Confused!

[Wingreen]

Just out of interest - this is the one I use. It needs a towbar but its only £60. It takes a Woosh Big Bear quite comfortably, although I'm not sure it could handle two bikes. Its branded "Exodus" but Thule also make one (£65) but I have no experience of using the Thule one.

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bike-racks/towbar-mounted-bike-racks/exodus-2-bike-towbar-mounted-cycle-carrier

https://www.thule.com/en-gb/gb/bike-rack/towbar-bike-racks/thule-xpress-970-_-970000

 

[BigG]

If I am only putting one bike on the rack, is there any reason why I can't mount it on the space nearest to the lighting bar? It would save me lifting and stretching when mounting my e-bike ?

 

[Danidl]

In practice there is no reason not to do so. In theory you are putting more torque on the ball hitch as the weight is now further away from the fulcrum. But against this since only one bike is being used there is less downward pressure anyway. I have found that the locking screw makes a very secure connection with ball hitch and I would be confident of it holding.
The advice of removing the battery and storing it in the boot still holds. Three reasons 1 it is extra weight probably 10% of the bike weight 2 and if it fell off at speed it would be destroyed and could also cause a accident 3 there are comments listed that rain swirling around the back of the car can have twice the velocity of the car speed. Something to do with aerodynamic flow. This would be hurricane type speeds As others have said the battery packs are not protected against that type of water ingress.