Is it Safe to Carry 3 Bikes With Thule Passage 3 Bike Rack on a 2010 Chrysler Town and Country

Question:

Is it safe to use the TH911XT to carry 3 adult mountain bikes?

asked by: Beth

Expert Reply:

As long as your 3 mountain bikes remain under the 105 lb weight capacity of the Thule Passage 3 Bike Rack, # TH911XT, you will have no problem carrying them on your 2010 Chrysler Town and Country. As a safety tip, I recommend putting the largest/heaviest bike closest to the vehicle.

One thing to keep in mind is that mountain bikes can often have large frames and mounting three of them on one bike rack can be troublesome. I would recommend looking at the Thule Gateway 3 Bike Rack, # TH78VR. This bike rack has a new design with arched arms making it easier to load large mountain bikes side by side. This bike rack also has a weight capacity of 105 lbs.

Some mountain bikes come with alternative frames, if you will be carrying any womens, childrens or alternative frame bikes, I recommend picking up the Thule Bike Adapter Bar, # TH982XT. Bikes with angled or small frames can be difficult to load on a bike rack and cause ground clearance issues. This adapter will allow you to load your bikes easily and safely.

If you feel that your mountain bikes would exceed the weight capacity of these bike racks, then a better option would be to add a trailer hitch and use a hitch mounted bike rack. If this is an option you would like to pursue, let me know and I can make some recommendations.

expert reply by: John H