Tailgate rack weight advice

[harryrm]

Hi

We have a 4 bike tailgate VW rack on our van. The total weight limit is specified as 60kg. However I have seen posts elsewhere that there is a limit of 17kg per bike - which is problematic as the battery in the Orbea I am looking to buy is not removable and the bike weight is ~20kg.

Has anyone here carried a ~20kg bike on a tailgate rack? If so, were there any issues?

We will actually have 2 bikes each of a similar weight. Neither with removable battery. Am hoping to be able to transport both without a fear that the rack will bow or worse….!

Thank you in advance.

 

[Jackware]

IIWM I'd get a towbar fitted, rather than hoping my tailgate doesn't get distorted or worse.

 

[steve_sordy]

If the tailgate as a whole has a limit of 60kg, but you think it might be 17kg per bike. Then this is a point loading problem. Therefore spread the load. Don't rest the bike directly on to the tailgate, put a length of wood between them.

 

[harryrm]

If the tailgate as a whole has a limit of 60kg, but you think it might be 17kg per bike. Then this is a point loading problem. Therefore spread the load. Don't rest the bike directly on to the tailgate, put a length of wood between them.

Sorry I’m not sure what you mean. This is our set up (with regular MTBs)

 

[steve_sordy]

@harryrm Ahh. Thanks for the pic, I can see why my post makes no sense. The problem is mine. I had assumed that by "tailgate" you meant you had bikes sat in the back of your open-topped truck with the front wheels hanging over the rear.
Apologies.

With that set up I would have no problem with hanging two 24kg bikes from your 60kg rated tailgate. The closer to the back of your vehicle the better.

It would be even better if you could seek the rack manufacturer's guidance as to the validity of the 17kg max bike weight post.

If you have any doubts at all, don't use the rack. Just imagine how you would feel if you saw your bike bouncing down the road behind you! (I have!)

 

[vikino1]

I use a Thule 5-door rack on my Skoda Yeti. Two 23-24 kg bikes are perfectly fine. But I remove the batteries, so about 20kg per bike. The total load capacity is 60kg, no need to worry about that. I can even open the fifth door with one bike loaded.

 

[Shark58]

This is our set up (with regular MTBs)

That looks like an original VW rack. This model is indeed specified for a max. bike weight of 17kg.

Have a look at a Thule rack for your bus. That model is specified for a total of 60kg and up to 30kg per bike. The basic version comes for two bikes and can be expanded for 3 or 4 bikes.

Thule WanderWay | Thule | United Kingdom

Thule WanderWay - Top-of-the-line boot bike rack with raised platform dedicated for the Volkswagen T6.

www.thule.com

 

[Stihldog]

Sorry I’m not sure what you mean. This is our set up (with regular MTBs)

View attachment 174850

When we purchased our new Toyota RAV4 Hybrid I researched for a 2” hitch shortly after. Towing capacity and tongue weight was considered.

The Toyota dealership would install one but for a ridiculous price (-$1K). So I ordered a specific 2” hitch kit for our new vehicle. Suitable bolts and instructions were included. ($300). With the help of a friend we installed the hitch in 30 minutes. Fairly easy.

With the type of bike rack I use I no longer had any worries during travel.

I would have no problem carrying 4 EMTB’s but our rack carries 2.


The previous rack I used was for gravel and road bikes. Less weight, but very sketchy imo. That relied on the rear window of the vehicle hatch, the bumper, and some internal attachments. It was not rated for the weight of a couple of EMTB’s.

Even though there is 3 different locking methods used on this rack, the bikes are never out of my sight. I guess I’m paranoid.

 

[Andy-c]

I used this for a few years but it eventually took the paint off the tailgate. I have a tow ball mounted now which is much better. To be fair it was overloaded and nothing ever fell off.