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Post by SteveG on Oct 31, 2022 21:16:56 GMT
Hi, Just bought my first Rav4 (2018 mk4 Hybrid).. Loving it so far but want to find a boot mounted bike rack.. any ideas?
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Post by firemac on Oct 31, 2022 22:15:03 GMT
Welcome to the club! I’ve always preferred the racks that you fit to roof bars (as long as you remember not to frequent multistory car parks with the bikes aboard 😂).
If you’re keen on the tailgate mounted variety it’s best to go for a proper bit of kit that is mounted on the tow bar; much more secure than the cheap variety that simply straps onto the tailgate. The only drawback to the tailgate type is the need to unload all the bikes if you need to get into the boot.
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Post by three5 on Nov 1, 2022 12:21:56 GMT
Welcome to the club! I’ve always preferred the racks that you fit to roof bars (as long as you remember not to frequent multistory car parks with the bikes aboard 😂). If you’re keen on the tailgate mounted variety it’s best to go for a proper bit of kit that is mounted on the tow bar; much more secure than the cheap variety that simply straps onto the tailgate. The only drawback to the tailgate type is the need to unload all the bikes if you need to get into the boot. Hi Jim ( and Steve ) - I've a couple of towball mounted racks. The one I use almost all the time these days is a very simple single/double bike carrier that, as you say, prevents access to the boot when the rack is in position.
The other one is a Thule unit that carries up to 4 bikes. It has a pedal release at the rear which tilts the rack backwards and allows good access to my 4.3 side hinged rear door. With a later model it would be even better. I'm unlikely to use it again as my grandkids are now much better cyclists and I don't need to carry their bikes. I'd part with it if I got a reasonable offer, it's in as new condition and has built in lights etc.
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Post by unclebob on Nov 1, 2022 17:23:34 GMT
Big welcome to the club 👍🏻
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Post by charliefarlie on Nov 1, 2022 17:40:21 GMT
Welcome to the club! I’ve always preferred the racks that you fit to roof bars (as long as you remember not to frequent multistory car parks with the bikes aboard 😂). If you’re keen on the tailgate mounted variety it’s best to go for a proper bit of kit that is mounted on the tow bar; much more secure than the cheap variety that simply straps onto the tailgate. The only drawback to the tailgate type is the need to unload all the bikes if you need to get into the boot. Hi Jim ( and Steve ) - I've a couple of towball mounted racks. The one I use almost all the time these days is a very simple single/double bike carrier that, as you say, prevents access to the boot when the rack is in position.
The other one is a Thule unit that carries up to 4 bikes. It has a pedal release at the rear which tilts the rack backwards and allows good access to my 4.3 side hinged rear door. With a later model it would be even better. I'm unlikely to use it again as my grandkids are now much better cyclists and I don't need to carry their bikes. I'd part with it if I got a reasonable offer, it's in as new condition and has built in lights etc.
I think Jim meant if a rack was bolted to the tailgate and had bikes on they would need removing before opening the tailgate….. The weight would likely bugger those electric struts ? Im not sure if the OP has a towbar ? I can’t see an aftermarket rack manufacturer making a rack that will fit the 4.4 because of it being an electric powered tailgate. Surely there wouldn’t a market for them ?? 😳😳 The obvious answer to carrying bikes if you can’t put them in the back is a roof rack ? The electric tailgate on these cars is an absolutely ridiculous idea. I hate the fact we’re stuck with them. I wanted to take a dead freezer to the recycling centre last weekend. It was four inches too long to go in the back of my 4.4 … On any car with a normal tailgate I could have put said freezer in then lowered the tailgate onto an old cushion on the freezer tied it with a rope and got rid. Instead we have a drive ornament until next Monday when the councils large object removers collect it at a cost of £22…… Im not being tight but the recycling centre ain’t far and a big estate car is for doing what big estate cars do… |
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Post by Mb2t on Nov 1, 2022 18:10:16 GMT
Hi Jim ( and Steve ) - I've a couple of towball mounted racks. The one I use almost all the time these days is a very simple single/double bike carrier that, as you say, prevents access to the boot when the rack is in position.
The other one is a Thule unit that carries up to 4 bikes. It has a pedal release at the rear which tilts the rack backwards and allows good access to my 4.3 side hinged rear door. With a later model it would be even better. I'm unlikely to use it again as my grandkids are now much better cyclists and I don't need to carry their bikes. I'd part with it if I got a reasonable offer, it's in as new condition and has built in lights etc.
I think Jim meant if a rack was bolted to the tailgate and had bikes on they would need removing before opening the tailgate….. The weight would likely bugger those electric struts ? Im not sure if the OP has a towbar ? I can’t see an aftermarket rack manufacturer making a rack that will fit the 4.4 because of it being an electric powered tailgate. Surely there wouldn’t a market for them ?? 😳😳 The obvious answer to carrying bikes if you can’t put them in the back is a roof rack ? The electric tailgate on these cars is an absolutely ridiculous idea. I hate the fact we’re stuck with them. I wanted to take a dead freezer to the recycling centre last weekend. It was four inches too long to go in the back of my 4.4 … On any car with a normal tailgate I could have put said freezer in then lowered the tailgate onto an old cushion on the freezer tied it with a rope and got rid. Instead we have a drive ornament until next Monday when the councils large object removers collect it at a cost of £22…… Im not being tight but the recycling centre ain’t far and a big estate car is for doing what big estate cars do… Agree with the hate for this ridiculous electric door! Just a pain! When we were camping, i was always aware not to do it too many times as i was afraid to flatten the battery! As for carrying loads, the alarm beeps all the time unless... You 'latch' the door side (i.e. with the round bit of a screwdriver), it then thinks the door is closed, and you can use it as you intended (cushion and tie the door). Another option is to disable the door ( i think there is a button in the glove compartment) and then you can lower it by hand and tie it. As for the original subject, i would not put more than two bikes on any door, anything more and I would use a towbar. Also, not sure it is possible at all on the 4.4, as there is plastic spoiler at the top of the rear door, and i think even a very light load will break it! |
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Post by charliefarlie on Nov 1, 2022 18:40:50 GMT
I think Jim meant if a rack was bolted to the tailgate and had bikes on they would need removing before opening the tailgate….. The weight would likely bugger those electric struts ? Im not sure if the OP has a towbar ? I can’t see an aftermarket rack manufacturer making a rack that will fit the 4.4 because of it being an electric powered tailgate. Surely there wouldn’t a market for them ?? 😳😳 The obvious answer to carrying bikes if you can’t put them in the back is a roof rack ? The electric tailgate on these cars is an absolutely ridiculous idea. I hate the fact we’re stuck with them. I wanted to take a dead freezer to the recycling centre last weekend. It was four inches too long to go in the back of my 4.4 … On any car with a normal tailgate I could have put said freezer in then lowered the tailgate onto an old cushion on the freezer tied it with a rope and got rid. Instead we have a drive ornament until next Monday when the councils large object removers collect it at a cost of £22…… Im not being tight but the recycling centre ain’t far and a big estate car is for doing what big estate cars do… Agree with the hate for this ridiculous electric door! Just a pain! When we were camping, i was always aware not to do it too many times as i was afraid to flatten the battery! As for carrying loads, the alarm beeps all the time unless... You 'latch' the door side (i.e. with the round bit of a screwdriver), it then thinks the door is closed, and you can use it as you intended (cushion and tie the door). Another option is to disable the door ( i think there is a button in the glove compartment) and then you can lower it by hand and tie it. As for the original subject, i would not put more than two bikes on any door, anything more and I would use a towbar. Also, not sure it is possible at all on the 4.4, as there is plastic spoiler at the top of the rear door, and i think even a very light load will break it! As I typed my post above I wondered I’d there was a way of disabling that damn door. I’m chuffed to be pointed in the right direction ! So if I turn the door off I can open and close it like a normal tailgate ? If was to want to return it back to electric operation would it need to be synced in some way ? I really should read the book !! |
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Post by firemac on Nov 1, 2022 19:12:16 GMT
Agree with the hate for this ridiculous electric door! Just a pain! When we were camping, i was always aware not to do it too many times as i was afraid to flatten the battery! As for carrying loads, the alarm beeps all the time unless... You 'latch' the door side (i.e. with the round bit of a screwdriver), it then thinks the door is closed, and you can use it as you intended (cushion and tie the door). Another option is to disable the door ( i think there is a button in the glove compartment) and then you can lower it by hand and tie it. As for the original subject, i would not put more than two bikes on any door, anything more and I would use a towbar. Also, not sure it is possible at all on the 4.4, as there is plastic spoiler at the top of the rear door, and i think even a very light load will break it! As I typed my post above I wondered I’d there was a way of disabling that damn door. I’m chuffed to be pointed in the right direction ! So if I turn the door off I can open and close it like a normal tailgate ? If was to want to return it back to electric operation would it need to be synced in some way ? I really should read the book !! You’re correct, Charlie, with the proviso that it will be quite stiff when opening or closing due to the increased “stiction” in the hydraulic struts that’s apparently easily overcome by the electric motor. On a general point, I’ve never been a fan of tailgate mounted racks due to the very likely possibility of damage to the bodywork of the car. Also I’ve never been convinced of their security- saw too many of them lying in the carriageway when they’ve parted company from their cars either through crap design or poor fitting. 🙁 |
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Post by charliefarlie on Nov 1, 2022 19:33:39 GMT
Our 2014 Rav doesn't have an electric tailgate door so I assume those that do are the very top of the range ones?
Re bracket affixed to a towbar I think some people only use them to cover the number plate up so speed cameras
can't read them  Are you sure it’s not turned on ? So just to be sure…l With the door in the closed position I turn it off and now it’s manual  Do the same buttons on the key and on the tailgate unlatch the lock ? So I then manually lift and close it ? I really should know this but until today I thought it was electric only 😳😳😳😳 Im asking because I don’t want to mess anything up 👍👍👍 |
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Post by three5 on Nov 1, 2022 20:18:49 GMT
Our 2014 Rav doesn't have an electric tailgate door so I assume those that do are the very top of the range ones?
Re bracket affixed to a towbar I think some people only use them to cover the number plate up so speed cameras
can't read them You have to use a separate "lighting board" here Jeff - if you obscure the rear lights or number plate! |
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ravjeff
Club Regular
Posts: 754
Location: New Zealand
Primary Vehicle: RAV4
Model Spec/Trim: GLX
Engine Capacity: 2.5L
Fuel Type: Petrol
Transmission: Automatic
Drive Type: 4WD/AWD
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Post by ravjeff on Nov 1, 2022 20:56:13 GMT
Hi chaps, I can't find a switch or appropriate fuse anywhere so I am confident
that we don't have an electric door.
In theory I think you could tie a home made copy of the number plate onto the back
of the bikes but that might be a tad iffee to some cops. it's not easy for law abiding
folk to get a number plate believe it or not.
Slightly off topic but a trailer must have its own dedicated number plate which is different
to the ones on the car. That law even applies to heavy trucks pulling trailers.
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Post by charliefarlie on Nov 1, 2022 21:01:26 GMT
Hi chaps, I can't find a switch or appropriate fuse anywhere so I am confident
that we don't have an electric door.
In theory I think you could tie a home made copy of the number plate onto the back
of the bikes but that might be a tad iffee to some cops. it's not easy for law abiding
folk to get a number plate believe it or not.
Slightly off topic but a trailer must have its own dedicated number plate which is different
to the ones on the car. That law even applies to heavy trucks pulling trailers.
Jeff not sure what you mean about a different number plate to the ones on the car ? |
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ravjeff
Club Regular
Posts: 754
Location: New Zealand
Primary Vehicle: RAV4
Model Spec/Trim: GLX
Engine Capacity: 2.5L
Fuel Type: Petrol
Transmission: Automatic
Drive Type: 4WD/AWD
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Post by ravjeff on Nov 1, 2022 21:11:06 GMT
Charlie if your car number plate says AB19XYZ the trailer could have say LB9140 but not AB19XYZ
Disclaimer ALL those number plates are made up and NZ has a different format to the UK as well.
Oh yes and the trailer has its own Tax and MOT stickers as well.
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Post by philip42h on Nov 1, 2022 21:17:35 GMT
Charlie if your car number plate says AB19XYZ the trailer could have say LB9140 but not AB19XYZ
Disclaimer ALL those number plates are made up and NZ has a different format to the UK as well.
Oh yes and the trailer has its own Tax and MOT stickers as well.
i.e. the tractor and trailer must be separately and independently registered vehicles ... |
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