cycles
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Hi,
I was looking for something like some time ago. It seems the best bet is the tow-bar mounting type. Mind you, they aint cheap.
I also found a thread on this forum at:
http://www.vweosclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1210
I was looking for something like some time ago. It seems the best bet is the tow-bar mounting type. Mind you, they aint cheap.
I also found a thread on this forum at:
http://www.vweosclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1210
Hi,
After buying my Eos I decided to get back into cycling as I have a recumbent bike and a mountain bike so a cycle carrier was the best option. The only option is a towbar mounted bar as the fibre glass boot lid will not take the cycle + carrier weight.
Looked very closely at the cost of putting a tow bar on the Eos, cost of wiring loom, installation, carrier and hassle of removing and installing the outfit and.......
Bought a Brompton folding bike
which fits in the boot - problem solved
Since doing this I have also added a campervan to my stable therefore can take any bike out now on it's cycle carrier.
What I would recommend that you look very carefully at the costs and operation of making this change. Don't let my comments put you off, i'm happy to be proved wrong.
Simon V
After buying my Eos I decided to get back into cycling as I have a recumbent bike and a mountain bike so a cycle carrier was the best option. The only option is a towbar mounted bar as the fibre glass boot lid will not take the cycle + carrier weight.
Looked very closely at the cost of putting a tow bar on the Eos, cost of wiring loom, installation, carrier and hassle of removing and installing the outfit and.......
Bought a Brompton folding bike
which fits in the boot - problem solvedSince doing this I have also added a campervan to my stable therefore can take any bike out now on it's cycle carrier.
What I would recommend that you look very carefully at the costs and operation of making this change. Don't let my comments put you off, i'm happy to be proved wrong.
Simon V
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478 Posts
Cost of wiring?? If you're not going to be towing a trailer, you don't need any wiring. While I haven't looked into the cost of a small (1 1/4) receiver hitch, I bought one for a Prius that I installed myself. It took a couple of wrenches and about 1/2 hour of my time. Cost for the Prius hitch (about $150) plus the cost of a receiver bike carrier (less than $50). See link below.
http://www.prohoists.com/Shopping.idc?ProductID=37
As posted above, I would be very leery of going with a trunk mounted carrier for fear of screwing up the trunk lid.
Another great advantage of a receiver hitch bike rack is that it allows FULL access to the trunk. Everyone I've seen has a pin that can be pulled to lower the bike rack back around 45 degrees.
For my money, this is the only way to go if you want to blend an Eos with a bike.
Thanks for the comment. The reference to a wiring was due to the VW supplied system obscuring the rear lights and number plate when I tried out the bikes at the correct height. UK law states that these must not be obstructed when having any item mounted on the back of your vehicle. It is not worth the risk of a fine IMHO.
My Bro has a boot mounted cycle carrier and has to have a trailer board and number plate mounted over the bikes.
My Bro has a boot mounted cycle carrier and has to have a trailer board and number plate mounted over the bikes.
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478 Posts
That's a bummer. Here in the "States", I've never heard of that problem. I can see where the license plate MIGHT be obscured by a couple of bikes, but the rear taillights should be easy to see through the bike wheels.
And a "trailer board" would be too stupid to even think about. Maybe if the bike was on the car 75% or more of the time, it might make sense, but most people I know with bike racks only use them occasionally.
And a "trailer board" would be too stupid to even think about. Maybe if the bike was on the car 75% or more of the time, it might make sense, but most people I know with bike racks only use them occasionally.
the tow bar, carrier and fittings
Please if you are attaching a bike carrier to a tow bar assembly, do check the tow bar "down weights", most tow bars, in tended for towing trailers afterall, recommended a maximum nose weigt for the trailer/caravan, do double check.
SimonV, just because you where supplied the tow bar and fittings from the VW dealer, do not take if for granted, do cross check
Derek
Please if you are attaching a bike carrier to a tow bar assembly, do check the tow bar "down weights", most tow bars, in tended for towing trailers afterall, recommended a maximum nose weigt for the trailer/caravan, do double check.
SimonV, just because you where supplied the tow bar and fittings from the VW dealer, do not take if for granted, do cross check
Derek
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478 Posts
I would check the yellow pages for shops that sell receiver hitches. I believe most of them are "made to order". Since the Eos isn't designed for pulling trailers, you would definitely want the smaller receiver hitch (1.25" model). The receiver bike rack are available anywhere that bike racks are sold. The first link below shows a receiver hitch (perhaps a little on the pricy side. There is a link on that page that shows the installation.
The second line is another listing for the type of receiver bike hitch I had on my Prius. While I presently don't have a hitch on my Eos, this is what I would go with if I wanted to get one.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/07-0...8562404QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW#ht_1984wt_1221
http://cgi.ebay.com/2-Bike-Rack-Car...h=item220381947555&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14.l1262
There are mentions that the boot of the Eos is fibreglass ? Are you sure? Mine feels like a metal of some sort, aluminium ?
I saw a German registered vehicle with a boot mounted cycle carrier recently. I need to carry bikes and don;t fancy spending hundreds of pounds on a towbar. Am I really being an idiot considering copying the Germans ? I certainly don;t want to ruin the boot or it's mechanism ?
I saw a German registered vehicle with a boot mounted cycle carrier recently. I need to carry bikes and don;t fancy spending hundreds of pounds on a towbar. Am I really being an idiot considering copying the Germans ? I certainly don;t want to ruin the boot or it's mechanism ?
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