True cost of a tailgate bike rack.

[Up10]

I am in shock. We sold our tailgate bike rack. I have always moaned about our poor fuel economy, circa 32 mpg, but now I know it was down to the bike rack. I have gained 10%.
So even though husband sold the tailgate bike rack and spent more on the tow bar version, I feel it was sort of a saving overall.
Now, I wonder how much the cassette awning is costing me.....!

 

[sidepod]

Hmmmm tenuous at best if I may?

Undoubtedly removing the bikes from the tailgate rack and high up in the airstream will reduce drag however, with a tow bar rack you’ll be adding 15kg? Probably evens out.

Let’s say £500 for tow bar rack, a quick calc shows you breaking even in 20k miles?

Maybe a tad early for celebration?

 

[Up10]

Hmmmm tenuous at best if I may?

Undoubtedly removing the bikes from the tailgate rack and high up in the airstream will reduce drag however, with a tow bar rack you’ll be adding 15kg? Probably evens out.

Let’s say £500 for tow bar rack, a quick calc shows you breaking even in 20k miles?

Maybe a tad early for celebration?

Definitely getting more miles to the gallon with the tailgate bike rack removed. As we didn't often have bikes on there, it was purely turbulence at the rear of the vehicle created by the ever present rack that causing extra fuel usage.
So we now have a tow hitch bike rack that only goes on when the bikes are used. It seems a more streamlined solution to me.
And we are getting mpg nearer to figures quoted by others on the forum!

 

[BayCatOne]

On the tailgate-rack-note, does it add more noice when driving? We’re thinking about getting either or for the bikes.

 

[Up10]

On the tailgate-rack-note, does it add more noice when driving? We’re thinking about getting either or for the bikes.

Not sure but check that your tailgate has upgraded hinges to carry the weight of the rack. Remember also that you have to remove the bikes before opening the tailgate.
With a tow bar rack, this will tilt with the bikes on it so you will have a quicker access to the rear of the vehicle. And also better fuel consumption when you are not carrying the bikes or the rack!
Suggest you look at the Altera Strada DL3/4

 

[Ch1pbutty]

On the tailgate-rack-note, does it add more noice when driving? We’re thinking about getting either or for the bikes.

No, Cali’s already have the aerodynamic qualities of a brick, bike rack won’t add any noise.

 

[Velma's Dad]

I'd reckon the answer to this question depends enormously on the speeds you are typically driving with the bike rack (and bikes?) attached, cos aerodynamc drag increases with the square of the speed.

Unless of course you form a peloton of bikerack-fitted Calis, which is often seen to form spontaneously on the M5 southbound on bank holiday weekends.

 

[pjm-84]

Never really noticed a difference with the tailgate rack.....how fast are your driving? My biggest change in fuel consumption was engine related and then tyres.

 

[sidepod]

Seems odd the OP chose the 204 over the 150 and now monitors fuel consumption?

 

[Up10]

Seems odd the OP chose the 204 over the 150 and now monitors fuel consumption?

Not at all. The choice of 204 was not based on economics but on how nice it was to drive.
The surprise to me was the improvement in fuel economy after removing the tailgate bike rack.
I would be interested to know if anyone else has had a similar experience?
I appreciate that a sample of one is hardly scientific but for me, there is only one change to the van and that is the removal of the rack. I still drive the same, use the same fuel and even the weather has remained constant this summer.
On this basis and other factors, I would be more inclined to recommend a tow bar bike rack over the semi permanent tail gate version. However, you do lose a useful drying rack!

 

[Cali Phillip]

I took the tailgate rack off and noted no change, 55-70mph. Bikes on, drops to around 32mpg from 36-38mpg summer. Water tank, full or almost empty ~20+kg makes no obvious difference.
I was pondering if a tow bar bike rack, although the set up cost is higher, would break even on better fuel consumption over time over the tailgate bike rack.

 

[sidepod]

If you want another 10%, fold the mirrors in when you’re up to speed.

 

[WelshGas]

If you want another 10%, fold the mirrors in when you’re up to speed.

My Multivan tells me to close the window for improved fuel economy!

 

[Herman]

If you want another 10%, fold the mirrors in when you’re up to speed.

Don’t drive when it’s raining either, that really increases fuel consumption.

I

 

[Daveb999]

Best way to save fuel when driving is only go down hills…..

 

[Up10]

Best way to save fuel when driving is only go down hills…..

Great, I'll try that in Norway in a couple of weeks and hope there are no great whites in the way.

 

[WelshGas]

Great, I'll try that in Norway in a couple of weeks and hope there are no great whites in the way.

What you gain going down you'll definitely use going up.
Oh, you'll see lots of great whites.
On one of my many trips to Norway I asked one HGV driver what was the worst time of year for driving , expecting him to say winter, No, July/August because of the motorhomes.

 

[acer]

Best way to save fuel when driving is only go down hills…..

I found that the greatest improvement was when I started driving with the roof lowered

 

[mattpartridge]

Not at all. The choice of 204 was not based on economics but on how nice it was to drive.
The surprise to me was the improvement in fuel economy after removing the tailgate bike rack.
I would be interested to know if anyone else has had a similar experience?
I appreciate that a sample of one is hardly scientific but for me, there is only one change to the van and that is the removal of the rack. I still drive the same, use the same fuel and even the weather has remained constant this summer.
On this basis and other factors, I would be more inclined to recommend a tow bar bike rack over the semi permanent tail gate version. However, you do lose a useful drying rack!

Hi, I sold my tailgate bike rack a few years ago, not solely for fuel economy, but to keep the height of the van under 2m with bikes on. If the vehicle height is over 2m, it makes a big difference to tolls charged on French Autoroutes. Since having a tow bar mounted rack, sliding Atera Strada 3, I have noticed better fuel economy, and much better rear visibility when no bikes being carried. Concerning the roll out awning, I removed mine 5 years ago as I found that you can’t use it if it’s windy and can’t leave it out if it’s raining hard-consequently didn’t get used much! The weight of the awning is quite heavy, could only just hold it myself when removing, sure this must impact on the economy, along with reduced wind resistance without it-no whistling noise from the driver’s side on the motorway now. I did manage to sell the awning and bike rack for about £700 on here, which more than covered the purchase of a tow bar rack which I bought for £220 on here!

 

[The Tall Luthier]

I am in shock. We sold our tailgate bike rack. I have always moaned about our poor fuel economy, circa 32 mpg, but now I know it was down to the bike rack. I have gained 10%.
So even though husband sold the tailgate bike rack and spent more on the tow bar version, I feel it was sort of a saving overall.
Now, I wonder how much the cassette awning is costing me.....!

Absolutely this. Consumption 36mpugs with tailgate wash, 44mpugs with tailgate bike rack removed.

The physics, I looked it up, show the vast majority of the wash is in the bottom half of the van, adding the bikes doesn’t make it any worse. The top half can usually stay clean of wash but suddenly becomes drag worthy if the airflow is changed.

 

[Up10]

Hi, I sold my tailgate bike rack a few years ago, not solely for fuel economy, but to keep the height of the van under 2m with bikes on. If the vehicle height is over 2m, it makes a big difference to tolls charged on French Autoroutes. Since having a tow bar mounted rack, sliding Atera Strada 3, I have noticed better fuel economy, and much better rear visibility when no bikes being carried. Concerning the roll out awning, I removed mine 5 years ago as I found that you can’t use it if it’s windy and can’t leave it out if it’s raining hard-consequently didn’t get used much! The weight of the awning is quite heavy, could only just hold it myself when removing, sure this must impact on the economy, along with reduced wind resistance without it-no whistling noise from the driver’s side on the motorway now. I did manage to sell the awning and bike rack for about £700 on here, which more than covered the purchase of a tow bar rack which I bought for £220 on here!

Absolutely this. Consumption 36mpugs with tailgate wash, 44mpugs with tailgate bike rack removed.

The physics, I looked it up, show the vast majority of the wash is in the bottom half of the van, adding the bikes doesn’t make it any worse. The top half can usually stay clean of wash but suddenly becomes drag worthy if the airflow is changed.

So I have done sufficient mileage this month to show you what I mean about fuel efficiency. We sold our tailgate bike rack early in July and you can see there is improvement in our mileage figures. We have a 4 motion 204 so it's always going to be challenging and neither of us drives slowly (to keep the egr happy! )
I think this chart shows significant improvement and that there are hidden costs to a tailgate mounted bike rack as The Tall Luther previously stated.