Trunk Mounted Bike Rack Recommendations for 1998 Volkswagen New Beetle  

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Expert Reply:

We do not have a video showing installation of the Thule Passage 3 Bike Carrier # TH911XT on your particular vehicle, the 1998 New Beetle, but we do for another vehicle and that video is linked for your review.

The best bike carrying option for you will depend on how many bikes you need to move. If you must transport 3 bikes then a trunk-mount carrier like the Passage 3 is the way to go. But if you need to transport only 2 bikes then the better choice overall will be to install a trailer hitch as you suggested and use a hitch-mount rack. Hitch racks do not place any weight burden on your car's sheet metal, but instead on its frame structure - its strongest part. Having a hitch also means you can use other hitch-mount accessory items such as a cargo carrier.

All of the hitches we offer for your New Beetle are light-duty 1-1/4-inch Class I types such as the Draw-Tite # 24679. This hitch bolts on using included hardware and it will require a bit of drilling and some trimming of the Beetle's heart shield. I have linked you to a video showing installation in a Beetle and also to two helpful articles concerning hitch installation.

With this hitch in place you can select a compatible 2-bike Class I carrier from among those shown on the link at right. You have many options in either platform or hanging style racks. You can use the filters on the page to narrow the results based on your preferences. An example of a great platform style rack is the Thule EasyFold # TH903202. This carrier is packed with features and it one of the few that can handle the higher weight of electric bikes.

expert reply by: Michael H

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