Are any of these bike racks more secure than any others? 
Which bike rack should I get for 4 cycles?
- Thread starter Annie
- Start date
I think you miss understood me. I agree with you about the rack only being pinched. Unlikely.
I’m more concerned when it’s loaded up with a few grands worth of bikes. A sprinter van, two blokes, two power tools, and the Fiamma and Thule complete with bikes is gone in 15 seconds.
I’m more concerned when it’s loaded up with a few grands worth of bikes. A sprinter van, two blokes, two power tools, and the Fiamma and Thule complete with bikes is gone in 15 seconds.
I am interested in the security of the rack, not only for its own sake but I may also want to alternately mount other things on to it. Such as a spare wheel for instance and perhaps other items. Of course I will try to secure items to the rack. However if thieves go to all the trouble to steel spare wheels mounted underneath the vehicle for instance, could they just as easily steel the entire rack and what was on it all in one go?
The rack on its own is quite expensive and a Rim with Tyre add up. It could also be incredibly inconvenient.
I had misunderstood. I agree with you, if they are on show then a determined thief will take them. When the rack is loaded I never leave it unattended, if I stop at services I keep it within sight and if we park up anywhere then I take the bikes off and put them inside the van. Like many on here our family bikes are precious and expensive to replace, I find it less stressful overall to be cautious.
Thank you for that. Perhaps a permanently bolted on rack might be a way to go then. Not that I have seen one for Bikes but I have seen a bolt on rack for wheels and boxes It is relatively cheep by comparison. I am surprised considering the explosion in bike use, that a more substantial bolt on permanent or semi-permanent solution is not being marketed.
I also agree that anxiety about theft can be just as stressful as the theft its self!
We went for a Thule tow bar rack (as it already had a tow bar fitted) and well impressed with it. Really good visibility out the rear window and easy to remove when we're not using the bikes. The clamp for the tow bar has a lock so would be pretty difficult to steal. Highly recommend them.
I am sure that the tow bar mount might be more secure. It is no good for my use though. It would probably be smacked off on off road use. i doubt that it would last long.
Not used on the van yet but stores on the garage wall out the way until required.. Im sure there must be a way clamping the clasp bracket from the interior of the tailgate so it cant be released via the hex wrench from the outside .. I will have a look at this when i fix for first use .. whenever the 'Lockup'and tier sentencing ends .. so I can get out somewhere
Providing that you have your detachable towbar locked. Having said that, a fixed flange towball could easily be unbolted.
Thule? Will be interested to know if this is achievable.
15 seconds if they are faffing about...!
This the sort of thing, OK it is on a barn door and its made for a Spare Wheel only but I have seen others somewhere. In any case something a lot more permanent than the current range of quick on quick off types that festoon these pages. In any case I am sure that there are enough craftsmen on here who could knock up something better and more adaptable in no time at all.
www.wheeliams.co.uk
VOLKSWAGEN T5 TRANSPORTER REAR DOOR SPARE WHEEL CARRIER
The carrier hooks over the top of the door in the same way the VW bike rack does. It then requires you to drill two holes in you door skin under the window reveal to stabilise the carrier. These are drawn in CAD initially before being cut on CNC, parts pressed by us in our shop, and assembled by...
www.wheeliams.co.uk
So after much deliberation I've decided to bite the bullet and go for the easy option of buying one already done for 800 (example below from their website). Crazy price for a bike rack but I think they look pretty cool as well as being practical. I watched a demo of someone taking apart a silver one (which with powder coating would have cost me 650) and I didnt want to go through all the hassle of it tbh as I'm not very practical and also need it for a trip in three weeks. Tha for all the advice and suggestions though. I'm sure they will start making official black ones soon as there is obviously a demand.
You so right about the costs of these thing. It is a joke. I woud think that here are guys on here who could come up with something a lot more secure and robust.
Yes I know its crazy. But after spending 20k plus on my van I wanted something that looked good and decided the extra couple of hundred quid over the next few years was a price worth paying, especially as I am one of those t6 owners who likes to have a peek out the window at the van quite often!
If you have the time and are not as useless at takings things apart as I am you could easily do it and there a few you tube tutorials on how to take the silver ones apart for powder coating. But a couple of the bits need to be drilled out and that kinda put me off. And things I take apart tend to stay apart for good!
No shame in admitting that you can not do something that another can in my book. Every one has there part to play on the stage of life, sometimes it is the smallest of every day things that can go a long way and some whizz kid can see non of it. We can not all be Albert Einstein or Mr Fix Anything Everything.Yes I know its crazy. But after spending 20k plus on my van I wanted something that looked good and decided the extra couple of hundred quid over the next few years was a price worth paying, especially as I am one of those t6 owners who likes to have a peek out the window at the van quite often!
If you have the time and are not as useless at takings things apart as I am you could easily do it and there a few you tube tutorials on how to take the silver ones apart for powder coating. But a couple of the bits need to be drilled out and that kinda put me off. And things I take apart tend to stay apart for good!
"And things I take apart tend to stay apart for good! " Well I am often in that place too
I remember a Time when I wanted to fix a steering part on a LandRover 101 FC. I had a military manual. Which is an idiots guide how to do and not do on specific things. I did not posses the specialist tools that it required so approached the problem with great trepidation and deliberation. I needed to take part of the steering column apart and replace the bearings. Any way I got so far and tried not to disturb a certain part because all the bearings would fall out. The Mrs got into the other side and tapped the steering "this looks strange" and guess what all the ball bearings fell out and into the steering box tinkle tinkle!
that was a big job but it took me days and this was our only vehicle. I could not buy the tools that I needed because they where specialist tools and oh it was a night mare. Luckily I had a a neighbour who was an WWII Ex Paratrooper and a mechanic. He was very encouraging a great guy and I got on very well with him. He kept me going. So After days of walking miles into Town and then back several times a day to an engineering shop/works. Eventually I manage find something short of a big hammer to remove said hidden steering box and rebuild it and put everything back together again better than it was. It was so stressful though. 
Great
Thx for the kind words. Great story too and always handy to have an Ex Paratrooper aroundNo shame in admitting that you can not do something that another can in my book. Every one has there part to play on the stage of life, sometimes it is the smallest of every day things that can go a long way and some whizz kid can see non of it. We can not all be Albert Einstein or Mr Fix Anything Everything.
"And things I take apart tend to stay apart for good! " Well I am often in that place too
I remember a Time when I wanted to fix a steering part on a LandRover 101 FC. I had a military manual. Which is an idiots guide how to do and not do on specific things. I did not posses the specialist tools that it required so approached the problem with great trepidation and deliberation. I needed to take part of the steering column apart and replace the bearings. Any way I got so far and tried not to disturb a certain part because all the bearings would fall out. The Mrs got into the other side and tapped the steering "this looks strange" and guess what all the ball bearings fell out and into the steering box tinkle tinkle!
Tim Butcher
Member
Looks great - I nearly took out a mortgage for one of those too.
Instead I’ve been quoted £620 for a detachable towbar, and a new Thule ride on 3 is £255, which allows me to see out of the back window and access the boot without removing the bikes...
Still can’t make my mind up!
Decisions decisions eh. I was choosing between the silver vw one for 500 or there is a black one Fiamma do for 619. All available on Ebay. Depends if you need it for four bikes or not really. I looked at the towbar option but was put off the by the extra you would need to pay for electrical compatibility. Good luck.
