Carrying bikes on 535d estate - Tow hook?
Discussion
gizlaroc said:
I managed to get a Thule roofbox, the Atlantis 780, on my 535d touring along with 2 bikes, one either side and we could have got a third on there as well, it would have been tight but doable.
Good to know but with ferry trip and headroom issues, was initially looking at the rear carrying options.i have fitted a removeable towbar to my e60 m sport ...
A long story , but if you go down this route the centre inset section of the rear m sport bumper is available with a flap in , it is designed to take the det towbar , bmw oem use westfalia.
The rear section wa$50 ish , £40 to paint , and the towbar place fitted it as part of the service , chester towbars even kept a copy of the invoice to advise E60 m sport owners of the parts req as bmw seem reluctant to help on fitting outside the dealers.
looks the business , as im really pickey over bumper cut bars
A long story , but if you go down this route the centre inset section of the rear m sport bumper is available with a flap in , it is designed to take the det towbar , bmw oem use westfalia.
The rear section wa$50 ish , £40 to paint , and the towbar place fitted it as part of the service , chester towbars even kept a copy of the invoice to advise E60 m sport owners of the parts req as bmw seem reluctant to help on fitting outside the dealers.
looks the business , as im really pickey over bumper cut bars
Just something to bear in mind.
Had a Tow Bar fitted to my X35d X5 at the main dealers. They had a recommendation to upgrade the radiator fan for a non factory fit tow bar to the 35d engine. Added to cost of tow bar makes for an expensive cycle rack!
That said tow ball cycle racks are the way forward.
Had a Tow Bar fitted to my X35d X5 at the main dealers. They had a recommendation to upgrade the radiator fan for a non factory fit tow bar to the 35d engine. Added to cost of tow bar makes for an expensive cycle rack!
That said tow ball cycle racks are the way forward.
wilftwo said:
Just something to bear in mind...had a recommendation to upgrade the radiator fan for a non factory fit tow bar to the 35d engine.
- don't quite follow? Not sure how you'd upgrade the fan: the oil cooler, certainly, the trigger switch so the fan cuts in earlier, maybe - but the fan itself? Just had a bar fitted to my e39, so curious!Witter towball mounted cycle rack is probably your best bet. Will take up to 4 bikes, have tried it with three full size mountain bikes and it performs faultlessly. It comes in three pieces. One piece is attached to the towbar, the second piece is a tube which fits into the bracket and then the third piece attaches to top of the tube. Job done. It has an optional webbing strap which they recommend if you are carrying two or more bikes but once attached it is rock solid. We have one that has additional bar clams for the bikes and they hold the bikes very securely. It is also designed so that you can tow a caravan/trailer at the same time in as much as there is very little overhang. Works brilliantly.
the problem with that type scamp is it only works on a fixed ball , det balls are a problem , ive got the thule type that locks onto the ball of my det bar , i was sceptical bu tonce on its rock solid , carries 3 bikes , 4 with the optional extensions.
On the fan , your right wilf , BMW recomend an additional fan for towing a caravan / boat but a cycle carrier - come on its the same as having your boot full !
On the fan , your right wilf , BMW recomend an additional fan for towing a caravan / boat but a cycle carrier - come on its the same as having your boot full !
Agreed that the tow ball fixed bike racks are great. Just make sure the ball is free of grease before you fit it otherwise the rack will move when you go round corners. I used one a lot last summer and it was great, the roof mount ones are trickier to load and also kill your fuel economy because of the extra drag.
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