How fiddly are tow bar bike racks?

[DaveHobson]

Considering replacing our high level bike rack with a lower level one, more suitable for our two e-bikes. The options seem to be a fixed (chassis-mounted) carrier, or a tow bar with a Thule (or similar) rack on it. So I’m wondering whether anyone with experience of either/both could chip in? Specifically, is fitting the tow bar rack as simple as the Thule video suggests?? Is it stable?
Thanks for any advice,
Dave.

 

[Kannon Fodda]

Tow bar mountings are generally easy to use and stable, provided you remember to tighten everything up Ideal for e-bikes, provided you have bought one that can take the load, and of course you do have a proper towbar mounting on your vehicle that can also take the weight (that may depend on the ratings of your vehicle and type approval of the towbar). Certainly a lot easier to use than any rack higher up the vehicle. No way I want to lift my 25Kg bike anything more than knee height. Fitting and removal of the rack to towbar takes well less than a minute.

I've had a Thule Velocompact for a number of years, used on the back of both my PVC, and also a car. Only have the one mountain e-bike, so weight limits not an issue but with two e-bikes the rack may be on it's limits. If using two bikes I expect you'd have to turn handlebars to enable both to be on the rack and get clearance against the rear of the vehicle. The e-bike has been good and secure with advantage rack will fold down for storage so it could have been put into a car boot. I've happily gone to West Coast Ireland with it on the car, and around the NC500 on the PVC. Only issue is that once mounted on the PVC it blocks opening the rear doors, and I'm looking at one of the van swing options. Not sure if the Atera racks that pull out on a slide would be a good alternative. Not sure that the single lock on the towbar mount handle, nor the crossbar bike clamp are that sturdy and always double up with a heavier chain padlock once on site and keep bike under cover away from casually prying eyes.

 

[Bailey58]

I've just mentioned our bike carrier in the ad I posted on the E Bike.
Our towbar was installed by Watling Engineers to take the Pendle bike rack and it was a particular type to fit the Al-Ko chassis. I did briefly try the E bikes on there and, although we never actually took them away with us, fitting and security wise they were fine. The towbar and bikes later got stored for several years until we sold the van with the former re-attached. Best travel with the batteries removed to keep the weight down (and security).

 

[pappajohn]

I use a Thule rack on the car towbar for my leccy bike.
Very easy to fit and clamp tight.
Once on it's going nowhere.
I had to extend the wheel channels due to the wheelbase being slightly longer than a regular bike.
Fitting the bike is easy enough.
Lifting the whole bike is too heavy so I lift the front wheel on from one side then move forwards and lift the rear wheel and centralise on the rack.
The two clamp arms are easy enough to adjust where they're needed.
My bike is a Dutch style city bike with no crossbar but I still manage both clamp arms.

 

[Orion]

We’ve had a two bike Thule VeloCompact for about 10 years now and used it on vehicles ranging from a Kia Soul to a VW Amarok and now our Adria. The bikes lock securely to the rack and the rack locks to the tow ball and doesn’t move - even fully loaded and off-road with the Amarok. A good piece of kit, gives you the option of using the tow ball for other towing when removed unlike a chassis mounted bike rack, and if you do also use it on a hatchback etc. the tilting feature gives access to the boot even with the bikes loaded.

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[bubble63]

Been using a Witter tow ball mounted rack on a PVC
Two electric bikes go on fine , easy to use but I’m changing it to an Altera Strada DL as this seems to be the only rack that will allow the rear doors to open , even then it’s a close thing

 

[Brains]

Towball bike racks are the way to go.
They take seconds to fit, and fold flat for storage

It also means that you dont need to lift bikes over your head and it easy to put a cover over them.

 

[Chipster]

Have a Thule 4 bike and Buzzrack single both tow ball mounted. Doddle to fit and use. The Buzzracks aren’t bad value to compared to the Thule.

 

[DaveHobson]

Thanks everyone - that’s all really useful advice. Seems a fairly unanimous thumbs up for the tow bar option - glad to hear that it’s not fiddly.

 

[Kups]

We now have a Thule 933 EasyFold XT 2 Bike Towbar Rack for our two e-bikes. We also bought the optional folding ramp that stores inside the unit.
Feedback? brilliant! very solid when locked on to the towball and plenty of securing straps clamps for the bikes. The ramp is a bit fiddly but works well with heavy bikes.
We went for this arrangement after going through the rear mounted racks both manual and electric Thule Lift V16 versions which didn't work for us.

The low mounting position is much better for the rear view camera and the cover doesn't flap around so much on our Adria.
Another positive point is that obviously all towball mounted racks can be taken off if you're staying for a few days on a site. The EasyFold does just that and can be stored in a corner.
The negative side is the cost of the towbar and 12 v electrics. We decided against chassis mounted for cost reasons.
Just need to watch when backing up as the rack triggers the reversing sensors and they sound all the time unless you install an on/off switch.

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[Jo662]

I bought a Thule Easyfold XT towball bike rack in January,and im very happy with it. It’s very easy to fit on the towball, and to fit the bikes on the rack,just like the video states.
I am now using my bike a lot more while away because of the ease of getting them off and on the rack. Get one ,you won’t regret it.

 

[treblid]

We’ve had a two bike Thule VeloCompact for about 10 years now and used it on vehicles ranging from a Kia Soul to a VW Amarok and now our Adria. The bikes lock securely to the rack and the rack locks to the tow ball and doesn’t move - even fully loaded and off-road with the Amarok. A good piece of kit, gives you the option of using the tow ball for other towing when removed unlike a chassis mounted bike rack, and if you do also use it on a hatchback etc. the tilting feature gives access to the boot even with the bikes loaded.

Does the Thule VeloCompact allow the rear doors of a Fiat PVC to open when the carrier is tilted with bikes attached? I appreciate you do not have a PVC but wondered if another user has experience?

 

[Ingwe]

Interesting thread. Our van has a tow bar fitted as well as a Fiamma bike rack. I can manage to lift our basic, relatively light (G-Tech) e-bikes onto it but the navigator and CiC can’t do this and has been talking about getting a tow bar rack.
What is involved in removing the Fiamma rack and “making good” where it was mounted? I suppose one could simply leave the old rack in situ (I meant the bike rack) but it seems a waste.

 

[GMLS]

We have an Atera Strada DL which we use on our hatchback and motorhomes.It hinges forward to allow access to the hatchback and rock solid.Takes 3 regular MTB's and my Cube and Orbea Rise EMTB's weighing circa 46kg.

 

[Orion]

Does the Thule VeloCompact allow the rear doors of a Fiat PVC to open when the carrier is tilted with bikes attached? I appreciate you do not have a PVC but wondered if another user has experience?

Sorry, no experience of clearance for the hinged doors on a PVC but I doubt it will clear them. Have a look on the Thule webpages and you’ll get an idea of the angle it will drop to.

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[Kups]

Interesting thread. Our van has a tow bar fitted as well as a Fiamma bike rack. I can manage to lift our basic, relatively light (G-Tech) e-bikes onto it but the navigator and CiC can’t do this and has been talking about getting a tow bar rack.
What is involved in removing the Fiamma rack and “making good” where it was mounted? I suppose one could simply leave the old rack in situ (I meant the bike rack) but it seems a waste.

You can get blanking plates for the holes in the wall mounted rails. https://www.agentfiamma.co.uk/fiamma-kit-carry-bike-support-bar-cap.html
These are secured by the end bolts. Leave the rails on the van.

 

[Adrian140974]

We use a 4 bike tow ball carrier from Halfords. More than good enough, very easy. Usually all loaded up in 10 mins. Very secure and solid. Absolutely no need to purchase the Thule version, which is twice the price. Don't get me wrong thule products are great but based on the difference in price just not worth it. Used all over Europe with no issues

 

[Coolcats]

Considering replacing our high level bike rack with a lower level one, more suitable for our two e-bikes. The options seem to be a fixed (chassis-mounted) carrier, or a tow bar with a Thule (or similar) rack on it. So I’m wondering whether anyone with experience of either/both could chip in? Specifically, is fitting the tow bar rack as simple as the Thule video suggests?? Is it stable?
Thanks for any advice,
Dave.

Have a westfalia bike rack I have it and off my Transporter couple of times a week and also the MoHo this or Thule you probably can’t go wrong. Met the guy who designed the westfalia at one of the motor home shows really enthusiastic knowledgeable and a pleasant guy to speak with.

Cycle Carrier - 2 Bikes | Westfalia

1

shop.westfalia-automotive.com

 

[DaveHobson]

Interesting thread. Our van has a tow bar fitted as well as a Fiamma bike rack. I can manage to lift our basic, relatively light (G-Tech) e-bikes onto it but the navigator and CiC can’t do this and has been talking about getting a tow bar rack.
What is involved in removing the Fiamma rack and “making good” where it was mounted? I suppose one could simply leave the old rack in situ (I meant the bike rack) but it seems a waste.

Not sure about removing the old rack - I was thinking of leaving it on, giving the option of putting a box on it for additional storage (assuming there’s space above the bikes?).

 

[Soycd]

Only issue is that once mounted on the PVC it blocks opening the rear doors, and I'm looking at one of the van swing options.

We will be getting one of these when our new van arrives. I saw one on a van on a stelplatz in Germany last summer and had a good chat with the owner.

Van-Star E-Cross, swing away bike carrier

Van-Star E-Cross, swing away bike carrierThe Van-Star E-Cross is the sporty version in the Van-Star range with black polymer light board and premium bike rails suitable for transporting e-bikes and mountainbikes with thicker tires. De Van-Star E-Cross has a bla

memoholland.co.uk

It's possible to swing it out with bikes attached to open the rear PVC doors. They do various models.

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[pappajohn]

Does the Thule VeloCompact allow the rear doors of a Fiat PVC to open when the carrier is tilted with bikes attached? I appreciate you do not have a PVC but wondered if another user has experience?

Very unlikely.
My Thule only tilts backwards to around 45°
It's more aimed at a boot lid or hatchback/estate tailgate

 

[Nanniemate]

Have you considered BR systems lifting bike racks thule do a similar one for less money I wanted one for my van unfortunately it won't fit
Thule lift V16

 

[Kannon Fodda]

Does the Thule VeloCompact allow the rear doors of a Fiat PVC to open when the carrier is tilted with bikes attached? I appreciate you do not have a PVC but wondered if another user has experience?

As posted #2, it won't give clearance.

 

[Van Aert]

Been using a Witter tow ball mounted rack on a PVC
Two electric bikes go on fine , easy to use but I’m changing it to an Altera Strada DL as this seems to be the only rack that will allow the rear doors to open , even then it’s a close thing

That’s what I’ve got (Strada DL3) on my Globecar , you’ll need a two inch spacer block to open the doors properly.

 

[lunarman]

Link Removed


DaveHobson This is the rack that I used on my Bailey Autograph 740. I chose this over the towbar and rack option to keep the weight added to the back axle to a minimum. I have sold the bailey and the rack is in my garage. I keep meaning to advertise it for sale you may be interested in it if so send me a conversation. I see you are in Bristol so not far we are not far apart.

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[Ingwe]

Not sure about removing the old rack - I was thinking of leaving it on, giving the option of putting a box on it for additional storage (assuming there’s space above the bikes?).

I’ve thought about leaving the old rack on and getting a box for use when we aren’t going to carry the bikes. Lots to think about.

 

[Ingwe]

Link Removed


DaveHobson This is the rack that I used on my Bailey Autograph 740. I chose this over the towbar and rack option to keep the weight added to the back axle to a minimum. I have sold the bailey and the rack is in my garage. I keep meaning to advertise it for sale you may be interested in it if so send me a conversation. I see you are in Bristol so not far we are not far apart.

Can I ask whether this rack is a permanent fit or does it fold up or come apart? Also, who makes it? I gather you may already have sold it to another poster so may look at getting one or something similar. Thanks.

 

[lunarman]

Can I ask whether this rack is a permanent fit or does it fold up or come apart? Also, who makes it? I gather you may already have sold it to another poster so may look at getting one or something similar. Thanks.

Hi ingwe the rack comes apart in 2 pieces for storage. The 2 brackets remain on the chassis and the rack slides into them. This version does not fold.

 

[DaveHobson]

Link Removed


DaveHobson This is the rack that I used on my Bailey Autograph 740. I chose this over the towbar and rack option to keep the weight added to the back axle to a minimum. I have sold the bailey and the rack is in my garage. I keep meaning to advertise it for sale you may be interested in it if so send me a conversation. I see you are in Bristol so not far we are not far apart.

Thanks for the suggestion, but we’ve settled on the tow bar option, just for the flexibility really.

 

[Coolcats]

Hymer have a pretty neat rack solution for pvc https://www.hymer.com/gb/en/service/hymer-original-parts-and-accessories/backrack