Recommended Options For Carrying 4 Bikes On 2014 Volkswagen Jetta SportsWagen

Question:

Hello, Ive a road trip planned and Id like to take 4 bikes with me. I have a 2014 Jetta Sportwagen. Id prefer a hitch option. Assuming a curt htich, what 4-bike rack would you recommend? thanks

asked by: Alexis

Expert Reply:

We do have some options for you to be able to carry 4 bikes on your 2014 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen, but due to the towing capacity of your vehicle they cannot be carried on a 4-bike hitch mounted carrier. You will want to check the owner's manual or with the dealership to see what the towing and tongue weight capacities are for your SportWagen.

With the hitches that are available for your vehicle all being Class l, the maximum bikes you can carry on a hitch is 2. There are a few options you can choose to be able to carry 4 bikes.

My recommendation is to use a roof rack with 1 bike and a trunk mount rack for the other 3 bikes. A second option is to use the roof rack for 2 bikes, and then a hitch and hitch-mount bike carrier for the other 2 bikes.

I have attached links to several videos for the products I mentioned you can check out.

The roof rack I recommend is the Thule SquareBar roof rack. This attaches to your factory side rails and features 47 inch SquareBars. To order this system you will need to order 2 part numbers, part # TH712200, and part # TH710401.

To carry a bike on the roof I recommend the Thule UpRide Wheel-Mount Bike Carrier, part # TH599000. This holds the bike by the wheels and not the frame and removing the wheel is not necessary.

For a 3-bike trunk mount carrier I recommend the Thule OutWay 3 Bike Rack, part # TH56BV. This is a premium carrier that uses 2 cables to secure the carrier to the back of your vehicle. This also features a built-in cable lock system for added security.

If you are planning on carrying bikes with alternative frames like kids bikes or women's bikes I recommend an adapter bar like part # TH982XT. This attaches between the seat post and the handlebar stem and holds the bike level in the carrier, while providing more ground clearance.

If you choose a hitch and a hitch-mounted carrier you will need an additional carrier on the roof rack.

The hitch i recommend for your SportWagen is the Draw-Tite Trailer Hitch, part # 24866. This is a Class l hitch and has a 1-1/4 inch receiver opening.

The hitch-mounted carrier I recommend is the Saris Bone, part # SA882. This hitch can carry 2 bikes and will fit both 1-1/4 and 2 inch receiver openings. This carrier also tilts down when unloaded to allow access to the rear of the vehicle.