Window mounted bike rack

[sweetiepark]

Hi -

Read a few reviews on here of the bike carriers that stick on the back of the tiguan. I have a 2012 tiguan 155 without a tow bar. The reviews I hve read though all seem quite dated. Does anyone have any recent experience with one of those style of racks? Cheers.

[team_v]

You could always get the hitch installed by Hayman Reece without the wiring harness and then get a bike rack for the Tig.

Can you provide a link to the window mounted ones?

[sweetiepark]

team_v - you have to excuse my ignorance but my Tiguan is new and also I am female so I dont know what "get the hitch installed by Hayman Reece without the wiring harness" means. Is that get a tow bar fitted without the electrics? Is it possible to install a non VW tow bar to the tiguan? My dealer is telling me not to. I would love to get a tow bar but dont want to pay the ridiculous cost of a genuine one.

This is the bike rack that is window mounted that I found a link to but it's pretty ugly.

http://www.saris.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage_images.tpl&product_id=224&option=com_virtuemart&vmcchk=1&Itemid=57

Thanks for your help.

You could always get the hitch installed by Hayman Reece without the wiring harness and then get a bike rack for the Tig.

Can you provide a link to the window mounted ones?

[team_v]

Hayman Reece provide a tow bar that is suitable for the tiguan in Australia.
There have been a few members who have one.

See here: http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/foru...ans-44348.html

If you are only going to use it for the bike rack then you could get a hayman reece towbar without the electric modules (saves money) and then use a bike rack that connects to the tow bar.

The only downside may be that your rear parking sensors could go off but that would happen with any bike carrier unless you cancel them with a full electric tow bar solution.

[Dexter]

Hi -

Read a few reviews on here of the bike carriers that stick on the back of the tiguan. I have a 2012 tiguan 155 without a tow bar. The reviews I hve read though all seem quite dated. Does anyone have any recent experience with one of those style of racks? Cheers.

What type of bikes are you carrying? Road or Mtb? I would definately consider a towbar mounted rack (especially if its a Mtb as they are heavier), no need to lift bikes up onto the saris rack, or risk damage to your paintwork/windows.

Try bargaining with your VW dealer - I got my genuine VW towbar, without wiring kit, for less than a Hayman Reese hitch (under $500 unfitted - $120 cheaper than the HR towbar which didn't include the towball). The VW hitch is ADR compliant, which is a plus as I believe the HR one is not. I will be using the hitch to fit a bike rack too, and later will be using it to tow a trailer (after install the wiring kit) so couldn't get the cheapest (non ADR) option that simply bolts on, detailed here:

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/forums/f97/trailer-hitch-carrying-bicycles-69727.html

[z1000]

As long as you have no intention towing, the none ADR hitch plus an universal wiring kit can be sourced for under $220 from ebay, more than adequate for carrying bicycles and illuminating bicycle number plate at night.

FYI, it is a ~$350 and 3 demerit points penalty for not displaying a RTA issued bike number plate in NSW. Unlit bike plate at night is also an offence, as well as not having extra indicators when vehicle rear lights are slightly/partially obscured by the bicycles. So, budget yourself a proper bike plate and a light board (with tail, brake and indicator lights) as well.

[brad]

Your link to the Saris rack doesn't work for me.

I have a hatch mount carrier. I only use it on my wife's cars because they are company drives & we don't give a toss. They definitely leave dents/abrasions on the paint but maybe the one you are looking at is different.

Have you checked the range at Cell bikes online store or considered a roof mount carrier (yeah, mega-risky but sometimes the only option).

[Dexter]

FYI, it is a ~$350 and 3 demerit points penalty for not displaying a RTA issued bike number plate in NSW. Unlit bike plate at night is also an offence, as well as not having extra indicators when vehicle rear lights are slightly/partially obscured by the bicycles. So, budget yourself a proper bike plate and a light board (with tail, brake and indicator lights) as well.

Good point, I forget this as in WA whilst technically its illegal to obstruct the rear number plate, I have never heard of anyone getting fined, and have never seen a bike rack plate in use here. Must be because the majority of speed cameras still take the front from the front - so they aren't overly concerned if the rear is blocked as they wont miss any "safety funds (free revenue)" with a blocked rear plate.

[rob64981]

VW do one that clips over the tail gate.

Here is one on ebay UK for sale to give you an idea.

It does not touch the glass so no problems there.

eBay - The UK's Online Marketplace

You might need to get some uprated hydraulics for the tail gate.

Just another idea.

Rob

[TDZ]

any reason why your going for the back window mounted racks? rather than going for a towbar or roof mounted system?

Personally i dont trust anything thats held on by straps, purely due to straps breaking/becoming loose etc etc. Plus from an aesthetic point of view i think they look ugly as hell.

From a more practical point of view youre going to get scratches on your boot lid no matter how careful you are. Just look at any car with swirl marks and think to yourself, if a microfibre/buffing cloth which is designed to buff and shine your paintwork can cause that much damage, imagine what a rack loaded with a bike can do. Yes it has rubber to protect etc etc, but all it takes is one grain of dust to be wedged between it to do some damage.

I myself went for the roof mounted system, Thule roof rack with Thule 591 bike carriers. System probably is abit more pricey than the boot mounted system. BUt its a pleasure to use. Seriously takes about 15-20 minutes to secure the rack to the car and its even easier to remove. rack is also lockable, and no chance of it falling off.