Bike Rack Recommendation For Easy Cargo Area Access on 2015 Honda Odyssey

Question

Question:

I drive a 2015 Honda Odyssey. Can my trunk be opened with the bike rack attached? Thank you!

asked by: Misty A

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Expert Reply:

Hollywood Racks doesn't recommend opening the rear hatch or trunk of a vehicle once a rack has been installed for many reasons. First and foremost, it's an unsafe practice. The struts that hold up the liftgate on a minivan are only rated for a certain amount of weight. Having the extra weight on the liftgate could cause it to slam shut without warning, which could be extremely dangerous. Opening and closing the liftgate while it's installed can also damage the vehicle or the rack. If having unfettered access to the cargo area is important, this probably wouldn't be your best choice.

From a safety and convenience standpoint, your best option would be to use a trailer hitch and a moderately priced hitch mounted bike rack. The bike rack will be much easier to install and remove, with almost no chance whatsoever of harming the vehicle or any unsuspecting people nearby. A trailer hitch can also be used as an attachment point for other hitch mounted accessories that could come in handy in the future, such as a cargo carrying tray (great for travel).

For a hitch, I'd recommend the etrailer.com Class III hitch, part # e98862. When coupled with an inexpensive bike rack like the # C18065 Curt Premium bike rack, you'd actually be at a lower price point than you would be with the trunk mounted rack you were asking about. This rack can tilt rearward for easier access to the cargo area. This is actually one of our most popular racks among Odyssey owners.

Another bike rack option would be a swing away rack like the SportRack # SR2415 Ridge Swing. This rack is certainly more expensive than the Curt, but it does offer the ability to swing completely away to the side of the vehicle, offering full unobstructed access to the cargo area for easy loading and unloading of your stuff. The cradle system is also designed to securely hold your bikes with sturdy rubber straps and an anti-sway system to prevent the bikes from swinging back and forth.

As far as the rack goes, the best one for your needs will primarily depend on how you use it. If you are planning on using the rack a couple of times a month to run the family's bikes to a local park or trailhead, the Curt option would be absolutely perfect. If you plan on transporting the bikes more often for longer distances, you'd be better served using the Sportrack offering.

If you have women's bikes with a step through frame or frames with a radically angled top tube, you might consider using a frame adapter bar like # 64005 as well. A frame adapter spans the distance between the seat post and the handlebar stem providing a level attachment point to the rack so the bikes are carried level.

I've linked you to some product demonstration videos for the items I've recommended.

expert reply by: Mike L

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