Bike rack question

[Super Sywurm]

therein lies my problem. Access road to work is a dirt road, my car is NEVER clean.

Your car only needs to be clean where the rack mounts on the body of the car. Just wipe those places before mounting the rack.

[garthdv]

Thanks guys, seems like going the towbar route is the way to go, Will look for a fitment centre that wont want to cut the rear diffuser.

[Vangar]

Thanks guys, seems like going the towbar route is the way to go, Will look for a fitment centre that wont want to cut the rear diffuser.

 

Give the VW dealers a call. Apparently they can retrofit the removable factory fitted option like I have on my jetta. Something like R7000 which is not cheap, but well worth it.

[L'Bie]

One thing to remember. Towbars have a weight restriction and whatever method you use, the lever action of the bike(s) multiply the actual force on the towbar. You mention gravel roads. Think carefully. I had an factory fitted towbar bend so far down that the bottom scraped on the tar when the car went through the bumps road in Namibia. That's when I was told about the actual limitations of the towbars. I don't think this is generally known, but I am certain it differs from model to model and brand to brand.

Why don't you try a cheap blanket in the back of your car. Pack the bike on top of that. The bike remains as clean as when you put it in the car, the blanket keeps the interior of the car clean, its easily removable and you have no worries about your car's paint.

 

BTW. If you drive your car on gravel, why fuss over a bit of paint damage when the rest of the car receives a dusty pounding? Just wondering.