Hi folks.

After a brilliant 2 weeks in France doing a lot of cycling with hired bikes I've decided it would be nice to take our own now the boy's big enough to keep up with us.

Can anyone point me in the right direction for a boot mounted rack to carry three bikes? I can't see how a rack would fit with the saloon boot and I don't really want a roof jobby as I'd need to fit roof bars.

Cheers

put a tow bar on and have one of those tow ball mounted one, that way you can still get into the boot

put a tow bar on and have one of those tow ball mounted one, that way you can still get into the boot

I didn't want to add a towbar really. I've been looking at the detachable towbars but they're about £200

i would just hate not being able to get to my stuff hehe.

this one enables boot to be opened with bikes on.

http://www.ebay.co.u...#ht_3775wt_1273

second paragraph they offer superb fitment haha

Edited 8 August, 201213 yr by Lofty79

I have had the same problem no tow bar. In the end I brought a "cheap" Maypole BC2090 (for £29.00) which I can get three bikes on - two tourers and a Y-Type mountain bike.

Things to think about:

You will need electrics, the lights and number plates get covered.

The adult bikes where wider tahn the car! Hence the hi viz on the one wheel.

The weight of the bikes compared to what is quoted on the bike rack. Yes it says 3 bikes on the box but they surely weigh more than that??

Looked dodgey but once you have worked out the best fit for the boot it worked a dream when I have been on holiday with it.

Quick and simple to fit, and you can open the boot with it on (as long as theres no bikes on it).

There must be better ones out there but I hope the pics give you some ideas.

Also a link to my blog when I brought and first tried it on the car, I wasn't impressedat first but as mentioned above I've used it since to go away on holiday and it has been fine.

Link

Cheers for the links.

For £30 that one looks OK, if a little bit DIY

At least I know you can get them

Not if you buy the as-new one which is for sale in the classified section!

Ignoring my sales patter, personally I would avoid the boot mounted carriers, I've seen damage caused when they vibrate against the paintwork on more than one occasion. My choice would be roof bars or a tow bar mounded carrier.

I didn't want to add a towbar really. I've been looking at the detachable towbars but they're about £200

If you need electrics anyway, why not put a fixed towbar and save yourself the hassle of fixing inevitable paint damage?

At <£100 for a flanged fixed towbar it's hardly expensive, probably same effort as what you described for the bike carrier, and you can use it as a tailgater deterrent when bike carrier is not on...

I only use towbar for a towbar carrier box, and for this type of load flange towbar works best as you can easile prevent side tilts (2 bolt mount) .

For the Mk1 Superb, PCT VW4011A is probably the best flange towbar for carrying stuff (as opposed to towing caravans). If you look at the towbar beam drawings you'll understand why - it has centre beam resting on side beams. Incidentally, it probably would not be so good for towing heavy loads, though I have not tried it.

I would would have to agree the no doubt about it a tow bar mount cycle rack is better and would recommend that is the prefered way.

As mention here you need to be very carful how to load the bikes, inparticular the peddles and the front wheels. Plenty and I mean plenty of buggeey strings used and you need to ensure the strapes are tight and not vibrating when the car is moving.Mine also cam with plenty of foam to put on your bikes anywhere you may think the bike may touch the car when driving. Remember things move when you good over bumps, potholes, etc.

Personaly for the rare occassions I use it I'm Ok with it, but I am upmost careful when I load it and put it on the car.

On my Mx5 NA however I did fit a towbar for a bike carrier. But you can only get two people in that car....