Bike rack

[Ashgard]

Goedeavening,
I would like to mount a bike rack on the tailgate of my MK5 (1998). I found this one https://www.todosoportes.com/epages/ea1 ... 307%2B1020

But I now doubt between a bike rack on tailgate or towbar (drawback is that the tailgate might no open anymore, even if the rack can tilt). However, I just heard that the tailgate of the MK5 was never designed for a bike rack and would therefore be unwise to mount it on.

What is your experience? And what would you suggest?

[Kjeles]

Two years ago, I asked myself the same questions. After some research, I ended up buying a Thule 915 for attachment to the towbar (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRzjNlFqI_8).

The rack is easily tilted such that I can open the tailgate, which is hinged on top. The rack can also be removed easily.

I suppose it would be pretty difficult to open the tailgate with a rack and two bikes attached to it.

[Ashgard]

Good point. My next step would be looking for stronger cylinders, but not sure they exist.

Do you experience any difficulty reaching the storage space with the tilted bike rack? That was the reason I started looking for a solution thats fully gone when opening the door.

[TransitL0ver]

Check this link:
http://www.bikebound.com/2018/11/05/ford-transit-connect-moto-van

[Kjeles]

Do you experience any difficulty reaching the storage space with the tilted bike rack?

Since I have camper vans, I never move any big items in and out of the tailgate. Thus, no problems with the rack.
It's easy to remove the whole towbar rack if big items were to go through the tailgate. In fact, I use the area under the tailgate in upright position as a shower with a curtain all around. In that case, I obviously remove the rack. Easy enough.

[Ashgard]

Thanks for sharing your experience, that helps. I sort of decided to take the same approach. But I just got tipped for this thing:
https://www.todosoportes.com/epages/ea1 ... 307%2B1020

Which actually looks pretty good. What do you think?

[Kjeles]

The price of Euro 320 seems high considering the simple structure of the rack. Maybe it's expensive because it's custom made for a specific vehicle? Anyhow, the price is more than what I paid for my Thule, which has tail lights and will fit on any car with a towbar.

[Riggard]

I have a fiamma carry-bike on the back of my MK5 camper, cost me 50 euro's 2nd hand and fits fine, it's specifically made for the transit.

[Ashgard]

I have a fiamma carry-bike on the back of my MK5 camper, cost me 50 euro's 2nd hand and fits fine, it's specifically made for the transit.

Ive been looking for something 2nd handed, but i cant find anything. Where did you search? Do have any other sites i can use?

[Hondekop]

I've got one like the one in your entry post to offer for 50 euros. Only downside is you will have to combine it with a holiday trip to Germany or the Netherlands...

Ciao, Kai

[Riggard]

I have a fiamma carry-bike on the back of my MK5 camper, cost me 50 euro's 2nd hand and fits fine, it's specifically made for the transit.

Ive been looking for something 2nd handed, but i cant find anything. Where did you search? Do have any other sites i can use?

I´m from holland, bought it 2nd hand via ´marktplaats´, kind of a dutch ebay.

[Hondekop]

Correction: 40 euros
https://www.ebay-kleinanzeigen.de/s-anzeige/paulchen-fahrradtraeger-fuer-wohnmobil-/920575039-223-2631

Ciao, Kai

[Ashgard]

I am dutch too. Have been looking on marktplaats for a while but couldn't find any. On ebay I can find the paulchen hacktrager system but not for the transit ft-100. Not sure if an other one will fit? Perhaps the bike rack for my vehicle is rare?
But if you ever find one by coincidence, don't hasitate to pm me

[Hondekop]

You can either:
- use a model-specific mounting kit (https://paulchensystem.net/montagekits-ford/transit-ft-100-mit-heckklappe-fuer-4-fahrraeder-montagekit.html)
or
- bolt it to the tailgate directly.

Depends largely on whether or not you need to remove it quickly, I suppose.

Ciao, Kai

[Riggard]

I am dutch too. Have been looking on marktplaats for a while but couldn't find any. On ebay I can find the paulchen hacktrager system but not for the transit ft-100. Not sure if an other one will fit? Perhaps the bike rack for my vehicle is rare?
But if you ever find one by coincidence, don't hasitate to pm me

They go rather quick, i searched for about 2 months (camping season is over anyways ) they do pop up once in a while.