T6.1 Bike storage solutions

Celia Vanchez · Jun 26, 2023

We are Taking our Coast away in September and will, for the first time, be taking our bikes so I'm exploring options for carrying the bikes. Is there is an alternative to the four rack system which is attached to the tailgate (e.g. tow bar system) and would they be cheaper than the tailgate solution?

David

Wildcamper · Jun 26, 2023

We have a Diament Pro User SG2 Plus tow bar mounted rack. Very happy with it. Tilts fully to allow tailgate to open, no issues with lifting a heavy tailgate and bikes go on easily - no heavy lifting. If you go this route it must be the Plus rack to allow the tailgate to fully open. Price wise not much in it.

Kayleigh · Jun 26, 2023

Options (descending order of likely cost)
1. Tow bar mounted rack + tow bar
2. Tailgate mounted rack
3. Roof mounted rack
4. Inside the van (folding bikes?)
… edited.
Can’t think of any other obvious ways to carry bikes

WelshGas · Jun 26, 2023

Celia Vanchez said:
We are Taking our Coast away in September and will, for the first time, be taking our bikes so I'm exploring options for carrying the bikes. Is there is an alternative to the four rack system which is attached to the tailgate (e.g. tow bar system) and would they be cheaper than the tailgate solution?

David

Do you have a Towbar fitted? If not then the Tailgate rack is the cheaper option.

Celia Vanchez · Jun 27, 2023

WelshGas said:
Do you have a Towbar fitted? If not then the Tailgate rack is the cheaper option.

WelshGas, many thanks for commenting. I don’t have a tow bar fitted as yet and So I was wondering if it would be a viable option. From what you say it’s probably not

WelshGas · Jun 27, 2023

Celia Vanchez said:
WelshGas, many thanks for commenting. I don’t have a tow bar fitted as yet and So I was wondering if it would be a viable option. From what you say it’s probably not

Certainly viable but expensive compared to the tailgate rack.

gandalfthegrey · Jun 30, 2023

With 4 bikes it's easier with a tow bar mounted system as it's really hard to open tailgate. With two lightweight bikes opening tailgate is easier. Watch your handlebars on the roof though especially if it's up.
For just two bikes you could use these suckered mounts I should think... They look scary but work well so I've heard.

Kayleigh · Jun 30, 2023

gandalfthegrey said:
With 4 bikes it's easier with a tow bar mounted system as it's really hard to open tailgate. With two lightweight bikes opening tailgate is easier. Watch your handlebars on the roof though especially if it's up.
For just two bikes you could use these suckered mounts I should think... They look scary but work well so I've heard.

View attachment 110447

Err … no thanks :shocked

Doorbundle · Jun 30, 2023

Wildcamper said:
We have a Diament Pro User SG2 Plus tow bar mounted rack. Very happy with it. Tilts fully to allow tailgate to open, no issues with lifting a heavy tailgate and bikes go on easily - no heavy lifting. If you go this route it must be the Plus rack to allow the tailgate to fully open. Price wise not much in it.

Ditto. We bought an OEM Westfalia tow bar then the Diamant Pro user SG2+ to carry our Ebikes as unlike our Galaxys, even with batteries removed the Ebikes are too heavy & awkward to hump up onto the VW 4 place tailgate rack.
The tailgate rack is now for sale elsewhere on here.

klokanoid.042 · Jul 2, 2023

We have Thule Velospace XT3 with extender (for four bikes in total) on towbar. Tilts for tailgate opening, 130-140 kmh on highway without problems, if needed fits into Coast when seats moved completely forward.
Not in this photo, but often with two e-mtbs in positions closer to vehicle.

The Tall Luthier · Jul 3, 2023

Ditto for the towbar system if you are willing to pay. The tailgate system is fine but very restrictive when full. The bikes also protrude above the roofline which nullifies that ‘less than 2m’ benefit of having a small camper.

I also wonder about the effect on mpg as the protruding bike seem to reduce it. I have no real data for this though.