Atera Strada DL3 towbar clearance issues

[Max-Felix]

Looking at a T5.1 Cali Beach with a Westfalia removable tow bar.

Has anyone bought an Atera Strada DL3 and found any issues with clearance of the tailgate with any particular tow bar fitting? I realise you may need to turn the bars with the innermost bike but apart from this?

https://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbvehsel4_tab.php/all-products/atera_strada_dl_3_to_4_bike_carrier_uk_lights_no_ar2603/Qx@w,6M4PHS,ZGenkQvENtdosM

 

[sapto]

Looking at a T5.1 Cali Beach with a Westfalia removable tow bar.

Has anyone bought an Atera Strada DL3 and found any issues with clearance of the tailgate with any particular tow bar fitting? I realise you may need to turn the bars with the innermost bike but apart from this?

https://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbvehsel4_tab.php/all-products/atera_strada_dl_3_to_4_bike_carrier_uk_lights_no_ar2603/Qx@w,6M4PHS,ZGenkQvENtdosM

Hi Max-Felix,
I have an aftermarket fitted Westfalia towbar and a DL3: Everything is okay execpt the wide bars of my DH bike (I like the sliding thing and how easy it is to mount/remount the DL3).

Best way for me to carry my bikes around.

 

[Max-Felix]

Thanks Sapto. I've ummed and ahhed about this but needing access on and off with three bikes on the standard Cali rack last year drove us mad. As we all know advantages and disadvantages to both but even though the van I am looking at has the Cali rack (T5.1) it also has the tow bar so I like the idea of the ease of use, access and lower fuel consumption of the towbar rack as well as 2m barrier freedom.

Main downside is loss of reversing sensors.

 

[sapto]

I guess you already saw these pictures: "Bike Porn"-your rides and how/where you use them

 

[Max-Felix]

I guess you already saw these pictures: "Bike Porn"-your rides and how/where you use them

Ahh, yes.

 

[WelshGas]

Thanks Sapto. I've ummed and ahhed about this but needing access on and off with three bikes on the standard Cali rack last year drove us mad. As we all know advantages and disadvantages to both but even though the van I am looking at has the Cali rack (T5.1) it also has the tow bar so I like the idea of the ease of use, access and lower fuel consumption of the towbar rack as well as 2m barrier freedom.

Main downside is loss of reversing sensors.

No problems with the Factory fitted removeable tower. Yes you lose Parking Sensors but if you have a camera, that still works providing you do not have a cover, and gives an indication.

 

[Rob C]

Hi. I'm also pondering which bike rack (been pondering it for months!!!). We seem to need to be in and out of the tailgate, so although I love the aesthetic of the Kylie or the Quasi, I think the tow bar mounted rack is the way for us. But . . . from a previous vehicle I have a two bike Thule that tilts down easily enough, but it still does not give enough clearance for the tail to open (fully) if we have a bike on.

I too have looked at the Atera Strada DL3. Can anyone confirm whether the tail will open fully with a bike on this rack? I've seen the odd you tube clip and comment on the forum that suggest it won't - and I don't want to purchase something that has the same problems! Thanks.

 

[sapto]

...
I too have looked at the Atera Strada DL3. Can anyone confirm whether the tail will open fully with a bike on this rack? I've seen the odd you tube clip and comment on the forum that suggest it won't - and I don't want to purchase something that has the same problems! Thanks.

Hello Rob C

actually not with bikes...
I guess you already saw these pictures: "Bike Porn"-your rides and how/where you use them

With road bikes there aren't any problems. I hope that helps.

 

[WelshGas]

Hi. I'm also pondering which bike rack (been pondering it for months!!!). We seem to need to be in and out of the tailgate, so although I love the aesthetic of the Kylie or the Quasi, I think the tow bar mounted rack is the way for us. But . . . from a previous vehicle I have a two bike Thule that tilts down easily enough, but it still does not give enough clearance for the tail to open (fully) if we have a bike on.

I too have looked at the Atera Strada DL3. Can anyone confirm whether the tail will open fully with a bike on this rack? I've seen the odd you tube clip and comment on the forum that suggest it won't - and I don't want to purchase something that has the same problems! Thanks.

I have it. Carry 2 bicycles. Inner bike has to have handlebar turned 90o, but tailgate opens fully.

 

[matt-k918]

I bought the DL3 a few months ago and added the 4th rail too. As people have said in other posts it definitely clears my tailgate, with the handlebars turned on the inner bike. I have the factory removable towbar.

 

[Rob C]

Thanks everyone. Shame about having to turn the bars (we ride MTBs). Still probably the best option for us.

 

[Rob C]

And thanks sapto - I had seen that post.

 

[Rob C]

Actually, I've just seen reference to the Thule 929. Does anyone have any experience of this model? It looks as though it might drop low enough for a bike to clear the tailgate.

 

[California4x4]

Actually, I've just seen reference to the Thule 929. Does anyone have any experience of this model? It looks as though it might drop low enough for a bike to clear the tailgate.

I think I've read every post on tailgate bike carriers. The only two options people consistently mention are the Atera Strada 3 and the Thule 928 or 929. The weight of people have the Atera. However I've seen a couple of comments from happy owners of the Thule 928 also. I'm in Norway and shipping of the British Atera is prohibitively expensive but Thule are plentiful. I will be getting a Thule 928 (2 bike carrier +1 with adapter). The 929 is a 3+1.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[sapto]

Actually, I've just seen reference to the Thule 929. Does anyone have any experience of this model? It looks as though it might drop low enough for a bike to clear the tailgate.

Unfortunately I do not have any experience however one of the main differences is how you "clear/drop" the Atera vs. Thule:
The Thule "flips" down whereas the Atera slides down (sorry, is "flip" the correct verb?).
Both have, as long as you turn the bars, enough clearance to open the tailgate.

 

[sapto]

I think I've read every post on tailgate bike carriers. The only two options people consistently mention are the Atera Strada 3 and the Thule 928 or 929. The weight of people have the Atera. However I've seen a couple of comments from happy owners of the Thule 928 also. I'm in Norway and shipping of the British Atera is prohibitively expensive but Thule are plentiful. I will be getting a Thule 928 (2 bike carrier +1 with adapter). The 929 is a 3+1.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Great look forward to your review. I always thought only the 929 is working for the VW T5/6. I might be wrong.
Personal I wanted to have more space between the bikes so I only use the "car-closest and the car-farest" space to carry our bikes.

 

[California4x4]

Great look forward to your review. I always thought only the 929 is working for the VW T5/6. I might be wrong.
Personal I wanted to have more space between the bikes so I only use the "car-closest and the car-farest" space to carry our bikes.

Is that a Thule 929?

If the spacing is the same on the 2 and 3 carrier, I agree the 3 bike carrier looks essential for 2 x mountain bikes with wide axles. This is helpful to see. Thanks.

 

[sapto]

No, mine is a Atera DL3.

I found some pictures in the German Caliboard from the Thule G929 (http://www.caliboard.de/showthread....rrad-Kupplungstr%E4ger-T6&p=185676#post185676):

This pics show how the two different ones work..

 

[CarloDiGiusto]

Looking at a T5.1 Cali Beach with a Westfalia removable tow bar.

Has anyone bought an Atera Strada DL3 and found any issues with clearance of the tailgate with any particular tow bar fitting? I realise you may need to turn the bars with the innermost bike but apart from this?

https://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbvehsel4_tab.php/all-products/atera_strada_dl_3_to_4_bike_carrier_uk_lights_no_ar2603/Qx@w,6M4PHS,ZGenkQvENtdosM

Hello,
here you can see the Atera Strada DL3 fitted on my California with a couple of e-bikes: just turn the bars of the innermost bike and open the tailgate. Nothing else to do. Ciao

 

[soulstyledevon]

View attachment 24655
Hello,
here you can see the Atera Strada DL3 fitted on my California with a couple of e-bikes: just turn the bars of the innermost bike and open the tailgate. Nothing else to do. Ciao

Why don't you put the bikes on the two sections furthest from tailgate? Then you won't need to twist the handlebars

 

[CarloDiGiusto]

Why don't you put the bikes on the two sections furthest from tailgate? Then you won't need to twist the handlebars

Because of the better weight distribution.

 

[Crell]

Just to add, I had a strada on a vw detachable tow bar for approx 4 years. Worked brilliantly, though getting 3 bikes on there takes a bit of patience and I did have to replace the locks.

No clearance Issues I can remember and always able to open the tailgate, (which was why I bought it) ... though it was close. I've never needed to turn the bars, even with some fairly wide Havens

Here it is on my old Caravelle.

 

[soulstyledevon]

Just to add, I had a strada on a vw detachable tow bar for approx 4 years. Worked brilliantly, though getting 3 bikes on there takes a bit of patience and I did have to replace the locks.

No clearance Issues I can remember and always able to open the tailgate, (which was why I bought it) ... though it was close. I've never needed to turn the bars, even with some fairly wide Havens

Here it is on my old Caravelle.

View attachment 25236

Agree it's close, but definitely clears.
Here is mine

 

[Aidy P]

I use the Atera on my detachable tow ball with 4 mountain bikes, the largest at the back nearest the tailgate. It's tight but it opens. A friends 'hates' the door mounted rack they got with their van. Loaded she can't get in the rear. Unloaded she finds it difficult to open the door. Also annoyed them on a recent France trip they couldn't use the <2m lane.

The Atera is a bit heavy. My wife can't install it but for the times we use bikes, I'd rather have a van without a rack for most of the time.

 

[Crell]

The Atera is a bit heavy. My wife can't install it but for the times we use bikes, I'd rather have a van without a rack for most of the time.

It's a good point. A friend of my wife bought a Cali and an Atera Strada recently and she also can't install the rack on her own. It is a bit unwieldy to fit and worth trying before you buy if you can. The Atera promo video I remember seeing made it look easy but it is fairly heavy.

I never added the fourth bike attachment as I always threw my daughter's bike in the boot. As shes on a 26" bike now though that will change. I'll try the "free" VW rack I had thrown in to my deal and see how we get on and if not, I'll go back to the Strada as it's a known quantity for me.