Fitting rear mounted bike rack to Ford Focus estate

topcattim

Wasn't sure where to post this, hope this is the right forum.

Following a change of car from Zafira to Focus estate, I'm not sure about fitting our rear mounted bike carrier to the Focus. It is a Raleigh Avenir. There isn't enough tolerance to allow the hooks that attach to the top of the tailgate or at the side - the hooks are too big to fit through the gap.

I understand that I can get a kind of barrel adjuster that gets trapped inside the tailgate. The carrier came with 2, which I have helpfully lost since then, but I can get them elsewhere. My question is: I think I need four - two for the top of the tailgate and two for the side. Am I right?

I had the terrible shock of my bikes falling off the back of my car once on the motorway (with a previous carrier, I hasten to add) and I'm keen to make sure I get this right!

Bozman

I've got a Focus estate and I use a Saris Bones 2, 2 hooks at the top, 2 at the bottom and 1 on each side. Zero problems and it's been to Cornwall and Norfolk this year.

topcattim

Bozman wrote:

I've got a Focus estate and I use a Saris Bones 2, 2 hooks at the top, 2 at the bottom and 1 on each side. Zero problems and it's been to Cornwall and Norfolk this year.

Thanks Bozman. I'm hoping I can adapt my existing carrier rather than have to buy a new one. But I guess that the hooks on your Saris Bones must be pretty thin to fit in the gaps - the boot closes pretty snugly.

Bozman

topcattim wrote:

Bozman wrote:

I've got a Focus estate and I use a Saris Bones 2, 2 hooks at the top, 2 at the bottom and 1 on each side. Zero problems and it's been to Cornwall and Norfolk this year.

Thanks Bozman. I'm hoping I can adapt my existing carrier rather than have to buy a new one. But I guess that the hooks on your Saris Bones must be pretty thin to fit in the gaps - the boot closes pretty snugly.

The hooks are fairly thin but the top ones are wide(50mm ish), apparently the hooks don't take the strain the carrier does.