VW California T6.1 Bike Rack + Tips!

[@mikebrown3799]

Watched this in hope of seeing a tip about how to stop it folding down mid-drive in the wind - had that happen 2 or 3 times on one windy day! Didn't want to use separate straps and glad to have discovered I don't have to! Thanks Chris.

[@CaliforniaChris]

Glad you like the tip with the wheel straps!

[@lizzies269]

You can also use one of the locking brackets/arms - just attach it to the folded frame rather than a bike

[@davidgrover2665]

Last page of the instruction also states that you can use the 4th bike attachment arm - the one with 2 sets of jaws. Top part jaws point up and lower part jaws face down - tool me a while to figure out so passing on as another option for people

[@mortc002]

Hi Chris. You mention the rack can hold 60kg and that the tail gate has the upgraded pistons. Can you confirm whether you can open the tail gate with bikes on the back?

[@tooyoungtobeold8756]

I have this carrier. The problem is, with bikeson you can't get into multi story car parks under 2m car park carrier, so I just a bought a towbar mounted version, which tilts, with bikes on so you can still open the tailgate and fit under barriers.

[@eliotgoodfellow7294]

fantastic Chris, many thanks for this, very informative. I have one of these but until now, had no idea how it worked!

[@CaliforniaChris]

Glad it helped!

[@AM-hk3uw]

The fact is it doesn't work - you cannot load a couple of bikes 4 feet off the ground unless you have at least 2 people helping and step ladders etc.

[@geraldineboocock5477]

Today had a fairly light bike on the rack - was rather dismayed (!) when, as I was driving down the M6, the bike fell back from vertical to almost horizontal. Fortunately I was v near Services so came off motorway to see what had happened. The bike cross bar (which is actually angled down a little) had slipped out of the clamp........ Seemed odd as 2 of us (both used to bikes & bike racks) had checked it when we loaded the bike. It seemed that the clamp had worked a little loose. Was this because I hadn't locked the clamp? (shortish journey with no stops). I plan to put an extra fixture around bike cross bar & rack next time. But wonder if we did something wrong. Had watched your video more than once to be certain!!! Thanks for the excellent Calif videos!

[@richardwebb7477]

Hi Chris. I have one of these racks - but amazingly after 14 months in the UK the screw threads on the arms have rusted and two of them no longer work. I was amazed. Assumed they'd be specified suitable to stand up to normal UK weather. I bought it as part of the vehicle new - and the dealer has agreed to supply new arm replacements. They also said to apply WD40 to the screw threads. Have you seen this problem?

[@MrJoeThomson]

Great video Chris! When you do part 2, any chance you could show how a bike fits in the boot of beach and ocean with seats forward or in the middle with seats back?

[@CaliforniaChris]

Great idea! Will definitely do this.

[@ruairidhalexander7631]

More sensible to use the short clamp to hold it in the closed position rath than the wheel strap?

[@K_H-Channel]

Love that you mentioned that it can be used for drying cloths and storage. Thanks for the great suggestions. Have 1 question, with standard adult size bikes on this rack, does it go over the roof height which would prevent going into certain car parks with height restrictions and ferries with height restrictions? Thanks.

[@darrenmorley7453]

Hi Chris. Any idea on part 2 timescale please. Thank you.

[@CaliforniaChris]

Working on it. Should be done very soon.

[@darrenmorley7453]

@@CaliforniaChris Thanks Chris. Look forward to it. I’m holding off buying a Thule Wanderway til your second review. Bit cheaper at £450. Every little helps at the moment. Thanks again.

[@jonathanplatt2783]

Hi Chris, Great video. How much are the bike racks? It would be great if you were able to put together an installation video as well.

[@tooyoungtobeold8756]

The cost about £500-£600 and a blind man could fit it.

[@AM-hk3uw]

Great videos you have about the Van, I am seriously thinking about buying one. BUT. In part 2 of this video, I would like to see you load a Road Bike, a Mountain Bike and an ebike. Is this a one person job or do you need 2 people, the ebike will weigh approx 25kg. The MTB will have different cross bar. It looks like it will be quite a challenge for one person. I'm physically strong, but I will be interested to see how you actually load and secure the bikes. Keep up the great videos, they are very useful.

[@CaliforniaChris]

All great questions and points. We are trying to get all the different types of bikes to show this (part of the reason there's a slight delay on getting the second part filmed).

[@AM-hk3uw]

@@CaliforniaChris I don't mean to emphasise the point too much, BUT this must be a major issue, as no one online wants to show exactly how loading of the bikes works etc. "You state that you leave going out with my bikes for an adventure holiday". Why don't you load your bikes up to start with. I own a Thule bike rack and I think it would be very very difficult to load up in the configuration you show. Getting the arm onto the third bike, and you already have 2 bikes loaded up would be impossible - you would need to step ladder etc to get yourself up to be able to use it. Loading/lifting the bikes 4 or 5 feet up in the air and then trying to fit the cross arms, looks to me like to be a logistical nightmare.

[@AM-hk3uw]

Hey Chris, still waiting for part 2 - over 1 yr now. Thats because you can't physically do what you are saying. You can't load the bikes in any simple manner at all, why don't you admit that it cannot be done and tell your viewers the bike rack as configured will not work. The loading of 3 or 4 bikes like you make out is impossible. I just want viewers to know the facts. @@CaliforniaChris

[@charlesgrodriguez]

After my neighbour had his stolen I took mine off in about 1minute. It is easily possible to remove without opening the tailgate. Now I need to search for some sort of security bolts to replace the factory ones

[@Mr_Blootered]

Is part 2 on yet?

[@CaliforniaChris]

I've not had one come through the dealership to film :(

[@Mr_Blootered]

@@CaliforniaChris Hey ho. Thanks for the reply 👍

[@farlow2000]

It doesn't seem as if VW do a rack for just 2 bikes? I'd rather keep the depth down to avoid making my van even longer for parking. Do you know if VW are planning to bring out a rack for just 2 bikes?

[@joseptarbal2968]

Great video Chris! Was this the bike rack from Thule? Or is it a VW one?

[@gk310]

Where’s part 2 gone?

[@CaliforniaChris]

Coming soon! Multivan and ID Buzz have been taking priority with them being our newest vehicles. Sorry for the delay.

[@mexicanpower544]

Worthy