Carrying bikes on my Altea

[bobbycfc]

Originally raised this query back in June before I got my Altea XL, but raising it again to see if anyone has any more knowledge / experience on the subject.

Need to carry 4 bikes on my Altea XL. I have a Thule towbar cycle carrier that I used with my previous Scenic but I have been scared off with the prices for getting a towbar fitted to the XL (£400 ish).

So looking at roofbars and carriers. Thule do all the bits I need but how practical is it to put 4 bikes on the roof of an Altea XL? I guess I would need to take a small set of steps with me to get bike up and down.

Anyone put 4 bikes on roof of Altea or XL? Any advice, thoughts etc?

 

[MSV User]

Originally raised this query back in June before I got my Altea XL, but raising it again to see if anyone has any more knowledge / experience on the subject.

Need to carry 4 bikes on my Altea XL. I have a Thule towbar cycle carrier that I used with my previous Scenic but I have been scared off with the prices for getting a towbar fitted to the XL (£400 ish).

So looking at roofbars and carriers. Thule do all the bits I need but how practical is it to put 4 bikes on the roof of an Altea XL? I guess I would need to take a small set of steps with me to get bike up and down.

Anyone put 4 bikes on roof of Altea or XL? Any advice, thoughts etc?

Have you shopped around for towbar prices? I got this quote from Indespension Belfast Depot for towbars:

TYPE PRICE
Swan neck £179.99 + vat (This tow bar is for towing only)
Detachable £290.00 + vat (This can also be used for bicycle racks, and other extensions for towing.)
Bolt on £180.00 + vat (This can be removed by one clip when not in use.
)

Other fitters quoted similar prices.

Ade

 

[bobbycfc]

Ade, are they prices for an altea or Altea XL? I would assume that it is different bars for each of them?

 

[MSV User]

Ade, are they prices for an altea or Altea XL? I would assume that it is different bars for each of them?

Those are for the Altea, surely the slightly longer length of the XL wouldn't make such a huge difference?

Ade

 

[bobbycfc]

Don't know if its the length or the fact that the XL is newer to the market and maybe less suppliers of them?

Did your Altea have reversing sensors? If so what effect did fitting the towbar have on them?

 

[MSV User]

Don't know if its the length or the fact that the XL is newer to the market and maybe less suppliers of them?

Did your Altea have reversing sensors? If so what effect did fitting the towbar have on them?

Sorry don't have reversing sensors, so cant comment on that.

 

[bobbycfc]

Well after getting some prices for towbars, with no one willing to commit whether it would affect my reversing sensors (and everyone telling me it would involve the rear bumper being cut), I decided to get roofbars.

So these have been delivered today so will have a play about tonight to get them all set up etc.

 

[bobbycfc]

Well after 2 full evenings of fiddling about, I now have roof bars with 4 bike carriers fitted to them. Getting the carriers into the correct position was very very fiddly. On the roof of the XL, on the roofbars, there are small holes that the "feet" for the Thule roofbars fit into,

However to cut a long story short, got it all done and took the 4 bikes out on Sunday. Once the roofrack is in place, it takes mins (and long arms) to get the bikes on and off the roof (don't forget to put your two-step footstool in the boot with you!).

I still think my previous towbar mounted one was better, certainly my missus could fit that herself and load up the bikes but she hasn't a hope in hell of doing it with the roof bars.

One thing I noticed, fuel consumption takes a serious hammering - I averaged 34mpg on my 80 mile journey at speeds of no more than 60mph!

 

[GrantyBoy]

I would have paid the cash and got a towbar fitted, I'm not a fan of bikes being on car roofs

 

[bobbycfc]

There are pros and cons to both. In this instance I have sold my towbar carrier and the money raised just about paid for the roof bars and racks. otherwise could have been close to £400 out of pocket for a towbar that no one would confirm to me whether it affected reversing sensors.

With the roof bars, I now have the flexibility of putting a roof box on if needed. Also if bikes are on the roof, unless I hit a low barrier then they are probably going to be relatively safe.

If anyone runs into the back of me whilst carrying it on towbar, possibllity of more damage.

 

[GrantyBoy]

Everyone does have a preferance. I personally don't like putting bikes on the roof as all the crud falls onto the car and damages the paint.

I'm looking to fit a detachable tow bar to my Leon and get a rack which lowers to still allow access to the boot. Like you said downside is the cost, but I hammer across the Highlands with my bike most weekend so I can almost justify the expense.

 

[scotsman]

I got a detachable towbar fitted by Dealer for £290. Has no effect upon reversing sensors - apart from when it is attached obviously.