Recommended Bike Carrier For 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe

Question:

Is there a 3-4 bike carrier for a 2003 Santa Fe, that is not a hitch mount or roof mount? Something, like the trunk mounts for cars. What would your recommendation be for a bike rack for an older person that may not be able to lift a bike high enough for a bike rack on an suv? Is there a difference between the TH911XT and a thule #962 or a Sweden 3 bike trunk mount rack for suv? Thanks

asked by: Sue

Helpful Expert Reply:

We offer several different style bike carriers designed to work with your 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe. If lifting the bikes is a major concern, I recommend having a hitch installed and using a platform-style bike carrier. Platform-style carriers sit a little lower to the ground which means loading and unloading is easier. If you have no hitch on your Santa Fe, I recommend the Draw-Tite Trailer Hitch, part # 41543. This is a Class lll hitch and has a 2 inch receiver opening.

The Thule Passage Bike Carrier, part # TH911XT features cushioned anti-sway cradles that help prevent bike-to-bike contact, and fold down when not being used. This bike rack used 6 straps to secure the carrier to your vehicle.

For a trunk-mount bike carrier I recommend the Thule OutWay, part # TH56BV. This carrier features the patented FitDial that makes it easy to mount on your Santa Fe. It uses only 2 retractable cables to secure the carrier to the vehicle versus other bike carriers that use 4-6. The steel cables are added security because they are harder to cut than nylon straps and they will not fatigue over time like straps sometimes tend to do. This rack also folds flat for easy storage when not in use.

If you are planning on carrying bikes with alternative frames like kids bikes or women's bikes I recommend using an adapter bar like part # 64005. This attaches between the seat post and the handlebar stem and allows the bike to be carried more level in the carrier while providing additional ground clearance. I have attached a product review video for this adapter bar.

I was unable to find the 962 bike carrier you referenced in your question.

The platform-style bike carrier I recommend is the Saris Freedom 4 Bike Platform Rack, part # SA4414B. This is a frame mount bike carrier that has adjustable wheel trays to accommodate bikes of different sizes and has soft rubber cradles that attach to the frame of the bikes and are adjustable as well for bikes with different style frames. This rack will fold up when not in use giving you more space, and also tilts down even with the bikes loaded to give you access to the back of your Santa Fe.