Trunk Mount Bike Rack Recommendation for 2013 Toyota Venza and 2004 Toyota Matrix  

Question:

Expert Reply:

Because of the upper spoiler-trim piece on the Venza, the trunk mount bike rack I recommend for your 2013 Toyota Venza and 2004 Toyota Matrix is the Hollywood Racks Over-The-Top 3 Bike Rack for Vehicles with Spoilers # HRF2-3.

This bike rack is designed to take any weight, that more traditional trunk mount bike racks would place on the spoiler, off of the spoiler by moving the attachment points of the straps on the rack up higher. The # HRF2-3 can carry 3 bikes and has a weight capacity of 35 pounds per bike. I have attached a review video of the Over-The-Top bike rack on a similar style vehicle to your Venza.

This rack is confirmed to fit both your Venza and Matrix. There are a couple of installation notes for your vehicles. For the Venza, you will want to use the hatch anchors for the lower straps. If there are not crossbars or side rails to attach the upper straps to, you will want to use hatch anchors for the upper straps as well. For the Matrix, it is important to keep in mind that the vehicle has a soft bumper, and the weight of the bikes may exceed the weight capacity of the bumper. You will want to use the bottom of the hatchback door to attach lower straps.

We do not offer any trunk mount bike racks that are designed to stay installed and allow the rear hatch to open. With a trunk mount bike rack installed, the added weight of the rack makes the hatch more likely to fall. The hinges of the vehicle are not designed to support the extra weight of a bike rack. Additionally when the hatch is opened, the strap hooks can move out of the correct locations, putting additional tension on the hooks, which can damage the metal of the vehicle's rear hatch.

Trunk mount bike racks feature padding to help prevent damage to the vehicle's paint. Ensuring that the surface of the vehicle is clean before installing the bike rack will help make sure no dirt or debris is trapped between the vehicle and the rack, which could cause scratches. The only way to make sure that no damage comes to the vehicle's paint is to use a hitch mounted bike rack.

With a 1-1/4 inch hitch receiver, like # 24812, installed on the Matrix and a 1-1/4 inch receiver, like # 36512, or 2 inch receiver hitch, like # 75663, installed on the Venza you can use one hitch bike rack for both vehicles. I really like the Thule Camber Bike Rack # TH9058. This bike rack will fit both 1-1/4 inch and 2 inch receiver hitches, and is even compatible with Class I hitches like those for the Matrix. A Class I hitch is limited to carrying only 2 bikes, even if used with a bike rack that can carry more than 2 bikes.

If you plan on carrying bikes with alternative frames, such as kids' bikes or women's bikes, I recommend using an adapter bar, like # UB01. The adapter bar attaches between the seat post and the handlebar stem. This allows the bike to be positioned more level in the carrier. I have attached a product review video for this adapter bar.

expert reply by: Victoria B

0

Victor

6/18/2020

why is the thule 9001 profits on toyota venza while the th9003 pro platform does not, what is the reason

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Chris R.

6/22/2020

The Thule Raceway Pro # TH9001PRO is indeed a good fit for your Venza while the Platform # TH9003PRO is not. I verified this with Thule directly as well. The reason that model won't work well is likely because of the different type of force/tension that the extra platform attachment puts on the vehicle. The trunk and bumper of your Venza just aren't designed to handle that type of weight.

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