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

Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2021 7:36 am
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!

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

Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2021 6:11 pm
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.

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

Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2021 10:03 am
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.

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

Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2021 12:33 pm
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.

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

Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2021 12:53 pm
by mph
I also meant to ask about "retired at the end of May 2021".

Have you disposed of your ID3?

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

Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2021 9:32 pm
by Gemma 1
No, no. I apologize for my terrible english. I meant "taken from the VW dealer".

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

Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2021 10:09 pm
by Deleted User 192
Gemma 1 wrote: โ†‘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?

Iโ€™ve read that factory fitted is 75kg but retro-fitted is only 55kg.

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

Posted: Sat Jun 05, 2021 11:51 am
by Gemma 1
Factory fitted.

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

Posted: Mon Jun 07, 2021 6:15 pm
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.

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

Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2021 9:58 am
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.

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

Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2021 1:33 pm
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.

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

Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2021 12:03 pm
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? Thatโ€™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.

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

Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2021 5:27 pm
by BeesKnees
Just saw a video of the hidden tow bar. I've added it to my order, just too cool to ignore.

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

Posted: Mon Nov 08, 2021 8:01 pm
by lucakoby
kaiz wrote: โ†‘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

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

Posted: Tue Nov 09, 2021 9:37 pm
by Flaming76
So I can load 2 x 27.5kg eMTBs but not 4 x 6kg road bikes?? ๐Ÿ™„

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

Posted: Tue Nov 09, 2021 10:43 pm
by Utumno
lucakoby wrote: โ†‘Mon Nov 08, 2021 8:01 pm
kaiz wrote: โ†‘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.