Trunk Mount Bike Rack for a 2005 Toyota Highlander and a Mountain Bike, Womans Bike, and Kids Bike

Question:

Im looking for a trunk mount bike rack for a 2005 Toyota Highlander SUV for 3 bikes: a kids bike with training wheels for a 5 y.o., mtn bike, and a woman's bike no horizontal bar. TH9002 looks like a candidate. Anything better? What about ones w/ aluminum construction for lighter weight? Do these fit 2 adult bikes and a kids bike w/ training wheels? Would I have to get an adapter for the woman's bike?

asked by: Bill L

Expert Reply:

The mountain bike and the woman's bike will not be an issue but the kids bike could be a problem because the frame would be very small. You would have to use an adapter bar like # TH982XT for the woman's bike and the only way to possibly fit the kids bike would be to use another adapter.

Because the distance between the handlebar gooseneck and the seat post is so short on a kids bike, the adapter probably will not fit. You would have to move the adapter to an alternate location like around the seat post and then somewhere else on the handlebars. I cannot guarantee that any of the trunk mount racks would work.

The best option is the OutWay, # TH56BV, has arms that are adjustable for 6-1/2 inches to 10-1/2 inches outside to outside so it will accommodate many bike styles and sizes.

The other issue would be the training wheel but just on one side. It may interfere with the closest bike but if that is the case you can just remove the training wheel on that side and reinstall it later.

expert reply by: Michael H