VW 4 bike rack on tail gate

[sidepod]

Does the tailgate stay up on its own without any bikes loaded?

 

[WelshGas]

Does the tailgate stay up on its own without any bikes loaded?

On a hot summers day definitely. Very cold winters day, it should but you will probably have to push it up the last 12" or so, until horizontal, and then it should hold.

 

[mrcheesbrough]

Does the tailgate stay up on its own without any bikes loaded?

Haven't you opened the boot yet on that new set of wheels yet? Ours does. Summer or winter. I believe the T4 Westy has uprated struts on the tailgate. Never been brave enough to see if they will support a bike, or bikes without the Mrs as a brace to keep it open though.

 

[sidepod]

Well yes but it didn't seem overly keen on staying up. ill have another play tomorrow.

Think I'll sleep in it tonight in the barn.

 

[2into1]

I had a T4 Reimo City van which came with a wooden prop to hold the tailgate up (with the rack), but would have thought better of Westfalia.

 

[jeff]

Does the tailgate stay up on its own without any bikes loaded?

Yes it's stays up on its own, when cold you will need to open it to the top then bring it down to the position you want. In summer no trouble when gasses are warm.

 

[mrcheesbrough]

Well yes but it didn't seem overly keen on staying up. ill have another play tomorrow.

Think I'll sleep in it tonight in the barn.

Ha ha. Our drive is sometimes a favoured overnight. Sounds like your struts may be a bit weak. Ours work without any of the aforementioned faffing about.

@T4WFA I've been married to my 'wooden prop' for 16 years now. Just as reliable as the day I first got her.

 

[Erbster]

It may hold up better in cold weather if you "pump" the tailgate up and down a bit


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[bxl_lad]

Without the bikes - no problem. With - depends on how many bikes... Had two adult and a 10yr old's bikes up there and it struggled. but did stay up, just...
But also be careful when lifting with bikes loaded, I tend to brace the rack in the down position (with a strap) before lifting the tailgate, as I had it a couple of times where it tried to concertina back on itself and the rearmost bike then hit the roof...

 

[2into1]

Careful guys. Together we may shatter the impression than T4 Westys are altogether more perfect than the T5ers....

 

[bxl_lad]

its time they learned the truth!

 

[sidepod]

Careful guys. Together we may shatter the impression than T4 Westys are altogether more perfect than the T5ers....

I think we've a long way to go before then. We can simply play the "electric roof" card.

 

[WelshGas]

Careful guys. Together we may shatter the impression than T4 Westys are altogether more perfect than the T5ers....

We're watching and waiting.

 

[2into1]

We're watching and waiting.

Not sure if this is a good idea, but here is a start........
Without knocking the T5s and 6's, these are the things that were just fine in the T4 that VW overcomplicated or just plain cocked up. The T5 introduced many improvements over the 4, but that doesn't excuse the following.

1) Manual roof that is faster to open than the SE / Ocean's. Average cost to fix a strut = £30 not £1300
2) Plastic roof so no corrosion
3) Central control panels last 20+ years not 3 years. No 'knob' to kick when climbing into bed
4) Integral dish drainer / heat shield above cooker
5) Rear cabin locker can be closed with one hand, by a child, and stays shut.
6) Many T4 taps were built on a hose. It wasn't called a shower attachment and charged as an extra
7) Wardrobe louvre door is just a hinged door. It doesn't split or fall off its runners
8) Downstairs bed is usable without a topper
9) Front seats swivelling doesn't require a chartered engineering qualification
10) Cooker top doesn't explode in the middle of the night.

I'm sure my fellow T4ers could improve my draft!

 

[sidepod]

Good work WFA. You forgot the bit about any part of a Westy being able to survive a direct hit from an anti tank round.

'Tis the season of good will so no lobbing bricks over the fence.

I'd buy a '5' but I'd have to spend North of £35k before I'd be feel comfortable with what I was buying. Early cheaper ones seem to be dogs in my op.

Anyway they're all cool. (But the '4s' are cooler).

 

[Yorkie]

Does the tailgate stay up on its own without any bikes loaded?

Mine needs a little encouragement for the last foot but stays up nicely.

 

[gingerrob]

Mine stays up with two adult bikes and a child's bike but then I have fitted updated struts. Opening the tailgate with no bikes though is a bit like Arkwright's till ( reference for the kids there!)

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[Yorkie]

Mine stays up with two adult bikes and a child's bike but then I have fitted updated struts. Opening the tailgate with no bikes though is a bit like Arkwright's till ( reference for the kids there!)

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Very funny; does it still go up with bikes on and the pop top up?

 

[gingerrob]

Depends which bikes, my mountain bike with silly wide bars does not road bike just. Don't like doing it though, very close...

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[EddySPalm]

Mine never stayed up with bike rack on. Maybe on hot summer days, never got to try. I bought 910N struts and it always stayed up, even in winter.