Bike rack for car?

[roger06]

Hi

I'm about to get a new (to me) car - a Focus Estate. I will need to get a bike rack for up to three bike. Only very occasional use but we will be using it to drive to the French Alps.

Would I be right in thinking that, as the car has a tow bar, a tow bar mounted one is the best option? I'd like to keep the total height down for ferry, fuel economy and French motorway tolls booths but what would be the down sides?

Thanks

 

[Deleted member 35268]

Yes, a ball mounted rack is perfect if you have a towbar. Sadly, we don't so ours are on the roof.

 

[wheeliebin]

Downsides with traditional towbar mounted types are that you can't get in the boot with it fitted. If you have a flange mounted towball you can get the type of rack that bolts between the towball and the flange. They obscure the lights and number plate so you need a light board with electrics. This is what I had on my old car.

I have just changed cars and had to buy a new Thule rack that clamps on to the towball, which seems to defy the laws of physics with 4 bikes on it but hasn't fallen off yet. This has the advantage that it can be hinged down to get in the boot. Eye-wateringly expensive though.

 

[NeilT21]

Downsides with traditional towbar mounted types are that you can't get in the boot with it fitted. If you have a flange mounted towball you can get the type of rack that bolts between the towball and the flange. They obscure the lights and number plate so you need a light board with electrics. This is what I had on my old car.

I have just changed cars and had to buy a new Thule rack that clamps on to the towball, which seems to defy the laws of physics with 4 bikes on it but hasn't fallen off yet. This has the advantage that it can be hinged down to get in the boot. Eye-wateringly expensive though.[/QUOTE

 

[NeilT21]

I have a towball mounted Jaguar three bike rack and agree with Wheeliebin in that the big advantage is that you can get into the boot with the rack fitted. The whole rack hinges outwards to give access and it works perfectly. The rack is the same as Volvo sell and is a rebranded Thule. It might not be the cheapest, but it is certainly (IMO) the best and worth the extra cost

 

[roger06]

Thanks guys that's really useful. I was looking at one of these - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001M4H...colid=9URFZVN1YNOJ&coliid=I2GI6IS8418SD&psc=1 - which I think it quite reasonably priced. I had no idea I'd still be able to get into the boot with bikes fitted so that's a bonus.

 

[bondirob]

I've got a focus and I bought one Halfords own brand racks that attaches to the tail gate.
Must say I'm quite impressed easy to fit takes 3 bikes with separate strap for each and folds up quite small.
What's not to like for £60?

 

[Broadside]

If you have a towbar already then a towbar rack is definitely the way to go. I started with roof mounted carriers but ended up buying the bullet and fitting a towbar, so much better all round.

The one linked to at Halfords is at the bottom end, cheap and cheerful and will work but you will not access the boot with it mounted.

I went for a second hand high end Thule which was £400+ news but I got it for £150, this has the tilt function and is a nice bit of kit. Well worth looking on eBay.

 

[F70100]

When we were in the market for a tow bar mounted rack we spent a lot of time looking at the website of P F Jones trying to work out why exactly prices varied (other than due to number of bikes able to be carried) between £125 and £500. Eventually we happened to be close enough to their showroom to warrant a visit and I have to say it was time very well spent. Most carriers (but not all) are now tiltable (for access to the boot), and some are also foldable (for easier stowage either in your garage, or in the car whilst you are away cycling).

They had models from Witter, Thule, Westfalia and Bosal mounted on display stands and we were able to see which we found easiest for actually getting on and off the towball. The Witter folding ones were quite heavy. One of either the Westfalia or Bosal ones (can't remember which) was really awkward to fit on the towball. We ended up with a Thule that is (just) light enough for Mrs F70100 to fit if she ever needs to.

I would recommend a visit to somewhere that sells them and getting your mitts one one before committing to buy. Good Luck .

 

[Winnershsaint]

Got a two bike towbar mounted Thule on new Qashqai.

 

[doughnut]

I bought one of these a month or two ago. Solid, tiltable, easy to use. Everything in the box except a number plate which I got from Amazon for about £7. I'd recommend it to anyone.

http://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rb...rier_no_brp203/Qx@w,6M42VAwp3@Rb{~cC4ure5HWI_

 

[hatler]

Atera is another option. I plumped for one of these. Can't fault it

 

[clockworksimon]

Given the expense of rear racks and only occasional need, I use roof rack mounts when travelling in France. Use Elite fork mounting brackets and have roof bars already. Prefer to have unrestricted boot access. I would rather put the excessive cost of some of the rear racks towards a new bike. Also I don't already have a tow hitch.

 

[mark c]

We have had both roof and tow bar racks and i much prefer the tow bar one.

 

[Domus]

I have a Thule tow bar carrier, it was on the pricy side for the occasional use it will get but it is the bees knees and I don't expect to have to buy another.