Rear mount bike rack - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Archgator · 04-13-2011, 02:28 PM

I'm new to the forum and could not find any info on a rear mount hatch / trunk bike rack. Do any of you have one? does it work well? I was told I would have to install a trailer hitch style bike rack on these vehicles due to the glass rear window and top spoiler. Problem is I don't have a trailer hitch.
Have any of you used the regular racks on the hatch??
Thanks.

***TrailDust*** · 04-13-2011, 06:24 PM

There have been a number of past threads on this subject, so you'll want to use the forum's search feature to locate some of the additional ones besides the two I'm including:

4 Bikes Carrier-Hitch Style

Factory Hitch & Bike Rack

BTW,

to TN and also to the Highlander forum.....

Archgator · 04-14-2011, 10:59 AM

Traildust, the links you listed are for HITCH mounted racks, I am asking about the HATCH mounted racks and if anyone has them and how they work for them. I was told they cannot work due to the glass and spoiler design of the top of the hatch....I just want to see if that is truly the case.
Thanks for the reply.

***TrailDust*** · 04-14-2011, 03:40 PM

No problem, I hope you're able to get the answer you need.

tagheuer · 04-15-2011, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Archgator

Traildust, the links you listed are for HITCH mounted racks, I am asking about the HATCH mounted racks and if anyone has them and how they work for them. I was told they cannot work due to the glass and spoiler design of the top of the hatch....I just want to see if that is truly the case.
Thanks for the reply.

I would tend to agree with whoever you are talking too...I would think the rear spoiler might prevent a rack from fitting well....

I am an avid mountain biker so I had a trailer hitch installed, I don't like the trunk mounted racks because they are much more difficult to install, are less stable and can scratch your car due to all the vinyl coated attachment hooks, etc.

Love the hitch rack, takes two seconds to slide the rack into the receiver and secure it with a hitch pin, that's it.

very stable because it doesn't get a ton of wind, and of course its mounted in hitch.

Roof racks are just too high, and I'm 6'1 and I could barely load a bike on a roof rack on an SUV.

zentech · 04-15-2011, 08:30 AM

^ agree.

arch, consider that you can get an aftermarket hitch + a nice hitch rack for $500-550...the route i took.
of course, the factory hitch sits higher and has better clearance, but you have to deal with dealer co$$$$$$t...

katekebo · 04-18-2011, 06:56 AM

I have used both, hatch/trunk and hitch-mounted bike racks. A hatch/trunk mounted rack is OK for 1, max. 2 bikes for short trips. Hitch-mounted rack is much, much better - can carry more load and is more secure. My recommendation is - get a hitch and a hitch-mounted rack.

Archgator · 04-18-2011, 08:29 AM

Thanks to all for the info...Katekebo, did you have any issues mounting the hatch mounted rack? Did the spoiler get in the way, was the glass top a problem? What brand rack did you use. I have 2 bikes to transport and would not be traveling far and only on paved roads.
Any others that use a hatch mount please feel free to chime in!
Thanks

elbohio · 05-04-2011, 08:11 PM

archgator:
did u ever get an answer on the rear mount bike rack issue?
I have the same problem.
SOMEONE has to make one that can be used on this vehicle

Archgator · 05-05-2011, 08:31 AM

Elbohio, not really. 1 post said they did use a hatch mount, but seemed rather concerned about the longevity. I have seen in some websites that there is an adapter for glass mounted hatch racks that looks like a long rubber cylinder that goes inside the hatch. I'm assuming to distribute the load along a wider area that just the usual clip....just my guess though.
So I'm not really confident until I hear from someone with long term use experience.

***becks*** · 05-05-2011, 08:41 AM

Archgator, I know you are looking for a hatch mounted rack. I would chech out http://saris.com/. In particular the Bones rack. It will work on the HL and poses no problem for the spoiler. They may also offer other flavors that you would have a use for as well.

Archgator · 05-05-2011, 08:56 AM

Becks, do you have it installed on you vehicle? If so , how does it work for you? any pics? I went to the website, and they do not have a recommended rack when you fill in the search form, vehicle specific.
There appears to be other people interested.
Thanks

***becks*** · 05-05-2011, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Archgator

Becks, do you have it installed on you vehicle? If so , how does it work for you? any pics? I went to the website, and they do not have a recommended rack when you fill in the search form, vehicle specific.
There appears to be other people interested.
Thanks

Archgator, I called Saris and spoke with them. Here is the problem: Becasue the HL has a spoiler you can Not attach any straps to it, as you would damage it from the pressure applied when you tighten the straps. Will the rack fit ? Yes. Below is a link to a youtube video of an install on a PRE-2008 HL. As you can see there is no Spoiler to interfer with the straps. I feel your pain. I am an avid biker and ended up purchasing a thule ridgeline hitch rack....

I originally thought it would work becasue I used it on a Ford Explorer. No Spoiler though on that SUV though.

You Tube

Archgator · 05-05-2011, 09:27 AM

Becks, I think I'm too stubborn.....I think the hitch mount may be the only surefire way to go. I was hoping someone had a good solution other than installing a hitch!
Thanks for the input.

dball711 · 05-17-2011, 08:11 AM

I'll be looking into a hitch mounted rack for mine. I had a roof mounted rack on my last car and just can not even imagine trying to lift a bile on to the roof of a Highlander.