Bike rack/ tow bar

[MJM Grand]

Hello all,

We’ve got a MY2024 t6.1 Ocean and I’m looking into options for carrying bikes. I have sounded out towbar providers and all say that vw have made a change to the CPU which means they can’t code in a towbar properly. So if we get a towbar, it would mean issues with sensors when bike rack is on. Has anyone else encountered this?

Separately, I’m looking at racks for the boot door. Struts we have are 1240N would we need to upgrade if we get a 4 bike rack on the door?

Thanks in advance

 

[Viktorgeorge]

If your preference is the tow bar mounted carried route, then I would check with satnavsystems.com Hamid Ataie (if you have not done so) as if anyone can he will solve the electrics issue you describe.

https://www.satnavsystems.com/

We have electric bikes and in our 70's so other higher level alternatives would not work. I know nothing about the boot door route, only that the VW rack is permanent and looks a pain. But a search on the forum ( with VIP membership ideally so you can be more date selective) may give you answers.

 

[AdamsFamily]

Hello all,

We’ve got a MY2024 t6.1 Ocean and I’m looking into options for carrying bikes. I have sounded out towbar providers and all say that vw have made a change to the CPU which means they can’t code in a towbar properly. So if we get a towbar, it would mean issues with sensors when bike rack is on. Has anyone else encountered this?

Separately, I’m looking at racks for the boot door. Struts we have are 1240N would we need to upgrade if we get a 4 bike rack on the door?

Thanks in advance

We had a (non VW) towbar fitted to our 74 plate by the dealer for our towbar mounted bike carrier. . I'm pretty sure they wouldn't have done it if there was coding issues that would cause the sensors to have issues.
Have the fitters you've spoken to mentioned exactly what issues you'd face?

I must be honest, we haven't used our yet - but with an upcoming trip where it will be needed we were saying about a trial run.
I'll get that done and let you know if anything untoward appears but all I'm expecting is for the rear sensors to become inactive and the side assist not to work.

With regard to getting a boot mounted one, the recommendation is to upgrade the standard struts, but if you have 1240N then it sounds like you may have the stronger ones anyway.

 

[MJM Grand]

Hi @AdamsFamily, it turns out advisor got it wrong and we should be fine to get towbar coded in! Was useful to reference your experience - thank you. Am now booked in to get sorted.

 

[Baldrick]

We have a factory fitted towbar and when there’s a light board attached the auto cruise control seems to be disabled (which might well make sense if there was a caravan or trailer being towed). I’m not sure what else would apply.

 

[Viktorgeorge]

We have a factory fitted towbar and when there’s a light board attached the auto cruise control seems to be disabled (which might well make sense if there was a caravan or trailer being towed). I’m not sure what else would apply.

Auto cruise control continues to work fine on my MY23 Ocean with my Thule tow bar mounted bike rack with auxiliary lighting connected. But lane assist and the rear sensors are both disconnected.

 

[AdamsFamily]

We have a factory fitted towbar and when there’s a light board attached the auto cruise control seems to be disabled (which might well make sense if there was a caravan or trailer being towed). I’m not sure what else would apply.

Interesting, and annoying if that's the case. Our Volvo just disabled the side assist and rear sensors - could still use adaptive cruise which is a must through France.

 

[NE71]

I’ve got a 74 plate ocean and have the factory fitted towbar and use a bike rack. As other have said, the rear sensors and side sensors are disabled and a warning comes up on the dash telling you that when first setting off. No problems otherwise. I use an Atera Genio Pro bike rack which tilts enough to allow the tailgate to open. I’ve got the 2 bike version which is robust (and heavy!) and I got the extra rail for 3 bikes if needed. It doesn’t come in a 4 bike version as I’m guessing it couldn’t tilt enough without hitting the ground. I find it heavy to lug around but that said, it is capable of taking electric bikes, which is probably the reason. If I was to buy again for my (light) road bikes I’d look for something more lightweight but I’m not sure there are many that tilt enough. When folded it does fit in the boot but only if the rear sleeping platform is lifted slightly.

 

[FairyCakes230]

Concur with NE71 that the Atera Genio is a great rack but it does have flaws. In 2 bike mode I imagine it's close to perfect, but the 3rd bike attachment makes it a lot less flexible. Once you're used to it it's pretty quick on and off (the attachment) but you can't swing the rack back from the tailgate to open it unless either the outer bike supports the whole thing against the ground (not good), or you've turned the handlebars parallel with the frame.
As a 2 bike rack it's amazing. The bike support rails fold up effortlessly, the tow bar attachment is soooo much better than my old Atera rack, and the lean-out-of-the-way mechanism is a doddle and the Cali tailgate clears it. I tried a 3 bike Thule rack at Sounds Alarming in Newcastle (excellent for electrics and racks etc) and the Thule rack didn't tilt far enough to open the tailgate.
Final word of warning re the Atera, it's not a quick setup. Don't try and do it the morning you're travelling as I did on the first go. Unhappy family. Once set up it's brilliant. I keep it on a small wooden dolly so it's much easier to move around as I'm a weed and it's pretty heavy.
I recommend something like the MTB Hopper Smile bike stand (second pic) as they hold the bikes while you faff with the rack, can be switched around to different tyre thicknesses, and disassembled to fit neatly in the boot.View attachment IMG_1644.jpgView attachment IMG_1347.jpg

 

[Arnoob]

Is the combination bikerack + two e-bikes too heavy for the towbar? My manual tells me that the total weight should not be over 60 kilograms.

 

[secret lemonade drinker]

The noseweight on a T6 westfalia is 100Kg, so plenty for two ebikes and rack especially if you remove the batteries
I have a rack for a lightweight motorcycle and the California carried that with an electric Moped (minus Battery).

 

[alan456]

I was going to get a towbar/bike rack but the dealer threw in a free VW tailgate rack so I use that. We do not take our bikes every trip. Just when we know we might want them.

I have 2 non electric bikes so can lift them up but it's not easy of you're not fit and strong.

Once on though it doesn't affect driving.

I removed one midle cross bar as we only have 2 bikes so have good visibility when not in use.

When folded it barely affects the length of the van.

The main problem is boot access when loaded. You can just about open it with 2 bikes for quick access but that's it. You need to remove the bikes when you arrive on site and then fine somewhere secure to lock them.

In conclusion it's a pain but it's also a far cheaper option especially if you will only use it occasionally as we do.