Can Rear Hatch of 2007 Nissan Murano Be Opened with Trunk Mount Bike Rack in Place

Question:

Some of the vehicles using this rack show it resting on the bumper. I wanted to see if you can open the hatch of a 2007 Nissan Murano S while the rack is secured to the vehicle without a bike, of course. I cant tell if the rack will rest on the top of the bumper, the bumper itself, or against the hatch, allowing access to the cargo area. Thanks!

asked by: Mike

Expert Reply:

The upper attachment hooks of the Thule Gateway will attach to the top edge of the hatch, and the bottom hooks connect at the bottom edge of the hatch. The rack would rest completely on the hatch itself.

Although they state that the Gateway 2 bike rack is a fit for your Murano, Thule does NOT under any circumstances recommend opening the hatch while the rack is installed on the vehicle. The extra weight of the rack might damage the hatch or prevent the hatch from staying open and cause it to fall closed suddenly which can be very hazardous.

Installing a receiver hitch like the Draw-Tite Class III receiver, part # 75148 along with a hitch mounted bike rack would be a good option for you if you are wanting access to the rear of your Murano while the bike rack is in place. The Swagman Trailhead part # S63360 is an economically priced 2 bike rack that would work well for you. Once the bikes are unloaded from the rack, the rack can be tilted rearward, allowing access to the cargo area of the vehicle.

I have linked to the installation instructions for the hitch I recommended, as well as a link to an installation video. I have also linked to the install details for the Swagman Trailhead bike rack.

expert reply by: Mike L