Hitch Bike Rack vs. Trunk Bike Rack for 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

Question

Question:

Ive read all your threads and recommendations for the Chrysler Pacifica - particularly the hybrid. You need to know that you cannot recommend a hitch mount on the hybrid because if the owner installs an aftermarket hitch it will void ALL warranties on the car. That said, your experts have also backtracked on their recommendation on the Yakima trunk rack. Based on this information, what is your current trunk mount recommendation for a Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid for two bike and three bikes. Thank you.

asked by: Stephanie H

0

Expert Reply:

Our customers often express concern about bolting a hitch on their vehicles because of comments from the auto dealership. However, I reviewed the online edition of the owner's manual for the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid and the word hitch appears nine times but NEVER in reference to the vehicle warranty being affected by bolting one on the car. You can check your printed manual in case it differs.

Auto dealerships will sometimes imply that bolting on an aftermarket hitch will affect the vehicle warranty, as opposed to the dealer-installed hitch option that curiously costs several times as much. This is a great technique for selling dealer-installed hitches at a premium price.

The reality of the matter is that consumers of aftermarket products are protected by the Federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (1975). The Act states that if something breaks on your vehicle and you take it in for warranty repair, the dealer must honor your warranty unless whatever modifications you have added to your vehicle actually caused the problem in question.

Curt offers two different USA-made hitches for your 2017 Pacifica Hybrid. These are the 1-1/4-inch Class II hitch # C12180 and the 2-inch Class III model # C13383, which is the one I recommend. The 2-inch hitch will be compatible with more accessories, it has a higher weight capacity and it costs less. I linked a video showing this hitch being installed on a 2017 Pacifica.

A hitch and hitch-type bike rack offer several advantages over trunk-mount racks. First, hitch racks can handle more weight. While a typical trunk rack like the Hollywood Racks Over-the-Top 3 # HRF2-3 tops out at a maximum of 35-lbs per bike, hitch racks like the Thule EasyFold # TH903202 can handle bikes up to 65-lbs. With heavy electric bikes, fat bikes and beach cruiser bikes becoming more and more popular this is a valid long-term consideration. More importantly, that loaded hitch rack's weight is on the car's frame, its strongest part, not on its thin sheet metal hatch. Hitch racks also mean you do not lose use of your rear wiper as is the case with trunk-mount racks.

Other advantages of hitch installation are that you can use other accessories like a cargo carrier such as # C18110 and you retain access to the rear of the vehicle. Many hitch racks like the EasyFold can tilt away from the car so you can still reach the cargo area even with the rack installed. All trunk-mount racks make the rear hatch unusable when the rack is installed. And sliding a hitch rack into your receiver is a whole lot easier than attaching a trunk mount rack's 4 to 6 straps to the back of the vehicle.

You might refer to the two linked articles that offer lots of helpful background information to help you make your best choice.

If you do prefer a trunk rack you can see all 2- and 3-bike trunk mount carriers confirmed by their manufacturers to fit the 2017 Pacifica on the page that I linked for you. Both the Hollywood Racks Over-the-Top 2 # HRF2 and Over-the-Top 3 # HRF2-3 are confirmed to fit so long as your roof has either a complete roof rack with side-to-side crossbars or front-to-back raised side rails; either provides the necessary tie down point for the racks' upper straps. An install video for the # HRF2-3 is linked so you can see how it installs.

If you have any other questions or concerns please do not hesitate to reply.