How many bikes have you had on the roof

[francis_a]

Hi!

Am thinking of getting rails and bike mounts for my Avant. How many bikes can I realistically, or safely, have on the rack? We have 4 bikes and am trying to figure out the best configuration.

Thanks

[dougyfresh]

Without the cargo box I've had 4.

With the cargo box the most I can carry is 2.

I also have a rear hatch rack that fits 3.

[A4Avant02]

Total of 4 bikes, no cargo box.

Mount them with handlebars front-back-front-back to fit the width of the rail.

[francis_a]

Thanks guys.

Sorry for such a noob question. How wide bars did you use with 4 bikes up top? Since I've never done it before, did you mount the other 2 bike racks outside of the rails?

[dougyfresh]

Mine were 58cm from my Jeep but I cut them down to not protrude far beyond the OEM rails. I do not know the exact length of them off the top of my head. I can measure them Thanksgiving weekend if need be.

[A4Avant02]

I cut my rack crossbars to extend only about 1-2 inches from the edge of the tower. I think the overall length is 44" or so. I can position 4 road bikes, in fork mounts, accross the bars between the width of the towers. It is a tight fit, but it works.