Best Tow Hitch Rack
Discussion
My rack is an ancient Tradekar but not made anymore. I did see one of the bike websites report a new Thule towbar carrier last week and it was something like £900!
Worth keeping an eye on the returns section at Roofbox as if you don't mind one with scuffs or damaged packing, you can save a little:
https://www.roofbox.co.uk/bargains-sale-clearance/...
Roofbox also have some other brands like Buzz and Atera
https://www.roofbox.co.uk/bike-carriers/bike-carri...
Worth keeping an eye on the returns section at Roofbox as if you don't mind one with scuffs or damaged packing, you can save a little:
https://www.roofbox.co.uk/bargains-sale-clearance/...
Roofbox also have some other brands like Buzz and Atera
https://www.roofbox.co.uk/bike-carriers/bike-carri...
PistonTim said:
Got a new car (Skoda Enyaq) on order with a tow hitch fitted (salary sacrifice so not allowed to retrofit), I need the option to carry 2 x full size MTB bikes, about 13-14kg each.
Was looking at Thule but these seem VERY expensive, are there any sensible options out there?
I have an Atera DL, which is handy as you can slide it away from the boot to gain access without removing the bikes, but that's no cheaper.Was looking at Thule but these seem VERY expensive, are there any sensible options out there?
Ebay, gumtree, facebook is always good for these, someone is always offloading!
Are you looking for the Best or cheapest ?
I’ve had a Thule for over 10 years no problems at all.
I think they are considered top of the range but even so you can get Thule starting at £400.
Witter racks start at £160 I’m sure they will do the job but if you compare the two you can see the difference.
How often will you use it and how far. I use mine at least once a week and I’ve taken bikes on journeys of 600 miles or more.
Think of it in the long term. I’m replacing mine to carry 2 e-bikes that are too heavy for my existing rack the weight is within the carrying capacity but I can’t lift the bloody things 24kg. The value of the bikes when loaded is £8k so I don’t mind paying to carry them without risk of damage.
Do you need a folding rack for storage that adds to the cost
https://www.thule.com/fr-fr/bike-rack/towbar-bike-...
I’ve had a Thule for over 10 years no problems at all.
I think they are considered top of the range but even so you can get Thule starting at £400.
Witter racks start at £160 I’m sure they will do the job but if you compare the two you can see the difference.
How often will you use it and how far. I use mine at least once a week and I’ve taken bikes on journeys of 600 miles or more.
Think of it in the long term. I’m replacing mine to carry 2 e-bikes that are too heavy for my existing rack the weight is within the carrying capacity but I can’t lift the bloody things 24kg. The value of the bikes when loaded is £8k so I don’t mind paying to carry them without risk of damage.
Do you need a folding rack for storage that adds to the cost
https://www.thule.com/fr-fr/bike-rack/towbar-bike-...
Volvo currently have 20% off their bike racks. They are made by Thule just cheaper! We have this one and it is perfect: folds so doesn’t take much space when not in use and very easy to get on / off:
https://www.volvocars.com/uk/l/accessories/offers/...
https://www.volvocars.com/uk/l/accessories/offers/...
I sold my atera DL for the Thule velospace. With the kids getting bigger, and MTBs not exactly getting smaller we were having issues with bikes rubbing. It’s much easier on the Thule and will see us though for years to come.
It’s much easier to use than the Atera but is def heavier.
Think I got 350 for the Atera on Facebook, nows the time as folk look to get bigger/different ones for summer.
It’s much easier to use than the Atera but is def heavier.
Think I got 350 for the Atera on Facebook, nows the time as folk look to get bigger/different ones for summer.
aberdeeneuan said:
we were having issues with bikes rubbing. It’s much easier on the Thule and will see us though for years to come.
Having strapped bikes to back of cars for 35 year, we used to use cut down swimming pool floatboards, pool noodles/pipe lagging. When you're making progress in Germany, the last thing you want is them clanging about. There's specific products on the market now to help with that. Other brands are available - https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/bike-protection-foam...
I bought a Yakima one quite recently, I asked on another forum, got a load of recommendations and then decided which I thought was best and bought the Yakima. No one can really tell you which is best as if you buy a good one, you're not going to be buying another to compare.
I bought mine because it's dead simple to use, fairly light and folds up nicely to it can go in the boot or hang up on the garage wall without being in the way at all. It's all nicely thought out, has wheels and a stand built in and is simple and light enough that my wife can use it. It holds the bikes rock solid with a simple clampy thing and the wheel straps, takes seconds to get all sorted.
One of the key things for me was that it's a 2-bike rack, but I can buy an adaptor to add a third when the kids are older and I can't put their bikes in the boot as easily. Or not if I decide to buy a rack for the roof bars instead. I didn't want to have a rack for three bikes that would normally be used for one and potentially never for three, just in case.
Although it locks onto the towbar and the bikes lock to the rack, no way I would leave the bike on the back of the car unattended. I use it when we go places, my wife drives home with the kids and I ride home, so folding up small means I can quickly put it in the boot with the bike once the kids are out and it's all still nice and safe.
A cheap one is £300, the Yakima was £500, a good bit more, but I think it's worth paying the extra for the extra convenience given it'll last decades really.
My only complaint is that the road bike wheels are a bit lost in the tyre channels as they're designed to accommodate big mountain bike wheels. At some point I'll fashion some adaptors that drop in just to tighten that up, but it's no bother really.
I bought mine because it's dead simple to use, fairly light and folds up nicely to it can go in the boot or hang up on the garage wall without being in the way at all. It's all nicely thought out, has wheels and a stand built in and is simple and light enough that my wife can use it. It holds the bikes rock solid with a simple clampy thing and the wheel straps, takes seconds to get all sorted.
One of the key things for me was that it's a 2-bike rack, but I can buy an adaptor to add a third when the kids are older and I can't put their bikes in the boot as easily. Or not if I decide to buy a rack for the roof bars instead. I didn't want to have a rack for three bikes that would normally be used for one and potentially never for three, just in case.
Although it locks onto the towbar and the bikes lock to the rack, no way I would leave the bike on the back of the car unattended. I use it when we go places, my wife drives home with the kids and I ride home, so folding up small means I can quickly put it in the boot with the bike once the kids are out and it's all still nice and safe.
A cheap one is £300, the Yakima was £500, a good bit more, but I think it's worth paying the extra for the extra convenience given it'll last decades really.
My only complaint is that the road bike wheels are a bit lost in the tyre channels as they're designed to accommodate big mountain bike wheels. At some point I'll fashion some adaptors that drop in just to tighten that up, but it's no bother really.
I have a Thule Euroclassic G6 (929 but with filament bulbs not LED's) surplus to requirements after changing cars if you're interested and can get to Surrey. Its a 3 bike unit with a load limit of 60kg total. You can get an extra bolt-on bay to take 4 but that compromises load weight.
It's been great for us after replacing an Atera which decided to depart the towball approaching the Mont Blanc tunnel. Needless to say can't recommend that brand (I sensed we weren't the only ones it had happened to).
It's been great for us after replacing an Atera which decided to depart the towball approaching the Mont Blanc tunnel. Needless to say can't recommend that brand (I sensed we weren't the only ones it had happened to).
bigdom said:
aberdeeneuan said:
we were having issues with bikes rubbing. It’s much easier on the Thule and will see us though for years to come.
Having strapped bikes to back of cars for 35 year, we used to use cut down swimming pool floatboards, pool noodles/pipe lagging. When you're making progress in Germany, the last thing you want is them clanging about. There's specific products on the market now to help with that. Other brands are available - https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/bike-protection-foam...
What I would say is the Atera was so tight I couldn't even get the foam in between them without very careful placement, it just took so long to get the bikes lined up.
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