Trunk Mounted Bike Rack for a 2006 Toyota Corolla and a 2015 Infiniti QX50 with a Spoiler

Question:

Is there a hitch platform bike rack that can be interchanged between a 2006 Toyota Corolla and 2015 Infiniti QX50 where the trunk can open?

asked by: Lori

Expert Reply:

For the 2006 Toyota Corolla, the Thule OutWay Platform, part # TH65JV will work. However, you will not be able to open the trunk as the tension required to keep the rack positioned will change as the rack moves with the trunk lid, risking damage to the rack and the vehicle.

For the 2015 Infiniti QX50 with a spoiler, the OutWay rack is not a fit as the factory spoiler cannot support the weight of the rack's support straps. I checked through all of the owner's manuals for the racks listed as fits for the QX50, and all noted that they cannot be used if the rack has a spoiler.

expert reply by: Jacob W

Lori G.

9/7/2017

Is there a hitch platform bike rack that can be interchanged between a 2006 Toyota Corolla and 2015 Infiniti QX50 where the trunk can open?

Jacob W.

9/7/2017

Hitch mounted racks are interchangeable as long as the hitch is the same size. In the case of your vehicles, you're in luck as they are both Class I Hitches that work in the same way. For the 2015 Infiniti QX50, I recommend the Curt Custom Fit Class I, part # C11510. This is a no-drill installation that involves a little bit of raising and lowering parts underneath the vehicle. I've included a video of a similar 2008 Infiniti EX35 having this hitch installed so you can get familiar with the process. Curt also makes a Class I hitch for the 2006 Toyota Corolla, part # C11265. I've also included a video of it being installed on a 2009 Corolla for reference. It is also a no-drill installation and doesn't require any major movement of vehicle parts. Be aware that a Class I hitch can only ever carry two bikes to prevent damage to the trailer hitch and the vehicle. Curt also requires a support strap, part # 18050, on any non-trailer load. This is generally a good idea as it is, but I've included a video of this part installed on a few different non-trailer loads so you can get an idea of how they benefit from this strap. For a hitch rack that's easy to move and store, I recommend the Thule Helium Aero 2 bike, part # TH9042PRO. This is a fully featured bike rack that is very lightweight at 19 pounds, but doesn't sacrifice any strength. It includes an integrated cable and hitch lock to improve the security of the rack, and Thule's One-Key system means you only need one key for your bike rack and any other Thule accessories you may own. I've linked to a video of this rack installed on a 2013 Corolla so you can see how it rides on the vehicle.