Bike carrier

[JampoTT]

Looking for an easy way to carry 2 bikes.

Don’t really want to hang straight off the boot but one is an ebike so quite heavy to lift onto the roof. And I’m not keen on roof mounted bikes for longer distance either.

I love the idea of a towbar hitched rack but don’t have a towbar.

Could one be fitted if only to be used for a cycle rack?

Any other ideas?

[Jubilee77]

We drive to France most summers (maybe not this year?) I have a Thule roof-box. I part dismantle two mountain bikes and store them inside the roof box, including the wheels, still plenty of space to place bags, helmets etc..
This results in that the bikes are safe and out of site when we have an overnight hotel stop, and service stations. Plus the overall height is reduced compared with having the bikes upright and exposed on a roof rack.

[Rs4spark]

Morning JampoTT ,
I will be in the same predicament when this lock down is over.
I purchased a Thule 3 Bike carrier last summer to fit on my Tow bar on my Previous car,
I still have the Bike carrier but the B9 does not have a tow bar- I have priced up fitting one which will be around £700 wish.
I think apart from stripping down like Jubilee said the rear Tow bar mount is probably the best way forward.

On the that is there any one on here who has retro fitted a Tow Bar to the B9 / B9.5

[Tweaky]

Out of interest who did you manage to get a quote from to fit the tow bar? I would be keen to have one for my car also, i don't have the DRC, but i do have a carbon rear diffuser so am not sure how it would be fitted. I assume they would need to cut the diffuser in some way, but would not want it to show when looking from behind and tow bar not in use.

[Rs4spark]

To be honest Tweaky, I never thought about the carbon rear Diff on my Carbon Black---!!

When I last had a quote I was going to purchase a 18 Plate with standard rear bumper ,

That option may be out of the window now for me if that needs cutting

[Jubilee77]

Morning JampoTT ,
I will be in the same predicament when this lock down is over.
I purchased a Thule 3 Bike carrier last summer to fit on my Tow bar on my Previous car,
I still have the Bike carrier but the B9 does not have a tow bar- I have priced up fitting one which will be around £700 wish.
I think apart from stripping down like Jubilee said the rear Tow bar mount is probably the best way forward.

On the that is there any one on here who has retro fitted a Tow Bar to the B9 / B9.5


vTdDNYkATp21PZHpk6Jq7w.jpg

I read on the Audi configurator that you can’t fit a tow bar if you have the DRC suspension. Not sure what the issue is? I think the factory fitted one swings out of site when not in use. So looks very neat.

[JampoTT]

Just to come full circle on this, I've found someone who can fit a towbar to a DRC-equipped RS4, so I'll try going down that route!

£612 fitted, with the necessary CanBus changes to make sure things like rear parking sensors, light bulb checks are right.

[Jubilee77]

Just to come full circle on this, I've found someone who can fit a towbar to a DRC-equipped RS4, so I'll try going down that route!

£612 fitted, with the necessary CanBus changes to make sure things like rear parking sensors, light bulb checks are right.

Hi JampoTT, that’s interesting. As my car has DRC and I would consider a tow bar. Not sure why the DRC option is not compatible with. Tow Bar? I wonder if the warranty would be compromised if you did fit a tow bar to a DRC car, Audi may not cover a future issue with the suspension if you incurred a problem? The DRC has an anti dip/ anti dive feature so that the car should remain level under heavy braking or accelerating. Maybe the adverse shifting of weight (if towing a trailer or caravan) confuses the DRC system , and makes it ride like a bucking bronco!

[GG441]

Hi! I hope you already got the suggestions from fellow members'.
Anyway, if not then check this article to get your desired one.

[paulread69]

Hi all.
I also have a B9 with DRC and would like a towbar for a cycle rack.
I found a YouTube video from Automotive Control (.co.uk) who can fit it in Bristol.

I think so long as the load is similar to a full boot load, the DRC should be OK. With regards to warranty, when the towbar is removed, would an Audi tech really spot and think about the towbar?

Here is my quote from late last year.

Westfalia Detachable Swan Neck
13pin caravan socket
Audi dedicated & Approved wiring
ECU coded in house
Supplied & Installed £630 inc vat


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Rs4spark]

Just had a Tow Trust Towbar installed, works great.
Detachable.
Will use for my Bike Carrier.

[paulread69]

Nice, looks very neat. Who fitted it? Cost? And does your car have DRC?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Rs4spark]

Hi Paul,

No DRC on my Car,

Fitted by my Local Tow bar Specialist in Shrewsbury