Hello all,

we have Skoda Kodiaq withour towbar and would like from time to time to carry with us 5 bikes.

What do you recommend:

4 bikes on the roof (is it enough space on the roof for 4 bikes ?) + 1 on the tail gate

or

3 bikes on the roof + 2 on the tail gate

I would prefer to have 4 bikes on the roof for more even weight distribution, but it will depend on what weight the bikes are. The roof has a weight limit and so will the roof bars you'll have to buy to carry the bikes. There's always a chance that two roof bars, 4 bike carriers and four bikes could exceed that limit, depending mainly on bike weights.

You don't state where you're based, but I'm assuming abroad so the following link might not be helpful, but at least it will let you see what's available for carrying bikes.

 

https://www.roofbox.co.uk/bike-carriers/

(I am based in UK)

Fair point about overall weight - do you know what is the roof weight limit ?

I would just need to calculate it.

Have just found it - it is 75kg.

 

9 minutes ago, New11 said:

Have just found it - it is 75kg.

 

Correct 

I've just looked at the roofbox web page again (https://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbvehsel4_tab.php/car-specific-accessories/bike_carrier_options_/Qx%40w%2C6M4%2CME}%40nkCu5P5zqBAFE`0oPd`Jd%40dOmo3.H%40DwN0_T%2C`m_mAt2OLweTBcYhTrZJllDab4_b2).

but it looks like I cannot use tailgate option as it says:

"It's not possible to fit a rear door fitting bike carrier to this vehicle, this is due to the design and/or strength of the tailgate. We recommend considering either roof bar or tow bar mounting bike carriers."

Yes you're right, I'd forgotten I'd read that quite recently.

Your options are reducing: Change one bike for a fold up one and put it in the boot, leave a person at home, fit a tow bar and get a trailer, swap the Kodiaq for a van, or find another hobby  - rollerbooting ?

1 hour ago, New11 said:

I've just looked at the roofbox web page again (https://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbvehsel4_tab.php/car-specific-accessories/bike_carrier_options_/Qx%40w%2C6M4%2CME}%40nkCu5P5zqBAFE`0oPd`Jd%40dOmo3.H%40DwN0_T%2C`m_mAt2OLweTBcYhTrZJllDab4_b2).

but it looks like I cannot use tailgate option as it says:

"It's not possible to fit a rear door fitting bike carrier to this vehicle, this is due to the design and/or strength of the tailgate. We recommend considering either roof bar or tow bar mounting bike carriers."

I have seen that stated on web sites but also have seen pics of people with a boot bike carrier fitted and they don't say that they have any issues.

Perhaps someone who has a boot bike carrier could confirm.

Whilst I've no doubt that some will say they've fitted rear mounted bike carriers with no issues, in the same way that there's people who'll say they've pulled an 1800kg caravan with a Ford Fiesta, that doesn't make it right or safe.

In my experience with Roofbox.co.uk they will not knowingly sell anything that's deemed unsafe or contravenes the parameters set out by the manufacturer, so I would certainly believe what they say on their website.

Having said what I did above, I see that Thule have 3 rear mounted racks they they say can be fitted to the Kodiaq, so if I was the OP I'd take this up with Roofbox and ask why they don't supply them. The car listed on the Thule site is a 5 seater, so maybe the carrier isn't recommended for the 7 seater due to the extra weight of the rearmost seats.

I've found them very friendly and helpful on the phone.

Edited 6 June, 20215 yr by olderman1

And if you do actually manage to fit a rear rack and carry multiple bikes, don't be that person who then illegally completely obscures the number plate and/or rear lights. Generally, the Police radar horizon for crime and disorder is set very high these days, but a few years ago I saw, on two separate occasions within a few weeks, cars pulled over for just this reason.

It was supposed to be a simple topic but it turned out I don't have much choice - one obvious, as @olderman1 mentioned, is to find another hobby ;-)

7 minutes ago, New11 said:

It was supposed to be a simple topic but it turned out I don't have much choice - one obvious, as @olderman1 mentioned, is to find another hobby ;-)

 

The topic was simple, it's the solution that's hard. What are you thinking of doing now ?

There are new bike racks from Thule that now fit the Kodiaq 

 

https://www.thule.com/en-gb/bike-rack/trunk-bike-racks/thule-outway-hanging-3-_-995001