Has anyone used their genuine vw 4 bike carrier for carrying skis? I was thinking that some sort of clamping system could be fitted to the rack when it is folded up to allow skis and or boards to be carried vertically on the rear? Any ideas?
KayakJim
carrying skis on vw rear bike rack?
I've mounted a Thule Roof Box onto the bike rack. This way the skis are protected from the weather and thieves, you can also put in much more kit including boots etc.
To mount it I bought a roof bar and cut it in half and then bolted it across the bike rack channels. One 6mm coach bolt in each channel, it means drilling the roof bar and the corresponding channel. The nut is tightened under the bike channel It takes 10 minutes to fit and take off the bars once you have fitted them. The roof box then simply clamps to the bars like it would to a roof rack. Just in case a thief has a spanner in his pocket I also pass a wire lock through the bottom of the box around the bike mounting channels and then back into the box through the mounting slots. The lock is safely inside of the roof box. I've also managed to fit the bike to the rack with the bars in place so I only take them off in the summer.
Done 2 trips to the alps with this set up and number of trips to Scotland.
To mount it I bought a roof bar and cut it in half and then bolted it across the bike rack channels. One 6mm coach bolt in each channel, it means drilling the roof bar and the corresponding channel. The nut is tightened under the bike channel It takes 10 minutes to fit and take off the bars once you have fitted them. The roof box then simply clamps to the bars like it would to a roof rack. Just in case a thief has a spanner in his pocket I also pass a wire lock through the bottom of the box around the bike mounting channels and then back into the box through the mounting slots. The lock is safely inside of the roof box. I've also managed to fit the bike to the rack with the bars in place so I only take them off in the summer.
Done 2 trips to the alps with this set up and number of trips to Scotland.
Headless, thanks for this, really great idea A:. I have a Thule roof box but never thought of adapting to go on the bike rack. So will have a look at this option. Could not get you picture links to work, is you album set to public view?
Great looks just the job and far better than on the roof, both for ease of access and aerodynamics. I know what I'll be doing in the garage this weekend T:
Nice van by the way
Nice van by the way
So following on from headless's idea above here's how I have mounted mine.
Firstly I got some bits from flea bay: M10 50mm x 130mm U-Bolt N-Bolt 1 PAIR with Plates and Nuts HIGH TENSILE UBR07/08
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These were the right length but a little wide so I had to add some 11mm rubber tube and some extra padding. Used a bit of silicon spray to help get it on the bolt T:
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Not the tidiest of Gaffa tape jobs but it will do the trick for now and I can easily re-tape at a later date.
Next I had to line up the roof box on the bike rack making sure I left enough space at the rear for the lid to open without fouling the folded down bike cross bar grips. Also had to make sure that I could install the u bolts in a suitable area on the bottom as the Thule Pacific 600 I have has quite a few dips and ridges in it. I then marked where I wanted the holes with blue tack and drilled 2x 10mm holes for each of the 4 u bolts. 2 each side. The rear ones are slightly closer together than the ones at the front due to having to find suitable locations that would allow space for the mounting plates.
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I may replace these with thumb nuts later and certainly put some plastic covers over the to stop then fouling luggage
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Ok the taping job does look pretty amateur but its really solid and you can't get it off without the roof box being open. To be extra sure I used the original mounts closed these up fully and used the bike wheel tie downs to secure them as well.
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All in all I am pretty pleased I will probably add a couple of extra over the top straps for long trips to be extra sure.
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Thanks to headless for the idea on this one will certainly do the job for skis and boards T:
Firstly I got some bits from flea bay: M10 50mm x 130mm U-Bolt N-Bolt 1 PAIR with Plates and Nuts HIGH TENSILE UBR07/08
These were the right length but a little wide so I had to add some 11mm rubber tube and some extra padding. Used a bit of silicon spray to help get it on the bolt T:
Not the tidiest of Gaffa tape jobs but it will do the trick for now and I can easily re-tape at a later date.
Next I had to line up the roof box on the bike rack making sure I left enough space at the rear for the lid to open without fouling the folded down bike cross bar grips. Also had to make sure that I could install the u bolts in a suitable area on the bottom as the Thule Pacific 600 I have has quite a few dips and ridges in it. I then marked where I wanted the holes with blue tack and drilled 2x 10mm holes for each of the 4 u bolts. 2 each side. The rear ones are slightly closer together than the ones at the front due to having to find suitable locations that would allow space for the mounting plates.
I may replace these with thumb nuts later and certainly put some plastic covers over the to stop then fouling luggage
Ok the taping job does look pretty amateur but its really solid and you can't get it off without the roof box being open. To be extra sure I used the original mounts closed these up fully and used the bike wheel tie downs to secure them as well.
All in all I am pretty pleased I will probably add a couple of extra over the top straps for long trips to be extra sure.
Thanks to headless for the idea on this one will certainly do the job for skis and boards T:
Looks like a good job but would it not just be better to put the roof box on the roof if possible (if no pop top). Just thinking it would be better having the weigh further forward putting more weight on front wheels. you can then open the back door and have a shorter easier to park vehicle. Box would be up nice and high then so more chance of a scoundrel setting of the alarm climbing up to Nick your hard earned goodies. I have a bike rack and roof box and not knocking the idea but struggling to see the advantage of fitting them this way.
A few advantages from my perspective:
1) ease of access at the end of a long day skiing, ie not having to lift stuff up to roof level, also easier to pack and organise when not on a step ladder (don't need to carry step or step ladder).
2) I often have a couple of kayaks on the roof they won't fit on the bike rack.
3) less drag on motorway fuel consumption is about 4 mpg less with it on the roof
4) not limited by height restrictions on car parks (unless I have kayaks), quite important in many leisure spots in the UK
5) can go through fast toll non height limited lanes on the continent.
6) easy to shove wet gear in the box at the end of a paddle, ski or climb and not get inside of van wet, bit of a faff to do this when its on the roof, especially if its raining or snowing.
It's only 60kg max and as mine is a t32 I doubt it makes much difference to weight distribution, need something in the rear to balance my hefty lump up front
1) ease of access at the end of a long day skiing, ie not having to lift stuff up to roof level, also easier to pack and organise when not on a step ladder (don't need to carry step or step ladder).
2) I often have a couple of kayaks on the roof they won't fit on the bike rack.
3) less drag on motorway fuel consumption is about 4 mpg less with it on the roof
4) not limited by height restrictions on car parks (unless I have kayaks), quite important in many leisure spots in the UK
5) can go through fast toll non height limited lanes on the continent.
6) easy to shove wet gear in the box at the end of a paddle, ski or climb and not get inside of van wet, bit of a faff to do this when its on the roof, especially if its raining or snowing.
It's only 60kg max and as mine is a t32 I doubt it makes much difference to weight distribution, need something in the rear to balance my hefty lump up front
A bit after the event perhaps, but a couple of add ons:
1) Brilliant idea, Def going to use it.
2) I have a tow ball mounted carrier, but can do the same thing, similar load ratings to roof rack on a pop top.
3) Could switch the box around to open backwards: can then keep it tighter to the back of the van, access should still be ok. I have the Atera bike rack which rotates backwards to allow the tailgate to rise so very easy to access a roof box which opens forwards.
Happy skiing!
1) Brilliant idea, Def going to use it.
2) I have a tow ball mounted carrier, but can do the same thing, similar load ratings to roof rack on a pop top.
3) Could switch the box around to open backwards: can then keep it tighter to the back of the van, access should still be ok. I have the Atera bike rack which rotates backwards to allow the tailgate to rise so very easy to access a roof box which opens forwards.
Happy skiing!
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