what are the options for carrying four bikes on a 2020 Octavia Hatchback?  I don't have a tow bar, so would prefer a roof or rear mounted option, but most of the ones I have seen are for three bikes max.  

 

thanks in advance for advice, 

https://www.roofracks.co.uk/need-to-carry-4-bikes-whats-the-best-way-to-do-this/r-news/70

I used to carry four bikes on the roof using Thule bars and bike carriers - that was on my mk2 Octavia estate. The challenge was the max load limit (IIRC, 100kg). Became a harder as the kids grew and needed bigger/heavier bikes!

 

Plus points are you can get into the boot easily and they can all be locked on.

Downside was the wind noise and drag - massive impact on fuel economy.

 

Having seen a tailgate mounted carrier come adrift at speed on the M6, along with three bikes, put me off the idea of that sort.

 

I think towball mounted carriers may have a similar weight limit as roof carriers. Check the nose weight limit for your model, typically 75 or maybe 100kg.

 

Those weights include the carriers & bars too.

Further thoughts on roof carriers...

• Make sure the roof bars are long enough to get four bike carriers on (you'll need the ones that extend beyond the roof fitting 'legs'.
• You may have to twist the handlebars through 90 degrees to avoid them getting in the way of the adjacent bike
• I had to load mine in alternate directions (forwards facing, backward facing, ..., ...)
• Be careful with low trees and car parks with height restrictions!

 

Mk4 towbar noseweight limit is 80kgs so yeah would be a struggle with 4 bikes + the weight of the carrier which is probably 15-20kg itself. Depends how fancy the bikes are I guess!

 

I have a Thule 2 bike towbar mounted carrier. Had it about 10 years, it’s been great.  There is a drop down mechanism to allow boot access without taking the bikes off. Definitely needed on all the cars I’ve used it on.  Depending on the hinging a hatch bootlid might  clear a towbar mounted carrier

Edited 16 January, 20242 yr by PoloGaz