Bike Carrying Options for 2017 Volkswagen Jetta GLI

Question:

Hi I have a hitch bike rack that was on a Toureg 2012. however, I changed to a Jetta GLI 2017 and was contemplating buying a new trunk bike rack or install a hitch. However, I notice hitch recommendation for Jetta is 1-11/14 inch opening, but the bike rack is 2inch opening. could you please advice thank you in advance

asked by: Felix

Expert Reply:

You are correct that only 1-1/4-inch light-duty Class I hitches like Draw-Tite # 24926 and Curt # C59236 are offered for your 2017 Volkswagen Jetta. While it is possible to use a hitch adapter like # HTAD or # HT5R in some circumstances to allow use of a 2-inch accessory in a Class I hitch, I do not recommend this because all such adapters cause you to lose half of your hitch capacity due to the additional leverage applied to the hitch from the load being further away from it. If your two bikes and your current rack all together weigh under 100-lbs you could do this, but again, it is not an ideal solution since there will be more motion and noise from the system due to the additional connection point introduced by the adapter.

Class I hitches can handle the load of up to 2 bikes but no more than two (even if the rack holds more). If you need to transport only 2 bikes then I suggest installing a Class I hitch and using a hitch mount Class I rack like the cost-effective lightweight Vee Me # VME-V2 or one of the others shown on the linked page. This rack fits both hitch sizes, weighs only 12-1/2-lbs, offers a 100-lb total bike weight capacity and over a foot of clearance from the hitch pin hole. Locks are not built-in but can be added.

If you need to transport 3 bikes than you'll need to go for a trunk-mount rack, or put two bikes on the hitch rack and a third (or fourth) on the roof by using a roof rack. In terms of cost the trunk-mount option is generally going to be your best bet for 3 bikes. Trunk mount options for your Jetta are shown on the linked page. These include the Thule Passage 3 # TH911XT.