Can Trunk of 2005 Honda Civic Be Opened While Thule Gateway Pro Bike Rack is Installed

Question:

How easy or difficult is it to open and close and access the trunk compartent with the bike mounted on the rack for this product: Thule Gateway 2-Bike Rack - Trunk Mount - Adjustable Arms Item # TH88VR

asked by: Franklin

Expert Reply:

When any trunk-mount bike rack, such as the Thule Gateyway Pro # TH88VR, is installed on the rear hatch or trunk of a vehicle the hatch or trunk cannot be opened. The rack has to be removed in order to access the trunk/hatch; this is true for all brands and styles of trunk-mount rack.

For the best access to the vehicle while carrying bikes a hitch and hitch-mount bike rack are the best option. Hitch racks put the weight of the loaded rack on the car's frame, its strongest part, and not on the car's exterior sheet metal.

With a hitch such as # C11204 installed you could use a lightweight hitch rack like the Curt # C18085. This rack offers a compelling mix of virtues: reasonable cost, low 45-lb weight, a healthy 90-lbs of bike carrying capacity, a foot of clearance from the hitch pin hole and it can be used either on RVs or on passenger cars. With it you can use hitch lock # e98879 and bike cable lock # e98891.

expert reply by: Adam R