cycle carriers

gwyddfor · Post by **gwyddfor** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 9:51 pm

Hi, this is my first post, so i suppose you could say i've popped my Bongo cherry!

I've recently purchased me bongo, and would like to fit a cycle carrier for up to 4 bikes. I was thinking of a tow bar mounted one. Has anyone tried something similar? Do you lose the rear bumper once towbar fitted? Is there enough clearance between the carrier and rear of vehicle?

Many Thanks

Mark

daveblueozzie · Post by **daveblueozzie** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 10:10 pm

tow bar does not affect the bumper there are a lot of different types of cycle racks so take your time and choose carefully there are some what fit onto the rear door as well.there has been a lot of discussion about cycle racks so have a( search )you will find what your after.
OH and by the way welcome to the forum.

David Edwards · Post by **David Edwards** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 10:11 pm

Hi and welcome to the fold, there are loads of threads on here re cycle carriers, I have had a scissors type that fitted on the tow bar ball, howvere unless it has side straps as well I would not bother, mine felt really strong until. on the way to Center parcs with three bikes on it I turned a corner, not at great speed and the whole damn thing shifted sideways I was lucky not to lose them or cause a major pile up. I have a Harry moss one now which has been used on all my previous motors i.e space cruisers and renault espace with no probs and the tail gate can be opened with it in place, don't know if they are still available but worth a browse at your local boot sale. Good luck. Happy motoring.

Griffin · Post by **Griffin** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 11:39 am

I've got a Bak Rak with extender bars and 4 x bike carriers fitted. Google their website or search on here for more, I think a few Bongo owners have them. Only critisism is it's quite heavy and you obviously cant open the tailgate with it attached.

There are pics of my set up on my website (under the carry stuff section)

gwyddfor · Post by **gwyddfor** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 12:24 pm

thanks for feedback and ideas. nice ideas on your website, griffin. i liked the overhead cupboards!

mayk19 · Post by **mayk19** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 1:20 pm

I have the fiamma one made for the Merc vito, it does 4 bikes and is a really nice solid bit of kit. If you want a secue fixing no hastle rack fit and forget and go with that.

Veg_Ian · Post by **Veg_Ian** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 1:26 pm

http://www.agentfiamma.co.uk/erol.html#3193X0

MountainGoat · Post by **MountainGoat** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 1:40 pm

Another option similar to the Bak Rak is the Drop on Carrier, beachguild has one. http://www.drop-on.com/.

The Bongo has a maximum nose weight of 85 kg so it is easy to overload these racks. The solution is to strap the back of the rack to the tailgate hinges. This increases both the stability and the load carrying capacity of the rack.

With most towbar mounted bike racks it will not be possible to open the tailgate with them in place. The only exception that I am aware of that overcomes this problem is the Tradekar Silver Bike http://www.roofbox.co.uk/tr424r.html but they are expensive.

On the other hand if you have a a bike carrier attatched to your tailgate you will need to uprate the struts if you want to be able to open the tailgate.

vanvliet · Post by **vanvliet** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 1:53 pm

The Fiamma to fit the VWT4 also fits the Bongo and it is a lot cheaper than the Vito version .They must be different in some way because they have different part numbers but - - nobody seems to be able to explain any advantage in having the Vito over the VW version !!

Veg_Ian · Post by **Veg_Ian** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 2:00 pm

I've got the VW T4 version and although very happy with it, it is tight in terms of the drop as it comes over the top of the tailgate. As a result there are slight dents and the paint has rubbed off slightly. I believe the Merc one comes out further before it drops. Personally I'm not that fussed and wasn't prepared to pay the extra 50 quid or so difference. I would highly recommend the fiamma racks though. It beats messing around with straps, dead easy to load up and very secure.

mayk19 · Post by **mayk19** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 2:06 pm

doesnt the T4 one cover your number plate ?

Veg_Ian · Post by **Veg_Ian** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 2:10 pm

Griffin · Post by **Griffin** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 12:36 pm

Forgot to say, in addition to my Bak Rak I also have a Halfords own jobby that fits on the tailgate. You couldn't get 4 adult bikes on it though but 2 + 2 kids may be OK. It is the one that they sell that you buy metal 'straps' for (where normally you would get the usual straps on cheaper models). I bought it for my Seat Alhambra (same as a ford Galaxy) but with a bit of initial messing about it fits fine. Very stable and much cheaper than some others. Also it fits with a spoiler (just in case you haven't considered that yet as some don't).