Thule bike carrier

soulstyledevon · May 22, 2014

Pretty sure the Dl 2 bike carrier won't clear.
However the dl 3/4 bike will clear. Not sure why that's just what someone told me.
I do the same as Californiaman and mount our two bikes in the furthest holders and the tailgate clears :thumb

It's a great bit of kit, far and away better than the VW rack...!!!

soulstyledevon · May 22, 2014

Found a pic of our bikes loaded on.

HistoryBob · May 22, 2014

That's brilliant! :thanks

Thanks for the quick replies. I can order the bike carrier with confidence. Now just one other question.
I am being quoted over £1100 by VW for a genuine VW ball and electrics. Whereas I am being quoted £650 for a local specialist tow ball fitting company. Do you have a cheaper retrofit ball and electrics?
Do you have 13 or 7 pin connectors.
Does the spare wheel cage interfere with the ball fitting bracket under the Cali?
Do you have a removable or fixed ball? I fancy the removable one.
Did they have to cut into the rear bumper to allow the ball to protrude?

Sorry that's four questions. On a steep learning curve here and picking up bikes today. Yippee!!
Bob

soulstyledevon · May 22, 2014

£1100...!!! The dealers are having a laugh
Should cost around £500.

The VW removable towbar is a rebranded/packaged westfalia kit. Infact the dealers will probably sub the work out to a local independent towbar company.

No cutting of the bumper is required and you want to use the dedicated Westfalia wiring kit which is coded into the vehicle and takes care or rear parking sensors, stability control etc. I would get the 13pin as it covers everything should you need in the future.

The Westfalia removable tow bar is excellent. Takes 10seconds to install and remove.
Infact to add the tow bar and Atera cycle rack takes me about 30 seconds. Both great bits of kit for your California :thanks

HistoryBob · May 22, 2014

soulstyledevon said:
£1100...!!! The dealers are having a laugh
Should cost around £500.

The VW removable towbar is a rebranded/packaged westfalia kit. Infact the dealers will probably sub the work out to a local independent towbar company.

No cutting of the bumper is required and you want to use the dedicated Westfalia wiring kit which is coded into the vehicle and takes care or rear parking sensors, stability control etc. I would get the 13pin as it covers everything should you need in the future.

The Westfalia removable tow bar is excellent. Takes 10seconds to install and remove.
Infact to add the tow bar and Atera cycle rack takes me about 30 seconds. Both great bits of kit for your California

Thanks again. Don't suppose you have the part numbers for the Westfalian tow ball and electrics wiring kit?
Long time since I did any car fetterling.

Allstarrs · May 22, 2014

All reassuring to know. We already have an Atera Strada DL3 which we currently use on an SMax and intend to use on our new Cali. The SMax has quite a tall rear door and there is loads of clearance. I appreciate that the cali door is taller still and had hoped it would clear.
We use a 13 pin socket for the DL3 as this is needed for the fog and reversing lights.
We got an aftermaket generic tow bar fitted as the Smax has a button to turn off the parking sensors. Don't know about the Cali.

defender1 · May 29, 2014

For anyone who is looking for the Thule as opposed to the Strada, I wanted the THule G6 929 I ordered mine this week from www.swedishcaraccessories.co.uk who are a Volvo main dealer. Badged volvo but looks identical to the G6. £316 or so delivered which seems pretty good value. Will let you know how i get on with it.

Wengen007 · May 30, 2014

As promised pics of my altera rack on the cali.

Wengen007 · May 30, 2014

Few more pics.
Hope this helps anyone thinking of getting one, it's a great bit of kit !

pscrompton · Jun 2, 2014

Hi,
I have just ordered a beach with detachable tow-bar due for delivery in July and am also debating between the Atera Strada DL3 and Thule 929 to carry 4 bikes

From what I have read on this forum it seems:

Atera - tail gate will open but the bike nearest the tailgate needs to have the handlebars turned by 90 degrees?

Thule - Can anybody let me know whether it is possible to use all 4 positions without the need to turn the handlebars and open the tailgate?
If so does this also apply to the Volvo branded version?

Thanks

defender1 · Jun 2, 2014

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Thule-EuroCla ... 6016.l4276

there is a comment in the description here about VW T5 tailgate and that it can be used. I don't need to turn the handlebars on my bike using the old bike rack i have (Maxxrack Buzzcruiser) and that should be same with the Thule/Volvo branded one.
The Volvo one is it would appear absolutely the same. Even Thule dealer told me that when i was looking and trying to establish differences.

Hope this helps....!

oh, the Atera looks great in the pics posted.

pscrompton · Jun 3, 2014

Hi

Thanks for the advice. I'd be grateful if you could let me know how you get on with the Volvo one once it has arrived. Any pics too would be great.

Custardtart · Aug 29, 2014

I'm about to put in an order for an Atera Strada tow bar mounted bike carrier for 4 bikes (3 plus 1). I was going for the DL3 which has rave reviews but see there is also an Evo version which appears very similar but maybe a bit beefier.

Has anybody used an Atera Strada Evo with their Cali? Does it move out the way enough to open the tail gate as the DL3 can?

Thanks.

EmCal76 · Apr 4, 2018

cleve said:
Brilliant! We collected ours on Thursday & still walking round with a big grin on our faces! We've got the vw bike rack which we can't fault (had it on our caravelle too & feel is money well spent!) Our problem is needing extra storage for wetsuits, cycling gear & paraphernalia that comes with 3 kids. Thinking about having the 929 to put a backup box on but could also put one of the kids bikes on it once the youngest is needing her own bike so we can carry 5 bikes!

HI.. I found your string from a while back. I'm in a similar situation ... 3 kids.. lots of kit .. did you get the 929 and use with a box/bag for the additional storage?