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It’s time to wrap up the bike rack install. I had to wait a few days for the final rack to arrive. Although I had ordered a twin pack of the Thule FreeRide 532 from Holdcrofts via Amazon and they had shipped out a twin pack, it would seem that their courier had ‘lost’ one and to Holdcrofts credit as soon as I emailed them they dispatched another… which the courier took four days to deliver.
The second rack only took a few minutes to install as I’d already had a practice run with the other. I did reverse the wheel mounting points so that the straps were on the outside of the truck bed so I could reach them from the side and I also reversed the locking clip on the bike frame mount so that it was on the inside of the rack, again to make it easier to operate when mounting the bikes on the rack.
Overall I’m pretty pleased with the installation and the Thule products seem well constructed and easy to assemble. I guess if you were installing it on a ‘normal’ vehicle it would be fairly easy as all the items would be available off the shelf in the UK or directly from Amazon in the UK.
I still have access to the full load bed if required simply by removing the locking covers and eight hex bolts holding the feet to the mounts and I can lift off the whole assembly. Thule supply in their kit 3113 covers for the feet that simply click into place to make everything tidy when the rack assembly is removed.
The height above the Roll-N-Lock cover is about right and doesn’t stop me opening the lid of the storage box I installed on the bed slide.
The gap between the racks is wide enough so that in the future if we needed to install a slimline top box or a mesh basket to give me more load carrying ability or even a ski rack that mounts on the rear wing bar and roll bar so the skis point above the cab roof is possible.
If you needed to, I think four adult bikes could be accommodated easily and maybe 2 adult bikes and 3 children’s bikes if you swapped the orientation round (some forward facing some rear facing).
I have received a few emails asking how we were going to load the bikes and how easy was it going to be. I think it is easier than lifting bikes on to a roof mounted carrier.
Well inspired by Messrs Ditton and Trudgian I made a video. Now this is my first real attempt at video production and editing (here come the excuses!) and it was shot early in the morning…. after I’d got home at 02:00 after sorting out a couple of aircraft at Manchester Airport. So here goes…
Hi Simon,
I have read your blog a few times over the last few weeks as I’ve waited for the Thule parts to arrive with the intention of duplicating your bike rack fitment on my new acquired Amarok.
I’d some trouble obtaining the foot packs from the States initially but here now via US.Com which temporarily gave me my own address in Florida to have the parts sent to before onward shipping to the UK.
Heading home from offshore on Tuesday to get it fitted up in time for an early Saturday morning departure with caravan en tow to Yorkshire from Aberdeenshire.
Fingers crossed it all goes well.
Andy
Hi Andy
Up to now I have found that my solution is working really well for us. Sometimes I do things and then think “I wish I’d done it that way instead” and then go on to make mods.
However with the bike rack I’ve not had that “Hmmmmmm” moment (YET!) and Iv’e found it to be quite stable with two bikes on the motorway at legal speed and off road bouncing about.
Let me know how you get on and maybe email me a couple of pic’s…. I’ll do a quick update and feature your Amarok!
Hey you are now officially the fourth person I know that tows a caravan with an Amarok.
Hi,
I have been searching for information on mounting a rack system above my Amarok rollnlock for ages and came across your photo. Excellent for me, apart from the fact I am not very hands on at such tasks but at least now I know it can be done and it was not just a figment of my imagination.
It is an great solution for the space above the bed allowing one to maintain the use of the bed for other items and not having to lift the bikes above the cab increasing the height of the vehicle.
I have recently purchased a newer automatic Amarok after having a manual one for towing and was pleased to read you comments on another of your blogs re the eight speed gearbox. I love my Amarok and the fact it was the reason we started caravanning.
I am looking for exactly that same system for my Amarok!
What are the Thule part numbers please..?
Cheers,
Phil
Hi Phil
Sorry it’s been so long since I fitted it I don’t have the part numbers. If you look at the Thule web site you can select USA as country and find the correct part numbers. I had to import the feet and the aerobars via Amazon USA. The aerobars in the UK were slightly shorter. I don’t know if the feet and bars are now available in the UK, I did have a couple of conversations with Thule about making them available in Europe so they might be in the European catalogue.