Light board - without a tow bar

[sswinner]

Hi. in a couple of weeks, I am off on holiday to France with 3 bikes on the back of my A6 on a Saris Bones bike rack

Wiggle | Saris Bones 3 Bike Rack | Car Racks

The problem is that the lights and reg plate are covered and I don't particularly want to get stopped half way down France.

I've bought a reg plate, which I can tie on, but still have the problem of lights. I know I can get a light board like this . However, I don't have a tow bar and therefore, nothing to plug this into. I'd rather not go to the expense of fitting a tow bar, juts to get the electrics.... so any idea how I can do this please? Do I need to go to a tow bar place to get the socket fitted or is life simpler than that?

My alternative is to get a roof mounted solution...

any advice gratuitously received

[gupsterg]

Hi ...

I would think if you fitted the electrics for a towbar and connected the reg plate board you've linked it would work but then you'd be more than halfway on having fitted a towbar so why not go the whole hog?

PF Jones is a supplier of towbars & a forum sponsor, I would contact them and see if they have something to offer you ... Link:- P.F.Jones

[carl-1968]

You might want to check the French road regs for bike racks etc, a good guide is the caravan club website or type the question in to Google

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

[royclark]

You might want to check the French road regs for bike racks etc, a good guide is the caravan club website or type the question in to Google

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

http://www.caravanclub.co.uk/plannin...l-requirements

Carriage of bicycles

Bicycles may usually be carried on the roof of a car, provided they are attached to an adequate roof-rack and the total height does not exceed 4m. However, the cross-Channel operator will need to be advised in advance of the total height of the vehicle as this may affect the cost of your crossing.

Bikes can also be transported at the back of a vehicle provided they do not obscure lights, indicators or number plates. Bike racks can only rest on the tow bar if the maximum weight allowed on the tow bar is not exceeded.

Portuguese regulations stipulate that bicycles may not be carried at the rear of a car, but they can be carried at the rear of a motorhome or caravan, provided that they do not extend beyond the width of the vehicle or more than 45cm beyond its length.

In Spain and Italy any overhanging loads must be indicated by a square panel measuring 50cm x 50cm with reflectorised red and white diagonal stripes which can be purchased from Fiamma stockists (www.fiamma.com). Panels are available in aluminium and plastic and in Spain you can use either however, in Italy the panel must be aluminium.

[rafletcher]

1) Tieing on a reg plate is not legal - it has to be illuminated as per the original fitment - so you need a tailboard which takes the plate and has lights.

2) Order a "bypass relay" set of electrics from PF Jones, these are about £20 WITH a towbar order, maybe a bit more without (they are VERY helpful), and get their local fitter (or your tame auto-electrician) to fit them - they'll probably have to drill the rear crossmember (which is replaced by a towbar in a regular installation, as I recentlt founf out!) in order to fix the socket to the car (it's hinged from the towbar behind the rear bumper usually).

3) Be advised that strictly speaking the bikes should not obscure the "third brakelight" (hi-level) but many "high mount" bike carriers do and no-one seems to mind.