Carrying a bike in the boot?

[Pizza_man]

Hey guys!

Got an A3 S-Line on order as a company car. But, without going in to the nitty gritty, I've been searching for a half decent bike carrying solution to no real avail.

I don't fancy a boot rack after a few bad run ins in the past (plus the S-Line spoiler making these a git). Not too keen on a roof rack, either, and a towbar will cost the world.

That leaves me with the inside.

Does anybody carry a bike inside the boot of the car? Does anybody use a fork mount or similar?

EDIT: I haven't opted for roof rails, either. Booo.

 

[steeve]

Rear seats folded, wheels out, plastic sheet (its a mountain bike) and an old sleeping bag to prevent damage to both bike and car...........

 

[Pizza_man]

Rear seats folded, wheels out, plastic sheet (its a mountain bike) and an old sleeping bag to prevent damage to both bike and car...........

I was thinking this but it takes a helluva lot of room. If I ever want to carry two bikes, I couldn't bring myself to stacking them up!

 

[steeve]

Get a couple of cheap sleeping bags and pack them in between bikes, I used to carry two for years and never sustained any damage at all.
If the bikes are placed carefully you'll be OK. But a good towbar rack is the best. Although your bike gets covered in salt and **it in the winter.

 

[Orange225]

I carry my bikes in the boot all the time (8p 3 door) back seats down and front wheel bars to the back of the passenger seat, I also use a bike bag to keep it clean and to stop anything in the car being damage

 

[Orange225]

Sorry that was supposed to say " front wheel out and bars to the passenger seat"

 

[Rob2k68]

Rear seats folded, wheels out, plastic sheet (its a mountain bike) and an old sleeping bag to prevent damage to both bike and car...........

Yep same here (although a roadie ;o) ) front wheel out only which goes in a wheel bag and then sits behind the passenger seat.

Only difference I use a quilt that I bought from Asda for a fiver and keep it in the garage specifically for this purpose.

 

[Snibo]

Don't do it.

You'll scratch both car and bike(s) on many occasions.
You will have debris / mud / crud / worse / etc throughout your car regardless of how many types of protective material you put down / in.

My experience is that the fitted TowBar and / or rear screen bike rack are the way to go.

The best solution by far however is - use someone else's vehicle !!

Good Luck with whatever method you utilise.

 

[Pizza_man]

Well - damage wise I'm not too fussed. It's a company car. Though, I do appreciate what you're saying!

I'd still like to get a contraption that my forks can mount to, in order to keep my bike upright in the car. That, plus a boot & back seat liner would be ideal, I think.

The towbar is simply too costly, plus the aspect of having to cut out a hole in the bumper makes it very unappealing and I doubt my employer would be too happy.

 

[Pizza_man]

Sorry that was supposed to say " front wheel out and bars to the passenger seat"

Can't quite picture what you're saying - do you have the forks towards the front seats, is that what you're suggesting? This is how I carry my bike in my Kia at the moment!

 

[Sandra]

@Pieparker Welcome to audi-sport.net. What is spec/colour of your car on order? Enjoy the forum.

 

[Pizza_man]

Thanks! 8V S-Line 150, Daytona Grey with black pack, priv. glass and comfort pack! Unsure whether to try and get black rails put on it now though...

 

[mikeyvee]

Put the rails on if you can if work will pay. It will be easier to use on another car you can then get a good cycle holder from most leading makes. including one that will clamp the fork. I test drove the black pack Daytona with the rails and privacy glass in a 150ps and it made car look way too dark for me.

 

[Orange225]

Yeah I just lay it down with the bars pointing to the roof, just behind the passenger seat, back wheel against the back of the boot, the car stays clean and undamage when using the bike bag (just like a giant jd sports bag kinda thing, with a drawstring around the opening) also it stops the annoying tapping of bike parts when driving, when you put the front wheel in a wheel bag too, another tip is to use the wheel bag for standing on when taking off all your muddy kit, then stuff your dirty stuff in with the wheel,

 

[RichardT]

The towbar is simply too costly, plus the aspect of having to cut out a hole in the bumper makes it very unappealing and I doubt my employer would be too happy.

I would agree that the towbar is quite expensive, but it is superb. There's no cutout of the bumper, just a neat removable flap underneath. You just cannot tell when the ball is removed.

 

[Pizza_man]

How much was your bar fitted, assuming you have one? Would you, or anybody else with an S Line and towbar, possibly be able to show me some pictures and recommend solutions? Its my preferred choice but information out there is limited!

Also, would anybody know if the Thule 961 fits as well as the 969 bars? If I opted for bars I want the best (with the smallest protrusion so I'm less likely to catch my noggin).

 

[RichardT]

There are some pics in this thread that I created a while ago.

http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/factory-fitted-towbar.231371/

As to cost it was £675 incl vat, which is quite expensive, but not that much more than having one fitted afterwards. But factory fit is much much better.

 

[Pizza_man]

Hmm. How would it work with the S-Line bumper, though? Would that also have a hatch? I can't find any pictures anywhere...

 

[Orange225]

Another thing to consider, if your bikes on the outside of the car, it's not insured

 

[Pizza_man]

In what sense, in an accident via car insurance?

 

[steeve]

Last way I'd carry my bikes is on the roof, its like pressure washing them when it's raining.

I had an 8P with factory fit towbar with a removable ball just for carrying a bike rack, was superb, couldn't see the towbar or electrics when the cover was in place.

 

[jetron]

Don't do it.

You'll scratch both car and bike(s) on many occasions.
You will have debris / mud / crud / worse / etc throughout your car regardless of how many types of protective material you put down / in.

My experience is that the fitted TowBar and / or rear screen bike rack are the way to go.

The best solution by far however is - use someone else's vehicle !!

Good Luck with whatever method you utilise.

I feel another VW ad coming on

 

[RichardT]

Hmm. How would it work with the S-Line bumper, though? Would that also have a hatch? I can't find any pictures anywhere...

How different is the s-line body. I wouldn't think it's significant. The towbar is detailed in the brochure and there is the option for s-line, so would assume it's the same (why wouldn't it be?)
It's not an option for S3 though.

 

[Pizza_man]

The bumper on the S-Line is different.

I've managed to have the towbar added, though. I'll just chance it.

 

[RichardT]

I'm sure you will be OK, and delighted with it.

 

[SteveMcB]

Good decision, towbar rack is by far the best option.

 

[Pizza_man]

Thanks!

Next question is... any recommendations?

 

[SteveMcB]

Have a look on myaudiQ5 forum, there is an ongoing debate about this very topic.
Like everything it depends on budget, I've got a two bike Thule I bought over 3 years ago for just over £100. Very good value but it has it's limitations, i.e. it doesn't tilt to allow easy access to the boot and the fabric straps securing the wheels come loose (I use bungee cord), try and get one with the plastic ratchet wheel straps. Some of the newer Thule ones look very good, a bit dearer than what I paid though.

Edit, check the length, my stumpjumper evo has a slightly slacker head angle and it's verging on too long for my rack, the standard stumpy is fine though.

 

[Pizza_man]

Ok - spanner in the works. Build week is frozen so it can't be added. I'm going to have to go for a dealer fit. Been prices £774+VAT for genuine Audi or £449+VAT for non-Audi.

Thoughts?

This is such hard work...

Update: Turns out that non-Audi is still a Westfalia, just without the programming for ABS and disabling sensors. No big issue there. Crisis averted!

 

[SteveMcB]

That's a pity, plus side is that aftermarket will give you a bit more room between towball and bumper.

Try PF Jones, their prices are generally pretty good. They stock a few makes including Westfalia, which is what Audi use anyway - I think.
You'll find that if you specify the genuine Audi wiring loom it will be a lot more expensive than a generic one. The advantages of having genuine are that, once coded, the car knows it's towing and makes changes to various different setting, ESC etc. You'll also get a warning light on the dash showing the trailer's indicators are working. This probably doesn't really matter to you though as you're only using it for a bike rack so a generic 7 pin wiring loom would do. That's what I've got on my Golf.
If the £449 includes the gen audi wiring, fitting and coding that's not too bad.

 

[RichardT]

Ok - spanner in the works. Build week is frozen so it can't be added. I'm going to have to go for a dealer fit. Been prices £774+VAT for genuine Audi or £449+VAT for non-Audi.

Thoughts?

This is such hard work...

Update: Turns out that non-Audi is still a Westfalia, just without the programming for ABS and disabling sensors. No big issue there. Crisis averted!

Does the after market fit include a replacement bumper? (Actually it's the black plastic bit at the bottom where the removable flap is - not sure what it's called)
You were particularly concerned with the appearance, so you would want that I think.

 

[Pizza_man]

@RichardT it does come with the replacement bumper, yeah! I'm sure I'll be fine. I was just very flustered and rushed in to making a decision last week is all. End of March, it should be delivered in to the dealer woop!