Is anyone using the bike prep to attach a towball bike carrier?

All Volkswagen ID.3 related discussions
gailjon
Posts: 284
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2021 11:16 am

Post by gailjon »

It's a pity that the car can't take more than 75kgs total. We use the towbar on my Q7 for 4 adult bikes that weigh around 60 kgs total and the rack itself with the 4th bike attachment would weigh around 23-24 kgs I think. MInd you, the towbar is rated for 140kgs and the bike rack for 75kgs load.

I was hoping we could take the wife's ID3 to the cycle park, etc but no go unfortunately. It would have been nice to drive carbon free and then cycle carbon free!
ID.3 Family, Andoya Alloys, Heat Pump. Grab a £50 Octopus Credit https://share.octopus.energy/silk-guppy-104

mph
Posts: 8
Joined: Sun Feb 28, 2021 9:04 pm

Post by mph »

VW seem to be further increasing the confusion over the weight limit for the tow ball with the latest revision of the manual.

The November 2020 edition of the online manual says "The maximum load (carrier system including load) of the bicycle carrier fitted on the ball coupling is 55 Kg or 75 kg depending on the equipment." They give no explanation of what the different equipments are.
Gemma 1
Posts: 9
Joined: Fri Apr 30, 2021 10:37 am

Post by Gemma 1 »

Hi, this is from my ID.3, retired at the end of May 2021. An addition to the paper manual clarifies the maximum allowable load.

IMG_0304.jpeg

ID.3 Tech Pro, Glacier White, 7,5 J x 19" Andoya alloys, Heat Pump, Bicycle carrier prep, Software version 0912 (2.4)
mph
Posts: 8
Joined: Sun Feb 28, 2021 9:04 pm

Post by mph »

Thank you, that's very helpful.

This is the first evidence I have seen that VW do produce a 75 kg limit tow ball for this car. Now they just need to fix the user manuals, and give accurate information to their dealers.

It is interesting that in addition the higher weight limit of 75 kg, compared to the 55 kg limit photos posted earlier in this thread, the maximum offset distances for the centre of gravity of the load have also increased, so further increasing the moment of the load on the mounting points.
mph
Posts: 8
Joined: Sun Feb 28, 2021 9:04 pm

Post by mph »

I also meant to ask about "retired at the end of May 2021".

Have you disposed of your ID3?
Gemma 1
Posts: 9
Joined: Fri Apr 30, 2021 10:37 am

Post by Gemma 1 »

No, no. I apologize for my terrible english. I meant "taken from the VW dealer".
ID.3 Tech Pro, Glacier White, 7,5 J x 19" Andoya alloys, Heat Pump, Bicycle carrier prep, Software version 0912 (2.4)
Deleted User 192

Post by Deleted User 192 »

Gemma 1 wrote: Fri Jun 04, 2021 10:03 am Hi, this is from my ID.3, retired at the end of May 2021. An addition to the paper manual clarifies the maximum allowable load.

Was that factory fitted, or installed by your dealer?

I’ve read that factory fitted is 75kg but retro-fitted is only 55kg.
Gemma 1
Posts: 9
Joined: Fri Apr 30, 2021 10:37 am

Post by Gemma 1 »

Factory fitted.
ID.3 Tech Pro, Glacier White, 7,5 J x 19" Andoya alloys, Heat Pump, Bicycle carrier prep, Software version 0912 (2.4)
Morovitch
Posts: 1
Joined: Mon Jun 07, 2021 2:13 pm

Post by Morovitch »

I had one fitted by dealer and it's also rated to 75kg. I think they changed the towbar after March/April this year, earlier versions were 55kg, I had to wait almost 2 months for mine with the higher rating. I'm glad I did as this one is much more usable.
gwr
Posts: 56
Joined: Wed Dec 02, 2020 10:20 am
Location: 57.5, -4.1

Post by gwr »

On a related issue, is anyone's rear number plate falling off? Had to reattach mine to the sticky pads and I wondered whether it's because of the different stress when it is folded down for the bike attachment.
gwr

ID3 Tech 2.3

N Scotland
Gemma 1
Posts: 9
Joined: Fri Apr 30, 2021 10:37 am

Post by Gemma 1 »

I am unable to give you a reliable answer; in Italy a frame screwed to the car body is used to fix the rear number plates; the plate is then fixed to the frame with plastic clips. In my opinion it is not a good idea to use adhesive pads, but this is just my opinion. I used tamper-proof screws to fix the duplicate license plate to the bike rack.
ID.3 Tech Pro, Glacier White, 7,5 J x 19" Andoya alloys, Heat Pump, Bicycle carrier prep, Software version 0912 (2.4)
Twoo
Posts: 1
Joined: Thu Jul 01, 2021 11:56 am

Post by Twoo »

Mine is from Nov 2020, and the plate states 55kg and 2 bikes. So does this mean the total weight is max 55kg? That’s almost useless..

And what bike racks are people using? I struggle to find one that is shorter than 60cm (from tow ball to end) which already exceeds the max length shown on the plate.
BeesKnees
Posts: 70
Joined: Mon Jun 28, 2021 7:04 pm

Post by BeesKnees »

Just saw a video of the hidden tow bar. I've added it to my order, just too cool to ignore.
Life Pro with tow hook Stonewashed Blue
Ordered July , provisional build week 40/41, now 43. Confirmed 45
Order No 3136****
lucakoby
Posts: 2
Joined: Wed Nov 03, 2021 12:55 pm

Post by lucakoby »

kaiz wrote: Sun Feb 21, 2021 4:50 pm Hooked on first time today.

So, is it possible to install the hook in a second time (I've ordered an ID.3 pro perf. w/o hook to save money...initially!)? I've a 2-bikes Thule rack...
Thanks
Flaming76
Posts: 105
Joined: Fri Oct 01, 2021 10:47 pm

Post by Flaming76 »

So I can load 2 x 27.5kg eMTBs but not 4 x 6kg road bikes?? 🙄
Fam Pro Perf, 19” Andoya alloys, bike rack prep in turquoise.
Ordered 20.10.21 dealer placed order 25.10.21
Estimated delivery early May 2022, now status 20 build week 38, status 60 early Nov, delivery December!!
Order No 31515***
User avatar
Utumno
Posts: 1727
Joined: Sun Jul 04, 2021 12:34 am
Location: Oxfordshire

Post by Utumno »

lucakoby wrote: Mon Nov 08, 2021 8:01 pm
kaiz wrote: Sun Feb 21, 2021 4:50 pm Hooked on first time today.

So, is it possible to install the hook in a second time (I've ordered an ID.3 pro perf. w/o hook to save money...initially!)? I've a 2-bikes Thule rack...
Thanks

Your dealer can fit it as an accessory, but it's much more expensive compared with fitting it from the factory. If you want the option, you'll be saving yourself a pile of money to factory spec it.
Tesla Model Y Long Range
CANCELLED : ID.3 Tour (long story :lol:)

ID3 Build & Delivery Info Tracker : https://tinyurl.com/id3tracker
Octopus Referral : https://share.octopus.energy/aqua-foal-203
Post Reply