@Defender1 We originally fitted this rack to our old V280 and I was pretty disappointed to find that it didn’t clear the tailgate so started looking at it to see if I could find a hack that solved the problem..
It turned out to be a lot easier than I expected and I don’t remember reading the instructions because when we purchased it, the retailer actually assembled it and fitted it to check the lights.
It’s very handy and I use it for transporting all sorts of clunky and dirty stuff including a rotavator but the sliding feature of the Atera is probably much lighter than the fold on the Thule, we usually carry one e-bike and three other fairly average bikes varying in size so it’s it’s not exactly a light weight package.
Getting back on subject and assuming you don't already have a towbar fitted I’m guessing it would be much cheaper to get a tailgate mounted rack.. they defiantly look very Campervan and if your regularly hauling a couple of bikes about then why choose anything else?
We chose to retro fit a removable towbar and use the rack we already had, the towbar can only make the car more desirable since when it’s not fitted who would know and it open up dozens of opportunities for doing much more with the van.
Another factor to consider is the number of bikes you might want to transport. My mate has 3 kids and he gets all 5 bikes on his towbar mounted rack, then there is weight, the e-bike is an aluminium Orbea katu town bike but its a real lump and I don’t think I could safely load that onto a tailgate mounted rack. I currently lift one end and roll it onto the rack at knee height.
I do find it a bit of a faff having to fit the tow hitch, then the rack, check the lights and load it, you can’t just put the bikes on in any old order they need organising so that bars don’t clash with bars or seats. It takes a little working out and one bike I have to loosen off the bars and spin them 90° so we don’t damage the rear of the van. I guess this is a issue with any rack but learning this with the bike at chest height is really going to sting..
If it was just me and the Mrs going to sportives every other weekend and carrying quality light weight bikes then I would definitely opt for a tailgate mounted rack. Or a maybe an old Volvo T5R estate.