Atera Strada bike rack?

[Wolfie]

The camera is in same position on the T6 as the T5 and gives exactly the same view as ArunAlec has described. The reversing camera is brilliant, bikes or not. Even though it is not perfect with the bike rack attached, I think that it is better to have it than not. Without it you will be reversing blind and you will need to judge the extra 75cm of the bike rack without any rear view.

The removable tow bar is all ready to go with a 13 pin socket. With it, the tail board of the DL3 is fully functional. It is very easy to connect the DL3 electrical plug to the Cali, only requiring a 90 degree turn of the plug into the 13 pin socket. Also, one advantage of the electrical connection is that the van alarm will sound if someone attempts to disconnected the plug when the van is locked (as I found out)!

The removable tow bar is also easy to fit and remove. It is rock solid when fitted. I will post some pictures of the tow bar removed and fitted asap.

 

[Max-Felix]

Very helpful, thanks.

 

[Wolfie]

Some photos of the removable towbar fitting, with the towbar off and on. (The first and second picture show the plastic protection cap on the right, which is removed before inserting the towbar)

 

[Aidy P]

Fitted 4 full size mountain bikes to the Altera Strada DL for the first time today. Found it easier if I turned to handle bars by 90’

What locks / additional security are people using please?

 

[tuono001]

I use a couple of d locks and pair up bikes, then I have a good quality motorcycle chain and padlock through all of them.
With the d locks are cables to go through the wheels and face the key hole inwards to the van. It's a faff but I want to keep my bikes so don't mind.

 

[Aidy P]

Fitted 4 full size mountain bikes to the Altera Strada DL for the first time today. Found it easier if I turned to handle bars by 90’

What locks / additional security are people using please?View attachment 63238View attachment 63239View attachment 63240

I’ve got to say I’m really pleased with this bike rack. We’re on day six of a France trip. The amount of times I’ve forgotten something out of the boot or rear cupboards but have just slid the rack down to open the rear door.

Visibility is good whilst driving and a few times we’ve needed to fit under 2m barriers to get parking which I couldn’t have done with a tail mounted rack.

Reversing camera gets obstructed though so I just send Mrs P to ‘tap the van’ if needed.

Using a variety of locks including an Abus Bordo folding lock and a 2.5m cable which is a good option for securing all four bikes together (with a few combination locks and a couple of retractable ‘cafe locks’ to attach to the quick release seats).

 

[GrumpyGranddad]

Warning!

We have an Atera Strada towbar rack for two bikes. Never had an issue until today. The tilt release mechanism was badly damaged when grounding on a French speed bump :-(

Can’t now tilt the rack and therefore can’t open the tailgate. Can’t easily get to my tools in the rear cupboard.

Glad it happened at the end of our holiday.

Our van was lowered by 30mm and is well loaded for 2 weeks in France. Something to consider if you have similar situation.

 

[Perfectos]

Warning!

We have an Atera Strada towbar rack for two bikes. Never had an issue until today. The tilt release mechanism was badly damaged when grounding on a French speed bump :-(

Can’t now tilt the rack and therefore can’t open the tailgate. Can’t easily get to my tools in the rear cupboard.

Glad it happened at the end of our holiday.

Our van was lowered by 30mm and is well loaded for 2 weeks in France. Something to consider if you have similar situation.

Try pushing the green pop up button downward whilst pressing the release bar with your foot, it may just pop and allow the slide action to take place

edit a couple of photos of the underside to assist , this is the side with the pop up green button. Shout if you need any others

 

[GrumpyGranddad]

Thanks but no way I can see. Mechanism has jumped out of it’s frame. Hopefully I might be able to fix back home but won’t be easy as it’s all rivets rather than nuts/bolts. (My 1960’s engineering qualifications might come in handy )Not bothering out here as we can cope but probably coming home 1 day earlier. Just hope customs don’t want to have a thorough inspection, that will be fun

View attachment IMG_1696.jpeg

View attachment IMG_1697.jpeg

 

[Wolfie]

If you need to open the tailgate at least you can remove the whole bike rack, even though it doesn't slide. A bit of a faff and a last resort, but doable. Hopefully you'll sail through customs.

 

[GrumpyGranddad]

Hooray.
Took some doing but have managed to straighten the bent bits of metal, get the mechanism back in place and reconnect various springs. Happy enough and lesson learned re’ the French speed bumps in every village
Might also actually do a modification to afford the tilt mechanism some protection. Looks possible to add a skid plate of some sort.