Recommended 4 Bike Rack and Cargo Box for 2009 Audi Q5

Question:

I have a 2009 Audi Q5 and would like to buy a cargo box and bike rack to fit 4 bikes in anticipation of summer. What bike rack would you recommend and how difficult would be the installation? I saw a cargo box compatible with the Q5. How sturdy is it. Thanks in advance for your response.

asked by: Sebastian S

Expert Reply:

If your Audi Q5 has a roof rack with crossbars that measure 4 inches or less in diameter that can be adjusted so that they are 25-7/8, 27-7/8, or 29-7/8 inches apart, the SportRack Vista XL Cargo Box, part # SR7018 would work well for you.

The Vista XL is a sturdy box that is bargain priced. The box will offer some water resistance, but we recommend any items placed in it be placed in plastic to provide additional protection.

If your Q5 is not equipped with crossbars, they can be added by using the following parts:

47 inch Thule WingBars, part # TH711200 in silver or # TH711220 in black
Thule Podium Foot Pack, part # TH710601
Vehicle Specific Fit Kit, part # TH186019

To carry bikes, a hitch will need to be added if you do not have one already. I would recommend the Curt Hitch Class III receiver, part # C13136. I will link you to the installation instructions, you can look them over to determine if the installation would be something you would feel comfortable tackling yourself.

We have several different 4-bike racks to choose from. The Swagman Trailhead, part # S63380 is a good low cost option. This rack fits Class III receivers on most vehicles. To determine if they will fit on your Q5, you will need to measure the distance from the hitch pin hole to the rearmost portion of the rear bumper. Then, make sure the shank on the rack you choose is longer than that distance you measured. All of our bike racks list the shank length on the product description pages. I've linked you to an FAQ article that shows how to measure how much clearance you'll need.

For womens bikes or bikes with sharply angled top tubes or step-through frames, using a frame adapter like part # TH982XT is recommended. The adapter spans the distance between the seat post and the handle bar gooseneck, and provides a level attachment point to the bike rack so the bike has greater ground clearance and is not carried at an angle.