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Showroom: Drumul Lunca Corbului 2, Sector 3, Bucharest, Romania
On a Toyota FJ Cruiser we fitted the bike rack Menabo Altair, which attaches to the towbar and carries two bikes. We did the fitting in the SuportBicicleta.ro showroom at Drumul Lunca Corbului 2, Sector 3, Bucharest, Romania.
In brief
- Car: Toyota FJ Cruiser (GSJ15), a body-on-frame SUV built between 2006 and 2022, with the spare wheel on the rear door.
- Fitted: the Menabo Altair rack on the towbar, with Rapid-Lock lever mounting.
- Capacity: 2 bikes, maximum 25 kg per bike and 50 kg in total, including e-bikes.
- Fitting: directly on the towbar, with the Rapid-Lock lever; the rack has its own rear lights and a 13/7-pin plug.
About the car: Toyota FJ Cruiser (single generation, GSJ15)
The Toyota FJ Cruiser was built between 2006 and 2022 by Hino Motors, a company in the Toyota group, in Hamura, Japan. It is a body-on-frame SUV, similar to but not identical with the two-door Prado platform. The rear-hinged rear doors give it a distinctive look, and the classic two-tone version comes with a white painted roof.
The FJ Cruiser that came to us already had a roof basket and the spare wheel mounted on the rear door. With the roof taken, the towbar is the most convenient place for bikes: you do not lift them onto the roof, and the basket stays free for luggage. Because the spare wheel sits on the rear door, we recommend checking how much space is left between the bikes and the wheel with the rack fitted and then tilted.
What we fitted on this FJ Cruiser
The Menabo Altair bike rack is an aluminium platform on which each bike is held by its frame with dedicated clamps. It attaches to the towbar with the Rapid-Lock system, that is, with a dedicated lever. It carries 2 normal or electric bikes, with a maximum of 25 kg each and 50 kg in total.
The Altair locks both the rack and the bikes, so the bikes stay safe when you park. The tilting function gives you access to the boot without removing the rack, and the rack has its own rear lights and a 13/7-pin plug. The product page lists it as extendable; it is not compatible with fat bikes or with a towbar cargo box.
Video: Fitting the Menabo Altair bike rack
Video: SuportBicicleta.ro video
Technical details and what to watch for
- The Menabo Altair weighs 21.3 kg; with two 25 kg bikes, the load on the towbar reaches 71.3 kg, so check the permitted vertical load of the towbar in the car's handbook.
- Two electric bikes of 25 kg each reach the rack's 50 kg limit exactly, so do not add bags or accessories attached to the bikes.
- Fat bikes cannot be carried on the Altair; for very wide tyres you will find alternatives in the guide Bike rack for fat bikes. How do we choose it?.
- Before you leave, connect the 13/7-pin plug and check the rear lights and indicators on the rack, because the bikes cover the car's rear lamps.
- A towbar rack does not add height to the car, so an FJ Cruiser with a roof basket does not get taller because of the bikes.
- The package measures 136 x 26.5 x 55 cm, good to know if you collect the rack by car.
Frequently asked questions
Which bike rack fits a Toyota FJ Cruiser with a towbar?
On the Toyota FJ Cruiser (2006-2022) with a towbar we fitted the Menabo Altair rack, which carries 2 bikes and a maximum of 50 kg and attaches to the towbar with the Rapid-Lock lever. For more bikes there are options in the category towbar-mounted bike racks.
Can the Menabo Altair rack carry electric bikes?
Yes, the Menabo Altair is compatible with electric bikes, with a maximum of 25 kg per bike and 50 kg in total on the rack. It is not compatible with fat bikes, however.
What electrical plug does the Menabo Altair rack have?
The Menabo Altair rack has its own rear lights and a 13/7-pin plug. The guide Bike racks: on roof bars or on the towbar? explains why the car's electrical system must be fully working before you fit a rack on the towbar.
Can I open the boot of the Toyota FJ Cruiser with the Menabo Altair rack fitted?
The Menabo Altair has a tilting function, which gives access to the boot without removing the rack from the towbar. On the Toyota FJ Cruiser the spare wheel sits on the rear door, so check the space left with the rack tilted.
We are waiting for you in the showroom
If you want a towbar rack for an FJ Cruiser or another SUV, you can see it in our showroom at Drumul Lunca Corbului 2, Sector 3, Bucharest, Romania, where we show you in real life how it attaches and how it tilts. You can browse in advance towbar bike racks, and for questions, contact us through our contact page or at [email protected]. contact us through our contact page or at [email protected].
You can also message us on WhatsApp.
Sources: Toyota FJ Cruiser - Wikipedia · Guide: Bike rack for fat bikes · Guide: Bike racks on roof bars or on the towbar · product pages on suportbicicleta.ro
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