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Looking to get a tow bar rack as it's the only safe way to carry bikes on our new R5. What should I look out for? My basic requirements list is;
- 4 mountain bikes*
- Tilting (to clear ID7 tourer boot).
- Carbon frame friendly
- 13 pin
- Maybe folding
- Led lights would be nice
* This might be over the R5s capacity but thinking we would also look to add a tow hook to our ID7 which has a higher capacity.
I've seen buzz racks recommended in threads on here. They certainly have a better price point but how do they compare in use to others?
Do you need to consider padding between bikes on tow racks? Any other features that make it break the ease of use? I imagine I'd be taking it on and off lots so something that is quick and easy to fit.
I've got the Buzzrack E-Hornet. Good capacity for modern LLS bikes.
No padding needed between bikes as they're held apart by the toptube clamp which is carbon friendly.
I have the 2 bike version and it's bloody heavy. Very easy to fit and remove in a couple of minutes but I wouldn't want to carry it very far.
The middle arm folds flat and I hang it on the fence under a cover.
It’s nose weight rather than towing capacity that you need to watch. It’s 63kg on the R5e, which is better than the paltry 50kg of my MG4. 4 MTBs and the rack will be pushing it.
Whenever I've had to carry 4 mtbs on a small car its been 2 on the roof, 2 on the towbar. 4 bike racks are almost always 3+1 and thats just not heavy duty enough in my experience, plus the nose weight issue. I'd think twice about putting 4 full suss on the back of a large estate car let alone a tiny little city car.
The R5 is most likely to carry 3 cross bikes max or 2 MTBs. Not expecting or intending to get 4 on that given it's size but I'd rather avoid having 2 different bike racks to store. On the ID7 I'd hope to get 4 MTBs. When all 4 of us go out the big car will be available.
Thanks for the nose weight value for the R5, had not found that yet also very glad no extra padding is required!
So one option could be to go with a 3 bike carrier and keep the current roof rack on the ID7 (sucking up the extra drag). Or 3 on the back and the smallest on the roof
I know some peple don't like them but I've had 4 MTBs (2 FS & 2 HT) on my Atera Strada and it tilts (slides actually) out of the way to clear the tailgate on my Merc Viano (Vito). It is a 3+1 but works well enough, I do have to add padding between the bikes though.
Unless the manual says otherwise the 63kg (or ID7 equivalent) is a point load at the ball without any adjustment for leverage from the rack.
My Superb (90kg limit for towing) is 75kg with our bike rack. I have checked It for our rack but there are rules about weights based on how far back the centre of load is from the tow ball.
Tilting racks are heavier.
I also have a superb (greetings, fellow King of the Road), and thought the nose weight was 150kg - that does sound hefty, mind.
I have a buzzrack four bike tilting rack and it's good, can't think of how it could be better tbh - it is quite heavy, need to thoughtfully pick it up and put it down, not just grab it. The space between rows 2 and 3 is tighter, and can need padding at 1 or 2 points between bikes if you're carrying four. I think a 4 bike rack that was spacious would be way above the nose weight of most cars, so probably isn't made by anyone.
If you buy the rack from Renault they supply the Peruzzo Pure Instinct 2 or 3 bike carrier, not one I'd heard of before but parts seem easy to get. I have the 3 but they do sell a 4 bike version, it is a bit of a squeeze to get all enduro bikes on, I had to buy wheelbase extenders and longer straps but at least you can get them. Is it best rack? Probably not but I would say the tilt function works well.