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FAQ - Questions and answers about our bike carriers

faq

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Frequently asked questions about Paulchen bike carriers, rear carriers, towbar carriers and centre loaders

General questions:

No, with Paulchen you don't need to buy a completely new carrier when you change your vehicle, just a suitable mounting kit and possibly a new frame. Our conversion tool is a quick and easy way to find out what new parts you need to make the change: Conversion tool.
The Paulchen bike carrier is versatile and can be converted and upgraded. In addition to bicycles, it can carry skis and snowboards for winter holidays, as well as suitcases and luggage boxes. Luggage boxes. With the Paulchen carrier you can also take your cargo bike or tricycle with you, and of course it is also suitable for e-bikes.
We recommend a maximum speed of 130 km/h, but there is no specific speed limit for travelling with a Paulchen bicycle carrier. However, you should always obey the rules of the road and adapt your speed to the road conditions.
Yes, it is possible to use the rear carrier and a trailer at the same time. The loading area of our rear carrier in the basic version as a centre loader is high enough to use both the carrier and the trailer at the same time.
The carrier does not interfere with the reversing sensors in the basic version as a centre loader. However, the low loader is perceived as an obstacle by the reversing sensors, which is why they have to be switched off using a button in the car's cockpit. The same applies to the bike carrier on the trailer coupling, where the reversing sensors are deactivated as soon as the 13-pin plug is inserted.
The Paulchen bike rack is made of galvanised precision steel on the inside and outside, which is also plastic-coated to ensure double corrosion protection and corresponding stability. Individual components, such as bicycle rails and bicycle holders, are made of stainless steel and aluminium.
Prices for Paulchen bike carriers vary according to configuration. The basic carrier as a centre loader is available from €420.00 for many vehicles.
The additional consumption depends on the bike carrier. Those with a load use approximately 25 % to 35 % more fuel, while the centre loaders only use about 10 % to 20 % more. Our experience has shown that a car with a low loader and load hardly consumes any more fuel, as has also been noted in this forum: Link to forum
The Paulchen bike racks are manufactured in Germany, in the beautiful north of the country, in Hamburg. In 2023 there will still be people working on the production of the bike carrier by hand. The concept of the family business is one of attention to detail. And this is reflected in the fact that there is no industrial production.
Yes, the doors are open at Paulchen. Feel free to make an appointment online, by email or by phone and come and visit us. If required, we will be happy to assemble the carrier on site in Hamburg. You will find us right next to the Globus. Click here for Google Maps & Directions.

Paulchen rear carrier system:

The Paulchen rear carrier system is an extremely versatile transport system that has been specially developed for bicycles, e-bikes, skis, luggage and bulky items

. Thanks to its modular design, the Paulchchen carrier is a sustainable investment because it can be easily adapted to different vehicles and expanded as required. Whether you want to carry bicycles in the summer or skis and snowboards in the winter, the carrier offers the flexibility you need.

In addition to its adaptability, the Paulchen rear carrier guarantees a reliable transport solution for the long term. It is built to a high standard of quality and durability, so you can be sure of long and safe use.
Whether you have a mountain bike, city bike, e-bike, children's bike or cargo bike (mule), the Paulchen bike carrier can transport it comfortably and reliably to your desired destination.
The carrier is an alternative to the rear carrier that fits all standard towbars. It has been designed to give you the benefits of a Paulchen system without having to rely on a tailgate carrier. One particular highlight is that Paulchen's hitch loader is hinged, which not only makes parking easier, but also allows you to drive with the carrier without bikes. The hitch loader is just as customisable as the rear carrier, allowing you to design it to suit your individual needs and requirements.
The Paulchen rear carrier is compatible with a wide range of vehicle manufacturers, including Alfa Romeo, Audi, BMW, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Citroen, Dacia, Daewoo, Daihatsu, Dodge, Fiat, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Lancia, Land Rover/Rover, Lexus, Maserati, Mazda, Mercedes, Mini, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Opel, Peugeot, Renault, Saab, Seat, Skoda, Smart, Subaru, Suzuki, Toyota, Volvo, Volkswagen and many more.
The handy low-loader extension makes your rear carrier even more comfortable! You can load your bikes at bumper height and save your energy for the ride. The extension does not require a tow bar and can be retrofitted. It is also a two-piece system that can be easily removed in seconds.
Comparable commercially available bike racks or rear carriers and e-bike bike racks are priced from €450 and go up to €2000. We offer our rear carriers and bike racks at a good value for money. Prices vary depending on the model of car. A decisive additional advantage of the Paulchen rear racks: With Paulchen you save money when changing vehicles, because only the mounting elements are exchanged. Everything else can be used without any problems. Seen in this light, Paulchen pays for itself twice over. Talking about prices: Compared to other suppliers, Paulchen costs a little bit more because of the quality, but compared to the value, we stay pretty down to earth.

Transport with the Paulchen bike carrier system:

By default, the Paulchen rear rack can carry up to 2 bikes. But don't worry if you need more capacity - with the appropriate extensions you can carry up to 3 or even 4 bikes.
Yes, the Paulchen rear carrier can carry up to 70 kg, depending on the vehicle and the permitted load. This means up to 3 or 4 wheels, depending on the weight of the electric bike. The maximum load must always be respected. However, it should be noted that e-bikes and e-mountain bikes are heavier than conventional bicycles and put more strain on the rear rack, which is why not every vehicle or vehicle model can carry more than 2 bicycles. From 2024, lighter e-bikes, so-called lightweight e-bikes, will come onto the market; more about this in the 2024 e-bike trends.

Safety and weight:

With proper installation and handling, this risk is eliminated because Paulchen uses vehicle-specific, precision-fit fasteners that are coated with special paint protection. Each model has been extensively tested to ensure the highest quality and safety standards.
Safety is a key aspect of Paulchen bike carriers. Designed to transport your bicycle, e-bike or cargo bike safely and reliably.

The Paulchen rear carrier system offers maximum fixing security to protect your bikes during your journey. In addition to safe transport, Paulchen also offers accessories such as anti-theft protection, giving you extra security and peace of mind.

Paulchen's many years of experience in the bicycle carrier industry form the basis for the highest safety standards. The company has been in business since 1979 and has continuously developed innovative and high quality bike carriers. Many satisfied customers rely on the reliability and quality of Paulchen bike carriers.
The Paulchen rear carrier system can carry a load of up to 70 kg. This means it can carry up to four bicycles or an equivalent weight of luggage.
The weight of the bike carrier varies depending on the model and features. The exact weight can be found on the product page of the Paulchen website.
Yes, Paulchen offers the option of securing the bike carrier with a lock. Anti-theft protection and accessories

Accessories and transport of e-bikes, skis and snowboards:

Yes, the Paulchen rear carrier system can be extended, converted and retrofitted with all Paulchen parts. This means that you can customise it to your specific transport requirements.

E-Bikes

Yes, the Paulchen rear carrier system is suitable for all types of cargo, including e-bikes. It is important to note the maximum load capacity of the carrier, which is stated on the product page.
We generally recommend removing the e-bike battery when transporting your electric bike with the bike carrier. This reduces the weight and increases safety during transport.
Whether you choose an AHK, a tailgate or a non-hitch, our e-bike racks are suitable for almost all car models. When looking for the ideal e-bike carrier, it is important to ensure that it can carry the weight of the bike. We make e-bike carriers that can carry up to 70kg. This means that, depending on the weight and permitted vertical load of the vehicle, the carrier can hold 2 to 3 e-bikes. All models are rear-mounted.
Yes, our rear carriers can be flexibly extended at any time. However, this is not necessary if you want to transport e-bikes. E-bikes and e-mountain bikes also fit on the rails of all our bike carriers. If there are only 2 rails, you just need to fit extra rails to carry a third or fourth e-bike. Make sure you check the maximum load for your vehicle.
You can transport all sizes of e-bike on the rear carrier, from children's e-bikes to cargo bikes.
Yes, with the Paulchen rear carrier you can easily transport e-bikes of different sizes at the same time, including e-bikes and children's bikes.
Paulchen rear racks are designed so that they do not damage the paintwork of your car/vehicle and van or VW Bus (Bulli) thanks to special coatings and padding at the contact points. All parts that come into direct contact with your car are specially shaped to prevent scratches or dents on your car body.

Wintersport, Träger für Ski und Snowboards

Yes, Paulchen offers special holders and accessories for the safe transport of skis and snowboards on the bike carrier.

Spare parts and accessories:

You can find spare parts and accessories for Paulchen bike carriers directly on our website or buy them from an authorised dealer.
Paulchen offers a wide range of accessories and customisation options that allow you to individually configure your rear carrier to meet your needs.

Montage:

No, the carrier is not supplied pre-assembled. However, detailed assembly instructions are included in your order.
Yes, the Paulchen rear carrier system is designed to be easy to fit and remove. It's ideal for people who move around a lot and don't want to spend a lot of time installing it.

Compatibility:

For the transport of children's bicycles, we offer special bicycle holding systems and rails that guarantee secure fastening.
Most Paulchen rear carriers can be flexibly removed to ensure comfort when using the vehicle without a carrier.
The Paulchen rear carrier for e-bikes also fits Tesla models and the new VW Multivan T7. All available models are listed in our shop. The maximum load is 70 kg, 2 to 3 e-bikes (lightweight). The bike racks are suitable for all wheel sizes and also for the tailgate.
The Paulchen rear rack for aluminium boxes is also suitable for overlanders looking for a luggage rack for Morocco or crossing Africa. It is easy to assemble and can be folded so that it can be made smaller if necessary. The tailgate can even be opened when the load is unloaded. The Paulchen luggage rack is particularly suitable for models such as the VW T3 Syncro or Mercedes T1, Land Rover, Defender or Jeeps. It is particularly suitable for smaller vehicles with a roof tent as it is robust, can carry a load of up to 70kg and provides additional storage space outside the vehicle. Parts can be reordered at any time and we deliver outside the EU. Our racks comply with safety standards, are manufactured in a resource-efficient way and are strong. However, they can be dismantled in 2 to 3 minutes.
We offer 4x4 tailgate or hatchback racks for many models including VW T3, Mercedes T1, Land Rover, Defender and Jeep. They are suitable for the tailgate, tow bar and also for models without a tow bar. The maximum load is 70kg. We also offer 93 litre and 142 litre aluminium boxes. We also deliver outside the EU, the models are strong, safe and rust resistant. If a model is not available, we can also produce custom-made products. This is what we can offer as the bicycle carrier manufacturer Hamburg Paulchen, because we do not produce industrially on an assembly line. For us, the work still takes place at the table in Hamburg.
Basically, we offer 3 different models of bicycle carriers: the coupling loader, the low loader and the middle loader (rear carrier). The difference lies in the height of the carrier and the position of the vehicle. If you have a tow bar, the low loader is the right choice. It is very low, which means that heavy bikes and e-bikes in particular only need to be lifted to a low height. For cars without a trailer hitch, either the low bed or middle bed is suitable. The midloader attaches to the car's tailgate and replaces the towbar with an additional attachment. All carriers can carry up to 70kg, are strong, rust resistant and will last for many years. Bikes of all sizes can be carried, including children's bikes. Our rear carriers are also suitable for travelling around the world and overland. In this assembly video, the easy assembly on the VW T3 is explained and tested.
Yes, Paulchen bike racks are also suitable for electric and hybrid cars. Many models are already listed in our shop. If you cannot find your model, please send us a message using the contact form and we will get back to you with a specific solution.

Children's bikes:

Absolutely! The Paulchen bike carrier systems are flexible and can be adapted to different bike sizes. Whether your child is switching from a balance bike to a mountain bike, the Paulchen rear carrier is ready for growth.
The Paulchen rear carriers are real all-rounders. They can transport everything from small children's bikes to large adult bikes.
Yes, it's no problem. With the Paulchen rear carriers you can transport a combination of adult and children's bikes. Whether you're planning a family trip or just packing your bikes for your next holiday, Paulchen has got you covered.
Yes, with the appropriate extensions you can quickly and easily adapt the Paulchen rear carrier to the number of bikes you wish to carry.
Taking into account the maximum payload and space available on the carrier, it is generally not a problem to transport a bike trailer.

Shipping:

We usually deliver within 5 working days if we receive your order before 11am and the model is in stock. You can find more information about delivery times here. It usually takes 72 hours from order to delivery to the carrier.
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Reviews more »

Clio IV 4 of 5 stars!

Ich habe das System in meinem Renault-Haus montieren lassen,