Bike Transport retrofit

[SinglePointSafety]

No, it doesn't - do you already have a towbar-mounted carrier? If not, a really good site (where I bought mine) is https://www.roofbox.co.uk/, lots of choice depending on your requirements and budget, always found their prices really good and, if you need advice, they actually answer emails or - gasp! - the phone
I only needed a 2-bike carrier and I can recommend the expensive but excellent Yakima JustClick

[smyth1492]

Casparh, do you mean the id3 transport hitch? If so, ring around a few VW dealers - I found my supplying dealer quoted a stupid price, another not-local dealer did the the job for ~£900 IIRC. They also did a very neat installation. Many dealers subcontract this type of work to peripatetic towbar specialists: if so, it's important to ensure that whoever does it, knows to do the coding properly

Any chance this was anywhere near Andover, Hampshire as I have just been quoted £960 for fitting + £670 for the hitch.

[SinglePointSafety]

Any chance this was anywhere near Andover, Hampshire as I have just been quoted £960 for fitting + £670 for the hitch.

That sounds somewhat excessive and my experience was that the price quoted by dealers seems to be a random number. My installation was done by Martins in Basingstoke: no guarantee that their price has remained reasonable....

[smyth1492]

Martins of Basingstoke - £1060 fitted, much more sensible so all booked in.

[Idee3]

Seems loads of money for what is quite a limited hitch for bike racks and boxes, mine was factory fitted for £300 ish, don't think i would have done it for £1k!
Haven't even used it yet, but as they are fitted higher than normal (to stop you towing) the bikes are above the roof height

Would the suction roof mounts not be better and at least you could sell them or transfer when you change your car?

[smyth1492]

I have the glass roof so I would be reluctant to do anything other than the transport hitch and my mountain bike is electric so it weighs a bit.

Sometimes we want to go out as a family with bikes so I could just get 4 on (with non-electrix) bikes and still be within the maximum weight

[Idee3]

Sure it states max 3 bikes and max 75kg Inc the carrier.

It also gives measurements for the position of the weight, I wouldn't go for 4 as it may have implications to your insurance if you exceed the max stated

[smyth1492]

Just had the transport hitch fitted by Martins of Basingstoke and they have completed a lovely tidy install. Well impressed.