Best tailgate bike rack - bang for buck

[Robbitussin]

Does anyone know a company that makes a black one?

I am after exactly the same... I got this in a text from a bodyshop contact. @Tourershine seem reasonable?

Hi there
Bumper removal, repair, paint and refit £240

Rear spoiler paint and fitting £180/£220 (depends on quality of spoiler and if it needs any additional work other than prep n paint!)

@mark421 if you get a good spoiler in black let us know.

 

[Tourershine]

I am after exactly the same... I got this in a text from a bodyshop contact. @Tourershine seem reasonable?

Hi there
Bumper removal, repair, paint and refit £240

Rear spoiler paint and fitting £180/£220 (depends on quality of spoiler and if it needs any additional work other than prep n paint!)

@mark421 if you get a good spoiler in black let us know.

Yes those prices are pretty much middle of the road.

 

[Robbitussin]

Yes those prices are pretty much middle of the road.

Thanks for the quick response... next question (apologies but new to this)... any recommends for spoiler sellers? Thanks in advance!

 

[J3AAY]

The Travelin’ Lite stuff is really good. Spoiler is only £59.99 posted from them on EBay at present. I ordered mine today and it will be here tomorrow.

 

[J3AAY]

Ok so I’ve made a start. I just need to compete test fitting and maybe a tad more trimming of the rear edge.
Once that’s done I’ll need to fill it with something or at least fill and smooth the insides of the cuts.

Then off for prep and paint at a body shop!

 

[ADZ van life]

Hi all, new to the forum. Bought T6 last week. Into mountain biking. Can’t decide on Atera rack with tow bar or Wanderway with upgraded struts. No spoiler on van, tailgate

 

[Scottish Scrutineer]

Have you considered putting the bikes inside if a LWB? I’ve got a BikeStow and can fit MTBs inside, out of view.

 

[drinfinity]

Hi all, new to the forum. Bought T6 last week. Into mountain biking. Can’t decide on Atera rack with tow bar or Wanderway with upgraded struts. No spoiler on van, tailgate

How many bikes? We have tailgate with 4bike VW rack on. 2 enduro bikes is easy, 3 fairly straightforward, 4 possible with some jenga. I like that it doesn’t need any space in the cellar when not in use, really quick to pull down. Folding step needed if you are not tall.

What’s inside the van? Lots of options to travel with bikes inside too.

 

[Chris Sherwood]

I used a tow bar rack but switched to a tailgate one, so we could tow our caravan.

 

[Ayjay]

@ADZ van life. Personally, I go against the flow in that I don't really like the look of a tailgate rack as a permanent feature (ie. without bikes and folded). I much prefer the ability to just take ours off when it's not needed. In my case, the kit involved is a Westfalia Detachable Towbar coupled with a Thule Easyfold XT2 rack - I've posted on here about both in the past. The rack also has the added attraction of doing what it says on the box in that it folds up to the size of a small (ish) suitcase. With a bit of modding, it also allows the tailgate to open.

 

[FerrisBFW]

I am getting good at loading four mtb’s on our type 1 rack. Only about 10 mins now. I spent am afternoon of frustration practicing though.

 

[Wayne1965]

Hi all, new to the forum. Bought T6 last week. Into mountain biking. Can’t decide on Atera rack with tow bar or Wanderway with upgraded struts. No spoiler on van, tailgate

I have both theses racks. The atera is clearly much easier to load and has clearance to open the door. Nonetheless I use the VW rack because it’s up high and I don’t worry about the bikes EXCEPT when going into a parking with height limit bar or motorway tolls. Furthermore the VW rack doesn’t move giving a very secure feel compared to a tow bar rack

 

[Ayjay]

Furthermore the VW rack doesn’t move giving a very secure feel compared to a tow bar rack

My Thule towbar rack mentioned above doesn’t move either! Maybe yours needs adjusting.

 

[Wayne1965]

By move I mean flex. The Atera and any tow bar mounted rack has some flex or wobble and especially when loaded with heavier MTBs. There’s none of that with the 4 point door rack

 

[Ayjay]

The only time that mine flexes enough to notice is if you put a lot of weight right on the end of it and even then, it's very slight. As to 'wobble' that would worry me enough that I wouldn't even use the rack! In terms of structural integrity, I would be very surprised if a towbar rack like mine (and presumably your Atera but I don't know for certain) that has internal supporting framework of steel was weaker that your average tailgate rack which mainly comprises aluminium tubing. Mind you, we only ever carry two bikes that together weigh in at something like 20Kg so weight's not an issue for me (and 65% of that weight is the wife's hybrid which always goes on the inner slot). At the end of the day, we all make our own choices for our own reasons.

 

[Bav]

"Flexing" with a towbar-mounted bike carrier is not something I've ever experienced (nor would expect), though my experience has been with a Thule carrier rather than an Altera.

 

[gp t6]

I've got an Altera rack - bought after recommended by the Singletrackworld forum user comments. I'd say it does seem to move occasionally when driving on very rough road surfaces (most uk roads then) - mines loaded with mtb / heavy road bike & Childs bike - is very easy to fit / remove and load / unload. Can't fault Altera customer service too - mine arrived with broken light lenses (rough courier) and they were replaced without question on next day delivery.

 

[Wayne1965]

I've got an Altera rack - bought after recommended by the Singletrackworld forum user comments. I'd say it does seem to move occasionally when driving on very rough road surfaces (most uk roads then) - mines loaded with mtb / heavy road bike & Childs bike - is very easy to fit / remove and load / unload. Can't fault Altera customer service too - mine arrived with broken light lenses (rough courier) and they were replaced without question on next day delivery.

I confer

 

[Wayne1965]

Another downside with tow bar racks if that you loose the reversing sensor and camera functions

 

[cgtmiles]

Have you not seen other vehicles with tow bar racks on the road? They move!!!