Folding Dogs Cahones Bike Rack

[Ribrunner]

Right you T6 Tekkis and Gurus, your council is required please..... I need to source a decent bike rack that won't mark my pride and joy in any way that will also work with a rear tailgate spoiler ? It needs to carry 3 to 4 bikes and mustn't require another mortgage to acquire it.

 

[DaveyB]

If you have a towbar you could try something by Thule or similar that clamp to the towbar. The alternate is an internal rack. There is a thread on the subject.
https://www.t6forum.com/threads/internal-bike-rack-solution.1580/

 

[Ribrunner]

Hi Davey, thanks for your inpuT, It'll have to be the tow bar version I think. Do you know if they fold away from the tailgate so you can still use the van whilest the bikes are strapped on ?

 

[Pauly]

I have the Thule (929 i think) and it folds away enough for the tailgate to function normally
Its a bit of a big heavy lump to carry around when taking on and off but feels like a solid bit of kit and very stable, all parts have inbuilt locks so it locks to tailgate and then bikes lock to it when mounted
Not cheap but overall pleased with it and a good purchase IMO, havent owned any others so nothing to compare it to unfortunately

 

[Ribrunner]

Thanks Pauly...have you any pics ?

 

[Pauly]

Nothing with it attached to van im afraid but plenty of stuff online, its a 3 bike unit with an additional optional piece to add a fourth bike
Thule EuroClassic G6 929 Bike Carrier
Thule 929 EuroClassic G6 3-Bike Towball Carrier Bicycle Carrier: Amazon.co.uk: Car & Motorbike
Thule 929 Euroclassic G6 3-bike towball carrier - Freeborn.co.uk

 

[DaveyB]

Hi Davey, thanks for your inpuT, It'll have to be the tow bar version I think. Do you know if they fold away from the tailgate so you can still use the van whilest the bikes are strapped on ?

Yep, as Pauly says.

 

[MBBSA]

I have the 929 like @Pauly, all I have is a pic without bikes on. Once it's tilted the tailgate just clears so you can still gain access without removing the carrier. I have got the factory removable tow bar so not sure if other aftermarket bars will be a different distance from the bumper, or if they sit slightly higher/ lower as this could cause a prob with clearance. Hope this helps. Brilliant bit of kit though, worth the money IMO.

 

[MBBSA]

Just took some more to show the clearance.

 

[Pauly]

Thats a very good point, i also have a westfalia detachable towbar with a similar clearance when tilting so its possible a higher towball hitch would not allow the tailgate to pass when opening, definitely worth double checking

 

[Ribrunner]

Brilliant advice, I'll hit eBay and see if there's a bargain out there.
Thanks for all of your help

 

[Keeff]

I Picked up a streetwise tow bar rack got 2 bikes but you can get a 3 bike one.
It clamps on with a lever and it all locks on even the bikes. It clears without bikes on with the tilt . We are away with it at the moment. I got it for £140 .
This is it on the car but can take a photo of it on the van Friday when we load it to come home.

 

[Ribrunner]

Thanks Keef, that would be great to see thanks

 

[Keeff]

Got some photos of it on the van

 

[Ribrunner]

That's looks as if it will do the job perfectly, thanks for taking the trouble to do that.

 

[Keeff]

just make sure it has the lever to quick release as the cheaper ones have a nut and spanner .mine was end of line in my local motor bitzs shop as they are going back to another make only because they make more on them. i have seen them on the internet and under another name but can't remember what. i had to cut a small amount of plastic away from the cover so it slots onto the ball better. Think it was the ball as it as fine on the car ball.