Bike rack for 2017 Toyota Auris Hybrid

[Point Reyes]

We just got our Focus Planet bikes and have started thinking about a bike rack. The first thing would be a tow bar and I see they're available but they all say, "not for hybrid". We're not towing anything so that wouldn't apply right?

I'm in the UK.

Many thanks.

 

[Growmac]

There are two considerations. First, can the tow bar be physically fitted to the vehicle?

If so, then second is whether the car has a towing weight limit - i.e. is is homologated for towing? If not, then it's legal to have a tow bar but it would be illegal to tow on the public highway. This is the situation I'm in with my Golf. A tow bar mounted bike rack is no problem, but towing would be breaking the law.

 

[Point Reyes]

There are two considerations. First, can the tow bar be physically fitted to the vehicle?

If so, then second is whether the car has a towing weight limit - i.e. is is homologated for towing? If not, then it's legal to have a tow bar but it would be illegal to tow on the public highway. This is the situation I'm in with my Golf. A tow bar mounted bike rack is no problem, but towing would be breaking the law.

Thanks, good information. I've been doing more reading since I posted and the Auris Hybrid is not homologated for towing but would be OK for a bike rack if the two e-bikes don't exceed the rack weight limit. There's also something called nose weight I've read about.

Cost wise fitting a towbar and buying a bike rack will be pretty expensive. Probably around £1000 or more. I came across a rack from Germany called PaulChen that can strap to the Auris back hatch and will work for two e-bikes. Its cost would be around £800 I believe. I'm a bit leery on how secure it would be but reviews seen decent.

Anyway, some decisions to be made. Thanks, again, for the insight.

 

[Growmac]

You really don’t want to use a strap on rack. Especially with 50 kg of bikes on there.

 

[Stoffel]

I wouldn’t trust anything other than a tow bar mounted bike rack for two heavy ebikes.
I looked into all the options before having our tow bar fitted, it wasn’t cheap but it was worth it for not having to worry at all when transporting them.

 

[Point Reyes]

You really don’t want to use a strap on rack. Especially with 50 kg of bikes on there.

Yeah, That's what I'm concerned about. Some folks swear by them though. I'll have to investigate further.

 

[Point Reyes]

I wouldn’t trust anything other than a tow bar mounted bike rack for two heavy ebikes.
I looked into all the options before having our tow bar fitted, it wasn’t cheap but it was worth it for not having to worry at all when transporting them.

What kind of car do you have?

Maybe not having to look in the rear view mirror constantly would be worth it. Thanks.

 

[Stoffel]

What kind of car do you have?

Maybe not having to look in the rear view mirror constantly would be worth it. Thanks.

Hyundai i20, we got a detachable tow hook fitted. We can get the gear in the car and the hook, rack and bikes on in under 10 minutes.

 

[Point Reyes]

Hyundai i20, we got a detachable tow hook fitted. We can get the gear in the car and the hook, rack and bikes on in under 10 minutes.

Nice. However the Hyundai i20 isn't a hybrid and it's not clear to me if they'll even fit a towbar to my Auris hybrid. I'll have to make some calls.