Choosing a VW T5 bike rack, or one for a T6, comes down to three things. First, does your van have barn doors or a tailgate? Second, do you have a towbar? Third, how many bikes do you carry, and how heavy are they? Get those right and the brand matters far less. This guide covers barn door, tailgate and towbar racks for the T5 and T6. There are a few current examples at the end.
Barn door bike racks
Barn doors are the twin rear doors that swing out to the sides. A barn door rack fixes onto those doors, so the bikes move when you open them. Fiamma makes a barn door rack for these vans, the Carry-Bike VW T5/T6 D. It fits on the double rear doors without drilling.
The Fiamma D rack takes two bikes and 35kg in total. Fiamma’s tailgate racks take up to four bikes and 60kg, so if you need more, look at a towbar rack.
With a towbar rack on a barn door van, check the doors can still open. Both Thule racks below tilt away from the van, but the doors swing outwards, so the gap matters. Ask the retailer for the exact rack and van before you buy.
Tailgate bike racks
A tailgate is the single rear door that lifts up. A tailgate rack fixes to strong points on the tailgate with brackets and sits against the back of the van. Fiamma makes separate Carry-Bike Pro versions for the T5 and the T6, so buy the one for your van.
Both Pro racks carry up to four bikes, with extra rails, and up to 60kg. Fiamma says you can open the tailgate with the rack fitted, but only without bikes on it. That is fine on a campsite, but less handy at a motorway services stop.
If your T6 has an electric tailgate, Fiamma tells owners to ask a VW dealer first. The dealer can check that the gas struts can take the rack’s weight, and that they are not worn. Fiamma also says to check the lower brackets as the tailgate closes, so they do not hit the rear lights.
Towbar bike racks
A towbar rack clamps onto the tow ball, so it works with barn doors or a tailgate. It keeps the weight off the doors and comes off when you do not need it. Many tilt away from the van with the bikes on, so you can still get in the back.
The catch is weight. Every towbar has a nose weight limit, which is the most it can carry pushing down on the ball. The rack and the bikes together have to come in under that limit. They also have to fit within the rack’s own load limit and your van’s payload. Check the rating on your towbar plate or in its paperwork.
You cannot tow with a towball bike rack in place, either. Westfalia’s webshop says this about Witter detachable swan neck towbars. If you tow a trailer and carry bikes, you need a different plan.
How many bikes, and weight limits
Every rack has a maximum number of bikes, a total load limit and often a limit per bike. Check all three, especially for e-bikes, which are heavy. For example, the Thule VeloCompact takes bikes up to 25kg each. The Thule EasyFold 3 takes up to 30kg each.
Remember that the rack has its own weight too. On a towbar, the rack plus the bikes is what counts towards the nose weight. On a tailgate or barn door, it all hangs off the door and its hinges.
Bikes and racks also use up payload. Our campervan payload guide shows how it all adds up. Our guide to what T26, T28, T30 and T32 mean explains your van’s weight badge.
What to check before you buy
- Your doors: barn doors and tailgates need different racks. A towbar rack works with both, but check the doors still open with it tilted.
- Your exact model: some racks only fit the T5 or the T6. Do not assume a T5 rack fits a T6, or that a T6 rack fits a T6.1. Check the exact years and models in the listing.
- Number plate and lights: the Caravan and Motorhome Club says the law requires your plate and rear lights to be clearly visible. It says a rack lighting board is needed in practically every case.
- Power socket: towbar racks with lights plug into the towbar socket. The two Thule racks here use a 13-pin plug.
- Rear camera and sensors: if you have them, check whether the rack or bikes sit in their view.
- Adapters and extras: extra rails, a fourth bike adapter or a plate carrier often cost extra.
- Ride height: lowered your van? Check the clearance under a towbar rack. Our T5 and T6 wheels and suspension guide covers lowering.
- Driving abroad: the Club says Spain and Italy have extra rules for bike racks, so check before you go.
Examples, not a price list
These are current examples to show what is out there, not a ranking. Prices change all the time, so check the retailer’s page on the day. We checked every price below on 10 Nov 2026, and each one showed as in stock.
Barn doors: Fiamma Carry-Bike VW T5/T6 D
For VW T5 and T6 vans with double rear doors. It carries two bikes and 35kg, and the rack weighs 7.1kg. At Fiammastore, the aluminium version was £399.00 and the all-black version £470.00 (price checked 10 Nov 2026).
Tailgate on a T5: Fiamma Carry-Bike VW T5 Pro
For the T5 tailgate. It carries two bikes as standard, up to four with extra rails, and up to 60kg. The rack weighs 13kg. At Fiammastore, the two-bike version was £526.00 (price checked 10 Nov 2026).
Tailgate on a T6: Fiamma Carry-Bike VW T6 Pro
For the T6 tailgate, including vans with a raised roof, says Fiamma. It carries two bikes as standard, up to four with extra rails, and up to 60kg. The rack weighs 13kg. At Fiammastore, the two-bike version was £492.00 (price checked 10 Nov 2026).
Towbar: Thule EasyFold 3 (3 bikes, 945200)
Carries three bikes, or four with an adapter, and up to 60kg, with bikes up to 30kg each. It weighs 22kg, folds flat, tilts with a foot pedal and has a 13-pin plug. Thule lists it at £999.99 on its own site. Car Roof Boxes had it new for £869.99 (price checked 10 Nov 2026).
Towbar: Thule VeloCompact 3 13-pin (926021)
Carries three bikes, or four with an adapter, and up to 60kg, with bikes up to 25kg each. It weighs 19.6kg, folds flat and tilts with a foot pedal. Thule lists it at £619.99 on its own site. Kayaks and Paddles had it for £499.99 (price checked 10 Nov 2026).
Bottom line
Start with your doors. Barn doors suit a barn door rack for two bikes. A tailgate suits a tailgate rack for up to four. A towbar rack works with either, as long as the rack and bikes fit within the nose weight. Check the bike count, the weight per bike, the plate and lights, and the exact van model before you buy. Taking the bikes to a festival or campsite? Our guide to VW campervan awnings covers the rest of the weekend kit.
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