Mont Blanc S3 rear hanging bike rack

CherokeeDriver · May 9th, 2011, 10:54

Hi

I have one of these, and it was excellent on my old E39 BMW. I checked the web site, and it doesn't explicitly say that it's suitable for the XC90, but it's also not on the "not suitable for list" either.

My question is this; on my 2011MY XC90 the top of the boot seems to be an ABS plastic type affair, with a moulded 3rd eye level brake light moulded in. I'm obviously reluctant to "hang" a bike rack of what *may* be plastic. Does anyone know if it's metal behind the ABS moulding on the XC90? Has anyone else had any sucess / failures with hanging bike racks?

bobdabuilda · May 9th, 2011, 12:11

I was told by the stealers that the boot is almost entirely fibreglass with some inner steel reinforcing plates at vital points like hinges. I wouldn't risk hanging stuff off of it.

owenfackrell · May 9th, 2011, 13:08

As far as I'm aware the whole of the upper tail gate is made of plastic and is unsuitable for the hanging type of bike racks.

Big Ted · May 9th, 2011, 14:48

I've had a Saris Bones bike rack for the last 8 years - it's been on a whole raft of cars, saloons, estates, 4x4 & vans too.
I struggled with the xc-90 at first to get the "hooks" around the upper boot lip, so gave up & used the webbing straps to tie to the rear of the roof rack rails.

The whole thing is now sturdy as you like, with no pulling pressure on the upper tail gate.

Not sure if you can do the same with yours!

CherokeeDriver · May 9th, 2011, 14:54

A good idea BigTed!

I can *just* about get the hooks in the gap, but you are 100% right about using webbing - I never thought of that.

If I use some webbing I can get the roof bars to take a lof of the 'strain' that would otherwise be taken by what I belive to be weak ABS plastic.

I would prefer to but a tow bar mounted solution, but the towbar will be towing a trailer with all the camping gear. And yes I have checked the bike rack is high enough to clear the top of the trailer!

Cheers
CD

Beavis · May 9th, 2011, 17:58

have you thought about one of those trailor "roof bar" set ups, which mount the bikes from front to rear on "roof bars" which go side to side on the trailor?

CherokeeDriver · May 10th, 2011, 09:46

Hi StuT4.

I actually have a set of the bars to go on top of the trailer (I bought my trailer on eBay and the guy kindly gave them to me). To help with loadingI've actually put my roof box onto the trailer; I would need a step ladder to get the buggy in and out otherwise!

I have been warned that bikes on trailers have an "interesting" effect on the Centre of Gravity of the trailer.

I'm going to put another roof bar at the back of my roof rails, and then use a tensioning strap from the bike rack to the bar - this will hopefully take a massive amount of the "pulling" force and ensure the rack stays secure.

I'll let you know if I need to pop into a dealers in France to get a new boot put onto my car

May 9th, 2011, 10:54	#1
CherokeeDriver Junior Member Last Online: Oct 20th, 2012 19:15 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: London	Mont Blanc S3 rear hanging bike rack Hi I have one of these, and it was excellent on my old E39 BMW. I checked the web site, and it doesn't explicitly say that it's suitable for the XC90, but it's also not on the "not suitable for list" either. My question is this; on my 2011MY XC90 the top of the boot seems to be an ABS plastic type affair, with a moulded 3rd eye level brake light moulded in. I'm obviously reluctant to "hang" a bike rack of what may be plastic. Does anyone know if it's metal behind the ABS moulding on the XC90? Has anyone else had any sucess / failures with hanging bike racks?

May 9th, 2011, 12:11	#2
bobdabuilda Premier Member Last Online: May 31st, 2022 11:32 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: south	I was told by the stealers that the boot is almost entirely fibreglass with some inner steel reinforcing plates at vital points like hinges. I wouldn't risk hanging stuff off of it.

May 9th, 2011, 13:08	#3
owenfackrell Premier Member Last Online: Feb 4th, 2024 19:04 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: southampton	As far as I'm aware the whole of the upper tail gate is made of plastic and is unsuitable for the hanging type of bike racks.

May 9th, 2011, 14:48	#4
Big Ted Junior Member Last Online: Feb 18th, 2022 17:56 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Bristol	I've had a Saris Bones bike rack for the last 8 years - it's been on a whole raft of cars, saloons, estates, 4x4 & vans too. I struggled with the xc-90 at first to get the "hooks" around the upper boot lip, so gave up & used the webbing straps to tie to the rear of the roof rack rails. The whole thing is now sturdy as you like, with no pulling pressure on the upper tail gate. Not sure if you can do the same with yours!

May 9th, 2011, 14:54	#5
CherokeeDriver Junior Member Last Online: Oct 20th, 2012 19:15 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: London	A good idea BigTed! I can just about get the hooks in the gap, but you are 100% right about using webbing - I never thought of that. If I use some webbing I can get the roof bars to take a lof of the 'strain' that would otherwise be taken by what I belive to be weak ABS plastic. I would prefer to but a tow bar mounted solution, but the towbar will be towing a trailer with all the camping gear. And yes I have checked the bike rack is high enough to clear the top of the trailer! Cheers CD

May 9th, 2011, 17:58	#6
Beavis Premier Member Last Online: Jun 19th, 2023 08:14 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Wiltshire	have you thought about one of those trailor "roof bar" set ups, which mount the bikes from front to rear on "roof bars" which go side to side on the trailor?

May 10th, 2011, 09:46	#7
CherokeeDriver Junior Member Last Online: Oct 20th, 2012 19:15 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: London	Hi StuT4. I actually have a set of the bars to go on top of the trailer (I bought my trailer on eBay and the guy kindly gave them to me). To help with loadingI've actually put my roof box onto the trailer; I would need a step ladder to get the buggy in and out otherwise! I have been warned that bikes on trailers have an "interesting" effect on the Centre of Gravity of the trailer. I'm going to put another roof bar at the back of my roof rails, and then use a tensioning strap from the bike rack to the bar - this will hopefully take a massive amount of the "pulling" force and ensure the rack stays secure. I'll let you know if I need to pop into a dealers in France to get a new boot put onto my car

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