Euro Compatible Bike Rack for 4 bikes

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networkn

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Topic # 226251 28-Dec-2017 11:26

I have a BMW with a Automatic Retracting Towbar. The ball is a different size and shape to a regular towbar, which is making taking our regular bike rack difficult.

I want a good quality euro compatible Bike Rack capable of taking 4 bikes (2 adult and 2 kids).

Anyone able to recommend one?

Coil

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Reply # 1926049 28-Dec-2017 11:34

Do you still have your E91 335I?

networkn

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Reply # 1926053 28-Dec-2017 11:36

Coil:

Do you still have your E91 335I?

No, sold it a while ago, I have a 335D now :) Much MUCH nicer car all around.

Coil

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Reply # 1926055 28-Dec-2017 11:36

networkn:

Coil:

Do you still have your E91 335I?

No, sold it a while ago, I have a 335D now :) Much MUCH nicer car all around.

F31 or E91?

*Edit, I remember your plate :P, its a F31.

One option I saw was one that mounts to the top of your tailgate and bottom of it and lifts with the boot lid. But this was only suitable for 2 bikes and not compatible with an electronic opening boot..
Have you consulted Thule?

Other options I have seen is they mount the bike racks to the tow hooks on the rear which is also where the slam panel screws into the chassis.
IIRC they need to modify the left side of the bumper and add a little removable window to achieve such.

Can you remove the tow bar itself from the mechanism to install another tongue?

Here is the BMW OE option: https://www.amazon.de/Original-BMW-Fahrradhalterung-auch-Bike/dp/B00PC9KS2E

mudguard

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Reply # 1926066 28-Dec-2017 11:55

I bought a Thule rack recently, I'm fairly certain it fits both towball diamters. Provided the bikes aren't E-Bikes or four DH bikes it should cope with the weight just fine. They make a four bike version.

I think the best thing about this style, as opposed to the older one I had, the two pronged rack, is that I can see much more out the rear window, whereas previously the bikes were obscuring my rear view.

One downside is if you have unusual frame designs, as opposed to the typical bike, you might need some tetris skills to line up the clamps. It's fine for me as I usually have the same two bikes on. The lights and room for supplementary plates are a nice touch. And it's easy to attach and remove. This one tilts as well, which is probably useful if you have a hatchback or stationwagon. I guess if you have a steep driveway there might be clearance issues, but so far it's been brilliant.

networkn

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Reply # 1926070 28-Dec-2017 12:01

@mudguard what was the cost for that?

mudguard

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Reply # 1926081 28-Dec-2017 12:31

It was just under a grand. They make quite a few different designs, I eventually went in store to physically see what the differences were between models as I found it confusing.
I think the full name is Thule Euroway G2 923, Torpedo7.co.nz have their own branded ones as well which are similar.

Jase2985

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Reply # 1926109 28-Dec-2017 12:52

can you not just change the ball to a different size?

Coil

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Reply # 1926192 28-Dec-2017 14:49

Jase2985:

can you not just change the ball to a different size?

He has a folding tow bar which is a solid one piece cast bar.
I believe the tongue type can be changed to one where you have a flat bar and a ball so the rack can sit flush and be torqued down.

networkn

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Reply # 1929246 4-Jan-2018 17:41

Still have the horrible old one. I doubt it could come loose, but I did wonder how strong those towbars are? The bikes weigh about 50KG, but they are cantilevered and despite my best efforts as the trip wore on, the rack was moving on the towbar, esp over bumps etc.

One of my worst nightmares would be the towbar snapping and my bikes hitting a car behind us.

mudguard

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Reply # 1929283 4-Jan-2018 18:20

Do you have a picture of the tow bar? I'm trying to figure out how a rack like mine would sit square if you have what I think you do.

networkn

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Reply # 1929300 4-Jan-2018 19:00

NightStalker

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Reply # 1929467 4-Jan-2018 21:19

When previously looking at ones similar to the picture of mudguards Thule model I found caravan/campervan type places to be cheaper so its worth checking those sorts of places out as well.

Technofreak

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Reply # 1929484 4-Jan-2018 21:41

networkn:

Well that's unnecessarily complicated and not much use for a bike rack, well at least not the style I have.

Mine sits in the flat plate/tongue that the ball is bolted to and clamps against the ball.

As a thought could you devise a way of clamping a fitting to the arm below the ball area that a flat plate/tongue could be bolted or welded to? This flat plate would be in the same place relative to the ball in the same way it would be on a more traditional towbar. That way a bike rack would sit in the flat plate and be prevented from wobbling around on the ball.

As I write this I reckon I have a design idea that would acheive this.

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