Guest unmissable Posted June 29, 2004 Report Posted June 29, 2004 HelloI am looking to get a (cheap) bike rack for my Galaxy. I will only be using it on a very occasional basis, and only for one or two (max) bikes. Does anyone know if the 'fit any estate car' type of rack can be used on the Galaxy. I do not have a tow bar so I cannot use a tow bar mounted rack. I need to be sure that it doesn't make the bike sit above the height of the car otherwise since I want to take it on Channel tunnel and price trebles as soon as height of vehicle (including racks ) goes above 1.85 m Any advice received gratefully. Unmissable Quote
Ivor_E_Tower Posted June 30, 2004 Report Posted June 30, 2004 Ordinary rack should be OK but you will need an additional rear number plate (with lights on a board?) - the french police are known for stopping Brits with bikes obscuring the rear plate and issuing on-the-spot fines, and preventing you from driving on..... Quote
seatkid Posted June 30, 2004 Report Posted June 30, 2004 Ivor, how about an Ivor project plan with the old timberwork? :( Quote
Ivor_E_Tower Posted June 30, 2004 Report Posted June 30, 2004 Not today thanks :( got the folding bike in the back and a bike rack at home, which has yet to be fitted to the Gal - one idea was that when the kids wanted to take the bikes, a Gal would take them with the bikes inside. Not got round to trying this out yet though. Quote
seatkid Posted June 30, 2004 Report Posted June 30, 2004 Sorry, No offence intended Ivor - less :( and more :( Quote
Ivor_E_Tower Posted June 30, 2004 Report Posted June 30, 2004 No offence taken - I don't mind the odd jibe at my expense! Quote
Tigger Posted June 30, 2004 Report Posted June 30, 2004 Most bike racks will fit. We holiday with bikes on the back towing a box on wheels with no problem. Only comment I can make is be careful the plastic coated hooks that hang the rack, have a little padding. If dirt gets under them they can scratch the old paint work. I have hung 4 bikes on my rack before now and it has been OK just a little concerned with the new shape that has the lip on the back door. All the pressure is resting on this spongy lip and I wonder how well it will hold? I also pad the bars that rest on the bar a little better as well. This helps spread the load over a greater area. Quote
Ivor_E_Tower Posted June 30, 2004 Report Posted June 30, 2004 Better to get a type that rests on the rear bumper, against the tailgate, so that most of the load is downwards rather than into the skin of the tailgate. Large stepladder needed if you are going to load them onto the roof. Quote
italiastar Posted June 30, 2004 Report Posted June 30, 2004 Are you sure the price trebles on the Tunnel - I always go high load and the price is the same? Quote
Guest unmissable Posted July 5, 2004 Report Posted July 5, 2004 Thanks for the info. Yes the price does treble, there is a special summer offer Quote
Tigger Posted July 6, 2004 Report Posted July 6, 2004 W have been on thedouble decker on the chunnel? Didn't scrape the roof? Quote
Ivor_E_Tower Posted July 6, 2004 Report Posted July 6, 2004 Check vehicle height again when fully laden with luggage and passengers - it may bring it down under the dividing mark between "expensive" and "extortionate"! Quote
Guest nimrod Posted July 6, 2004 Report Posted July 6, 2004 one idea was that when the kids wanted to take the bikes, a Gal would take them with the bikes inside. Not got round to trying this out yet though. There is a clip that mounts in the slots for the seats and secures the bikes by clamping the front wheel drop out by means of a quick release bracket, IIRC its a Thule product? but you are limited to the amount of bikes and rear seats you can carry at the same time! Quote
CasaPaulo Posted July 6, 2004 Report Posted July 6, 2004 Channel X Speedferries.com are charging keen rates for a large car i.e 2.90 High. A roofrack plus upright bikes & Gal would be lower? The website was slow but Quote
Taliska Posted July 14, 2004 Report Posted July 14, 2004 Hi, Got the Halfords-own 'high level?' bike carrier in black metal with yellow joints. Sits on on top of bumper with 4 clasps to hold onto tailgate and 2 to hold on under the bumper. It works very well. As it says in the manual, don't open the tailgate with the carrier on - you may do what I did - have to move the car quickly, slam the tailgate down and catch a clasp in between the door and the frame and, ooops, you've got a slightly bent car. I'll see if we've got a picture of it - it fits 3 bikes - no need for additional numberplate. Taliska Quote
Taliska Posted July 14, 2004 Report Posted July 14, 2004 Alas, no picture. We'll be taking the bike carrier and topbox over to Spain on SpeedFerries this summer... With the topbox on I've clipped rather a few height warning barriers! Ooops. (about 2.30m high) Taliska Quote
Tigger Posted July 15, 2004 Report Posted July 15, 2004 Also be careful not to try your rear wash wipe as the wiper can't move. I remember doing it one year and it took ten mins to get all the bikes and rack off to let it work so the motor did not burn out? My questoin is if I had not done this would it have burnt out? and if this happens again is it safe to leave until we get to where we are going? Quote
Taliska Posted July 15, 2004 Report Posted July 15, 2004 Hi Tigger, Funny you mention that about the rear wiper - I wondered about whether it would damage it too so avoided doing it. I did at one point lose concentration and did actually switch it on with the bike rack attached and loaded - I just kept on driving and pondered about it. Nothing untoward happened to the rear wiper in my case. I too would like to know if the motor is protected against this - does any one actually know? Thanks, Taliska Quote
corskey Posted July 17, 2004 Report Posted July 17, 2004 I got the high level one from Argos - it's one of the cheapest around and workd well Quote
Another?Maybe! Posted July 17, 2004 Report Posted July 17, 2004 Make sure you get a trailer-board if the bikes obscure the rear number plate. It's not only French police who will pull you over if you don't! Our motorway patrols... yes, some do still exist!... are pretty keen as well. Also, internal bike 'rack' is a Ford accessory as well. Dread to think how expensive, though! Quote
Guest Nik Posted July 23, 2004 Report Posted July 23, 2004 I have the original Ford-rack. See http://www.nikske.be/autos/sN_08.jpg It's a very good one: you can open the trunk while it's on it, it fits very strong and safe, with clips on the trunk lid, and is delivered with paint protectors.Only thing: you'd better get some help while installing it. If someone want more pics, just ask me. Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.