Bike rack installation

Forums › Transport (cars, bikes and boats) › Bike rack installation

freitasm

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#181044 30-Sep-2015 10:58

Hi folks... Looking at having a 2 bike rack installed - also need the towbar for that. Any recommendations for a good place to have this done in Wellington, please? We have a VW Golf, if it makes any difference.

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#1397235 30-Sep-2015 11:31

East Coast Towbars have been good when we've needed one installed.

http://www.towbarswellington.co.nz/

MikeAqua

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#1397258 30-Sep-2015 11:48

Can't help on who to go to but I have a suggestion: Get a fold back rack if you can.

That way you can still open the hatch when the rack is fitted.

Really convenient.

Mike

freitasm

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#1397267 30-Sep-2015 12:01

Thank you folks.

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itxtme

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#1397366 30-Sep-2015 14:12

Yep East coast tow bars. They used to do the work for pit stop (might still). They have the options on type, you may want a removable for a nice Golf.

Xile

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#1397367 30-Sep-2015 14:27

If your number plate or tail lights are going to be obscured in anyway by your rack or cycles then you need to be aware that it's actually illegal; info from NZTA and Road Code below:

Note: If your load covers up essential lights on your vehicle or trailer, you must fit temporary lights to your load to make sure you comply with the legal requirements set out above. For example, bicycles carried on a towbar-mounted cycle rack on the back of your vehicle can often cover up your tail lights.
If for some reason your plates will be obscured (e.g. by a bicycle on a bike rack) you can apply to the Transport Agency for a supplementary plate. This supplementary plate can then be attached to the load that is obscuring.

http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/glovebox-guide-safe-loading-towing/guide-safe-loading-towing/

http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/roadcode/about-driver-responsibility/ownership-responsibilities/

WyleECoyoteNZ

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#1397376 30-Sep-2015 14:43

Or if you work in Wellington CBD, there is also Tow Bar Express.

http://towbarexpress.co.nz/

They are on Wakefield Street, across the road from The Lanes\Courtney central car park.

I was quoted $540.00, (including wiring) for fitting a tow bar to a Holden Cruze hatch. The main Holden dealer quoted me $1,185.00.

According to the person I spoke with at Tow bar express, they use the existing manufacturer holes to mount the tow bar to.

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WyleECoyoteNZ

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#1397380 30-Sep-2015 14:49

WyleECoyoteNZ: Or if you work in Wellington CBD, there is also Tow Bar Express.

http://towbarexpress.co.nz/

They are on Wakefield Street, across the road from The Lanes\Courtney central car park.

I was quoted $540.00, (including wiring) for fitting a tow bar to a Holden Cruze hatch. The main Holden dealer quoted me $1,185.00.

According to the person I spoke with at Tow bar express, they use the existing manufacturer holes to mount the tow bar to.

Actually, scratch my last post, I just called East Coast Towbars and they quoted me $420.00 for the Cruze.

fizzychicken

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#1397423 30-Sep-2015 16:20

I had a similar question a few years back, posted here

http://www.vorb.org.nz/which-towbar-rack-should-get-t115968.html

as you can see from my final post with pictures I finally got a rack from

http://www.narley.co.nz/

the thing is so good and still works perfect, can carry a load of weight (my oversized road+hardtail+29er all fit perfect and I probably still have room on it for more)

https://keybase.io/fizzychicken

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#1397571 30-Sep-2015 20:17

If you will be using it for towing check that they provide a lighting socket too. Its not a requirement if you are just sticking a bike rack so they are often extra.

check that its proper wiring and not just taking power from the rear lights, because that will screw up the blown lamp detection and may overload the light drivers which are hellishly expensive to replace.

Richard rich.ms

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#1397577 30-Sep-2015 20:25

get a tow bar that has a receiver hitch, I had one that clamped on the tow ball and it was a piece of crap, way wobbly, and really didn't seem all that strong.

2nd time around I got one where to take the tow bar out of the receiver hitch and the rack goes in it's place, it's great and with the feature that it's tilt-able so the back can be opened up made it fantastic.

Jase2985

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#1397622 30-Sep-2015 21:25

gregmcc: get a tow bar that has a receiver hitch, I had one that clamped on the tow ball and it was a piece of crap, way wobbly, and really didn't seem all that strong.

2nd time around I got one where to take the tow bar out of the receiver hitch and the rack goes in it's place, it's great and with the feature that it's tilt-able so the back can be opened up made it fantastic.

never had an issue even with 4 bikes on mine.

arent the receiver hitch ones a lot more, for both the tow bar and the bike rack?

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#1397626 30-Sep-2015 21:30

Picked a 4 bike one for $65 off trade me

jonathan18

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#1407595 16-Oct-2015 08:55

To piggy-back on this thread, given we're also after a bike rack (for a minimum of three bikes)...

Mauricio - what brand of rack did you end up going for?

The four-bike Narley rack as recommended above seems fairly good value for $175 incl. shipping. Are there any others that people would recommend, around or below this price?

I've also come across this one on TM (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=963794569) which is $159.

This one http://www.trademe.co.nz/sports/cycling/bike-accessories/racks-stands-storage/auction-963142627.htm, while more expensive at $250, provides an offset of 200mm which may enable us to still be able to open the boot (unlikely but will need to measure!), but they claim it doesn't require any additional support whereas many others suggest using additional strapping. Any thoughts on this?

EDIT: I've also found this one http://www.torpedo7.co.nz/products/T7CATNNT4/title/torpedo7-tilting-towball-mount-4-bike-rack that tilts, allowing the boot to be open. It's an ok price ($210 on "special"), but I've heard rumblings about the quality of the bike racks from Torpedo 7. Taking into account this is likely to be for relatively short trips (say PN>Wgtn) on normal roads and for carriyng probably only three bikes (one adults, two kids), would this rack stand up to such use?

Many thanks

Jase2985

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#1407698 16-Oct-2015 10:52

we have an ezigrip 2 prong 4 bike one

http://www.ezigrip.co.nz/product/7b83c-4-bike-modular-prong-folding-top-hanger/

im sure i could fit more than 4 bikes on it if i tried, its a great rack.

scuwp

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#1407710 16-Oct-2015 11:04

jonathan18: To piggy-back on this thread, given we're also after a bike rack (for a minimum of three bikes)...

Mauricio - what brand of rack did you end up going for?

The four-bike Narley rack as recommended above seems fairly good value for $175 incl. shipping. Are there any others that people would recommend, around or below this price?

I've also come across this one on TM (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=963794569) which is $159.

This one http://www.trademe.co.nz/sports/cycling/bike-accessories/racks-stands-storage/auction-963142627.htm, while more expensive at $250, provides an offset of 200mm which may enable us to still be able to open the boot (unlikely but will need to measure!), but they claim it doesn't require any additional support whereas many others suggest using additional strapping. Any thoughts on this?

EDIT: I've also found this one http://www.torpedo7.co.nz/products/T7CATNNT4/title/torpedo7-tilting-towball-mount-4-bike-rack that tilts, allowing the boot to be open. It's an ok price ($210 on "special"), but I've heard rumblings about the quality of the bike racks from Torpedo 7. Taking into account this is likely to be for relatively short trips (say PN>Wgtn) on normal roads and for carriyng probably only three bikes (one adults, two kids), would this rack stand up to such use?

Many thanks

I have the standard 4 bike Torpedo 7 version, one that you bolt onto the tow ball. Paid about $100 on special. Used plenty of times with 3-4 mountain bikes bikes and no complaints. Simple and solid, and the tie-downs it comes with are great. If you have a lift/hatchback I would however recommend one of the fold down ones.

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