Hitch for 2010 VW Passat and 2000 Saab 9-5 to Allow Use of 4-Bike Hitch-Mount Bike Carrier  

Question:

Expert Reply:

For your 2010 Volkswagen Passat the only class of hitch offered is a light-duty Class I type, like the Curt # C11096 as shown on the provided link. As you noted this class of hitch cannot carry 4 bikes; 2 bikes is the maximum load for any Class I hitch.

It is the same for your 2000 Saab 9-5 wagon. We have the Class I Curt part # C11831 which has a 1-1/4-inch receiver opening and a 200-lb tongue weight rating. You will want to check your Saab owner's manual for any restrictions related to its tongue weight capacity, which could be different than the hitch's. If the car is rated lower than the hitch, then that lower rating becomes the overall limit. Two helpful articles on hitch installation are linked for you.
Since you can carry 2 bikes on your vehicles, you would need another way to carry the other 2. If you are interested in a roof rack and roof bike carrier, we could look into that. For your Saab, we have several options if your vehicle has factory installed raised rails that run front to back, If it does, you could use a system like the Thule made up of parts # TH711400 and # TH710401. Then you would choose a couple of bike racks based on your tire width. You would also need to check the weight limit on your Saab roof but a couple of bikes should be fine.

The linked article on hitch racks will help you confirm the rack options that will best fit at the rear of the Saab.

expert reply by: Adam R

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