Fitting a VW tailgate bike rack

[Caulkhead]

So which is the best bike rack , that will hold just 2 bikes ?

 

[superflyguy]

So which is the best bike rack , that will hold just 2 bikes ?

I only carry two maximum and I went for the vw one, expensive but worth it I think.

 

[Caulkhead]

I only carry two maximum and I went for the vw one, expensive but worth it I think.

Many thanks

 

[Markymark]

just fitted my VW bike rack, sourced from Banwy in their Black Friday deal. Relatively easy to fit and stick the paint protection patches on. One thing that had me stumped was the bars that link onto the bikes have been attached to the rack round the wrong way (the adjustable clamp was on the bike rack frame instead of on the side hanging ready to attach to a bike, swapped round now)

Given how expensive they are I would of expected a cover for the bottom two corners to cover some of the black plastic and bolts to give a nicer finish, but it is a bike rack after all..

On the whole very pleased.

(fitting the stronger gas struts also gave me a headache (literally).

My link bars were also upside down and prone to slide round and get in the way of the rear wiper blade till I turned the round. Seemed a bit naff that my installer didn’t swap them round.

 

[dmk]

Im picking up a new genuine vw T6 bike rack later .... are they easy to fit?
Are there any caveats/gotchas to be aware of with fitting of the tape or rack etc please?

cheers

 

[gal2009]

You fitting to tailgate or barn doors ?

 

[Nigel W]

Im picking up a new genuine vw T6 bike rack later .... are they easy to fit?
Are there any caveats/gotchas to be aware of with fitting of the tape or rack etc please?

cheers

If it’s to a tailgate it’s easy peasy

 

[Berto84]

Comes with clear paint protector stickers. Make sure they're in the right place and the rest is easy. I take my rack on and off the van in between trips it's that easy to do. Enjoy.

 

[dmk]

thanks all

its tailgate

happy days !

 

[Steve O]

I have a VW OEM tailgate rack (4 bikes). Anyone had issues with the bottom brackets loosening/slipping? I have a 2017 T6 and the bottom brackets have ‘dropped’ very slightly and are now loose. Even when I tighten the retaining hex screw as ight as a I can.

is it possible that the weight of bikes on it has bent the bottom bar of the frame inwards thus this bar is now very slightly longer meaning the bar doesn’t pull in really tight across the width of the door.

the result is that one side of the rack has slipped a few mms and I noticed it resting on the rear lamp unit which isn’t good long run.

There is some minute play in the bracket even when the hex screw is fully tightened so even when it’s returned to position and tightened, it drops as soon as weight is added to the frame.

I've checked the top brackets are tight and they seem fine.

anyone had a similar issue and how did you resolve please?

thanks in advance.

 

[Village]

Mine shifted down a bit causing the lower bracket to hit the rear cluster, and snapped off the edge of the cluster. That was when it was only a few weeks old, so i took it off and started again. It had definitely shifted for some reason, but touch wood, been ok since.

If there's play in the lower bracket I'd double check the top brackets haven't bent, as they seem like a likely culprit to be the weak link. You say that when you put the weight on it you can see it drop; where is that slack coming from?

 

[Steve O]

Thanks and will look at the top brackets again and refit it. I think the ‘slack’ is caused as the inward curve of the door increases slightly. A drop from the top would allow more play to be created.

 

[Steve O]

Any ideas where to buy new top brackets for it anyone?

 

[Village]

I'd speak to VW but my understanding is that spares are very hard to come by, if possible at all

 

[Village]

It is very similar to the Thule Wanderway though, but i dont know how compatible the parts are (if at all) ... Thule 911 WanderWay spare parts

 

[Martin Peter]

The instructions are a bit poor just wait until you try and figure out where the little straight strip goes ??
I use a chinograph to mark the centre point on the tailgate between the hinges and measure the distance between the brackets on the rack and use the mark to centre the measurement allowing a couple mm for the overhang of the sticky pads

Where does it go???
I also have two more rectangular pieces with triangles printed on them spaced 72mm apart!

 

[Pauly]

I cant remember !
Not sure i fitted it and dont remember any other pieces just the two at the top for the hooks and two for the bottom catches

 

[Held]

Hi, I’m new to the forum and a fairly new T6 owner. I’m looking to buy a 4 bike carrier for a tailgate, and am undecided between a VW version 1 or a Thule wanderway. I understand that the struts will also need changing to allow for the weight. How easy is it to fit these racks and struts yourself? Garage costs for fitting seem quite high. Thank you!

 

[Sackmycook]

Mate, I fitted mine and swapped the struts and I'm no mechanical genius !!

I even made my own paint protector thingies out of helicopter tape.

 

[Nomad]

First thing, the VW bike rack is made by Thule so nothing to choose really.

I could mount mine on my own, just hook the two top mounts over the top of the tailgate, then lower the lower the rack into position carefully so you don't scratch the paintwork then bolt up the lower mounts... job done!

I had the tape when I bought the rack brand new but had the tailgate replaced after a car ran into the back of the van, after that I just used bits of motorbike inner tube to protect the paintwork.

Changing the gas struts is easy, use a small screwdriver to prise off the metal C clips at each end (tip: don't pull them all the way off as they can be fiddly to refit). I used to use a length of 1" square steel tubing that was about 7ft long, to prop the tailgate in the up position, much easier than trying to hold it up yourself. And always change the gas struts WITHOUT THE BIKE RACK FITTED.. I feels like it's doubled in weight with it on!