TowBar Cycle Carrier

[Muffsy]

I'm just wondering how these Carriers actually work! Have looked at loads of pics and some seem to have straps hooking round Panels. I can't have them ones. The Towball ones look good but how does it stay on? Can't seem to find any info regarding this and Pics don't show much.

[Andy Meads]

I have a Thule one. It uses a clamp with adjustable tension. Once adjusted it's a doddle to fit, by pushing down a lever. It's absolutely rock solid, even with four bikes on. And it hinges away from the car so you can open the tailgate with the bikes in situ.

They really are superb in my view.

There are some other good makes too, but I have no experience of them.

Andy

[blaineuk]

They just tighten on to the tow ball.

[Muffsy]

Andy Meads said:

I have a Thule one. It uses a clamp with adjustable tension. Once adjusted it's a doddle to fit, by pushing down a lever. It's absolutely rock solid, even with four bikes on. And it hinges away from the car so you can open the tailgate with the bikes in situ.

They really are superb in my view.

There are some other good makes too, but I have no experience of them.

Andy

Cheers...does it have a Model number so I can check it out and maybe order it?

[Muffsy]

Also, would they interfere with the Parking Sensors???

[tuffer]

Andy Meads said:

I have a Thule one. It uses a clamp with adjustable tension. Once adjusted it's a doddle to fit, by pushing down a lever. It's absolutely rock solid, even with four bikes on. And it hinges away from the car so you can open the tailgate with the bikes in situ.

They really are superb in my view.

There are some other good makes too, but I have no experience of them.

Andy

Thule, end of thread. Brilliant.

[spookly]

I have a Thule one that carries 3 bikes. The only thing it touches is the tow hitch. You place it on the tow hitch and tighten a single bolt, which clamps it in place. Thule supply a crappy spanner, but it is far easier with a decent ratchet/socket.

[DuraAce]

I have a Witter ZX210.

Absolutley rock solid once fitted, which is a doddle - drop onto towbar ball and close handle, no tools required. Tilts downwards for access to the boot if required.

[vikingaero]

I've had Thule and Atera tow bar racks. Thule & Atera make a good folding one if storage space is a priority or if the vehicle has a small boot. I have an Atera Strada DL3 which I think is better than the equivalent Thule. It slides back for boot access and I can open both barn doors on my Clubman. It also mounts better in my opinion.

[Andy Meads]

Muffsy said:

Cheers...does it have a Model number so I can check it out and maybe order it?

Sorry, but I can't recall the model number and it's down the garden in the shed! It's a few years old now, so I'd suggest checking their website for the latest model. Mine holds three bikes plus one more on an extension accessory.

On my car there is no interference with the parking sensors. The rack has a proper set of towing electrics, so the car disengages the sensors and operates the trailer sounder or shows the towing symbol on the dash when indicating. The rack has a complete set of LED lights too.

Thule aren't cheap, but they are good.

[bigdom]

I had a look at Thule, although thought Atera was better built. They make plenty of OEM stuff - BMW, Mercedes, VAG etc. I have their roof bars on the family wagon BMW, and prefer them to the Thule bars i've had on other cars.

I have the rack below, well built, well designed, and happy as larry at continental motorway speeds.

http://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbvehsel4_tab.php...

If you have a factory fitted spec towbar electrics, it will disengage the parking sensors. If you've gone universal towbar electrics, it won't.

Edited by bigdom on Thursday 11th May 23:12

[aberdeeneuan]

bigdom said:

I had a look at Thule, although thought Atera was better built. They make plenty of OEM stuff - BMW, Mercedes, VAG etc. I have their roof bars on the family wagon BMW, and prefer them to the Thule bars i've had on other cars.

I have the rack below, well built, well designed, and happy as larry at continental motorway speeds.

http://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbvehsel4_tab.php...

If you have a factory fitted spec towbar electrics, it will disengage the parking sensors. If you've gone universal towbar electrics, it won't.

Edited by bigdom on Thursday 11th May 23:12

I have the same rack, had a witter tow bar fitted with full electrics. We used to put them on the roof but with 4 bikes it was getting a right faff, this is very simple! Really pleased with it so far.

[DJFish]

We've got a Thule G6, only point of contact is the towbar and as far as I can see it uses witchcraft to stay on but it got all the way to France & back without a wobble, brilliant bit of kit!
If you're after a Thule there's a good guy in Ipswich that sells them, usually a fair bit cheaper than your average business park automotive retailer, 01473 785810 [e-mail]

[Muffsy]

Thanks everybody for your replies. Answered all my questions for me. Just thought I would add that I have a Newish Model (64) Mercedes Vito and I can switch off the Parking Sensors anyway. Have decided to go with the Thule 9502 2 Bike Carrier at £160 with Tilt and light-board.

[HoHoHo]

aberdeeneuan said:

bigdom said:

I had a look at Thule, although thought Atera was better built. They make plenty of OEM stuff - BMW, Mercedes, VAG etc. I have their roof bars on the family wagon BMW, and prefer them to the Thule bars i've had on other cars.

I have the rack below, well built, well designed, and happy as larry at continental motorway speeds.

http://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbvehsel4_tab.php...

If you have a factory fitted spec towbar electrics, it will disengage the parking sensors. If you've gone universal towbar electrics, it won't.

Edited by bigdom on Thursday 11th May 23:12

I have the same rack, had a witter tow bar fitted with full electrics. We used to put them on the roof but with 4 bikes it was getting a right faff, this is very simple! Really pleased with it so far.

Third vote for this one

I had a bar fitted to my 2016 X5 with dedicated electrics by PF Jones and the cycle carrier electrics talk to the car and switch off the sensors but not the cameras.

Does the job perfectly and is good value for money.

[smifffymoto]

I used to use one similar to the Thule Ride on but now use a Thule Xpress.

Nothing will make me go back to any other rack after using the Xpress,light,easy to use,small to carry,the wife can put it on and take it off,really is a doddle to use and very easy to pack away when not in use.