Recommended 3-Bike Trunk-Mount Rack for Adult and Childrens Bikes on 2010 Toyota Prius

Question:

I have a 2010 Prius, need the 3-bike carrier. one adult female bike and 2 growing childrens bike age 9 and 7. so it looks like I need the following accessories: the strap to secure the bike carrier from being stolen? and locks? can I use my cable lock for my trek to secure all three bikes? Please advise, thank you.

asked by: Gertie

Expert Reply:

For a 3-bike trunk-mount carrier that fits your 2010 Toyota Prius I suggest the Thule Passage 3 # TH911XT unless the car has a rear spoiler. If it has this feature then instead you can use a rack designed expressly to fit around spoilers, the Hollywood Racks Over-the-Top 3 # HRF2-3. All 3-bike rack options are displayed on the linked page.

Using Security Strap # TH533 is a good idea to deter potential thieves. While no security system is completely undefeatable, making your bikes a less appealing target than others is a good way to provide some anti-theft protection. Adding your cable lock or one like # e98891 is another good strategy - multiple locks make your bikes look that much more difficult to steal. If there is a tow hook under the car that makes a great point for securing the cable.

Kids bikes and any adult bike without a horizontal top frame tube (as is found on a typical man's bike) may benefit from an adapter bar like # UB01. On the Thule Passage the centers of the arms are 14-inches apart. Compare this distance to the bikes' frames to see if there will be need for an adapter that can mate with the rack arms if they do not fit the frame directly.

Always load your heavier adult bike first and the lighter kids bikes afterward to minimize stresses on the car's trunk lid.