Bike Carrier Options for 2013 Volkswagen GTI with Roofline Spoiler

Question:

Will this fit a 2013 VW GTI with a spoiler?

asked by: Kara

Expert Reply:

The Thule Passage 2 trunk-mount bike carrier # TH910XT is a confirmed fit for your 2013 Volkswagen GTI so long as the spoiler is a factory-installed part and not an aftermarket part. Their 3-bike version # TH911XT fits similarly on GTIs with the factory roofline spoiler. The mounting straps will make contact with the spoiler but this does not preclude use of the Passage racks on this vehicle.

As with all trunk-mount bike carriers a rear wiper, if present on the car, cannot be used with the rack in place.

I would like to point out an option for transporting bikes on your car that may be more convenient in the long run. If you were to install a Class I hitch # C11000, which bolts on with included hardware and with no drilling, you could use a 2-bike hitch platform rack that makes loading bikes easier since you do not need to lift them up quite as high. You can have a look at the linked hitch installation video.

Then if you ever needed to haul some cargo items you could use a Class I cargo carrier like # C18110 which fits this same hitch.

The hitch-mount option means nothing coming into contact with your car's painted sheet metal or spoiler. The car's strongest part, its frame, handles the load of your bikes and cargo. Many prefer this route for the flexibility and protection for the vehicle it provides.