How to Transport 4 Bikes on 2015 Mercedes ML 350 Using Hitch and Hitch-Mount Bike Rack

Question:

Hi, the main purpose is to carry bikes for the above suv that doesn’t have a tow hitch. What would you recommend? I saw good reviews on Hollywood Racks F2-3 Over the Top 3-Bike Rack. Will it fit? Hoping to find a rack that hold 4 bikes but have no luck.

asked by: Jacky

Expert Reply:

We can help you with options for carrying your four bikes on your 2015 Mercedes-Benz ML350.

However, the reason you could find no 4-bike trunk racks is that very few such carriers exist; we offer none and the reason why is that a 4-bike trunk-mount rack would simply place too much weight on that rear hatch (or on the trunk of a sedan) and would put some parts of a car at risk. The 3-bike Hollywood Racks Over-the-Top # HRF2-3 will properly fit your vehicle but it leaves you with 1 bike not accounted for. If that were a small kid's bike you might be able to fit it inside the vehicle but otherwise to transport 4 bikes on your ML350 you will need a hitch and a hitch-type bike rack.

You can use the USA-made bolt-on Curt hitch # C13411 (as long as your ML350 does NOT have the Active Curve System). This hitch installs using included hardware and provides a 2-inch receiver opening that accepts a 4-bike hitch rack like the Yakima FullSwing 4 Bike Rack # Y02465. This rack will handle your four bikes and even when the rack is loaded up it can be swung over to the passenger side.

For any bikes that do not have a standard frame shape (like smaller kids bikes) you can add an adapter bar like # 64005.

expert reply by: Adam R