Bike Carriers For Mk3

[TonyJG]

Hi had my MKIII 2 TDCI Ghia for about 6 weeks.

 

Won't mention that when the local dealership fitted a new windscreen [as the heater elements were not functioning] they managed to screw-up the sensors and actually fitted the wipers the wrong way round!!! [i'm now waiting for the bonnet to be repaired as the wiper arms chipped the paintwork!!] But as I said I won't mention

 

.... having got that off my chest.

 

I have [had] a Thule bike carrier for the tailgate of the Mkii Galaxy that I have just now traded in - and have been informed that the only way to carry bikes with the Mkiii is via an [internal] Thule carrier thsat requires back seats to be removed [well that's handy for a family vehicle isn't it !!!] or having a tow-bar fitted carrier.

 

Has anyone else experienced this problem? Got any alternative suggestions!!

[belleyetere]

Pendle cycle carriers do one. Thinking of getting one myself.

Robert

[Willie Krashitt]

You might want to consider the roof rack option There are now several types available and you can still open the tailgate with the bikes on.

[clockworkfrog]

I have the same problem. Think I am going down the towbar route and fit a Pendle.

 

Cheers

 

Steve

 

PS I also had a faulty windscreen and had to have a replacement - but they did refit correctly. Also, the windscreen wipers stopped working and that was apparently due to water getting into the alarm module (a common fault I believe)

Edited January 19, 2009 by clockworkfrog

[j111els]

Hi had my MKIII 2 TDCI Ghia for about 6 weeks.

 

Won't mention that when the local dealership fitted a new windscreen [as the heater elements were not functioning] they managed to screw-up the sensors and actually fitted the wipers the wrong way round!!! [i'm now waiting for the bonnet to be repaired as the wiper arms chipped the paintwork!!] But as I said I won't mention

 

.... having got that off my chest.

 

I have [had] a Thule bike carrier for the tailgate of the Mkii Galaxy that I have just now traded in - and have been informed that the only way to carry bikes with the Mkiii is via an [internal] Thule carrier thsat requires back seats to be removed [well that's handy for a family vehicle isn't it !!!] or having a tow-bar fitted carrier.

 

Has anyone else experienced this problem? Got any alternative suggestions!!

 

Just bought a Thule 4 bike carrier (

[7up]

I have both the thule options, 4 bike rack on the tow bar plus 3 thule bars on the roof. depending on where we are going or if the caravans on the back i can choose either but the roof ones need steps to reach up there

[TerryK]

Did you find a bike rack for your Galaxy - I'm searching for one for my 09 Galaxy and struggling to find anything official. I feel some of the MPV ones should fit but it would be nice to know for sure.

 

 

 

 

Hi had my MKIII 2 TDCI Ghia for about 6 weeks.

 

Won't mention that when the local dealership fitted a new windscreen [as the heater elements were not functioning] they managed to screw-up the sensors and actually fitted the wipers the wrong way round!!! [i'm now waiting for the bonnet to be repaired as the wiper arms chipped the paintwork!!] But as I said I won't mention

 

.... having got that off my chest.

 

I have [had] a Thule bike carrier for the tailgate of the Mkii Galaxy that I have just now traded in - and have been informed that the only way to carry bikes with the Mkiii is via an [internal] Thule carrier thsat requires back seats to be removed [well that's handy for a family vehicle isn't it !!!] or having a tow-bar fitted carrier.

 

Has anyone else experienced this problem? Got any alternative suggestions!!

[supermike]

I've been using the Pendle strap-on carrier for 3 bikes for the last 2 years with a Mk3 Galaxy with no problems. The Pendle is the only one I'm aware of that says it's suitable - even Ford don't have a tailgate mounting bike carrier. I think the reason many normal MPV bike carriers don't fit is because the top of the tailgate is glass with no side-beams (clips break the glass), and the bottom is mostly plastic (can't take the weight).

 

With the Pendle, I always fit the roof-bars, and tie the bikes to these also in case the carrier fails - although it's really solid and I doubt it ever would! I've found the best way to mount the carrier is to fit the top pads as close to the top of the rear window as possible, and the bottom pads on the number plate. I wrap the bottom straps right around the bottom of the tailgate so that they clip on the metal, not on the plastic, and the side clips on the metal of the tailgate below the lights.

 

With the carrier over the numberplate, you will need a lighting board - the wiring is pretty easy to tap into the rear lights, although you will need a full bypass relay with an indicator buzzer to be legal and prevent bulb failure warnings.

[larkes]

I'm also trying to solve the same problem and concluding that a tow bar might be necessary. Did you find a solution to the problem?

 

 

 

 

Did you find a bike rack for your Galaxy - I'm searching for one for my 09 Galaxy and struggling to find anything official. I feel some of the MPV ones should fit but it would be nice to know for sure.

 

 

 

 

Hi had my MKIII 2 TDCI Ghia for about 6 weeks.

 

Won't mention that when the local dealership fitted a new windscreen [as the heater elements were not functioning] they managed to screw-up the sensors and actually fitted the wipers the wrong way round!!! [i'm now waiting for the bonnet to be repaired as the wiper arms chipped the paintwork!!] But as I said I won't mention

 

.... having got that off my chest.

 

I have [had] a Thule bike carrier for the tailgate of the Mkii Galaxy that I have just now traded in - and have been informed that the only way to carry bikes with the Mkiii is via an [internal] Thule carrier thsat requires back seats to be removed [well that's handy for a family vehicle isn't it !!!] or having a tow-bar fitted carrier.

 

Has anyone else experienced this problem? Got any alternative suggestions!!

[Tav]

I opted for Atera SIGNO Fixpoint aluminium roof bars (AR5144) from roofbox.co.uk and have fitted four CRUZ 'Bici-rack' lockable bike carriers (940 005). The whole assembly lifts off the roof in one piece which makes it easy to fit/remove. I looked at the official roof bars, but they seemed taller and I don't think you can use the full width like the Atera aluminium oval bars which have a T groove across all of the width. There are some grooves in the roof rails where the official roof bars must lock into position and I placed the Atera feet just behind these points. The car felt a tad top heavy round roundabouts, but stable and easily did 130kph (legal limit in France on motorway) with a bit of wind noise, but no rattles.

I put two adult bikes on the centre positions and the childrens on the outside to keep the weight central. Recommend them.

 

Graham

 

I'm also trying to solve the same problem and concluding that a tow bar might be necessary. Did you find a solution to the problem?

 

 

 

 

Did you find a bike rack for your Galaxy - I'm searching for one for my 09 Galaxy and struggling to find anything official. I feel some of the MPV ones should fit but it would be nice to know for sure.

[brush2805]

Hi Folks

I finally got around to buying a Galaxy!

It's coming in a few weeks time.

Could anyone comment on the best bike rack to use with a retractable tow bar on the Galaxy?

I see mention of Thule racks I was wondering if they are OK on a retractable tow bar, and which model number people have found works well for them?