HOLDFAST Boot Carrier

[Lang Frans]

I am looking at purchasing the Holdfast 3 bike boot carrier to be used on my Volvo XC60.

 

What concerns me is the pronounced spoiler at the top of the back window. I trust this won't be damaged when the straps pull down onto it. Then again, many SUV's have this type of spoiler.

 

Also, the straps actually pull away from the roofline as opposed to directly down onto the spoiler if you consider that the pivot point is just above the rear bumper.

 

Can anyone please confirm successful use of the HOLDFAST boot carrier on a SUV with a spoiler above the rear window.

 

Francois

[Dadbod Racing]

Hi Francois, 

 

I've never used the Holdfast version of the Boot bike carrier but I have some experience with these types of bike carriers and it's not my favorite. I might be in a similar postion as my car with the towbar is for sale at the mo and I'm thinking of just biting the bullet and fitting a towbar to my other car (that's how much I dislike the boot carrier things) 

 

For your sake I hope they've improved on the design of the boot carriers and if this is your only option then goodluck. 

[The Ouzo]

We used a boot carrier on a Jeep Compass. It also has the rood spoiler although I cant recall if it sticks out as far as the one on the XC60.

 

What we did was adjust it so that the downward pull over the spoiler was as minimal as possible.

We also added additional straps to secure and distribute the weight of the carrier.

 

It performed well down to cape town, but I personally would not use one if it was on my own vehicle.

[DCJ]

I agree with the general sentiment that the boot carriers aren't the best. In my experience they tend to damage the car in the end, no matter how careful you are. Only use if you are happy to end up with some cosmetic damage like scratches.

[BigDL]

Owned a boot carrier once, used it on an suv and a normal hatchback. Careful as ****, but damaged both eventually. Wouldn’t dream of putting one on our XC60

 

 

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[ajnkzn]

I wouldn't.

 

They are just not as stable as a proper rack and will damage the car over time.

 

Towbar carrier, roof racks or something like a Seasucker / Treefrog.

[Dadbod Racing]

Driving into the Xterra two weeks ago I walked over to a guy who was driving in front of me and said he's clip on carry scared the **** out of me! He casually said oh yes it moves around alot doesn't it.... 

[Ed-Zulu]

I am looking at purchasing the Holdfast 3 bike boot carrier to be used on my Volvo XC60.

 

What concerns me is the pronounced spoiler at the top of the back window. I trust this won't be damaged when the straps pull down onto it. Then again, many SUV's have this type of spoiler.

 

Also, the straps actually pull away from the roofline as opposed to directly down onto the spoiler if you consider that the pivot point is just above the rear bumper.

 

Can anyone please confirm successful use of the HOLDFAST boot carrier on a SUV with a spoiler above the rear window.

 

Francois

Done it plenty with the Thule model, however, regardless of how tight the straps are pulled the entire contraption eventually starts moving around. So one has to make regular stops to check the straps are tight and clips remain in place.

 

I covered the latch points with insulation tape and then duct tape but still ended up with scuff marks which wouldn't buff out. 

 

I did long trips, coast to GP and used the toilet stops with kids in the car for inspection sessions. carried 1 x 29er, 1x 24'' and 1 x 16'' bikes on the rack - heavier bigger bike closest to the car. 

[scubes]

Yeh these things will scratch your paintwork it just will happen.

 

I use a Saris Bones similar type of carrier. The Saris is the best designed of its kind in the world IMHO. it has wide feet and is plenty adjustable. Where the arm contacts the glass on the back of my Honda hatch, I have cable tied on a piece of foam that I cut to fit. The foam allows for some give n take over bumps on the road and allows for the straps to be tied as tight as the car allows.

 

I tighten the straps top bottom and side- the top straps I also tie over to avoid slippage. This setup works well and prevents the bikes from moving around much.

 

However it is unavoidable to prevent scratches where the strap hooks meet the car bodywork- top side and bottom. Top I put on black duct tape (my car is black) on the plastic spoiler and this does keep off the scratches. But there still are small scratches on the side and bottom where the strap hooks meet the car.

 

Best would be a tow bar rack, a good one. 

[Lang Frans]

Yeh these things will scratch your paintwork it just will happen.

 

I use a Saris Bones similar type of carrier. The Saris is the best designed of its kind in the world IMHO. it has wide feet and is plenty adjustable. Where the arm contacts the glass on the back of my Honda hatch, I have cable tied on a piece of foam that I cut to fit. The foam allows for some give n take over bumps on the road and allows for the straps to be tied as tight as the car allows.

 

I tighten the straps top bottom and side- the top straps I also tie over to avoid slippage. This setup works well and prevents the bikes from moving around much.

 

However it is unavoidable to prevent scratches where the strap hooks meet the car bodywork- top side and bottom. Top I put on black duct tape (my car is black) on the plastic spoiler and this does keep off the scratches. But there still are small scratches on the side and bottom where the strap hooks meet the car.

 

Best would be a tow bar rack, a good one. 

 

Thank you bike comrades.

 

It is quite clear from the replies that the sentiment is that a boot rack is a compromised solution.

 

Appreciate the constructive conversation.

 

God bless