tighten properly - use a torque wrench if specified
- Lock the security collar
Platform racks:
- Slide onto tow bar
- Tighten securing bolt
- Usually very secure when done right
✨ Safety tips
- Tighten MORE than you think necessary
- Test by trying to wiggle it - no movement allowed
- Check lights work (you'll need a bike rack light board)
- Make sure number plate's visible or use extension plate
- Recheck tightness after first 50 miles
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Not tightening the clamp enough
- Wrong rack type for your tow bar
- Forgetting to fit lights/number plate
- Overloading beyond weight limit
- Not rechecking after first journey
💡 Pro trick: Before your first trip, load the bikes, drive 5 miles, then stop and recheck all the fastenings. Initial use can settle things and need retightening.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🚴 Devon cycling - Loads of great trails: Exe Estuary Trail, Tarka Trail, Granite Way, Plym Valley Trail. Tow bar rack's the easiest way to get bikes there.
Light board required - Your car's lights will be hidden by the bikes. You need a light board mounted on the rack (brake lights, indicators, number plate light). These plug into your car's electrics.
Weight limits matter - Check your tow bar's maximum nose weight. Bike racks + bikes can be surprisingly heavy. Don't exceed the limit.
Tilting racks - Worth the extra cost if you need boot access. Some racks tilt away even with bikes loaded so you can open the boot.
Security - Get a rack with a lock. Bike theft's a problem everywhere, including Devon. Lock the rack to the car and the bikes to the rack.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can't I just fit this myself?
Honestly? Yes, most tow bar bike racks are DIY-friendly. They usually clamp or bolt onto the tow ball. But some need quite a bit of force to tighten properly, and if they're not secured right, bikes can wobble or the rack can come loose on the motorway.
Do I need to buy the rack first?
Yes - make sure you get one compatible with your tow bar type (flange ball, swan neck, or detachable). Bring the rack and I'll get it mounted securely.
Will it damage my tow bar?
No - bike racks are designed to clamp onto tow balls without damage. As long as it's the right type for your tow bar, it's fine.
How many bikes will it carry?
Depends on the rack you buy - anywhere from 1 to 4 bikes usually. Make sure your tow bar's weight limit can handle the loaded rack (bikes + rack weight).
Can I still access my boot with it fitted?
Some racks tilt away to give boot access even with bikes loaded. Others you need to remove the bikes first. Check when you're buying - tilting racks cost more but they're much more convenient.
Tow bar cycle rack fitting Also Available In:
Get a Free Quote in Exeter
Call us today for a free, no-obligation quote for your tow bar cycle rack fitting job in Exeter.
01392 964094Request Online QuoteOur Rates
Got multiple jobs?
Make the most of your first hour - I can often tackle several small tasks in one visit. List everything you need done when you call!
Why Trust Us
Need Tow bar cycle rack fitting in Exeter?
Get a free quote for your tow bar cycle rack fitting job in Exeter today.