How To Carry 5 Bikes On a 2017 Volkswagen Golf GTI
Updated 05/13/2020 | Published 05/12/2020
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Question:
Hello! First of all, your web is great. I love it. I am trying to figure out what is the best way if possible at all!! to transport 5 bikes on my 2017 VW Golf GTI. 3 adult bikes and 2 kids bike. I have checked out the great hidden eco hitch that is class 2 and I understand I can install a Thule rack for up to 4 bikes on it? Then I would have to put an extra bike I prefer two on the roof using a roof rack. But I’ve seen your responses to other questions and would love to receive a personalized best suggestion for my goals. Thanks
asked by: Jose S
Expert Reply:
You are definitely on the right track to carrying 5 bikes on your 2017 Volkswagen Golf GTI. I recommend to use the EcoHitch Hidden Trailer Hitch Receiver part # 306-X7309 which is a concealed 2" hitch for the Golf GTI. You can then use any 2" hitch compatible bike rack that you'd like but you will need to stay under 300 lbs which is factoring the weight of the rack itself and the bikes. I recommend to carry 3 bikes on the hitch and 2 bikes on the roof.
For the rack, I recommend the SportRack Pathway Deluxe 3 Bike Rack # SR2703 because it only weighs 25 lbs and has a carrying capacity of 132 lbs, which is plenty for your 3 bikes. It comes with a lock for your bikes, but I also recommend getting the hitch lock part # SR0901 to protect your investments.
I recommend adding a roof rack to your Volkswagen Golf GTI. If you have raised rails with 5 doors, I recommend the Yakima Jetstream bars part # Y00425 with towers part # Y33TR. If your 5 door GTI does not have raised rails, you can use the same bars but you'd need to use the Yakima BaseLine Towers part # Y28TR, and BaseLine clips part # Y06123 and # Y06125.
I recommend to carry the children's bikes on the roof because your roof capacity is most likely not very much considering it is such a small vehicle. For that, I recommend Swagman Race Ready Roof Bike Rack part # S64705 which will fit children's bikes as long as they have at least a 20" wheel diameter.
If the children's bikes have smaller wheels, you will need to put them on the rack and put the adult bikes on the roof but I recommend to check your roof capacity first. You will need an adapter bar part # 64005 with any bikes on the rack that do not have a horizontal cross tube like a child's bike or a woman's bike frame.
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