Looking for a Trunk Mount Bike Rack on a 2008 Saturn Vue  

Question:

Expert Reply:

There are a couple different reasons why trunk mounted bike racks are not recommended for your 2008 Saturn Vue. Most second generation Saturn Vues (2008 to 2010) have a small plastic trim piece or a plastic spoiler at the top of the rear hatch. The upper straps of trunk mounted bike racks attach to the top edge of the rear hatch and this plastic trim piece or spoiler is not designed to support the weight of the bike rack and bikes. The plastic could deform or break from the pressure.

Another issue that Yakima, a bike rack manufacturer, has found with the 2008 Saturn Vue is that the side straps can not be securely attached to the side of the rear hatch.

We do have one manufacturer, Hollywood Racks, that lists their trunk mounted bike racks as a fit for your vehicle, but they do state that their bike racks should not be used on vehicles that have rear spoilers and I do not recommend attaching the side straps to the sides of the glass of the rear hatch. I have attached a link to all of the trunk mounted bike racks that Hollywood Racks carries for your vehicle.

If you do have a plastic trim piece or spoiler at the top of your rear hatch, then I would recommend investing in a trailer hitch, like the Curt Class III Hitch, # 13594, and a hitch mounted bike rack like the Swagman Trailhead 2 Bike Rack, # S63360. This set up will prevent damage to your vehicle and will not require you to remove the bike rack every time you need to access the rear cargo area.

A few other advantages to adding a trailer hitch is having the ability to tow a trailer if the situation arose or to use a hitch mounted cargo carrier to free up more space in the vehicle.

expert reply by: John H

0