[swordfish]

I'm thinking of getting a tow bar and bike rack fitted. If it spoils the rear look of the car I'm not going to bother. Just wondering if anyone has any photo's of either a genuine VW Eos tow bar or tow bar/bike rack?
Also has anyone got any aftermarket ones fitted?

I'm only interested in the tow bar fitted bike rack due to a previous car scratching incident (not the eos) with one of the "high mount back window" carriers.

Thanks in hope

 

[SKIDOO]

Dave check out other threads on the forum, I'm sure there was one a while ago discussing just this subject

 

[swordfish]

I did a search for "tow bar".
Nothing came back.
Looks like I'm gonna have to do a bit of "trawling"


Just had a look through Q&A (9 pages of it!)
Can only see 3 threads. 2 with no answer about bike racks and 1 about tow bars that only has answers relevent to USA.

Anyone help please?
My wife has a Vauxhall Corsa. I don't want to be driving that around with the bikes on the back when I have my EOS. I have my social standing to think about. Lol

 

[swordfish]

I've just been looking on another forum (traitor!) and I've seen photos of a westfalia tow bar. Unfortunately it is fitted through a big hole that's cut in the rear bumper. And I mean big, due to the way it has to be fitted.
Unless I can find a way of not butchering my car, I shall leave it.
Pity.

 

[davidp]

Is this what you want Dave.
This is the one VW use.
dont know if you can fit a cycle rack on it though.
I tow a boat with it and a small trailer (but not at the same time!)
Cheers, David

 

[davidp]

if you dont want the big hole then its a few hundred squid to get a new bumper fitted with a flap.

 

[victorTX]

is it just me or it look like a black crooked penis...or some sick lesbian sex toys

 

[GOgg]

I think you are correct, amazing what a filthy mind can read into ordinary things eh!

 

[SKIDOO]

Amazing ! LOL

 

[abo]

Eos Tow Bar with Bike Rack

Picture shows Westfalia detachable tow bar fitted with Thule 3 bike rack, so yes it is possible.

The rack was fitted by Trident Trailers and there is a large hole in the bumper, but it doesn't show that much as it is so low.

Drove to Wiltshire and Wales with three bikes on the back last year - no problems at all.

You do need to remove the rack before operating the roof though.

 

[Deanintemp]

View attachment 588

Picture shows Westfalia detachable tow bar fitted with Thule 3 bike rack, so yes it is possible.

The rack was fitted by Trident Trailers and there is a large hole in the bumper, but it doesn't show that much as it is so low.

Drove to Wiltshire and Wales with three bikes on the back last year - no problems at all.

You do need to remove the rack before operating the roof though.

Thats a very nice set-up. My concern would be with the additional torque and weight on the rear suspension. How much does the rear end Squat with the bikes loaded?

 

[abo]

I used to carry bikes on the roof of my old car, but this is a much better arrangement - the extra weight doesn't seem to change the performance much, you just get a shock when you look in the rear view mirror.

 

[Shadmink]

Anybody know if there is a 1.25" hitch that works and doesn't interfere with the Parking Distance Control? I have heard that, without modifying the bumper, that this can be an issue with trailer hitch racks and the Eos.

 

[Eos_Up]

I'm thinking of getting a tow bar and bike rack fitted.

In the "search" block here, enter "receiver hitch" and you will see several threads about it.

If you go this route, get a 1 1/4" receiver as it makes a smaller imprint.

I had one of these on a Prius and it worked great. The "swing back" option on most hitches probably swing back far enough to allow putting the top down. However, make sure that it does before trying it.

IMHO, this kind of bike carrier is the ONLY way to go. One of those crappo trunk carriers will probably scratch the paint and I'm not sure the trunk is even stressed for that kind of load. A top rack obviously won't work on the Eos.

 

[SimonV]

I had similar thoughts about fitting a tow bar for a cycle carrier but did not go for it in the end as I did not want to carve the rear bumper up or get a new bumper fitted with a flap in it. The only way I would have got one installed was to go to the main dealer as electrical work would be required to install the lighting loom because by fitting bikes on the back you are obscuring the rear number plate and lights.

Ended up buying a Brompton folding bike for weekday cycling too and from work which fits in the boot nicely. If I need to use my mountain bile or recumbent I put them on the back of my camper van.

Simon V

 

[it.ornella]

bike rack for tow-bar

hello from Italy,
still looking around for an answer?
very sexy eyecatcher

if you would love more shoots I can provide
best regards
Dieter

 

[Shadmink]

Nice pic Dieter. Just one questions. From the linked photo, it looks like the bumper on the car had to be cut to accommodate the trailer hitch. Am I correct or does it just look that way in the photo? I'm hoping to find a way to attach a rack for my mountain bikes w/o having to modify the bumper. Thanks for the info!

 

[cruicky]

Towing

I tow an Eriba touring caravan with my Eos.
The Eos tows perfectly and once in the south of France
we can enjoy open top motoring at it's best.

 

[Eos_Up]

Hey cruicky...

Interesting hookup. Personally, I wouldn't tow anything that big with my Eos for fear of overheating the transmission (DSG). And if I had a manual, I would sure go easy on the clutch. With a DSG, I would definitely go to manual shifting and PROBABLY not above 4th gear.

More interesting trailer facts can be found at...

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zeropost?cmd=tshow&id=3008417

According to this site, the Eos can trailer up to 1500 lbs.

 

[cruicky]

Towing

Hi Eos_Up,

In response to your comments I'd like to put your mind at ease by firstly
giving you some more information about my Eos and the Eriba caravan (trailer).

Eos is a 2.0 fsi manual & Eriba 230gt model.

If you would then care to go to the following site: WhatTowcar.com.
Fill in the above car & caravan details under outfit matching and there you have it, all the facts and figures.

Anyway, have to say that my car never gives any sign of overheating or clutch problems and it tows my caravan beautifully, I love it.