5 rear carrier for safe e-bike transport

You probably know the situation: you want to go travelling by bike or simply go on a tour that doesn't start right at your front door. But how do you transport the bikes safely and comfortably? Some questions arise with classic bikes as well as e-bikes, but with the latter there is a lot more to consider. The question of the best bike carrier system is the quickest to answer: We only recommend towbar carriers for transporting heavy pedelecs.

Advantage rear carrier

Although the investment costs for the carrier plus trailer coupling are higher overall than the alternatives for the roof or tailgate, the advantages in terms of handling and maximum payload outweigh the disadvantages. After all, it makes a huge difference whether you have to heave a 25-kilo bike up to chin height to mount it on the roof rack and then manoeuvre it into the rack, or whether you simply let it slide into the tyre holder at knee height, as with the towbar rack. One argument against tailgate carriers is that they only allow a load of around 20 kilos. They are therefore not an option for e-bikes. However, the permissible drawbar load of the towbar must also be taken into account; it can vary greatly depending on the vehicle type and the towbar fitted. While a small car such as an Opel Corsa can only carry 45 kilos piggyback, a VW bus with a permitted 100 kilos can carry more than double that. If you calculate a flat rate of 20 kilos per e-bike (without battery) plus 20 kilos of tare weight of the coupling carrier, a Corsa is only suitable for solo travel, while the van can theoretically also transport four bikes.

The 60-kilo class

Incidentally, there is hardly any difference in the load capacity of most carriers, regardless of the brand. Regardless of whether they are models for two, three or four bikes: their maximum payload is rarely more than 60 kilos and is therefore sufficient for a maximum of three light pedelecs - without batteries. The towbar carriers we have selected from the brands Atera, Eufab, Thule, Uebler and Westfalia are also in this weight class. Each one can transport two or three e-bikes, is equipped with a lockable coupling lock and retaining arms and has a folding device that allows you to open the tailgate when travelling without having to lift all the bikes down.

The Strada EVO 3 from Atera, for example, is well suited for vans, SUVs or minibuses whose large tailgates require a lot of space when opening and would bump against the mounting frame on carriers with a standard folding device. In the practical test with our VW T6 editorial van with factory-fitted fixed coupling, opening the tailgate worked just fine, but without any problems. On another T6 Bulli, but with a detachable retrofit coupling, the tailgate could no longer be opened despite the manufacturer's promise. The reason: the distance between the coupling ball and the rear edge of the vehicle is a few millimetres less. If possible, try out the carrier of your choice before buying.

It's the details that matter

The second specialist is the Bike Lift from Eufab. This carrier with integrated electric lift is suitable for e-bikers who want to or should avoid heavy lifting. Due to its limited lifting height, the lift does not always make it all the way to the ground with high vehicles, but loading is comparatively easy. Before buying, you should just make sure that the car socket has a permanent positive (PIN 9), as the lift motor draws its power from this.

The third exotic model in our selection is the BikeLander from Westfalia Automotive. Its special feature: an optionally available transport box that can be mounted on the carrier in no time at all using a lever lock and, unlike roof boxes, offers additional storage space without changing the height of the vehicle.

The last two candidates in our selection are the EasyFold XT3 from Thule and the X21 S from Uebler. Both carriers are characterised by their easy handling when clamping and aligning on the ball head, when folding and with their compact storage dimensions in the triple or double carrier class. When not in use, there is a place for these two carriers even in the smallest cellar niche.

Safety tips

- Although both the carrier and the support arms are lockable, the easy-to-pick locks do not offer secure protection against theft. It is therefore advisable to additionally secure the bikes to the carrier with a robust bike lock.

- For a perfect clamping connection, the ball head on the car must be clean and free of grease. Also check the clamping force prescribed by the manufacturer on the clutch lever and adjust the clamping according to the specifications in the operating instructions.

- The bike load can become loose on the carrier due to movement during the journey. Therefore, check the straps and bracket arms for tightness at every stop.

- Unlike when using a caravan or trailer, there is no speed limit for car plus bike carrier in Germany. However, it is advisable to adapt your driving style to the slightly different driving behaviour and select a moderate speed of 120 to 130 km/h. This is also recommended by the manufacturers in the operating instructions. This is also what the manufacturers recommend in the operating instructions.

- In other European countries, there are sometimes very different regulations on the subject of compulsory labelling and marking of the wheel carrier. In Italy, for example, the carrier must be secured to the rear with a warning plate. In Germany, it is permitted to mount a third, unstamped licence plate on the carrier, but not officially in Croatia or Slovenia. Find out about the applicable laws in transit and travelling countries before starting your journey.

You should bear this in mind

Support load: Even if the providers advertise sufficient payload, the limiting factor is always the permissible coupling support load, which can be 75 kilos, for example. Accordingly, a 20-kilo carrier should not be loaded with two 30-kilo e-bikes. Reserves can be created by removing batteries, panniers or similar items and stowing them in the car.

Loading ramp: Loading the carrier on a high SUV in particular can be a feat of strength without the help of hands. Optional loading ramps, which are simply docked onto the carrier, make this task easier.

Narrow: Due to the design, the distance between the individual wheels is barely more than 20 centimetres, which is why pedal arms or pannier racks can easily collide with each other. It works a little more smoothly if you bring the pedal arms into a collision-free position in relation to each other beforehand and lash the wheels to the tyre shoes, sometimes with the front wheel on the right, sometimes in the opposite direction and slightly offset. You should also always protect potential rubbing points with some padding material.

The thicket of many frame tubes standing one behind the other often makes it difficult to mount the support arms without collision. If you have the choice, the bike with the low step-through should always be on the vehicle side. This means that the support arms for the second or third bike are not unnecessarily blocked by an obstructive top tube.

The rear carrier in the test

The scooter

Manufacturer Atera
Model Strada EVO3
Price 598 Euro >> e.g. at Amazon available
Stowage dimension/weight 108 x 28 x 74 cm/20 kilos
Payload per rail/total 30/66 Kilo
Equipment Secured roller pull-out with foot control, carrier and holding arms lockable, padded gripper arms, latching straps with overload protection, wheel trays can be moved, can be extended by one transport space
Special feature Also suitable for vans and buses thanks to the long pull-out rail.

The servant

Manufacturer Eufab
Model Bike Lift
Price 700 Euro >> e.g. at Amazon available
Stowage dimension/weight 30 x 74 x 74 cm/25 kilos
Payload per rail/total 30/60 Kilo
Equipment Folding device with foot control, foldable, carrier and holding arms lockable, electric lift, transport castors, protective cover
Special feature The electric lift makes it easier to load heavy e-bikes.

The robust one

Manufacturer Thule
Model EasyFoldXT3
Price 800 Euro >> e.g. with Amazon available
Stowage dimension/weight 31 x 83 x 86 cm/23 kilos
Payload per rail/total 30/60 Kilo
Equipment Folding mechanism with foot pedal, foldable, carrier and holding arms lockable, frame holder with torque limiter, transport castors
Special feature Very light for its size with a capacity of three wheels. Small stowage dimensions.

The compact

Manufacturer Uebler
Model X21 S
Price 562 Euro >> e.g. at Amazon available
Stowage dimension/weight 63 x 24 x 64 cm/13.5 kilos
Payload per rail/total 30/60 Kilo
Equipment Folding mechanism with foot control, foldable Carrier and holding arms lockable
Special feature One of the lightest and most compact carriers ever.

The variable

Manufacturer Westfalia
Model Bikelander
Price 519 Euro >> e.g. at Amazon available
Stowage dimension/weight 58 x 22 x 69 cm/ 17.2 kilos
Payload per rail/total 30/60 Kilo
Equipment Folding mechanism, foldable, carrier and holding arms lockable
Special feature The transport box, which can be mounted on the carrier, is an exciting feature; this creates an additional, protected storage space that can be used for camping utensils, for example.

The full article was published in E-BIKE issue 3/2017. You can download the issue in the MYBIKE app (iTunes and Google Play) or in the DK-Shop order.