4 Bike Trunk Mounted Rack Solution for a 2013 Mazda 5

Question:

Do you have a suggestion for a trunk mount bike rack for 2013 Mazda 5 to hold 2 adult and 2 children's bikes?

asked by: Denise T

Expert Reply:

I have a few recommendations for you, however there's not a 4 bike trunk mounted rack that is confirmed to fit the 2013 Mazda 5.

You can, however, get a 3 bike rack, and use the rear of the vehicle to store one of the children's bikes. Children's bikes are extremely difficult to get to work well on a trunk rack, and generally require an adapter bar like part # 64005 to ride correctly on most racks.

For a rack, the two that I'd recommend looking at are the Yakima FullBack 3 bike rack, part # Y02633 and the Thule OutWay, part # TH56BV. These are both great racks that include integrated bike and rack locks for added security, and have a host of ways to easily fit to your vehicle.

I like the Yakima FullBack 3, part # Y02633 because of its system for securing the bikes to the rack. The ZipClip system uses dual ratchet clamps to cinch the bikes onto the rack, and then again on the anti-sway cradles, providing an extremely solid fit. This works well with the frame adapter, as you can secure the seat post of the children's bikes to the arms easily.

The Thule OutWay, part # TH56BV is a little more flexible in terms of fits, and has arms 2 inches closer together at 6-1/2 to 10-1/2 inches, making fitting the child's bike much easier to fit than onto the FullBack. The arms are also angled, giving better spacing between the bikes and more ground clearance behind the vehicle.

I also like Thule's trunk strap a lot more for the rack than I do Yakima's solution, as its a kit that locks to itself with a nylon coated steel cable, and the entire assembly sits physically inside the trunk and locks itself.

Again, you'll need a frame adapter bar, part # 64005 for each alternative, aggressive, Women's or Children's bike that you plan on loading on the rack to reduce the risk of contact with the ground or the other bikes.

I've included video reviews of both of these racks so you can get a better idea of their performance and features in action.